It was time for a first run-out for my newly painted Saxons. I’d painted two points of SAGA warriors and two hearthguard. My gallant opponent Chris lent me another points worth of levy archers and another points worth of select fyrd. Elite heavy infantry would make the Northmen rue the day they landed. I should have been more circumspect when Chris Kristoffson brought five points of Viking warriors and formed two small six man units of archers to bolster his Saga dice.

With a wall of Viking shields facing me, I thought to hold them in the centre whilst shooting over the impenetrable fen.

I know it’s was a lot to ask but I regretted the flank manouvre almost as soon as I finished the move. Chris charged my archers and it was only turn two!

My select fyrd were ready to counter attack but this is where that loveable Viking brigand had planned for. The Viking love of Vallhallah allows the player to sacrifice men for attacks. If it’s one thing my small elite units can’t stand it’s sacrificial Vikings. Chris was content to sacrifice warriors for hearth guard.

However, my great fyrd archers were made of sterner stuff. With a combination of reckless Viking sacrifices and great dice rolls, the Viking ” skateboard” sabot was looking very empty. Chris sacrificed the last three Vikings of this unit to bring down the Saxon hardmen.

In order for my super effective archery to inflict more damage, and allow my flank March to skirt the bog, I fell back to hoots of derision from my opponent!

Feeling more confident, the Vikings advanced. I didn’t fancy the exploding Viking Vallhalah seekers so decided to carve through the enemy archers instead. It wasn’t heroic but Cedric the Saxon leader was desperate.

Inspired by their drunken leader, the Saxons made short work of the Viking archers. Six figures may give you an extra SAGA dice but in combat they are severely disadvantaged. Chris’ Norse anger was inflamed, he charged in…

Then, Viking like, the commander who had sent so many of his own troops to their death, took back the move. His warriors came forward but then retired and looked to their flank. My Saxons had arrived behind them. Luckily, my taking the troops off the sabot, Chris’ Vikings were safe…out of range by a millimetre!

It all ended in a grand melee with just Cedric and one unit facing The Viking leader and one unit of warriors. We called it a draw – The table was littered with the dead and the dieing but I think the Vallhalah rule had accounted for most of them. An excellent skirmish and , for once, not a loss with new troops. Not a victory, but not a loss….