Battle of Tell Dapur II

something interesting going on here.

After Ian and my first remote playtest of Ian's Rein-Bow Warriors on 30 SEP, we were back in action at Tell Dapur for a second fight of the battle only four days later.  A few rules modifications and clarifications were noted and off we went.

Did this battle result in a different outcome than the first?  Please read on to discover for yourself in this brief battle pictorial.

Armies face-off from across the table

Chariots swing into motion
zipping all over no-man's land.

Enemy chariots clash on the Egyptian right in an even match.

While on the left, the Egyptians are outnumbered.

In the chariot clash on the left,
the Egyptians break off and rout away.
Not a good start toward winning a battle.

On the right chariot swarm,
arrows fly as chariots make another pass.

In the center chariot clash,
 the Egyptians are again outnumbered.

The fleeing Egyptian chariots are hotly pursued.
Out of arrows, chariots return to base.

Help!  I'm being tailed!

Showing that chariots have great maneuverability,
Hittite pursuers swing around behind Egyptian lines
while Egyptian chariots swing in behind them!

Ramesses' Guard wheels to face the intruders.

Out of arrows and behind enemy lines, Hittites
sweep behind the Egyptian line then head for home.
Egyptian chariots take up the chase. 

Finally, the infantry step forward to give battle
while Egyptian bowmen find their mark.

With a pair of Hittite chariots resuppled and heading back,
a second pair reach the supply wagons. 
Egyptian chariots spin around and take up position.

The infantry fight continues.

Both battle lines begin to crumble.

But victory rests at the feet of Ramesses!

This version of the battle was exciting from the start.  Chariots from both sides raced out into the middle of the field and came to blows immediately.  Outnumbered, the Egyptian chariotry lost more than they won but were able to drive the Hittites away from Ramesses and the Egyptian camp.

As in the first game, the infantry battle never really begins in earnest until the chariot battle is either decided or the warriors are out of missiles.  This time, it was the supply issue that hampered the Hittite deep thrust into the Egyptian backfield.  Having a shorter line to a supply source and a great movement rate, Egyptian chariots could resupply and return to action before the Hittites could return to camp and resupply.  

Also as in Game 1, Egyptian archery proved that it, again, was the 'decider.'  These bowmen shot up one unit forcing it to break while badly mauling a second.

Another action-packed contest.  Was this truly an Egyptian victory or a result of Ramesses' propaganda?  History must decide.

Thank you, Ian, for another enjoyable game!