Colonial Portuguese vs Mughal Indian
Both the 17th Century Variants
Neither Lists were particularly optimised just what I had
in the boxes upto 10,000 points
The Mughals won the scouting battle forcing the Portuguese to deploy 40% first. Both Portuguese artillery batteries went down then the three units of poor slave skirmishers (from right to left) plus a unit of Civilisados. The Indians matched the Portuguese putting their Hindu Archers in the the town on their left (It was a secure flank). The rest of the deployment continued with on the Portuguese continuing from right to left a unit of Portuguese Infantry, four more units of close formation Slave troops then two more units of Portuguese and one more unit of Civilasdos with the last remaining unit of Civilasdos protecting the left flank of the Portuguese Heavy Gun Battery. The Mughal from left to right after the Hindu archers put in the centre 2 units of Ghazirs and a unit of elephants with the second unit of elephants in reserve, then on the right several units of matchlockmen and finally light artillery backed up by the last unit of Ghazirs. All the Indian Cavalry were deployed on the far right
Go1
The games opens with a massive boom as all the Portuguese
artillery, 6 green dice, down to white as artillery and then back to green as
firing vs irregulars, no idea what they were aiming at but no hits, very embarrassing
really. Both sides push forward the majority of their troops other than the
poor slave troops and the hindu archers which both sides seem strangely
reluctant to get anywhere near combat. The Mughal start to try a wide flanking
action with their cavalry which forces the Portuguese to turn a couple of
units.
Go2
Portuguese guns find their range causing the loss of the
first base on the Mughal side and the Mughal left flank Ghazir unit gets a bit
of a hammering, whilst the Mughal musketeers start causing casualties on the Portuguese
slave troops. Both sides continued advancing, looking for any small advantage.
Go 3
Here we go clashes are going to occur. The Portuguese
have the bag, have I got enough charge arrows is the question. All the charges
were free except for the elephants which had to pay a green. Shooting occurred then
impact. Fights occurred across the line. Only one different to current QRS is
that elephants as well as mounted get the modifier vs irregulars. Suddenly the
slave troops realised the hill might not be enough with a Red & White vs
Black before we even get to shatter. Nine wounds to one, well hopefully melee
will be better. Fighting and shooting continues with first two Mughal units
breaking in the melee phase. (4-0 to the Portuguese)
Go 4
Feels like a quick breather, with no charges occurring, a
quite move with only action of not being reserve elephants preparing to charge
two slave units and for the second time in the game the same two superior Portuguese
foot units forced back through each other resulting in the second KAB on each
unit. (Still 4-0 to the Portuguese)
Go 5
The Mughal Reserve Elephants are unleashed in a move
which could turn the game. Elephants break one of the slave units at impact it
was only one wound off. The Portuguese are forced to push forward on the left
flank to stop Mughal cavalry out flanking them and IN the melee the heroic
Mughal Elephants who charged up the hill finally die but take another of the
Slave units with them, it’s a mess. (6-6 with all to play for)
Go 6
No charges but the shooting cost the Mughals another
Musketeer unit and the resulting KAB cost the Mughals a light artillery piece.
The Mughals returned the favour with one of the Portugues Javelinmen units
being broken as well. The Civilados protecting the artillery battery took heavy
fire as well and looked vulnerable to a charge next go. In the melee two more Indian
units broke for one more Portuguese (12-10 to Portuguese)
Go 7
Go 7 will probably see the end of it with two flank
charge follow on from pursuit of routing troops, one from each side, and the
Mughal decide its that stage of the game and unleash two average cavalry units
against the Civilados and even though two down only need one wound to break
them and hopefully pursue into the guns. As its important and Portuguese have
the pack they do their first charge first, causing six casualties to one but
just short of breaking them. Mughals turn to their cavalry attack, rout the
Civalodos but lose a base and charge straight into the artillery. The Hindu
archers flank attack fizzles out and the Portuguese capture the Mughal light
artillery, the scores after impact 14-12 to the Portuguese one more unit to
break the Mughals. And that happens in the shooting phase with the final
musketeer unit going down under combine musket and artillery fire. A 15-10 Win to
the Portuguese.
With a Massive Nod to Tim Porter and no where near as
good
Charles I Comments
You are amazing such skill, such
ability such cunning you must have royal blood, the victory was a delight to
see.
Johann Tserclaes, Count of
Tilly
Oh my word have I ever
seen such incompetence, you only won as you were playing both sides. Could the
Mughal Cavalry outflanking move been any slower or more telegraphed. Could the Portuguese
overreaction to it been any worse weakening their centre in the process. AT
what stage did you take advantage of one of the Portuguese major advantages the
ability to rear support, never.And don’t get me onto Army composition. Somewhere
in the Indian Ocean the Portuguese fleet is trying to conquer the known world
wondering where all is guns have gone, how many do you need, give the navy some
back, and how well are three units of poor low fire power javelin slave troops
going to, not good I can assure you. As to the Mughals you knew you were
playing Portuguese, what is your major advantage, Cavalry and you bought as few
as possible, granted your Elephants did well but they were luck and didn’t come
across any of the Portuguese troops but that list needs far more cavalry.
