SAGA AAR. Anglo Danes defend their Village

 Hi Guys
Another SAGA AAR.
Tonight daughter number 3 (14 years old Hayley) and I had a SAGA battle. Anglo Danes under her command defending a village against Byzantines commanded by yours truly.
My warband consisted of 5 Warriors (two of which have bows, three have spear and shield) and a mounted Hearthguard (Kavallaroi) and finally a mounted Warlord (Strategos).
Hayley was defending with four units, 2 Hearthguard and 2 Warriors and a Warlord.
The scenario dictates I have 6 moves to capture the village. I assume after six move the enemies standing army arrives and my lads must dash off back to their boats or whatever,...
BELOW: DEPLOYMENT


The battle opened with a flurry of arrow shots at the Anglo Dane Hearthguard positioned in the center. Immediate success with two warriors falling to my hail of arrows.
I attacked with the Warriors on both ends of my line and sent my Kavallaroi ff to my left to attempt to attack Hayley's right flank. Hayley countered by moving one of her two Hearthguard off to her right to stall my  Kavallaroi.

The battle between the warriors resulted in much slaughter, but my lads came off worse for wear.

Frustrated with my lack of success with my warriors, (despite so much advantage with fire support from my Warrior Archers) I moved my Strategos off to join the Kavallaroi in an attack on the Anglo Dane Hearthguard on Hayley's right.

The next three turns saw my Kavallaroi bouncing off these Anglo Danes on the flank. At one point I actually feared for my Strategos life!
Hayley's Warlord by contrast was almost single handily frustrating all my efforts to destroy his Warband.

By the time the last turn came around Hayley was reduced to a single Hearthguard and her wounded Warlord in front of the village.
My Strategos and two remaining Kavallaroi were still being faced down by three very annoyed Hearthguard near the low stone walled field on her right flank 'sigh'.
Unable to actually reached the village my only option was to shoot down the Warlord and Hearthguard defending it.
I shot at the Warlord first and he fell beneath the rain of arrows. The Hearthguard however hunkered down behind his shield and survived.
6 turns down, and Hayley held on grimly to score a victory.
With the imminent arrival of the Anglo Dane relief force my warband withdrew.

Another enjoyable game of SAGA.
As usual comments are welcomed.
Cheers.

SAGA AAR. Byzantines V Anglo Danes.

 Hi Guys
A very relaxed New Years Eve here at 'Trailape's Gun Park'. Stan popped around after skiving off from domestic duties to have a game of SAGA with me. I've never played the game before, so I quickly based up some Byzantines and took to the 'field of Honour' to face Stan's Anglo Danes.
I'd had a glance through the rules previously but I would rely on Stan to get me started.
I decided on a Warband consisting of a Warlord / Strategos (derrrr), one Mounted 'Hearthguard' (called Kavallaroi) and 3 units of 'Warriors' (one armed with bows called Toxotai and two armed with spear and shield called Kontaratoi).
Stan's Warband consisted of a Warlord, two Hearthguards and two Warrior units.
Terrain consisted of a 'Large Building' (a Roman Villa) and a hill.
I deployed first.
My plan was rather simple, ('cause simple is good). I'd pepper him with arrows and send my Kavallaroi off on a sweeping flanking attack with the Warlord. I figured the KONTOS Saga Ability could be a game winner for me, so I wanted to get my Kavallaroi. The photos below follow the game:
BELOW: Stan's deployment.From left to right: Warriors, Hearthguard, Warlord, Warriors, Hearthguard.

 BELOW: Ready for action my Warband form with my 'Warriors' in a nice neat line, with the archers in the center and a spear armed unit on the hill.

 BELOW: My turn 1. I advance my warriors, with the Toxotai slightly back. I wasn't keen for them to get into any 'Hand to hand' combat.  My Kavallaroi move off to envelopment Stan's right flank. My Strategos changes into his battle dress. :)

 BELOW: My Archers open fire and simply annoy the Hearthguard ('sigh'). My BLUE Kontaratoi attack their opposite numbers and despite the lack of spears, (I'm painting them) flog the Anglo Danes. Stan's dice rolling was horrible (for him).

 BELOW: Stan then throws his Hearthguard into the fight. My BLUE Kontaratoi are reduced to one brave soul, but the enemy Warriors are reduced to two and the Hearthguard are also down to two!

 Meanwhile I unleash the Kavallaroi with the Strategos and adding the 'KONTOS' Saga Ability slaughter the Anglo Dane Hearthguard on the right flank for the loss of not one Kavallaroi trooper.
BELOW: The situation at about turn 3 or 4.

BELOW: Stan feels a tad isolated.

  Stan pulls a clever move, and double moves his warriors in front of the hill to attack my Kavallaroi and rescue his Warlord. I reserve half my dice in defence. Consequently I only lose one Kavallaroi trooper.

 ABOVE: Meanwhile my Archers / Toxotai finish of the two Warriors and then start firing at his two left flank Hearthguard.
BELOW: My Kavallaroi disengage and move back towards the villa. My Stategos moves around to support my Infantry.

 BELOW: Stan now turns on the Unit of Kontaratoi that have moved off the hill,...

... and kills quite a few of them. (See BELOW)
However, time is against Stan and his Anglo Danes and the game ends. It'll be decided on points.
A quick tally and we conclude the Byzantines win 14-7.

So what do I think of SAGA now I've played a game?
Well I must say I'm a fan. They system is elegant and challenging.
I like the tactical challenge of matching the dice to the battleboard to get maximum effect from your troops and I like the fact you can hold dice in melee back to use purely defensively.
Each 'Faction' or different warband has it's on particular strengths and weakness, and there is a challenge in simply playing to those strengths and weaknesses.
But ultimately it's about having fun, and SAGA is certainly fun.
I really enjoyed playing with the Byzantines.
My eldest daughter recently purchased me enough PERRY MINIATURES Normans (Early Crusaders) and now I'm motivated more than ever to get them painted and based. I can see them clashing with these Byzantines.
Comments welcomed.
Cheers and HAPPY 2013!