Portobello Part Two

 As my first Pirate Campaign game was such a success, I was keen to crack on with part two. I also had a new game mat to play with; a more arid look to this one.

This time it would be a scenario straight from the book; 'take and Hold' to be exact. The cross in the centre of the plaza would be the objective, hence I moved the whole town so that it was more central on the table. This created more area to the east of the plaza but thankfully, as there was a river here, I didn't need anymore buildings.

The forces would be the same as last time except I swapped out 4 Marineros and replaced them with a light gun crewed by 4 Milicianos Artilleros. 

The terrain stayed the same but I moved some of the 'scatter' terrain into the square to represent te previous day's looting. This was mainly aesthetic but it did provide more cover in the centre of the table.

Once again, I would run the buccaneers but the Spanish would be controlled by the Blood and Plunder solo rules (available from the Firelock website).

The Ransacked Town

Starting Positions

My plan for the buccaneers was to use the Forlorn and the Flibustiers as assault troops. I would hold them back, as close to the objective as possible, ready to make a bid for the objective near the end of the game. The Freebooters would take up fire positions to cover the square.

The Spanish plan was to cover the dockside approach with their cannon (which shockingly, in my eagerness, I had forgotten to paint) and get the Milicianos into fire positions. The Lanceros would use their 'Lay in Wait' ability to get into the custom house, ready to assault the objective when necessary.

Before Turn One, the Forlorn used their Vanguard rule to make a move action towards the custom house. However, the card draw resulted in the Lanceros getting the jump on them seizing the custom house in a preemptive move. Not to be deterred, the Forlorn charged into the square and lobbed a couple of hastily prepared grenadoes into the open arches of the custom house. A risky manoeuvre as their is a chance of a premature explosion. Luckily, the Forlorn knew their job and the grenadoes exploded amongst the unfortunate Lanceros.

Bombs away!

On the next card I activated Lucky Jacky who used a command point to order the Forlorn to charge. This they did, slaughtering the reeling Lanceros. Turn one and the Spanish were a unit down already.

With their best unit out of action there was little the Spanish could do but to try and get into the houses around the square.

Milicianos move up

Whilst the Milicianos were taking position, the AI engine determined that the Marineros would make a move for the objective. Lucky Jack responded by moving into the square covered by Freebooters shooting from the tavern.

Saturday Night's Alright for Fighting

It was inevitable that a fight would break out and sure enough after some desultory musketry the Marineros charged forward.

Boarding axes at the ready

Lucky Jack lived up to his name and the Freebooters held them off, although a single obstinate Spanish sailor held on until the very end denying the buccaneers the objective.

Meanwhile, the AI had begun a flanking move around the church by a unit of Milicianos. However, a volley from the Flibustiers followed by a charge saw the Spanish another unit down.

French je ne sais quoi

In desperation the Spanish wheeled forward their unpainted cannon to cover the objective,

Unpainted Ordinance

Unfortunately, there new position was just a bit too close to the Forlorn who were still lurking in the customs house. A quick charge around the corner and the artillery crew were promptly eliminated.

The Spanish were now down to 2 units of Miliciano but had remarkably passed three strike tests, albeit using up their remaining Fortune Points. There was little Don Lardo could do now but threaten the objective with fire from the corner of the square. However, another charge of the Forlorn and Don Lardo bit the dust.

Go the Forlorn

So a resounding win for the buccaneers who only took 5 casualties all game. That's against the Spanish  total of a massive 41 casualties!

An excellent game and a challenge for both sides. Although the Spanish have a great numerical superiority, they are much lower quality troops and its difficult to bring their numbers to bear in this terrain.