The First Crusade - Narrative Campaign (Hail Caesar) - 04 CHALLENGE AT THE THYMBRIS

[@teun558]

I have been binging this series, really hoping to see you continue it! Recently found your channel and it has inspired me to get into Hail Ceaser. I got my Victrix Republican Romans today and will be building armies for the 2nd Punic War!

[@7thson726]

That's brilliant and I'm glad it helped you get into the system. I love HC for the ease at which I can create armies and scenarios. There are more games coming and we will be finishing our 1st Crusade campaign 👍👍

[@teun558]

@@7thson726 Fantastic news! Thank you again for the great content.

[@civdevcenter3989]

Great video! I really enjoyed watching all of the crusade scenarios. Hopefully the rest of the campaign is on its way to the channel

[@7thson726]

@civdevcenter3989 hi there, we are working on a the concluding part and how to run it, hopefully it will happen in the next couple of months 👍

[@robertalanbuckle9809]

really love these battle reports , great channel one of the best on youtube . thanks guys

[@7thson726]

Really appreciate it, I enjoy making them and Robin and the other guys are great to play against 👍😁

[@Swindondruid2]

Beautiful armies, as always, and a fantastic looking table. These videos are always great fun to watch.

[@7thson726]

Really pleased you enjoyed it 👍

[@norm977]

Lovely, very visual and entertaining. I feel the strength of the channel is that you put on the size of game that many of us could manage and you make the smaller scenario fun.

[@7thson726]

Thanks mate. That's essentially what I wanted when I did the first reports. I kept on hearing that you needed massive tables etc, which is fun, but not all of us have access to the space. So with a few adjustments and some interesting scenarios you can build a great game 👍

[@angybizz2805]

This is great. Really enjoying the narrative campaign. Armies/table all brilliant. Looking forward to the next one!

[@7thson726]

Thanks very much, the story of these generals is nearing its end but we have some plans for the future 😁

[@aledroberts6151]

Evening, been looking forward to watching this all-day:)

[@7thson726]

Ah that's awesome, hope you enjoyed it buddy 👍

[@aledroberts6151]

​@7thson726 brilliant game and have to admit I watched it twice. Fantastic use of small units to harass large bodies of troops moving through difficult terrain that restricted thier ability to deploy screening units :)

[@TheOokmeister]

Great looking game as usual, and really enjoy the narrative aspect. Keep them coming.

[@7thson726]

Thanks very much, will do 👍

[@SissonG37]

Excellent battle report as always, really enjoyed it so thank you

[@7thson726]

You're welcome, it was great fun to play 👍

[@raycarpenter6466]

Great looking game guys .. Good to see the Crusades back on the table ! Excellent game all round , interesting , colourful , and great fun ... Looking forward to the next one .. Great river also !

[@7thson726]

Thanks for watching 😁 Robin definitely outside himself with the river 👍 we're already planning how the next games will work as it be the Battle of Dorylaeum, but it'll be alot of fun

[@billdutton4613]

Engaging scenario, fine table, nicely filmed & played = well done, gents!

[@7thson726]

Thanks very much, probably one of my favourite games we've done

[@sartanawillpay7977]

As always a great entertaining game and excellent video. They are among the best wargaming youtube content.

[@7thson726]

I really appreciate that, thank you 🙂 thanks for taking the time to comment and look at the lists, always appreciated feedback 👍

[@phillipj.benson9497]

Lovely game boys, love the details on your table

[@7thson726]

Really appreciate it, thank you 👍

[@christophervasey5798]

Great campaign. I love the narrative battles!

[@7thson726]

Thanks 😁

[@paulspaintshed3511]

Great game, lads, and awesome terrain. The spectacle of these games just gets better with each video. Looking forward to the finale games.

[@7thson726]

Really appreciate it mate, thank you 😁

[@paulparker5456]

Thanks Martin for sharing this 😊

[@7thson726]

You're very welcome, was good fun 👍

[@sachiel4736]

Fantastic game and great board. I enjoyed the scenario as it was quite different to a straight up fight. The large column of troops marching down the road looked epic!

[@7thson726]

Thanks dude, we kind of had the idea of what it would look like then came up with the scenario 👍😁 glad you enjoyed it

[@grantpavitt3198]

Awesome battle really enjoyed it. Looking forward to the next Crusade battle. Lovely table and a great river by Robin 😊

[@7thson726]

Thanks mate, next one will be interesting as it's going to be part 1 of the big battle, bit of planning in this 😁

[@grantpavitt3198]

@7thson726 will be looking forward to it. I have been given a box of Agincore mounted knights and infantry but I don't think they will be compatible for my Crusade army ?

[@7thson726]

@@grantpavitt3198 unfortunately no, unless it's one of the much later ones, those would be pretty much out of place

[@basileusp5494]

Looks like it was a fun game. I loved to see the Byzantines in action. Thanks for sharing.

[@7thson726]

We had a great time thanks, was good to get them on the table 😁

[@bloodsalt]

Love the narrative! Great to follow your armies / leaders

[@7thson726]

Thanks bud, hope you're keeping well 👍

[@WargamingHistory]

Great campaign game, I really loved the terrain, the simple drop sheet worked really well. I thought it would of been a easy Crusader win, it was real nail biter at the end for the crusaders

[@7thson726]

Thanks buddy, we felt the scenario worked really well at adding flavour to the whole thing. It was great to play 👍

[@BrixtonTone]

Great game and a Superb table !

[@7thson726]

Thanks very much 😁

[@MaTTabletop]

Fantastic terrain, minis, and presentation! well done!

[@7thson726]

Really appreciate it, thank you 👍

[@anthonyhinton-west9944]

Unlucky start for Robin this game! 3 turns in column and barely halfway through the death trap with the loss of those Byzantine cavalry too!

[@7thson726]

Taking advantage of those columns early was key, I had a really bad round of shooting which meant they could break into line and then the arrows became useless against formed infantry

[@anthonyhinton-west9944]

@@7thson726 indeed, those Normans weren't messing about when they reached the bridge!

[@YorikKurland]

A very interesting battle. The Byzantine detachment played (if I didn’t mix something up) super realistically for the battles of those times. Having completed their task and not worrying about the rest of what was happening. Reminded of the Battle of Grunwald. Mark, you need to train your shooters, they started off great, but then... 😏Thanks again to both Military Leaders for a wonderful game🤩

[@7thson726]

So pleased you enjoyed it buddy, the Byzantines were great to get onto the table 😁👍

[@TheAVeidt]

Nice battle, as always! I would guess you could play a Reconquista campaign with the same minis?

[@7thson726]

Absolutely, in fact I have thought about doing just that 👍

[@TheAVeidt]

@@7thson726 Your videos are tempting me to start a medieval project, but I would probably do it in 6mm to have a go at the scale

[@7thson726]

@@TheAVeidt the Reconquer designs miniatures can be printed (either at home or through a vender) at 15mm 🤔 potentially another option as well? Glad you enjoy the content

[@sartanawillpay7977]

Just wanted to share a couple of rules notes for future games. 1.According to your lists, the Crusader heavy infantry have a short range value of 3 that allows them to attack targets within 6 inches with missiles (as well as supporting at 3). At several points there were units to the infantry's front that could be targeted, including the light cavalry that later charged from the rear. 2. Crusader heavy infantry are also listed as tough fighters (as well as stubborn) and so should get a re-roll on a missed attack. These might have made a big difference in this game, especially with the Crusader infantry that ended breaking.

[@7thson726]

Ah, thanks for that. So it should be a short range of 0/3 so they only support, no ranged attacks. I'll get that updated. As for the tough fighter, that's only if taken as an upgrade for 0.5FP, which robin didn't, they are just a "basic" unit

[@grantpavitt3198]

Fantastic game lovely table. Looking forward to the next Crusade game 😊

[@sartanawillpay7977]

@@7thson726 Thanks, that makes sense.

[@owbnid]

Great report and an interesting game. I love the table, simple touches like the road make a huge difference to how it looks. Martin, I think you may actually roll more twos and ones than I do! 😂

[@robandrosehobden3344]

Absolutely brilliant game love what your done with your train 👍👍🤠🤠

[@7thson726]

Thanks so much, we had a great time planning this one and the board came together really well 👍

[@historicaldelving5426]

The board was really standout on this one.

[@7thson726]

Thank you this is one of my favourites 👍

[@paulbrockhurst8397]

Jeez! 7th son. Constant D3 results on a d6. RNG gods pooed on your picklehaube of power. Dude you got robbed or indeed Robined. Sound strategy. I had high hopes for your light ambuscade on the promontories. However dice say no! Good scrap, GG gents!

[@7thson726]

Thanks for watching 👍

[@TheGreatWolf44]

Another great battle report

[@7thson726]

Thanks very much 😁

[@robandrosehobden3344]

Carnot wait to see it 🤠🤠🤠👍👍

[@7thson726]

Awesome, hope you enjoy it 👍

[@wc9109]

Very good battle report

[@7thson726]

Thank you 👍

[@chriswareing1991]

Great battle love the table and was a fun watch

[@7thson726]

Thanks, glad you enjoyed it 👍

[@danieljustin1230]

Great game. Lots of fun to watch.

[@7thson726]

Glad you enjoyed it buddy 👍

[@TwisstedSage]

I cannot fathom why on earth Robin would agree to this Scenario, to come down a shooting gallery gauntlet, blocked at the head and with one unapproachable flank of impassable higher ground, surmounted by missile troops on both sides. Did you bribe him with the "gift" of a Martin painted unit or what? This must be the worst strategic situation since the British retreat over the Khyber Pass. Only your dependably abominable rolling and Robin's spectacular saving rolls frustrated a Crusader massacre, earlier than that which eventually occured. Beautiful figures & gorgeous table & fun to watch even with the terrain advantage to the Seljuks. Hugs.

[@7thson726]

Haha well it was actually based on some records of the 1st Crusade and actions that happened as they marched towards Dorylaeum. So it's not without precedent. But this is a narrative campaign, telling the story of these generals, we don't really care about fairness 😅 my dice rolls more than make up for any tactical advantage I'm given haha Glad you enjoyed it, thanks for watching

[@TwisstedSage]

@@7thson726 Yep, totally realistic to the bonkers attitudes & tactical level of a military consumed with the idea that their god, gods? were on their side.

[@ctid98]

The Byzantine's be like "you go ahead, you go ahead, RIGHT RUN FOR IT!!!!!!!!!!!"

[@7thson726]

Haha they knew there purpose😅

[@dontdrinkandpaint]

Awesome! Looking forward to future crusade episodes as I just started working on my own crusaders. May I ask where the gaming mat is from that makes it possible to create those hills? A mouse-pad mat seems too stiff for that no? And what are the hills made of? Just books under the mat or what? Awesome table as always

[@7thson726]

Thank you 😁 so the mat is a fleece mat from Geek Villain. The hills are made by using towels and t shirts under the cloth as they form more natural looking shapes. Books you have the issue that the slope of the hill is unsupported. You can squidge the hills on this as you pop the models down so they don't fall over 👍

[@dontdrinkandpaint]

@@7thson726 Awesome, many thanks for a record quick response! (Will we see more crusades soon? ;) )

[@7thson726]

@@dontdrinkandpaint there are certainly more planned, the next couple of games will be a re fight of the battle of Dorylaeum so I'm just planning everything out at the moment 😁

[@TheAVeidt]

Great looking board!

[@7thson726]

Thanks 😁

[@paulhayes7860]

great game guys

[@7thson726]

Cheers 👍😁

[@TheAVeidt]

When is the next one for this campaign? Looking forward to it!

[@vonketteringham]

Very good 👍👍

[@7thson726]

Thanks mate 👍

[@TheWorkmonkey1]

What manufacturer are the Islamic models from?

[@7thson726]

Majority are gripping beast and Reconquer designs with some Fireforge as well

[@gregwaugh616]

Love your work! I had a question about retreats. Paragraph 3,on page 126 (HC II) state that the retreating unit will move through friendly units blocking them, using as many as 3 moves to clear friendly units, becoming disorded in the process. It appears that only terrain or enemy units will prevent the retreating unit from moving. Am I mistaken? I'm just trying to figure out these darn rules!😅 Once again fantastic work!

[@7thson726]

Thanks very much 😁 really pleased you enjoy the videos. I've just gone and checked and yes that's correct. A retreating unit can end up moving 3 moves becoming disordered as it goes and potentially disordering all the units it moves through. This is different though to Giving Ground. In that situation a unit moves 6", if an undisordered friendly unit is in the way, they can make one move to make room for the unit giving ground. If the unit doesn't move, it if there is terrain in the way or an enemy unit then the unit giving ground is destroyed. Hope that helps

[@joeconte8475]

How do you make that incredible terrain?! Also a big fan of Warlords range of miniatures but I never saw any Byzantine spearmen in their roster. Are those from Warlord?

[@7thson726]

Thanks so much 😁 Robin scratch built the river, the trees are all made from armatures and the building is an MDF kit. The mat is from Geek Villain but we use lots of scatter and foliage to build up the ground and break up the blank areas 👍 the spearman are from Fireforge miniatures 😁

[@anthonyrodgers-rf2cm]

Very Nice.

[@7thson726]

Thanks 👍

[@Edward-Plantagenet]

Great game. The rules issue with Crusader infantry have already been mentioned. With the relative ease with which shooting causes break tests I do wonder whether skirmishing light horse, given the rate at which they shot and the limited amount of arrows they could carry, ought to have an limit on how many times they can fire, 3, 5 or whatever but different to the massed heavier infantry archers who would likely be expected to be able to carry more and restock more easily. The Death Valley was a bit of an attrition slog with Robin unable to respond at all. It was an interesting game to watch, not sure I’ve have enjoyed playing it though, especially as the Crusaders 😊 That takes nothing away from the great table and video overall. I think Hail Caesar actually works better in the large scale skirmish games that you tend to do, especially in 28mm.

[@7thson726]

What rules issues do you mean? Glad you enjoyed it. It was meant to be a challenge but also mimic some of the situations the actual crusaders found themselves in. They were constantly harassed and struck down on the march. The strength of the army came from the heavy infantry and the logistics. As a standalone game I could see how this scenario could be deemed as one sided but in the wider context of the campaign where the crusaders dominate over open ground I think it's fairly even 😁👍

[@Edward-Plantagenet]

@@7thson726 The ones sartanwillpay pointed out.

[@7thson726]

@@Edward-Plantagenet oh, well that was a typo and that commentor misreading the list. I thought it was something else 👍 The short range should read 0/3 so they only support, no ranged attacks. As for the tough fighter, that's only if taken as an upgrade for 0.5FP which is on the list. I will get the typo sorted when I have a moment 👍😁

[@Edward-Plantagenet]

@@7thson726 right. So long since I’ve played HC as I use mostly To The Strongest now which is a big battle game, doable since we play in 15mm. There’s a few things with HC that give me some head scratching moments that I feel I’d have to house rule if I ever used it for the Crusades. The Crusaders tackled the problem of horse archers by using massed crossbows (in conjunction with spear and then a second and even third line of mounted sergeants and knights) that had an approximate effective range of 200m, compared to the general effective operating range of horse archers of 5-50m, certainly not 200 if they expected to do much damage. But HC gives them all 18”. A standard unit of crossbows gets 3/3 vs a small unit of horse archers getting 2/2. The crossbows merely then cap a 5. Then there’s the Break Test on 6 from shooting. A force with say 5 small units of horse archers will put out 10 shots, 10 chances to cause a break test (which can have drastic results). This gives MSUs of horse archers too much potential in terms of effectiveness given their role was harrying wearing down. IMO there’s too little distinction and too little in the rules that depicts the operating differences of the two troop types that allows one to depict their operational usage. Sure it’s just a game, they all are, but like Black Powder for Napoleonics, for me at least HC needs house rules to add the period flavour otherwise it doesn’t really matter what army is being played. In contrast though, it’s a great game that allows folks to push some figures around and have some fun and your excellent videos provide a great demonstration of that. My comments about this specific game were also more in relation to the care that needs to be taken when designing scenarios. In the context of what you were doing as part of your campaign it was perfect. Outside of that, games can be somewhat unbalanced if folks aren’t careful, I’ve played some games of BP where the scenarios we came up with looked great on paper but ended up not working at all.

[@thomasbreed8270]

As always, an absolutely fantastic game. Unfortunately, the dice were not favorable to Martin... There does seem to be a trend there. I really look forward to your battle reports. I've watched other battle reports and they just don't compare with yours. Well done!!

[@7thson726]

I really appreciate it, thank you 👍

[@Мастер-и1п]

the dumbest mission possible.

[@7thson726]

Pretty much, history's full of dumb ideas and plenty of times people were sent on fools errands because a general decided it would be of benefit only for him to be proved hideously wrong 😅