Questions from Game 1

[Alan]

Yes you're right, it is a matter of opinion. It can't be beyond the wit of man to come up with a house rule specifically for Bosworth if, like myself, you believe there is a cavalry action there. Equally its perfectly feasible to play the scenario as written if you take Martin's view of things.

I don't actually think the rules suffer from having no cavalry vs cavalry rules. It would involve tinkering with the whole mechanism and for what? One battle where the definition of "cavalry battle" is disputed? It doesn't seem worth it really.

What I would need for my own and Kendall et al's interpretation is some mechanism whereby assuming the Yorkist knights do not kill Henry they do not disappear from the table for one move, they then fight it out with Stanley's cavalry. If the Yorkists survive they withdraw from the table and Richard survives, the battle continues. Stanley's cavalry could withdraw too as per the rules. Should the Yorkists lose, Richard is killed and the game is over. All that assumes the battle plays out according to history, at least the history that we have been given.

I don't think that is unachievable if careful thought is given to game balance. Hit in flank by a mass of Cheshire horsemen Richard should lose but I want to give him a chance or what's the point in playing?

[Leslie BT]

As with most of these things the victors wrote the history. And later the Victorians meddled with it as well.

[Sean Clark]

Something I've advocated for a long time is that once you purchase a set of rules, they are yours to tinker with as much as you like.

There is no right and wrong, just opinion. Any rules writer has to nail their colours to a last and say 'this is my stance on this subject'. People can agree or disagree. So long as we are nice about it.

Debate is always interesting to read when discussing disputed accounts of something. It's what makes history so interesting.

[Smiley Miley 66]

Not having played the rules as yet.
Martin would normally allow a house rule or two if needed for that game.
Suggestion. Would it not be a case of just adding a factor or two in for being "mounted " And other such things ? If the defending force happen to be "Cavalry" of some sort ?
I think that's how Martin would normally handle a situation like that ?
If this is a rare occurrence?
Miles

[John Watson]

The problem one has to get over is that cavalry do not stay on the table. In your turn cavalry come onto the table, they fight, they leave. Then your opponent has a go. So the rules are set up to avoid cavalry v cavalry.
To simulate that you might have to offer your opponent the chance to put his cavalry on table at the start of your turn just in case you chose to use your cavalry. Then they could become a legitimate target to be attacked or shot at.
I think I like the rules as they are writ and tinkering with them for something that rarely happened could be seen as over complicating things.
John

[usagitsuki]

If you wanted to have cavalry v cavalry actions, you could allow the use of the cavalry dice pool for 'countercharging.' If one player successfully brings on his cavalry, the other player may roll for his and if successful the cavalry fight each other.

[Jimbo94]

Having only played 1 game solo I'm hardly an expert but re a house rule

1 Side Y cavalry phase , Rolls for cavalry as normal and is successful so the cavalry arrive
2 side L , if they have cavalry announces their wish to countercharge
3 Roll a D6, success depending on how likely you think a cavalry melee is historically. So for Bosworth you could make it 4,5,6?
4 Non phasing player, if step 3 was successful then rolls for cavalry as if it was his phase, if he is successful There  is a cavalry V cavalry fight In the ward instead of a cavalry v inf fight
5 The fight is conducted as normal with both sides cavalry, after the fight if any survive, they leave  the board as normalWith the chance to return later, dice permitting
6 only one countercharge attempt allowed per game.

[Sean Clark]

I think that's a good idea for this one game if you are on the side of thinking that there was a cavalry battle. I'd maybe not even have the 1D6 roll, skipping that step.

Having one off special rules like this are fine to represent unique aspects of certain battles. Between consenting adults is fine. The common rule is to play nice, be nice to each other and to take turns making a cup of tea.

[Leman (Andy)]

I f memory serves I think the only cavalry v. cavalry action of any significance was when Richard III charged Henry Vii and then the Stanleys intervened. Maybe give Henry his own base with a single base of cavalry in  support?