ADLG - Game Report 313

Viking (155) vs Shatuo Turks (177)

While Kev went back to the Chinantec drawing board again, we both decided to revert to preparation for Kegworth. This time with his steppe army vs the might of the Vikings. I was invited to attack in the steppes, which meant none of the terrain really suited my army. We managed to deploy the medium foot command on the left in terrain, while the remainder of the heavy foot formed up with the goal of marching forward and driving the enemy of the battlefield; as good as any other plan against a horse archer army.

Before I could do to much about it the Turks light cavalry command had moved to their left and whipped around to flank the army. Leaving me with the one medium foot unit to hold the flank.

The battle rapidly became one of trying to place the infantry into smaller commands to allow them to try and chase down ghosts. Meanwhile being shot by bow fire without any ability to reply.

The Vikings would try and charge the enemy away to have some respite from the bow fire. Even when our bows managed to reply in kind the Turks were able to rally off their hits, whereas we couldn't do so.

The only tactic we could employ was for the Vikings to keep charging forward and hope that eventually we would either drive them from the battlefield or if they stood to defeat them in combat despite the losses from bow fire. Oh, and of course, all before the Viking camp fell.

When the enemy did stand and fight they fought better than the Vikings!

Outcome

A Shatuo Turkish victory without taking any losses whatsoever.

Lessons Learnt

As much fun as the Vikings can be, I don't think they would do well at Kegworth as I am sure there will be many cavalry orientated armies.

It would have been better to fight this battle from a defensive perspective as I had previously done against Kev S's Byzantines.