Siege of Ulsan - Imjin War Playtest

I was finally able to get a playtest in for the Siege of Ulsan game at today's gameday down in Olympia. There were 5 players - 3 for the attacking/besieging Ming, and 2 players for the Japanese - one inside the fortress and one bringing on relief forces opposite the Ming. The Osprey book below was the inspiration and reference material for the fortress (wajo).

As this was a only playtest, and on 6x5' table, I left off most of the Korean forces, as well as some of the Japanese troops. 

The rules were a modified version of Hail Caesar - which was used before for a Siege of Haenju game (Japanese besieging Koreans during the Imjin War). It worked well, but there are a few things that will be modified for the game being hosted at Enfilade next month. During today's game, it was found that the simplified break test results used were a bit too brutal - basically a lot of units (including supporting units) were being destroyed by failed tests. We also found a good way to have units use the scaling ladders once laid against the fortress walls. If a unit on the ladder is killed off by the defenders, nearby units with enough movement can use the same ladder. The ladder rules have one move needed to reach the wall, another to have it raised, and a final move to climb/mount it for combat. 

Below are pictures taken during the game, in no particular order. We played over 10 turns, as the rules played pretty fast. I did mod the activation a bit by allowing players to move one unit a single move on a failed activation.

Above: Ming foot reaching the walls, with heavy infantry bringing up ladders. We did a quick mod to the rules to have defenders not being able to shoot at enemy below them within 3" of the wall - too vertical of an angle for missile fire.

Above: A unit of Korean heavy infantry reaching the walls with their ladder raised.

Above: A view inside the fortress with Ming infantry having defeated a unit of Japanese arquebusiers and occupying a section of the wall. Samurai below them later moved up and destroyed the Ming. However, we called this a spritual victory for the Ming for getting inside the fortress.

Above: Another view of Ming using scaling ladders to enter the fortress. This game only used 3 ladders, but for there will be several more for the game at Enfilade.

Above: Japanese relief forces coming on. They were allowed to bring half of their forces onto the table at Turn 2, and the rest in subsequent turns.

Above: About Turn 2 or 3.

Above: Ming heavy cavalry advancing to meet the Japanese relief forces.

Above: Samurai and ashigaru sally forth out from out of the fortress to assist their relief forces.

Above: Kato Kiyomasa inside of the fortress.

Above: Ashiguru manning the battlements.

Above: A view of the battlefield from the side the Ming entered the table.

We called the game as a  close Japanese victory since the Ming weren't able to overcome the defenders inside. However, the Ming were able destroy several of the Japanese relief forces and ultimately halt their advance. Otherwise, it was a very good playtest and the few mods will be made and should be good for the convention next month. 

Wargames Atlantic Conquistadors

Two units of 24-figures each (from the two boxes). One unit of arquebusiers, and one unit of swordsmen - with a couple of halberdiers to guard the colors. Speaking of colors, the flags are from the Warlord Games Landsknecht Starter Army set.

Their "uniforms" are likely a bit too uniform to be historically accurate, but wanted to keep the color schemes simple. Borrowed the colors from Warhammer Estalia - red and yellow primarily. This not only eased the painting process, but give the units a cohesive (if not historical) look.

The figures themselves are quite robust and in sturdy plastic - very appropriate for gaming. They reminded me of Warlord Games ECW plastics - stylistically, and their poses as well.

As mentioned in the previous post, the sets come with options for crossbows, halberds, and short pikes, in addition to the swords and arquebuses. What little I know of Warhammer Estalian forces, these would be a very decent set to build an army, IMO.

Well, glad to have these done before heading out to host my Imjin War game tomorrow morning. I may also finish up the remaining figures from the Landsknecht start army set - maybe build them as a "Forlorn Hope" unit. Until next time, thanks for stopping by and hope you all are doing well.

Wargames Atlantic Conquistadors - WIP

Finished Minwax staining two boxes of these. One unit of swordsmen and one of arquebusiers. Kept the colors simple with mostly red and yellow - à la Estalia.

Below, block painted before staining. Quite a versatile kit, as it comes with enough arm options to build them as pikemen, crossbowmen, or halberdiers as well. 

On the gaming front, I am scheduled to host my Imjin War Siege of Ulsan game at a game day on Saturday. It'll be a scaled down version of the one I'm hosting at Enfilade next month. This will be the first playtest for the game, although the rules are similar to the one used for my Siege of Haengju game some years ago - which worked well enough.

Wargames Atlantic Renaissance Heavy Cavalry

These are painted up as Spanish (maybe a bit WHFB Estalian).

The set comes with a lot of head/helmet options, including closed burgonets which I didn't use as those are a bit later than what I intend these for - early-mid 16th C.

There are only four riders in full plate armor (greaves), as well as only four left arms in full plate. There are four "extra" rider bodies in half armor, and plenty of lance and sword arm options.

The horses have separate neck/heads, and there are enough for all 12 to have the armored neck and face, as well as 12 chest plates. Oddly, there are only enough rear barding straps for 8 of the 12 horses. Otherwise, it's still a good set with a lot of optional parts, as well as 8 war dogs.

Everything went together well, however, I would advise to glue on the saddles before adding the barding straps. I glued the straps on first and some were not allowing the saddles to fully seat onto the horse. I ended up carving the insides of the saddles to let them fit. If you glue the saddles on first, you can position the straps afterwards.

Below is a comparison shot, left to right - GW Empire Knight, Wargames Atlantic, and Perry WotR. The GW is much larger than the other two. Wargames Atlantic and Perry match up pretty well - the former might look slightly bulkier overall.

Next up are two boxes of Wargames Atlantic Conquistador foot. Until next time, thanks again for stopping by the blog, and wishing you well.

Warlord Games Landsknecht Command and Pike Blocks

Finished up the command figures for the Landsknecht pike units. Adding a drummer, flag bearer, leader, and either a two-handed swordsman or halberdier, was able to flesh out enough for six 30-man pike units. These should be enough for a core Landsknecht force - although one of the units is the Black Band that served the French. I drilled out the hands of the standard bearers and replaced the poles with plastic broom bristles. This way the flags can be held up higher as the way the ones molded into the hands were a bit low, and some of the larger flags didn't even fit on them.

There are a few more figures left from the Start Army box, including the metal command figures, but will next start on a box of Wargames Atlantic Conquistadors.

Glad to have these done, and happy with how they turned out. Also, nice to have them individually based so not only can the command figures be moved around, but also the rank and file guys too. Thanks for checking out the blog and wishing you all the best.

The Black Band - Warlord Games Landsknechts

Here's the band, together for one last gig, led by a leader wielding a Flammenschwert, drummer, and flag bearer that are 3D prints from ebay. The prints match up well with the Warlord Games figures; in fact, the drummer has a headswap from Warlord Games.

Even though I tried to give them an overall look with black clothing, it appears as much red was also used. White was also used, somewhat sparingly, to give them a bit of splash.

Next in the paint queue are the command figures for the rest of the pike units.

Warlord Games Landsknecht Pikemen

 Finished basing the 70 new pikemen.

There are about 50 or so more figures to go - the Black Band and command figures. Once the command figures are done, they'll be added to the pike blocks - which should end up with six 30-man units.

After spraying the figures with a flat finish, gave the faces and hands a flesh wash, and highlighted the plumes and metal areas. Since they're based as singles, I can always go back to touch the figures if needed in the future (but doubt that I will).

Four 30-man pike units so far. Of course, the renegade Black Band will not be part of Imperial army.

I may someday add Foundry or Warlord Games metal figures in advancing poses to the front ranks.

Thanks for checking out the blog, and wishing you all the best.

Warlord Games Landsknecht Pikemen - WIP +1

Finished staining 70 of the pikemen. The other 26 will be painted as the Black Band, so wanted to do them separately.

(Pike) block-painted prior to staining.

Besides the Black Band, need to finish the command figures. After these, have two bags of Old Glory Swiss Pikemen to paint up. Go them from a local store on sale for less than $1 a figures. Also have a box each of Wargames Atlantic Conquistadors and Renaissance Heavy Cavalry inbound from ebay. Thanks again for checking out the blog - wishing you all the best.

Started on a Starter Army - Landsknechts

Started on the pikemen, and as ? and the Mysterians said, there's gonna be 96...pikemen, not tears though. So far, painted up the pikes, armor, shoes, flesh/hair, and hats.

The command figures will be next - then the Zweihänders, and finally the arquebusiers. Oh, almost forgot, there's a light gun and crew too. 

Warlord Games Landsknecht Pikemen and Arquebusiers

Finished up the pikemen and missile troops. There are now two 30-man pike units. The army starter box will add four more units if I add command and a few Zweihänders to the front ranks. I may also try to use left over Perry WotR halberd arms to a few for the front ranks too.

When I made the movement trays, I had WHFB in mind, but since the figures are based as singles, units can be formed for other scenarios/rules as needed.

I only added a few highlights after the Minwax stain - mostly white areas, plumes, and metal areas.

Pictured below are the two pike units, so far. Plan to paint up a unit as the Black Band - which should make colors choices a lot easier.

Thanks again for your kind visits and wishing you all the best.

Warlord Games Landsknecht Pikemen and Handgunners - WIP

Just Minwax stained the boxes of pikemen and handgunners. Also, got a starter army box too. Should end up with five or six 30-man pike units; depending on adding enough command figures to each unit.

And as usual, here a picture below of how they looked prior to the staining.

To simplify selection of colors, WHFB Empire colors were used. Plan to start on the pikemen from the starter box next. Until next time, wishing you all the very best.