Into Turn 10 now.
Artillery fire has driven off the Cossacks. Seemed too easy. But it doesn’t take too long for a unit to have a 10% casualties morale check. And, the morale chart is unforgiving, especially for the Experienced units that constitute each side’s infantry.
Same for the musketry in the center. Strelsky now retreating, with Haiduks following up even after being pushed back for one turn by gunfire.
Recovering from retreat is different. No rallying, just turning around. However, most units will take two turns to do so, with 90 degree turns each turn. I like it. No markers, easy to see a unit’s status on the table.
Command is another adjustment. Not from a rules standpoint, but from a player’s perspective. Orders are given at the end of a turn, carried during the Movement Phase of the following turn, and communicated at the end of that following turn.
A Solo player must demonstrate a more than usual sense of discipline here. Looser rule sets allow more latitude. In this case, as with WRG 6th, you have to force yourself to stick to the rules – well, within the spirit of the rigorous rules, and really anticipate.
The Muscovite Commander has ordered his cavalry to attack the advancing Polish Haiduks. The Polish Pancerni are now in support. To their flank, the Cossacks have rallied, but are now facing a unit of Ratjars, under orders to hold, and not be drawn into a charge. It will be interesting to see how they respond to musketry.
Here are a couple of low-light photos from the Second Story Game Cave.
