Battle of Ichi-no-Tani using Lion Rampant

Here's the Battle of Ichi-no-Tani using Lion Rampant. I slightly modified the rules a bit by making all units 6-figures, and also upping the Armour save to 2 from 1 for the Bidower classed Chugen/Ashigaru. Mounted and foot Samurai were classed as Serjeants and armed with bows; the foot Samurai were upgraded to Expert. Warrior Monks were also classed as Serjeants and given the Fleet Footed special rule.  In the actual historical battle, the Taira forces were decimated, yet a remnant managed to make it out to sea. Another deviation from history had Minamoto Yoshitsune, the hero of the actual battle, killed off in this game.

Pre-game set up showing the nomimal placement of troops. The Victory Conditions for the Taira were either getting at least 50% of their troops off table using the watercraft beached along the shore - or killing at least 50% of the attacking Minamoto forces. The Minamoto's Victory Condition was simple - kill off at least 50% of the Taira.

Minamoto Yoshitsune and his loyal companion, Benkei lead the Minamoto cavalry. Their descent from the sheer cliffs behind the Taira camp is still remembered as a legendary feat.

Fleet footed warrior monks allied with the Minamoto break through into the Taira stronghold from thick forests. The surprised lower classed Chugen will soon be decimated, even with their increased Armour save of 2.

On the opposite side of the Taira camp, Minamoto Yoshitsune counter attacks Taira foot samurai - their red banner bearing the clan's butterfly crest. This engagement was more evenly matched with equal amounts of casualties. Both units passed their Courage tests and had the attacking Taira retreating to lick their wounds.

Minamoto foot samurai having attacked and successfully breaking a portion of the Taira barricade are ready to move in.

Another unit of Minamoto cavalry counter attacks Taira foot samurai in the center of the Taira stronghold. Again, another evenly matched fight, with the Taira retreating back as a result.

Now it is the Minamoto cavalry's turn to attack the Taira, who are now backed up against the wall of their fortress. The Taira foot samurai held their own and made the Minamoto attackers retreat after this round of combat. Note the Taira chugen bowmen along the walls. This unit was allowed to fire half their shooting dice on either side from the main gate. They also had a special rule to dismount from the wall and form into a unit on their next turn.

Sohei warrior monks having turned the Taira right flank within the stronghold move towards the main gate. The chugen bowmen have jumped over their walled enclosure and will form up as a unit in their next turn - hoping to reach the boats.

Minamoto and Taira foot samurai in combat. Both sides again fairly evenly matched. The attacking Taira retreating towards the shoreline after the combat would be fortuitous for them. By now, over 50% of the Taira had been killed. However, we decided to continue playing on until until all were killed or if any could make it to their watercraft and out to sea.

The remnants of the Taira - the chugen bow unit and half of a samurai unit - successfully reach their boats and subsequently make it out to sea out of bow range of the Minamoto.

Remaining Minamoto forces rally outside the now deserted Taira stronghold. Their leaders Yoshitsune and Benkei having been killed within the compound make it a bitter sweet victory.

A nice use of the rules with a semi-historical conclusion. Although the Taira lost the game due to over half of their forces being killed off - the Minamoto lost their leader which would likely have dire effects in a campaign setting. I must add that the Taira had two or three failed activation rolls in a row which really hindered their deployment and tactics. As far as comparing the use of Lion Rampant and WAB for this scenario - I would say both work, but I recall the WAB game having a bit more flavor. That is, one of the games had the Minamoto commandeering a Taira boat and setting fire to the Taira flagship.