Age is a terrible thing. Jon has just returned to work after chronic backache and my own maladies are unmentionable of course! Like two old timers, we listed off our ailments and  opted for a short game, then some drinks, then a Chinese, and some more drinks….Whatever happened to all day games and more factors to consult than  the national census?

Replacing millimetre measuring and zones of control is Manticgames’ Kings of War historical. Old acquaintances mentioned the much loved Warmaster parentage but, it does give a super fast uncomplicated game. John brought a ten regiment army of four heavy milites, two dismounted Knights, two spear units and two crossbow units. After the briefest of introductions to the rules, he was off and deploying to fight with his brother over the rights to the ancestral homeland.

As the bastard son ( of course), I had fewer knightly supporters but more hardy footman with spear, crossbow and bow. I settled across the table, hoping my missile fire would whittle down the knightly host. My horse units were at the rear of my deployment, ready to swing round the enemy flank.

Jon’s faction looked impressive and at eight inches a turn, they would soon eat up the ground between our two hosts. I should have shot at these interlopers but the spearman have much lower ” nerve” ratings and sure enough two units imploded in the first turn!

This is a deadly game. Nerve is determined by rolling two D6 and this added to the unit losses. If you roll high and have only a kite shield, then life is short. However, in this game, time is also short, usually ending after six or seven turns. Brother John is not usually so impetuous but this time, he was across the table, bad back or no……….

Turn one and four regiments had now hit the dust. What was worse is that the victorious Chargers were now turning to roll up my infantry line! Below, only one conroi of knights lacked the necessary conviction in my brother’s cause.

All thoughts of holding back my cavalry were now forgotten. John’s light troops on the other flank were the target and they would need to be hit fast. Using the arable crops to screen my attack, thankfully few Knights were unhorsed by the devilish crossbows. The “reload” rule neatly hinders movement and shooting. But it would be at least two turns before I could strike the upstart crossbowmen.

In that two turns my opponent’s Knights were terrorising my foot. John held back his foot Knights and gave his milites free reign. Having lost my right wing, now my centre was crumbling. My commander held up one charge but time was running out.

Flank attacks are deadly in this system, receiving double the number of dice. When my flanking horse reached their target, they caused hits but didn’t rout the missile troops.

The final indignity was vacating the field with my general. I was a contender to the throne no more! Even my Knights were being flank charged by the dismounted victors. My brother had swept the field. We had both underestimated how decisive this game system is. We used inches for movement and ranges- perhaps we could go all European and use centimetres but I rather like the broad sweep of the games. Hopefully we shall get a few more games in over Easter. 

Thanks for reading! Nevermind chocolate, buy more rulebooks!