Chariots Rampant? The Mycenaeans

Homer seems differentiate between the bulk of the Achaeans and the forces commanded by Nestor of Pylos.  Nestor was very much of the old Palace Culture military system. 

The other Achaeans were not.  We need two “Warband” Profiles.  

Should you search the martial images surviving from that distant age you will find a striking one.  It is full of vibrant action. Perhaps it exemplifies the transition we are looking at. In it a helmeted man, near naked, and armed only with a dagger leaps past his opponents spear. He grips the top of his foes shield. He vaults up and cuts his adversary’s throat.  The stricken spear man is a product of the Palace System his killer represents the new wave.

Nestor’s forces consisted of chariots, spearmen and archers.  I’d like to add some Nubian Mercenaries as depicted on a palace frescoe.  Currently I have none. Gladiator have some nice ones, we will see.

Mycenaean Chariot stat's below.  You will see there is no shooting ability. Instead the Mycenaean Leader gains the "Aggressive" Leader Skill.  Meaning that on every turn one of his Warbands units or his own unit can attack without testing.

 

Models per unit	2	points	6
Attack	7+	Attack Value	6
Move	5	Defence Value	5+
Shoot	-	Shoot Value	-
Courage	4+	Maximum Move	12
Armour	4	Special Rules	Fearsome, Skirmish, Evade

Nestor and his immediate chariot companions are supported by 3 units Light Foot armed with spears and big shields.

One unit is drawn from the immediate soldiers of the palace.  These warriors are veteran fighters.

Models per unit	12	points	5
Attack	6+	Attack Value	5+
Move	5+	Defence Value	4+
Shoot	-	Shoot Value	-
Courage	4+	Maximum Move	8”
Armour	2	Special Rules	Wall of Spears,

The other Light Foot have less experience. The unit is accompanied by A Sacred Person which will help. Cost 1 point. 

Mick Yarrow Miniatures have a pack of 6 Minoan Priestesses and Donnington do a Priestess and Druids, Outpost used to do a multi purpose Merlin and a Saxon Shaman.  Worth checking out if you fancy that sort of thing. I have ordered the Mick Yarrow Priestesses.

Models per unit	12	points	4
Attack	6+	Attack Value	5+
Move	5+	Defence Value	4+
Shoot	-	Shoot Value	-
Courage	4+	Maximum Move	8”
Armour	2	Special Rules	Wall of Spears, Sacred Person

 

The final unit is of archers again drawn from the palace.

 

Models per unit	12	points	6
Attack	7+	Attack Value	6
Move	6+	Defence Value	5+
Shoot	6+	Shoot Value	4+ Range 18”
Courage	4+	Maximum Move	8”
Armour	2	Special Rules	Veteran

 

To the new method of war now.  No chariots this time. They may have taxied the elite to battle but that’s it. Instead we have 2 units of Elite Foot in full Dendra armour. Truly formidable. As you see I have another 3 to paint. They also cost half of the available War Band points. I could get by with just one unit and I might.

Models per unit	6	points	6
Attack	5+	Attack Value	5+
Move	5+	Defence Value	4+
Shoot	-	Shoot Value	-
Courage	3+	Maximum Move	6”
Armour	4	Special Rules	Flexible

Should I only use one Dendra armour unit I could field a unit of Bloodthirsty Mirmidyons like this.

Models per unit	12	points	7
Attack	5+	Attack Value	3+
Move	6+	Defence Value	6+
Shoot	6+	Shoot Value	5+ Range 6”
Courage	4+	Maximum Move	8”
Armour	2	Special Rules	Bloodthirsty, Flexible, Wild Charge, Counter Charge, Fast.

 

They are supported by 2 units of Warriors. Note the utility of the big violin shaped shields while running. The runners arms and elbows are accommodated.

Models per unit	12	points	4
Attack	5+	Attack Value	3+
Move	6+	Defence Value	6+
Shoot	-	Shoot Value	-
Courage	4+	Maximum Move	8”
Armour	2	Special Rules	Flexible, Wild Charge, Counter Charge, Fast.

 

For the last couple of points we get a unit of Skirmishers.

Models per unit	6	Points	2
Attack		Attack Value
Move		Defence Value
Shoot		Shoot Value
Courage		Maximum

All of the above are from Museum Miniatures. Museum now have a new range for this period. I'd say they will work with all of my Chariot wars figures.  I shouldn't buy any more for this project but I might.