Never Mind the Matchlocks trial

 Steve, Bob and I have played quite a few games of 'Billhooks', so we thought we would give this set of rules a go.  As you would expect they are very similar, though matchlocks replace bows and cavalry are more numerous.  Brigades replace Battles as the element of command.  One interesting change is that there is now an army commander, who can either carry out an action himself, or, give an extra action to one of his commanders.  As with 'Billhooks' it is a card driven system so not all commanders will have the opportunity to act each turn.

An infantry brigade ready to advance

Preparing to exchange volleys

We tried out a simple scenario featuring a roadside inn.  The two cavalry forces entered combat fairly quickly and it was fairly bloody!  Starting with 4 brigades, each with 2 units in no time half had been eliminated, having failed their morale tests or had been wiped out.  Of the remaining four, three were below half strength.

The remains of two cavalry units after a round of melee

Cavalry charging a gun

Infantry are either musketeers, pikemen or forlorn hope skirmishers.  Ammunition for formed musketeer units (including those in composite units with pike, is limited to 6 rounds (with an extra one on the basis that the unit is assumed to be already loaded.  This does encourage advancing into close range (9" or less), as at long range hits are only scored with '6's.  Saving throws are 5+, so hits can 'stick' and build up quickly.  Interestingly, on mixed pike/musket units all the hits are assumed to fall on the muskets, which some may find odd and wish to change.  

Morale is the same as for 'Billhooks'.  The composite matchlock and pike units add 2 to their morale test so only a double 1 spells disaster.  Nevertheless, I did manage it.

Very rarely a good result

Our first attempt seemed to run ok, and with use I can see we could easily play a game in a three hours.  If you have played 'Billhooks' and like the system and also have some Pike and Shot troops they could give a small scale action alternative to Pike and Shotte or one of the other rule sets available.  

My apologies for the grommets in use as casualty counters.  The rules require figure removal and all our figures  are on multiple figure bases.

Not been a particularly productive year on the blog, but I hope to post more frequently next year.  In closing, I would like to wish all my readers a peaceful and prosperous 2025.