Pillage Practice @War Room
Richard’s Dark Age skirmish campaign using Pillage rules is starting in September. On Wednesday 17 June at the War Room a group of us gathered to play a few practice games, while multitasking and watching England vs. Croatia at the 2026 World Cup. Rob and Trevor managed to get the game on the big screen.
The initial games were as follows:
- Me (Anglo-Saxons) vs. Trevor (Cornish)
- Paul (Vikings) vs. Doug (Vikings)
- Richard (Normans) vs. Rob (Vikings)
- Alex (Anglo-Saxons) vs. Pete (Rus)
Patrick arrived later, and played using Trevor’s Cornish vs. Richard’s Normans.
Using my Anglo-Saxons, I next played Paul (Vikings)
Rob (Vikings) and Pete (Rus) then had a go.
Here are a few photos:
In my first ever game, my Anglo-Saxons (near side) were attacking a village held by Trevor’s Cornish (far side).
My army was 24 figures to Trevor’s 10. I was focusing on quantity over quality – Trevor did the reverse. As my army fanned out and approached the loot markers, his warband charged up the road…
I managed to collect 10 points of loot from the village…
Unfortunately, our protracted melee was devastating. I lost 17 figures in total to Trevor’s 5! Including one of my archers killing 2 of my own men in a melee!
My Chieftain (King Stanrocc of Middlesex) fought it out bravely, but he eventually elected to flee! My spearmen were useless as I never supported them properly! I also rolled terribly – I now know Rob’s agony is real!
Meanwhile, England were doing well…
In my second game, I faced Paul’s Vikings. We approached from either end of the table…
I implemented proper tactics but made a tactical error in the village: I charged in without proper support… which meant that Paul got the better of the melee
I also lost most of my bowmen and slingers by moving into Paul’s missile fire.
Paul managed to burn a house and the church, grabbed some loot, and I lost 9 men to his 4.
England were on fire, and managed to wollop a very good Croatian side 4-2
Other pics from the evening… Doug (Vikings) vs. Paul (Vikings)
Near the end of the first games…
Rob (Vikings) vs. Pete (Rus)…
Patrick (with Trevor’s Cornish), outnumbered, attacked Richard’s Norman warband…
Rus vs Vikings – near end of play
Lessons I learned: Use cheap, expendable, slingers to gather loot. Approach the enemy in a coherent body of men (not strung out). Warriors with hand weapons (not spears) attack better, especially if supported by spearmen, who add to the defence value of the front rank. Shield walls are also possible – at least 5 men. I only have so many figures with swords, so I will be fielding a lot of spearmen, but I do have 8 Dane Axe men, which I will recruit for the next Pillage session.
Pillage is a straightforward and enjoyable game perfect for a campaign, and most of us managed two full games in about 3 hours. A fun night all round – thanks to Richard for umpiring, and to Rob for hosting and setting up the villages. My Middle Saxons will return!
