Templars escort wagons 1197

I really enjoy SAGA.  It is a clever game system with enough dark age/medieval overlay of what I think combat should have been like back then.  If I was a lot more knowledgeable in the period I would probably be more offended by the game system but since I am not I like it. I purchased the second edition rules because I thought there were enough changes to warrant the $15 and I still believe that.  I wasn't going to buy any of the other books because I think the old boards will work just fine.  Then I saw a deal for the new crusades book on TMP.  The new book is very nice.  Not convinced it is worth $45 but certainly worth $30; even $35.  
So...

Commander Grayson saw clouds of dust ahead.  That meant trouble.  His force needed to get these supplies through to an outlying garrison and his day just got harder.

Initial set up  This is the escort scenario from the original rules.  Knights have to escort 2 wagons off.  This is a 5 point game.

One of the wagons with Templar's and Italian crossbowmen mercenaries.  ( Italians always want money!)

Saracen bowmen harassing the knights.  The new rules make the composite bows much more useful.

One of the new auxiliary units is "borders".  These are the tough Iranians accompanied by a priest.  Javelins have also been given an upgrade. 

Here they smoked the Sergeants losing only 1 figure.  The priest is in the middle with his leopard skin cape. 

Brother knights finally catch some pesky bowmen.  Results are not pretty and 6 Arabs meet a martyrs death.  ( apologize for unbased knights!)

Mamluks and knights clash near the wagons.  Results are a bloody draw which works to the Templar advantage.  God is with us!

Mid game.  Saracen bowmen are defeated bottom right.  Iranians neutralized near the roman columns. Mamluks battling knights in the center while wagons divert around.  Arab infantry await near ruins to attack. 

High tide for the Saracens!  They attack and destroy the lead wagon.    Remnants of a squadron of knights bravely  charge while the infantry are fatigued and destroy half of the arab infantry.

End game.  Remnants of Arab infantry realize they will not break through the  weakened Templar forces to the wagons beyond.  Better to retreat and conserve strength.  There will be more wagons that need to be escorted. 


Fun game that played quick.  I have never had a game of SAGA that wasn't fun.  Real accurate; probably not but a great way for me to get my crusader fix in about 90 minutes.  


Enjoy

Joe