Too Busy to Finish a Game

 ... yeah, this is a partial battle report.

As I slowly but steadily pack away my minis and terrain, I've left a few out to experiment with. I just finished reading Osprey's Auldearn 1645 and Steel Lobsters, so have been itching to try The Pikeman's Lament. A handful of the Wofun 30-Years-War pack on my 2x2 DBA mat seemed in order.

My hairy DBA mat. This is why I need a second bedroom.

I had a fun time selecting units from what figures came easiest to hand; one side got lots of firepower, with units of pike, shot, commanded shot and two of dragoons. The other got no firepower at all - two Aggressive Gallopers and some Scots mercenaries - one unit of pike and one of Fierce Forlorn Hope. A hill, a paper house, a tiny wall and a bit of disposable wooded terrain completed the table.

I ran through a few turns. Only the units on the left got anywhere, but I did get to try a number of mechanisms, from Shoot, Move and Attack to the Duel and Skirmish rules.

Gallopers advance.

After a little fire, preparing to charge.

The fighting and movement was all between the horse on one side and the pike, commanded shot and dragoons on the other. I attempted to charge the Dragoons and Shot, but their ability to skirmish (meaning they could respond with a half-move and shoot) kept this in check. So I charged the Pike instead. Despite their forming up, making them a little tougher, the cav won the fight two casualties to one but still had to retreat afterward.

I also tried a duel between Officers. It was inconclusive.

Cramped and distracted, I stopped at this point without going through the whole battle. I did enough to get a feel for the rhythm of the game, though, and was less frustrated than with the time I tried to run The Men Who Would Be Kings.

I tossed the paper scenery and put away the minis. I get the keys to my new apartment tomorrow, and the move is Monday. After which I'll have a gameroom I can leave a table setup in. Wish me luck...