Saxons and Normans 1066 rules

Other than messing around with some 1066 Saxon vs Norman rules I have not had much time for wargaming or painting. So this post is really an update as to where I have got to with some rule ideas. I did start this week using rules for D6 dice and free movement and by week's end I was using D3 dice and a gridded tabletop. Anyway here are the draft rules and any thinking I have behind the rules which are influenced and based around One Hour Wargames Dark Ages rules and Dux Bellorum rules.

Saxon Shieldwall

Introduction

These are low complexity rules based upon and influenced by the rulesets One-Hour Wargaming Dark Ages rules and Dux Bellorum.

The rules use a square grid to control movement and shooting.

Combat used a D3 dice (1,1,2,2,3,3). Alternatively, you can halve the value of a D6 dice rounding up fractions.

Units

The units represent the following:

• Saxon Housecarl
• Saxon Fyrd
• Saxon Archers
• Norman Spearmen
• Norman Cavalry
• Breton Cavalry
• Norman Archers

All units exert a zone of control on all surrounding squares, including the diagonals.

Zones or control

Note: the zone of control is there to restrict movement in and around enemy units and make it difficult to flank units, which would extend their front is possible to avoid being flanked.

Sequence of Play

The game is played in a series of turns. During a player’s turn they follow the sequence listed below:

1. Reorganise
2. Command
3. Movement
4. Shooting
5. Melee
6. Eliminating

Reorganise

If a player has any carried over command actions they can reduce the number of hits on one or more of their units. No more than 1 hit can be removed from a single unit in a turn.

Note: this represents unit commanders reorganising their units, bolstering moral, filling any gaps in the shieldwall, etc.

Command

Commanders roll 2D6 and select the highest score to determine their available command actions for the turn.

Command actions are used by a player to move units and increase the ferocity of combat (see Melee for details).

Any command actions not used are carried over to the following turn and used to reorganise units.

If the commanders unit is lost only roll 1D6.

Note: I liked the leadership point rule in Dux Bellorum and adapted the concept of it for both movement and combat. It is more of a variable in these rules, in a way similar to PiPs in DBA.

A game in progress

Movement

It costs 1 command action to move a unit. Units can move up their Movement allowance in squares.

At the end of their movement units must be facing one of the square sides.

Units may move diagonally between squares providing neither of the stranding squares are occupied by blocking terrain, a friending unit, or enemy unit’s zone of control.

Movement constraints

Units may only exit an enemy unit’s zone of control, if the square to where they are moving is also an enemy’s zone of control.

Movement allowances:

• Foot units move 1 square
• Cavalry units move 2 squares

Only 1 unit can occupy a square (no stacking of units) and units may not move through other units.

Units are allowed to turn and the start and/or at the end of their move. They must always end their move facing one side of a square.

Terrain

Terrain has the following effects:

• Woods - Only Archers can enter and terrain advantage in melee.
• Towns - Only Infantry and Archers may end their moves in a town.
• Marshland and Lakes - These are impassable to all units.
• Rivers - These may only be crossed via bridges or fords.
• Hills - Terrain advantage in melee.

Shooting

Only archers can shoot and they have a range of 3 squares.

It costs 1 command action for a unit to shoot.

Archers may only shoot at a single target within 45 degrees of their frontal facing side.

Archers roll a D3-1 when shooting. The result gives the number of hits the target acquires.

Note - there are no deductions for cover. Instead units can take additional hits before being eliminated. This way units holding defensive position tend to remain fast, as if they leave the position they lose the additional strength points.

Melee

Only attacking units inflict hits. Units automatically attack the unit directly in front of them when attacking. If they have more than 50% hits, then the attack is not automatic and they only attack at a cost of 1 command action.

Note: this represents unit exhaustion where unit leaders have to galvanise their men into attacking.

To determine hits the attacking unit rolls one or more D3 and selects the highest scoring D3. Units can roll an additional D3 for each of the following conditions:

• They have a supporting unit on a flank
• An archer unit directly behind them
• A command action is spent.

Note: using lower quality units to support attacks rather than making attacks themselves keeps them out of harms way. While using command actions to add D3 represents a commander urging his unit on in an attack.

Unit D can attack unit A. It is supported by unit C so would roll 2xD3 selecting the highest score. Unit E attacks unit B and is supported by archers to the rear and would roll 2 x D3. If a command action is spent 3 x D3 would be rolled.

Terrain Advantage - defenders on a hill increase they strength by 2 providing all attacking units are downhill.

Saxon Fyrd's hilltop position increases their strength from 5 to 7

Note: At present there are no advantages for Flank or Rear Attacks.

Eliminating

Units are eliminated once the number of hits acquired are greater than their strength. Different unit types have different strengths which can be increased if the terrain offers a good defensive position or they are accompanied by their commander.

• Saxon and Norman Archers strength = 3
• Saxon Fyrd and Breton Cavalry strength = 5
• Norman Cavalry and Saxon Housecarl strength = 7

A units strength is increased by 2:

• if in cover or has terrain advantage against all attacking units
• If the commander is attached to the unit. 

An attached commander remains with the unit throughout the game.

Note: hits can be removed during the reorganise phase.