Second Battle of the Boudica Campaign

26 Oct 19
This was the second battle in the Boudica Campaign. It was a much bigger battle with four players, each commanding two commands, with each army being 204 point To the Strongest armies.  We used the new TtS lists which give the Britons battle chariots rather than light chariots.  From my understanding of the period the chariots should maybe act more like dragoons, taking warriors to the enemy's lines and providing an escape route if it all goes wrong.  One the whole the addition of chariots is a great improvement to the army lists.

For those of you unfamiliar with the period this battle was a major defeat for the Romans.

"The victorious enemy met Petilius Cerialis, commander of the ninth legion,..., routed his troops, and destroyed all his infantry. Cerialis escaped with some cavalry into the camp, and was saved by its fortifications. After this defeat, Catus Decianus fled to Gaul."


The scenario for this battle called for a Flank march by Britons. (The campaign rules can be downloaded here.)


This was a big battle fought on a big table.

The British left command was entirely mounted troops.  Two light cavalry units and two chariot units. There roll was to tie up the Roman right.

The British centre, warriors and slingers, supported by light cavalry and chariots, were to press forward slowly. Wearing the Roman's down with their numerical advantage over the Romans in missile troops.

The British right flank, fanatical warriors, was the flank march.  Their role was to surprise the Romans and attack the unprotected Roman flank.

It was a good plan but... the Romans refused to be drawn off their defensive position and turn after turn the flanking force refused to advance on the Romans.  Curse those cards!  

(BTW: These are 15mm figures. We just use small cards :). )
The centres engaged. The Brits, showing the IX Legion the traditional British sign for victory!

However as the fight progressed the Warriors were ground down by the Legions. British warriors are the same point cost as Roman legions but can't stand up to them toe to toe. The Roman's better saves keep them in the fight and although the warriors have three hits once they are disordered they start to loose the fight.

Alas we were unable to fight the battle to it's conclusion but at the time we stopped the Romans were winning 6VP to 2VP. I had forgotten that two of the generals were new to TtS and explaining the rules (and general chatting) took longer that I had expected. Next ...the final battle. Who will have victory? Roma or the Iceni?