Summing Up My French Playthrough Of Sahagún In 3D

IT is very satisfying to win a scenario in Mike Lambo's Battles Of Napoleonic Europe, especially after losing that scenario first-time through.

I felt my plan of targeting the British force's relatively weak right wing, followed by the all-cavalry centre, and finally the artillery, was a sound one.

The battle seemed to swing back and forth, albeit within a small range, but then my French definitely gained the upper hand.

However, the last enemy unit ensconcing itself in the town, which in turn was partly protected by a river, nearly gained the AI enough time to score what had by then become an improbable victory. 

Nevertheless, I did manage to win, just before time ran out.

My score against the AI is now 5-2, or 5-3 if you include the scenario where I started a unit short.

At this stage first-time through I was losing 4-5, having played one scenario twice, but if the replay is excluded I was losing 3-5.

Sahagún In 3D - French Playthrough: Turn 10

Map

Situation after nine turns

My activation dice land 6, 3, 2. I reroll 2, but it becomes another 3.

I change wildcard 6 into a 5, and use my cavalry in area 5 to attack the British artillery, the three dice increased thanks to support from General Debelle, but decreased for attacking from a river hex and for the target enjoying cover. I roll 6, 5, scoring the two hits necessary to eliminate the last enemy unit and so win the battle.

Sahagún In 3D - French Playthrough: Turn Nine

Map

Situation after eight turns

My activation dice land 6, 4, 3, meaning that, with the aid of wildcard 6, I can activate all my men.

I start by sending General Debelle diagonally forward two hexes to the right, and then move the cavalry units in area 3 towards Sahagún.

Finally my two-strength cavalry on the outskirts of the town attack the artillery, the three dice decreased for being in a river hex and for the target being among buildings, but increased thanks to support from the French commander. The dice land 3, 2 - no effect.

The AI's activation dice land 3, 2, 2, 1. A 2 is rerolled, but becomes a useless (for the AI) 6, meaning the artillery cannot be activated.

All hangs on the last turn

Sahagún In 3D - French Playthrough: Turn Eight

Map

Situation after seven turns

My activation dice land 5, 4, 2. I reroll the 5, but get a 1.

I start by having General Debelle fall back two hexes diagonally right.

Then the cavalry in area 4 - the only other French unit that can move this turn - attack the artillery from behind. The three dice are decreased for attacking from a river hex and for the target being in cover, and I roll a useless 2.

The AI's activation dice land 6, 5, 5, 2.

Since the artillery are engaged in combat, they cannot move, and they cannot fire backwards, but I think it reasonable to allow the unit to turn around so it is facing its attackers, and can fight next turn (the circumstances of being attacked from behind are not covered in the rules).

I have two turns left to destroy the British artillery - not such a simple task as it first appeared

Sahagún In 3D - French Playthrough: Turn Seven

Map

Situation after six turns

My activation dice land 6, 2, 1, which means I can activate all my troops after turning wildcard 6 into a 3.

I start in area 2 by advancing General Debelle so he can support my furthest-forward cavalry when they attack the British cavalry in the trees. The three dice are increased thanks to the general's support, but decreased as the enemy has taken cover in trees. The dice land 4, 4, 1. The British are able to perform one of their mandatory retreat moves by falling back diagonally left, but the second retreat cannot be performed, and so a base is lost instead.

My three-strength cavalry now charge the same British unit, rolling 4, 4, 4, 1, the impossible-to-perform retreats causing the enemy cavalry to lose its remaining bases.

My remaining cavalry unit advances diagonally right two hexes to close on the artillery.

The AI's activation dice land 6, 5, 4, 3, which means the artillery can be activated, and it advances to take cover in the town of Sahagún.

The artillery can run, but they can't hide

Sahagún In 3D - French Playthrough: Turn Six

Map

Situation after five turns, with all my French units clustered in areas 2 and 3

My activation dice land 5, 5, 1. I reroll all three, getting 6, 4, 3. By turning wildcard 6 into a 2, I can activate all my units.

I start in area 2 by sending my two-strength cavalry to attack the British one-strength unit. The three dice are decreased as the enemy are in trees, but I roll 5, 4, eliminating the enemy unit.

My three-strength cavalry in area 2 attack the rearward of the two British three-strength units, rolling 4, 4, 3, 2, which sends the enemy fleeing to the edge of the battlefield.

In area 3 my two-strength cavalry attack the other British cavalry unit, the three dice increased thanks to support from General Debelle. The dice land 6, 5, 5, 1, eliminating the enemy unit.

Finally I move Debelle well out of the line-of-sight of the British artillery.

A very good half-turn for the French cause

The AI's activation dice land 6, 5, 3, 2, which means the AI can activate both its remaining units.

In area 3 the cavalry move into the trees to their right, from where they attack my furthest-forward cavalry, but the attack dice land a miserable 3, 2, 2, 1.

In area 5 the artillery remain where they are.

With the British cavalry above the map's red dashed line, and unlikely to move below it anytime soon, I 'merely' have to destroy the artillery to win the battle

Sahagún In 3D - French Playthrough: Halfway Verdict

Map

Situation after five turns

I think my chances are quite good, having retained all my units and only losing two bases.

That gives me seven bases of cavalry, plus General Debelle, while the AI also has seven bases of cavalry, divided among three units, and a full-strength unit of artillery, ie two bases.

The artillery have achieved nothing so far, but, for the French to win, the artillery will need to be eliminated, or at least forced back above the red line on the map.

The situation after five turns of my first playthrough of this scenario was very different.

It was a bloodthirsty affair, with just three strength points aside remaining at the halfway point

Sahagún In 3D - French Playthrough: Turn Five

Map

Situation after four turns

My activation dice land 6, 5, 1. I reroll the 5 and 1, but get another 5 and an equally useless 4.

I turn wildcard 6 into 2, and start by getting my two-strength cavalry to attack the British two-strength cavalry. The attack dice land 6, 4, 4, eliminating one base and sending the survivors fleeing two hexes.

My other cavalry in area 2 attack the British one-strength unit in the trees. The four attack dice are decreased thanks to the unit having cover, but I roll 6, 5, 4, easily finishing off the enemy unit.

The first part of my plan, outlined before the battle commenced, has been successful in that I have avoided damage from the artillery and I have eliminated the British right flank, but the British centre is still strong

The AI's activation dice land 6, 5, 4, 1, which is bad news for the British as none of their men are in areas 1 and 4, and wildcard 6 cannot be rerolled as the British commander is dead.

That leaves the artillery in area 5, which, thanks to my carelessness, now has a target in the shape of General Debelle. However their two attack dice are decreased for attacking from a river hex, and the die lands as a harmless 3.

Sahagún In 3D - French Playthrough: Turn Four

Map

Situation after three turns

My activation dice land 5, 4, 1. I reroll all three, getting 6, 1, 1. I turn wildcard 6 into a 2.

In area 2 my forward cavalry attack the British right-flank cavalry, the four dice increased thanks to support from General Debelle. I roll 6, 4, 2, 1, 1, destroying one base and forcing the survivors to retreat a hex.

The general then falls back diagonally right, creating a gap through which my other cavalry in area 2 can sneak through to attack the further-back British cavalry in area 3. The four dice land 5, 3, 2, 1, eliminating one of the unit's bases.

The next half-turn could be decisive

The AI's activation dice land 6, 5, 4, 1, but wildcard 6 is not rerolled as the British commander is dead.

In area 1 the one-strength British cavalry move through the trees to attack my furthest-forward cavalry, the attack dice landing 5, 3, destroying one of my unit's bases.

In area 4 the reserve cavalry move into action, advancing one hex directly forward and another diagonally right.

In area 5 the artillery stand pat.

All the action is confined to a small part of the battlefield

Sahagún In 3D - French Playthrough - Turn Three

Map

Situation after two bloodless turns

My activation dice land 3, 2, 1, which means for the third turn running I can activate all my troops.

I start in area 3 by sending my forward cavalry to attack Lord Henry Paget. The four attack dice land 5, 2, 1, 1, just enough to eliminate the British commander.

Next I send General Debelle forward one hex, and then diagonally left, so he is in position to support my other cavalry in area 3 when they attack the further-back of the side-by-side British cavalry units. That increases the four attack dice to five, but I roll 4, 3, 3, 3, 2, merely forcing the enemy to fall back a hex.

Finally, in area 2, my cavalry charge the right-flank British cavalry, the four dice decreased for attacking from a river hex, but increased thanks to support from the French commander. I roll 6, 4, 2, 2, destroying one base and forcing the others to flee a hex.

Eliminating the British commander is clearly a success for the French cause, but overall I am disappointed with the results of that half-turn, and fear what may happen in the rest of the turn

The AI's activation dice land 4, 3, 3, 3. Two 3s are rerolled, becoming 6, 5.

In area 3 the forward British cavalry attack my unit beside them, rolling 6, 3, 3, 1, causing my men to lose a base. The other British cavalry in area 3 charge the same target, rolling 4, 3, 3, 2, which has no effect as my men do not have to retreat as they are supported by the French commander.

In area 4 the British cavalry remain in the trees, apparently assigned to act as a reserve.

In area 5 the artillery do not move.

My right-flank cavalry look to be in big trouble

Sahagún In 3D - French Playthrough: Turn Two

Map

Situation after turn one

My activation dice land 5, 3, 3. I reroll 5 and a 3, getting wildcard 6 and 4, meaning I can again activate all my troops, and I again send everyone diagonally forward two squares to the left.

Note that the artillery's line-of-fire runs diagonally across the front of my forward units, so my men are out of harm's way from that quarter, for the moment 

The AI's activation dice land 5, 5, 3, 1. A 5 is rerolled, but becomes another 3.

In area 1 the British cavalry advance one hex directly forward, but then one hex diagonally left to bring them nearer my forces. Lord Henry Paget advances one hex to be adjacent to the cavalry unit.

In area 3 both British cavalry units advance two hexes, apparently coordinating their advance with the British right.

In area 5 the artillery advance into the river hex beside Sahagún, which gives them direct line-of-fire to my further-advanced units, but fortunately for me artillery cannot move and fire in the same turn.

A clash of arms is imminent

Sahagún In 3D - French Playthrough: Turn One

Map

Before battle commences

My short-term plan is get my right-flank cavalry off the same file of hexes as the British artillery, but in the longer term I hope to swing across the battlefield to first attack the British right.

I should be able to produce a local superiority in numbers, and if I can eliminate the British commander, as well as the unit of cavalry he is with, I will significantly harm the AI's ability to respond to my manoeuvres.

However I need to remain flexible, and if the British centre should advance precipitately, presenting a juicy target, I may well switch plans, while always trying to keep out of range of the enemy's artillery.

My activation dice land 5, 2, 2. I reroll the 2s, getting 6 and 1, so I turn wildcard 6 into a 4, meaning I can activate all my troops.

Accordingly I send everyone forward two hexes diagonally left.

The AI's activation dice land 1, 2, 3, 5.

In area 1 the British cavalry advance two hexes, and Lord Henry Paget advances to be beside them.

There are no British troops in area 2, and in area 3 the two cavalry units stay where they are as both roll a number that only has an effect if enemy troops are within three hexes.

In area 5 the artillery advances diagonally right into the trees near Sahagún.

The British right may regret plunging ahead of the main body

Sahagún In 3D - French Playthrough

THE eighth scenario in Mike Lambo's Battles Of Napoleonic Europe is Sahagún fought from the French side.

Map

Battlefield transformed into 3D using Hexon II tiles

The human receives three units of cavalry and General César Debelle.

The French forces start in the bottom righthand corner (below the blue dashed line on the map)

The AI receives Lord Henry Paget, four units of cavalry and one of artillery.

The placing of the British troops is decided by rolling dice

In my first playthrough of this scenario I crammed all my troops into area 5.

But this time I have also included a unit in area 4

Here is how the battlefield looked after the AI's setup in the first playthrough

The AI won that battle in nine turns, so it is rather ominous that the AI seems to have improved its setup for this second playthrough.

The artillery has my right-flank cavalry in direct line-of-sight, the British centre is strong, and the right flank, consisting of a unit of cavalry and Lord Henry Paget, is a long way from my forces 

To win the scenario I have to drive all the British troops to the top of the battlefield, ie beyond the dashed red line on the map, at any point after turn four (and before the scenario finishes as the end of turn 10).

Summing Up My 3D Refight Of Sahagún

WHEN I first played this scenario I won in eight turns, so my victory this time in seven represents an improvement.

I felt fairly fortunate with my dice-throwing in this 3D version of the battle, but I think in any event this is one of the easiest scenarios in Mike Lambo's Battles Of Napoleonic Europe.

My score against the AI is now 4-2, or 4-3 if you include the scenario I started a unit short.

At this stage first-time through I was tied 4-4, having played one scenario twice, but if the replay is excluded I was losing 3-4.

Sahagún In 3D - Turn Seven

Map

Situation after six turns

My activation dice land 3, 1, 1. I reroll a 1, which becomes a 4, meaning I can again activate the whole British force.

In area 1 my two-strength cavalry attack the French one-strength unit, rolling 6, 4, 4, destroying the enemy unit's remaining base.

In area 3 my two-strength cavalry attack the last French unit, the three dice increased thanks to support from Lord Henry Paget, and I roll 6, 6, 2, 1, eliminating two bases.

The British commander throws caution to the wind and advances to also attack the last French unit, rolling 6, 5, eliminating the final French base, and thus ending the battle.

Sahagún In 3D - Turn Six

Map

Situation after five turns

My activation dice land 3, 2, 1. I reroll the 3 and 1, getting two wildcard 6s, which I change into 4 and 3, meaning I can activate all my troops.

I start in area 4 with the furthest-right cavalry, who attack the one-strength French cavalry, getting an extra die thanks to support from Lord Henry Paget. I roll 6, 6, 5, 1, 1, easily eliminating the French unit.

My other cavalry in area 4 advance two squares diagonally left, and the British commander follows them.

In area 2 my cavalry manoeuvre so as to attack the further-forward French cavalry, while not making contact with the other remaining French unit. The four dice land 6, 5, 1, 1, causing the enemy unit to lose two bases. Finally my artillery advance a hex.

The French are down to two units

The AI's activation dice land 5, 4, 4, 2. A 4 is rerolled, becoming a very useful 1, meaning both French units are active.

The one-strength French cavalry attack the unit they are already meleeing with, rolling 6, 4, meaning my unit loses a base and falls back a hex.

The three-strength French cavalry swing to their left to attack my furthest-forward cavalry, rolling 5, 3, 2, 1, causing my unit to lose a base.

The French are fighting back, but I have four turns to finish them off

Battle of Sahagún - Halfway Verdict

Map

Situation after five turns

I am wary of counting chickens too soon, but my British forces still have their starting strength, while the French have lost their commander, a unit and two-thirds of a second unit.