KOH6 Crusaders vs Seljuks

Finally the MONSTER clash between the Crusaders & the Seljuks to decide who rules the Kingdom of Heaven. After my truly dismal performances, I decided to sit this one out & act as a referee. Jack took the side of the Seljuks, could he repeat his 'Blitzkrieg' tactics displayed in earlier games. While Amy took the role of the Lionheart, commanding her favourite army the Crusaders.

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Opening set-up. Jack put the bulk of his troops in the centre with Light Horse on the wings. Amy went for the Crusader Steamroller tactics.

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The mighty Seljuks.

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Crusaders!!!

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It would take a few rounds for the Army's to manoeuvre together...

Both Generals played a safe opening.

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Strangely Jack didn't advance his Light Horse quickly.

Would he pay dearly for his caution?

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COOOEEEYY!!! Amy sends some Bows to cover the sparse rough ground.

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Still nothing from Jack....

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Amy's taunting Jack with tales of how the Seljuks will be destroyed...!!!

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Finally the battlefield erupts into action. On the rights Jack prepares a Light Horse for a deep strike mission. On the left Seljuk Light Horse take on a Bow/Knight Combo. A lone Light Horse engages a Crusader Spear & is promptly annihilated, 1 - Nil to the Crusaders.

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Advantage to Jack, could he make numbers count?

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One casualty each as the combat goes on, Crusader reinforcements arrive in the shape of Templar Spears. That probably saved the flank for the mighty Amy.

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Oh dear, Jacks banking on the centre for victory...

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HHhhmmm now a strange one from Jack. I try to warn him, but he's entered into 'Stubborn Teenager Mode', I'm not sure if it's right but I'm not going to argue. He moves to engage the Spears instead of facing off against the Hospitaller Knights. What's bad is that the Knights advanced after winning the last combat. He loses & recoils...

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....into the Hospitaller Knights. Amy laughs out loud 3 -1 to the Crusaders.

Various Charts are consulted by Jack & he admits the loss.. }:o(

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A new round. Oh Dear it gets worse for Jack.... His Seljuk Light Horse on 'Deep Strike mode' is promptly ambushed by a hail of Crusader Arrows.

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This should be GAME OVER, but in our humble abode, the rule is that we play until the end of the round (which usually is yours truly on the receiving end). Jack gets up to leave, but Amy dressed in her 'Jedi Knight' outfit unleashes her brand new plastic Light Sabre. A low 'VVVVVOOOMMM' is heard as she turns it on & promptly 'wacks' Jack back into his seat.

Down goes element number 5 for the Seljuks.

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In the centre is a disaster, two more Seljuks bite the dust.

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Final positions. I have a wry smile on my face at Jacks humbling!

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The MIGHTY Crusaders Kings of the Desert!!

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At Amy's request, Jack's casualties..... Ah Bless.

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All hail AMY 'JEDI' LIONHEART, supreme champion.

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Jacks accepts defeat & has a smile on his face. Ah the shame of losing to a younger sister. Never mind, I think he was too cautious with his Light Horse at the start. So the Crusaders prove to the hardest Army in our Campaign.

Final Standings for the Kingdom of Heaven....

1. Crusaders - 30
2. Seljuks - 19
3. Byzantines - 12

4. Ayyubids - 3

KOH5 Ayyubids vs Byzantines

Game 5 in a 'Epic' mini series. This one featured General 'Amy' leading the Byzantines & yours truly leading the Ayyubids. Amy went for a strong centre, with her Light Horse on either flank. A lone Knight element also bolstered her right. For the Ayyubids I went for two big flanks of Cavalry & Light Horse, with the Foot sloggers holding a weak centre. My plan was to try & eliminate the Byzantine flanks.....

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The Initial Set up

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Plan of Attacks

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HA! Looking good, 4 versus 2 for the Ayyubids.

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The Ayyubid Foot would race for the high ground.

Amy senses the danger & diverts some Knights to her right flank.

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Good PiPs & good movement for the Ayyubids.

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MASS clash of Horse on the left!

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Advantage Amy & the Byzantines I think!

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On the other flank, the Ayyubids look good.

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Solid Arab Bowmen, hold the Ayyubid centre.

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CCCCHHHAARRRGGEEE!!!!!

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The Byzantine Emperor even joins the combat!

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THUD! BOSH! KAPOW! Down go two Ayyubid elements.....

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On my round the combats are draws, but on Amy's more success for the Byzantines!

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The Ayyubid Bowmen race to help out, but their arrows fall short.

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It's Death or Glory now, ALL pile in!!!

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One Ayyubid Cavalry element rushes to engage the Byzantine Light Horse.

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OH DOOOMM! Salah AL'Din takes on the Varengians.

Big Viking Choppers lash out, down falls the mighty Sultan & his Mamluks.

Victory to the Byzantines & so falls the Ayyubid Empire!!

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Final Positions.....

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Well MrF is the Xmas turkey, thrashed by the Mighty Amy.

I console myself with thought that it was a good plan, but the execution.... :o(

KOH4 Ayyubids vs Crusaders

Round 4 of our Kingdom of Heaven Campaign, the mighty Crusaders take on the Ayyubids. The set-up looks like a mini 'Hattin' with two Hills dominating the field. Could the Lionheart reverse the earlier Crusader disaster?

Jack played the Crusaders & set-up first, he went for a safe deployment with three forces divided evenly. I played the Ayyubids & gave Jack a tempting centre target, with just foot troops deployed. The Ayyubid horse would take my left. Would Jack take the bait???

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The Battlefield & direction of attacks.

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Good Pips & off go the Ayyubids, however have they advanced far too soon?

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Jack quickly adjusts & prepares to mass his Knights together.

Of course helped with essential campaign rations...... ;o)

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Mighty Ayyubid Horse cross the desert......

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Intricate patterns in the sand..... Jack takes it in his stride.

But wait, the LionHeart is on the end of the line....

My lord, I have a cunning plan...!!!

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Oh dear... This looks all too familiar!

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A mighty scrap of Horsemen is due, the Crusader Spears advance slowly.

I send the Ayyubid Light Horse to slow them down further.

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First contact, but in my haste I send in a lone Ayyubid Cavalry element...

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Gggggrrr.... Down goes one Ayyubid Cavalry. Daft man, just Daft...

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Aaaarr!!! The master plan is to sucker in the LionHeart....

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Come on... Come on... Right into the trap!

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As a side show, Ayyubid Light Horse harass the Crusader Spears.

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Do Whaarrtt!
In one combat I loose two more Cavalry & the third is pushed back.

The LionHeart stands firm!!!!

Jack just shakes in head in a rather mocking gesture :O(

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Jack mops up & takes out another Cavalry element. GAME OVER!!!

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Final Battle positions, the Crusaders fought the battle with half an army!!

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The picture says it all............

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Well done Jack, he pulverised me with that one. So much for cunning plans. Well, it's now up to the Seljuks to stop the Crusader Juggernaut.

Kingdom of Heaven Campaign scores after two Rounds

Crusaders - 18

Seljuks - 18

Ayyubids - 3

Byzantines - 1