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Monday, January 16, 2023

Mikata Ga Hara, 1572

Over the last two weeks, the gaming table has featured the Battle of Mikata Ga Hara between Takeda and Tokugawa clans on a hex grid.  The scenario is based upon the Samurai Battles' scenario. 

Four games have been played with Game #5 scheduled for later today.  All games have been contested remotely.  Thus far, the four games have yielded two victories apiece.  Tokugawa won the first two playings.  Takeda won the second two games.  No matter the outcome in Game #5, one great army will win three of the five contests.

Battle of Mikata Ga Hara 1572
As Takeda Shingen moved his army south into Totomi Province, Tokugawa Ieyasu dismissed the advice of his generals and prepared to intercept the Takeda Army. Defeating Tokugawa was not the Takeda Army’s primary objective. Shingen was content with simply passing through the province on his way to bigger spoils. Still, outnumbered by Takeda Shingen’s army, Tokugawa Ieyasu would not permit Takeda to pass through the province unchallenged. To prevent Takeda’s passage, Ieyasu drew his army up on the high plain at Mikata Ga Hara. Although outnumbered in both foot and horse to Shingen, Ieyasu figured an early strike against the Takeda vanguard might catch the enemy by surprise and put the Takeda army off balance.

The stage is set for battle.
Order of Battle – Each army has three commands.
Tokugawa– Ieyasu (Army Breakpoint = 18)
4 x Ashigaru Spear (FL VBU=5, I=2, VD=3 Long spear)
1 x Ashigaru Teppo (T VBU=4, I=0, VD=2 Harquebus B)
2 x Ashigaru Bow (T VBU=4, I=0, VD=2 Longbow B)
2 x Samurai Foot (FP VBU=6, I=3 VD=3 Long spear)
2 x Samurai Bow (FL VBU=6, I=3 VD=3 Comp Bow)
1 x Samurai Horse (CP2 VBU=7, I=4, VD=3 Spear)
1 x Samurai Horse Archer (CM VBU=6, I=4 VD=3 Comp Bow)
3 x Generals

Takeda – Shingen (Army Breakpoint = 22)
4 x Ashigaru Spear (FL VBU=5, I=2, VD=3 Long spear)
1 x Ashigaru Teppo (T VBU=4, I=0, VD=2 Harquebus B)
3 x Ashigaru Bow (T VBU=4, I=0, VD=2 Longbow B)
2 x Samurai Foot (FP VBU=6, I=3 VD=3 Long spear)
2 x Samurai Bow (FL VBU=6, I=3 VD=3 Comp Bow)
1 x Samurai Horse (CP2 VBU=7, I=4, VD=3 Spear)
3 x Samurai Horse Archer (CM VBU=6, I=4 VD=3 Comp Bow)
1 x Command Tent
3 x Generals

Rules: Basic Impetvs 2.0+E
Figures: 15mm
Table: 4 inch hex grid
First Player: Tokugawa Army

Special:
Command Tent
It is garrisoned by one, intrinsic Ashigaru Spear unit (FL VBU=5,I=0 Long spear). General may not leave tent unless tent is captured. Tent ignores retreats. Considered difficult terrain.

Ambush
On Turn 1, only the three Tokugawa command Activation Tokens may be drawn for activation. When a Takeda unit is attacked either through fire, melee, or in an EZOC then that Takeda command may activate next. Once activated, Takeda Activation Tokens remain in play as normal. At the start of Turn 3, any Takeda Activation Tokens not in play are put into play and may be drawn for activation.

Time Limit: If time limit reached before one army destroyed, use the following ABC differential to assess victory:

0-2 Draw 3-6 Minor 7+Major
Which side will manage to be victorious in three out of the five contests?  Stayed tuned for results following the game. 

36 comments:

  1. Splendid looking game, I am really tempted by late 16th century Japan, I'll live vicariously through you for the moment!
    Best Iain

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    1. Thanks, Iain! Don't fight the temptation. You could use a new project for the New Year, right?

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  2. A fine looking game Jonathan I look forward to reading of the deciding battle in due course.

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    1. Thank you, Phil! The battle will be decided later today. Since five individual battle reports may be too much, a montage of the five battles may prove interesting.

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  3. Yes, really great looking game Jonathan!

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  4. Looks a great game and interested in the final outcome

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    1. Thanks! Since I am playing in Game #5, I am very interested in the outcome!

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  5. I always enjoy your Samurai AAR's, it seems to be a very dynamic period and type of warfare.

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    1. Much appreciated! BI produces a very dynamic game, no doubt. The game engine is well suited to the period. I think the games are quite fun with the outcome in doubt often until the very end.

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  6. I take it no one has reprised the game yet, and that no one has had a chance to hone their tactics? It struck me in our game that it was tough on the Tokugawans, and you really needed to ride your luck and take every single little chance offered.

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    1. That is correct. Of the four games to date, one player has played twice but never commanding the same side. This player's tactics saw improvement giving the Tokugawa a stinging defeat in his second game. There are ways to win with the Tokugawa, just not by me!

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  7. The hex basing is very eye catching and gives this board a unique feel.

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    1. Good to see the board meets with your approval! The double hex basing was originally intended to play on a two--inch hex grid where each BMU took up two hexes.

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  8. The Samurai period does provide for a fine looking game for sure. Sadly not a period that really grabs me, but I do enjoy the aesthetic of it, probably due to all those Kurosawa films. Always good when you go to a deciding game and I look forward to your thoughts on how the 5 games played out.

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    1. Steve, I wager that if you gave the games a try, you would find the period and game-play fascinating. If not fascinating, fun at least.

      With five games on this week's slate, there may be a delay before I accomplish much writing.

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  9. You got me at 4 inch hexes. A size being considered here for our Cold War games. The period is colorful, look forward to your AAR.

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    1. Good! Four-inch hexes work well for the single BMU units I use in 15mm. For 25mm hex games, I use five-inch hexes. The period is colorful, no doubt!

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  10. Intrigued by the hex adaptation of BI. Was that specifically for online- gaming purposes?

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    1. BI on a hex grid grew out of an early adaptation of playing the first, Zvezda version of Commands & Colors, Samurai Battles with 15mm miniatures. This was long before online gaming surfaced. The grid does work very well for remote gaming via Zoom.

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  11. You're a tease Jonathan. I am impatient to see how these went. Great looking table and scenario.

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    1. I know...My feeble attempt at suspense.

      Actually, I simply have not had time to devote to pulling together all of the game artifacts for a battle report or two.

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  12. Looks like it could be a great game.

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  13. Two games each seems like a very even scenario, with it all coming down to the decider. Nice to see so much samurai in action.

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    1. Having the series knotted at 2-2 with me playing in the deciding Game #5 may not be the way to assess an outcome. I fell in inglorious defeat but which army did I command?

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  14. Lovely set up and I do like those armies.

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  15. Cool scenario and good looking battle. 😀

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  16. Always good to see the samurai out on the table. But a period I’m not in a rush to collect 🤔

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    1. Good to get the Samurai out! This battle saw an extended run. Not in a rush to collect? You are still young with plenty of time.

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  17. That is an interesting set up Jonathan. I shall be watching with interest.

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    1. The set up provided many interesting and challenging games.

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