We have been looking for a set of rules for Renaissance gaming for what seems like forever, Principles of War being the set we have used the most…it is, however, very math heavy so perhaps not as accessible as some sets.
When I heard that there was an adaption of my favourite Ancients/Medieval set, which had been developed by Simon LeRay Meyer, for the Renaissance then I thought I would pick it up, and give it a go.
I put two lists together, based on what we had available, using the Ottoman Turkish and Early Habsburg lists, as follows:
Ottoman Turkish c1530
Brilliant Commander
2 x Jannissaries: Medium Swordsmen Arquebus Elite
1 x Azab Archers: LMI Bow Mediocre
3 x QapuQulu: Heavy Cavalry Bow Elite
2 x Medium Artillery
Ordinary Commander
4 x Feudal Sipahis: Heavy Cavalry Bow
2 x Akinjis: Light Cavalry Bow
Dellis: Light Cavalry Impact Elite
Ordinary Commander
2 x Feudal Sipahis: Heavy Cavalry Bow Elite
1 x Feudal Sipahis: Heavy Cavalry Bow
3 x Akinjis: Light Cavalry Bow
1 x Dellis: Light Cavalry Impact Elite
Early Habsburg Austrians c1530
Brilliant Commander
2 x Medium Artillery
1 x Landsknect: Keil Armoured 2HW
2 x Landsknect: Keil Armoured
1 x Landsknect: LMI Arquebus
Competent Commander
2 x Imperial Gendarmes: Heavy Knight Impact Elite
1 x Foreign Men at Arms: Heavy Knight Impact Elite
3 x Poorly Equiped Men at Arms: Heavy Cavalry Impact
1 x Jinetes: Light Horse Javelin
Competent Commander
3 x Men at Arms: Heavily Armoured Cavalry Impact
3 x Hussars: Medium Cavalry Bow
The Game
After table setup, both sides deployed – the Ottmans decided to make use of the enclosed fields on their left flank – in ADLG-R, two of the fields can be upgraded to enclosed fields which offer protection for those within.
The Jannissaries deployed in line, supported by their artillery. One thing we noticed was that they really needed a brilliant commander with them, as with 2 units and 2 guns, it needed a lot of pips to move the line – in ADLG-R, foot units can’t group move when in side to side contact, they need to be in “chequerboard” formation.
On the Ottoman right flank, there was a patient game of shoot and evade from the advancing Knights and Impact Cavalry.
Meanwhile, the Habsburg foot advanced (as a group) using the aforementioned chequerboard formation…unfortunately for them, they were right in front of the massed Ottoman artillery…shooting negated their armour,and in addition, had a +1 bonus, because of the deep formations of the Keils.
By the time they made it to the Ottoman lines, they had been ravaged by fire.
Meanwhile, the Ottoman Dellis had managed to charge the artillery….with Impact, they were one up in the combats, and Elite!
On the Ottoman right flank, however, the rear table edge was becoming perilously close! Indeed, a number of units evaded off table, and the flank was open to the Knights if they could exploit it!
The Habsburg centre was being decimated though, and the attack came in piecemeal – it was very tough, and the casualties were mounting up.
…and the Dellis had their eye on a 2nd artillery piece, after destroying the first…
…but it wasn’t to be as they were outflanked!
The Habsburg centre began to collapse, and a last ditch attempt to exploit the flanks was made.
But the flank defence was successful, and the attack faltered…!
Meanwhile on the left flank, the Ottoman Cavalry, tired of evading, stood against the heavily armoured Impact Cavalry, winning a number of combats before eventually falling under their feet…but it was enough to tip the balance.
….and the Qapu Khalqi broke through the centre, to take the camp, and win the game!
Thoughts
Well this was really rather good, the 4 players (I refereed) all said they would play it again, and it was certainly more accessible than some of the previous sets we had tried out.
We had a couple of rules queries, which I will ask the author to clear up, but other than that it all seemed logical. The group movement, and rear support being the most complicated concepts to get our heads around.
The plan now is to rebase my English Civil War figures for the system, and expand my Ottomans to the later period, and finally add that Polish army I have been promising myself for years…..Winged Hussars!!!
Looks like a fun game. Now I can see my self buying some Ottoman artillery!