Today, (before a week off as our club is closed) - it was just Lawrence and myself, so we played a second game of Midgard with my Sumerians. I decided to use an Akkadian army which differs in having 1 less spear unit and 1 less Hero and skirmisher unit, but gaining a Guard unit of Axemen and a unit of formed archers. All the formed infantry are Drilled, to represent their professionalism and experience under Sargon and Naram-Sin, amongst others.
We fought a basic battle, and I got to be attacker, obviously trying to suppress some Sumerian rebels?
As usual we both diced for Omens, I got a 6 meaning I gained 3 Reputation, but my Champion also became 'Fated'. Would this affect the game?
The battlefield, and our deployments, nearside are the Akkadians.
On my right, My C-in-C with his Battle carts, some Slingers (Nim), the Guard and Formed Archers
In the centre I had four Spearmen units.
On my left more Spearmen and my Nim Archers and Javelinmen.
Facing my left, Lawrence had 3 Spear units and some Nim Slingers.
He had a similar centre, but the Nim had Bows.
His left was his strongest, with his Battle Carts some Nim Slingers and Archers and another three Spear units...led by his Army Commander.
In the first turn I threw my left wing Nim to seize the wood.
My right advanced to try and defeat the enemy Nim...I also hoped to get the charge in on the Sumerian Battle Carts.
Lawrence was being coy with them though!
In the centre, my Spearmen held and were harassed by Sumerian Nim.
My Formed Bowmen took damage! - fortunately they also damaged the enemy Nim archers.
My Battle Carts were itching to get in, but I didn't want them shot up en route!
My Spear centre advanced and drove off the Sumerian lights, fortunately having avoided taking any casualties! My 'Heroes' had to spend a lot of 'Mighty deeds' to keep them in line though!
I hoped that being half strength would soon see the Sumerian Javelins off table, and give me maneuvering room against the Sumerian Battle Carts.
Unfortunately, one of my Spear units in the centre took damage as the enemy Nim re-engaged (Look at that die roll - 5 hits out of 6!)
However, things got worse...
Being Fated - my poor Hero died!
On my right, My Archers destroyed the Sumerian Javelinmen!
However, Lawrence now had room and distance (and die roll!) to charge in on my Battle Carts, I got a counter charge in, but would still be down in the melee! - and so it proved, I damaged the Sumerians, but they beat me badly.
I had hoped my flanks would do better, but I felt it was getting time to commit my centre.
Lawrence drove my Nim back into the wood
Unfortunately, my Battle Wagons routed, but the Sumerians were also rather battered, to my great relief!
My Army Commander joined the nearby Nim Slingers.
In the centre, one of my Spear units caught and broke the enemy Archers. I hoped keeping my 'Today We Fight to Win' would help when the Sumerian Spears behind attacked.
No such luck! Lawrence threw really well and destroyed my unit!!!
Un my left, my Spearmen did nearly as well against the Sumerians!
On my right though, my Guard had beaten the Sumerian Spearmen, but they were surrounded and killed as they recklessly advanced!
On my left, my victorious Spearmen and another Sumerian Spear unit destroyed each other, only the Javelin armed Nim I had thrown on their flank survived!
The Sumerian Slingers had beaten back my damaged unit, and I had to send in a supporting charge from Nim Archers and Spearmen before they were destroyed!
Things were beginning to look up on my left!
In the centre, another of my Spear units was attacked and destroyed.
Even though my right wing Slingers had destroyed the Sumerian Battle Carts, the game was up for my Akkadians!
I was at -1 Reputation, and Lawrence still had 3, so a narrow victory for the Sumerian rebels!
A fun game!
