Monte Ximena

Map with legend and initial deployment.


This fictitious scenario is dealing with Ney's VI Corps fighting Castanos in 1810, prior to the Bussaco campaign. The actual units here are varied (I do like some variety of foreign units like Nassau and Tirrailleur Corses) but the overall size and commanders are correct. The Spanish forces varied so wildly that who knows what they may have under someone's command at any given time. The Spanish force is just fiction, as is the location of the villages and monastery.

Again, rules for close combat have been modified to double casualty results to speed up game play. The rules are a modified version of Fire & Fury/Age of Eagles. Commanders within 3" of a unit are affected by the fallen commander rule, rather than only attached commanders. I find this rule provides actual commander casualties and spices up the game.

The stream is low and can be crossed anywhere by infantry or cavalry, but only by bridge for wheeled vehicles. The Spanish control the four objectives at the beginning of the game and have the initiative. The redoubt is worth 5pts., the village of Arlaban is worth 5pts., the farm is worth 5pts. and Monasterio de Monte Ximena is worth 10pts. French break point is when any two commands are completely routed or destroyed. Spanish break point is when any four commands are completely routed or destroyed.


Turn 1 Spanish

Spanish batteries on ridge overlooking Celorico begin to open fire on the leading regiment in Maucune's brigade. The only results was the loss of a stand and disorder. The remaining forces are too far to reach. Not knowing what the French intent fully was, the Spanish remain in place.

French Turn 1
Avant!

Marchand's 1er Division of Ney's VI Corps on the French left attempt to cross the stream. Loison's 3eme Division on the right do the same.


Skirmish fire took place from Macognet's leading regiment against Pacheco's leading regiment, but was fruitless.

Spanish Turn 2

Pacheco's brigade went on the offensive rather than give the French time to deploy and prepare. With the numbers here relatively even, there was a chance to cause a big delay.

Without the Spanish having an advantage in numbers against the rest of the French advance, they hold ground hoping to buy time and see what casualties may happen.


The Spanish battery in the right of the redoubt combined with the leading infantry unit, manage to inflict a loss of a stand in the fire fight. The French manage to do the same. The combat pushes the Spanish back without any further loss.

French Turn 2

After advancing, Macognet's brigade contact Pacheco's men again. Macognet's column only manages to push Pacheco's men back with no loss to either side.


Maucune's brigade along with Ferrey's brigade of Loison's 3eme Division make contact with Juntilla's men. The Spanish battery manage to inflict the loss of a stand on the supporting regiment in Maucune's brigade. The rest of the battle line caused plenty of disorder with Ferrey's men inflicting the loss of two stands in Juntilla's left regiment during shooting.


The combat causes two more stands to be lost and the regiment is thrown back beyond musketry range. Juntilla's right regiment suffers the same fate.


The French breakthrough, but because of wet shoes and socks, cannot catch the barefoot Spaniards! Merde!

Spanish Turn 3

Juntilla's left regiment did not rally and lost an additional stand during its flight. Juntilla's right regiment does rally and San Marco brings up a regiment to fill the gap while the other takes up position on the ridge. Magana's hussars advance to apply some pressure to Ferrey's right.


The Spanish artillery wisely decided they didn't want to be captured, so limbered and fell back. Pacheco's men rallied and reformed into extended line to use fire power to check Macognet's advance.

French Turn 3

The rear regiment of Macognet's brigade made contact with Pacheco's leading regiment.


Maucune's men hit San Marco's men on the ridge. Ferrey's men hit Juntilla's regiment that was covering the retreat of his other regiment.


Part of Ferrey's men approached Magana's hussars. Juntilla's men suffered the loss of a stand during musketry and then were pushed back without any further loss.


San Marco's men on the ridge were routed by Maucune's brigade and the breakthrough took them into the limbered Spanish battery. The determined gunners rolled a 12 to the modified French roll of 13 and managed to slip away unharmed.


Macognet's attacking regiment fought a desperate struggle with Pacheco's Spanish, resulting both sides losing two stands before Pacheco fell back.


Lamotte's light cavalry brigade reach the stream.

Spanish Turn 4

Both Spanish artillery batteries fall back to avoid being prey. Pacheco's men rally and hold ground. Sanchez's guerrillas advance to hold the line in the presence of Lamotte's cavalry.


Magana's guerrillas advance through the hussars to engage the French infantry. The guerrillas became disordered, but nothing else transpired here at the moment.


San Marco's right regiment fails to rally, but the left advances to hit Ferrey's light regiment. The light regiment lost a stand in the firing phase. During combat, the desperate struggle roll caused two lost stands for both sides before the French broke and lost an additional two stands. San Marco's men broke through to hit Maucune's rear regiment of light infantry. The tide turned and the Spanish were brushed aside and pushed back beyond musketry range.

French Turn 4

Pacheco's lead regiment suffered a loss during the fire fight and two more in combat and then broke and retreated beyond musketry range.


The French breakthrough attack permitted Macognet's left regiment to charge into Pacheco's second regiment positioned behind the former. This regiment seemingly as unfortunate as the former lead regiment, rolled snake eyes, lost half its strength and routed along with their comrades. Maucune's lead regiment takes a loss of a stand during shooting, but continues advancing with artillery deploying on the ridge behind.

San Marco's men were hit by Macognet's right regiment. Their combat was equally disappointing where they lost significantly and were routed as well. (what's left of them is on the far left near the artillery battery)


Ferrey's light infantry rally and move at an oblique to allow Simon's Tirrailleur Corses to advance to engage Juntilla's forward regiment. Ferrey's right regiment engaged Magana's guerrillas.


Simon's men were bounced back without loss by the decimated lead regiment under Juntilla. Ferrey's right regiment rolled a modified 13 while Magana's guerrillas rolled an undignified 2! This shattered the regiment, leaving it with two stands and Magana was grievously wounded in the process. The remnants were pushed back along with the supporting hussars.


Mermet's Division begins to enter.

Spanish Turn 5

Magana's guerrillas manage to rally and move into Arlaban village to occupy it. Magana's hussars decide to take a chance on Ferrey's right regiment which wasn't supported and was also disordered. The only French defensive fire came from here and was ineffective. The hussars are pushed back without any loss but were disordered.


The Spanish batteries unlimber, one having to move and so won't be able to fire. Juntilla's men, like San Marcos, rally but only hold ground.


Sanchez's guerrilla cavalry fall back to try and avoid combat with Lamotte's larger cavalry force. Pacheco's former lead regiment failed to meet the minimal morale requirement and quit the field. Pacheco's other regiment failed to rally, but did not continue to run and held its ground.


Long awaited Spanish reinforcements under de Luna arrive.

French Turn 5

Lamotte's cavalry wastes no time in hitting Sanchez's guerrilla cavalry.


Macognet's left regiment goes after the remnant of Pacheco's regiment and Macognet's right regiment joins Maucune's men in attacking the Spanish artillery batteries.


Ferrey's men attack Magana's hussars and San Marco's only intact regiment. Simon's Tirrailleur Corses attack the remains of Juntilla's lead regiment.


Lamotte's hussars break Sanchez's guerrilla cavalry from the hussars under Lamotte and a breakthrough with infantry under Macognet. The desperate struggle cause two lost stands for the guerrillas and split among the French hussars and infantry. The Spanish lose the second round of combat, lose two more stands and falls back beyond musketry range. Lamotte's hussars break through and complete the kill by eliminating two additional stands.


The Spanish artillery managed to escape with only losing one battery, while inflicting a lost stand during the shooting phase.


Magana's hussars suffer a loss of a stand from shooting. In the combat phase, an additional two stands are lost and they retreat beyond musketry range.


Juntilla's leading regiment is wiped out in the fighting and Juntilla himself is shot dead in the saddle.


Spanish Turn 6

Spanish reinforcements under de Luna form a double defensive line with the artillery battery attaching to its flank. De Luna's men manage to inflict the loss of a stand during musketry on Maucune's leading regiment. French defensive fire managaes to disorder Pacheco's and San Marco's men.


Magana's hussars fail to rally but do manage to hold their ground.


The remnants of Juntilla's and San Marco's men rally and fall back toward Monte Ximena.


Lamotte's hussars fail to rally and hold ground in disorder. Macognet's men attempt to engage Pacheco's men and wipe them out. The shooting from Pacheco's men disorders Macognets men, but they proceed in combat to finish off Pacheco's command.


Macognet's right regiment along with Maucune's brigade, attempt to break the center defensive position established by de Luna. Macognet's men receive canister and musketry and lose a stand during the firefight.


Ferrey's men attack Magana's disordered hussars and San Marco's last effective regiment. Simon's Nassau regiment detaches their elite companies to storm Arlaban and eradicate Magana's guerrillas. San Marco's men lose two stands from musketry as does Magana's hussars.


Magana's hussars do poorly in the combat and are routed off the field and Ferrey's right regiment surges forward. Simon's Nassau regiment is successful on their first assault and push the guerrillas out, with no loss to either side.


San Marco's men are pushed back, opening the French advance toward the monastery to be unhindered from this point forward.


De Luna's defensive line is pushed back and the attached artillery limbers and moves back. This proves to be fatal next turn.

Spanish Turn 7

Sanchez's men rally. The cavalry retrograde behind the infantry for protection. Magana's guerrillas do not rally and leave, taking their wounded commander with them.


San Marco's men rally, but are unable to do anything else. Juntilla's leaderless cadre of a command fall back toward the cemetery on Monte Ximena. All defensive and offensive fire was ineffective this turn.

French Turn 7

Macognet's left regiment rallies from disorder and voluntarily falls back since it is now spent. Lamotte's light cavalry charge into Sanchez's guerrilla infantry.


Macognet's right regiment again with Maucune's brigade charge into de Luna's center line. De Luna's men become disordered during the attacking musketry exchange.


Mermet's men all finally make it down the road but are too late and are of no practical use except as a reserve element.


Tirrailleur Corses back by Mermet's now ready Italian line in support, attack San Marco's demoralized men. a previously silenced French battery returns to action on the ridge line.


Lamotte's cavalry did not do as well as expected. Was it the humid late spring day? Weak horses? The fact they hadn't been paid in months? We'll never know, but they failed. The chasseurs lost a stand during the fusillade and the hussars were disordered and thrown back beyond musketry range. The guerrillas weren't going to be beaten away from the hog farm so easily.

To the upper right, de Luna men can be seen falling back and the leading regiment reduced to half strength in yet another bad Spanish combat result. San Marco's leading regiment is wiped out with San Marco himself being shot. The Tirrailleur Corses surge forward toward the vacuous space before them.


Maucune's leading regiment's breakthrough takes it into Sandoval's uncommitted regiment and attached battery.


Although not detrimental, the regiment is pushed back without loss and the artillery escapes and retreats. Generalismo Castanos unfurls his surrender flag and the negotiations for surrender to Marechal Ney begin.

Conclusion

It seemed pointless to play it out since the Spanish had lost Juntilla and San Marco, Magana wounded and Pacheco with nothing to command. The defending grenadiers would have posed a problem, but not having inflicted enough damage on the French first, I'm unconvinced the Spanish would have won or managed to repulse the French assaults. The redoubt was only effective in splitting the attackers, so did serve as a delaying mechanism. The scenario might be replayed in the future with more Spanish to see if any different result could occur. Considering Mermet's division never fired a shot, something short of a Spanish army seen at Ocana might be required to win

Battle of Salamanca (Los Aripiles)

After much painting, modeling and time, I finally got around to playing this scenario at home. I had played it at a local game shop with very similar set up with the British clearly winning the day and mirroring the real battle in so many ways. In this scenario, I am using a modified version of Fire and Fury. I enjoy these rules as they are simple and allow for various sized units and formations. In this scenario, I made unit sizes a generic average, but managed to keep the numbers of actual combatants to correct numbers. British infantry unit brigades being 8 stands and French 10.

For game play simplicity, I decided to split both cavalry sides into one division of heavy and one of light. The British do have a slight superiority, as what was historically true with 18 stands to the French's 16. Using small cavalry units would be silly as they would simply be swatted away like flies. Combining them into "divisions" made game play easier and wasn't far off the mark from how they were grouped in the real battle.



I modified the rules for fallen leaders to include leaders up to 3 inches away. This would increase the likely hood of generals biting the bullet, unlike most other rule sets. Since my version uses two 6-sided dice, I modified the chart to accommodate all the rolls. No out of ammunition rules are used and commanders could be hit on a natural roll of an 11 or 12. I also decided to add an extra stand lost to each melee result on the chart to assist in game play not needing to take 6 hours to complete. The basic objective for the French was to hold ground for 8 turns in which it would be a minor victory as the British would call off the attack once it was clear it had failed.

Given my number of painted genuine French units is a bit short, some Italians, Poles and Germans are used to fill the places of exclusively French formations at this battle. If you see the 2nd Nassau regiment, understand it is being played as just a normal French brigade.


For the village of Los Aripiles, I had decided that no more 4 skirmish stands would be permitted to enter at a time. Whole brigades in the village seemed unrealistic and I did not want this place to become a drain to suck men away from more significant positions. I also did not choose to use limbers in this battle due to the fact I was one short for each side and that the playing area would have been even more difficult to play on. Even so, I still think the board looks great, even if I can't master the use of photography and provide up close action.

Turn 1

Pack's independent Portuguese brigade makes a run toward the Greater Aripile. It will take them the rest of their movement and half of next turn to climb the rough hillside and take the heights. Brennier's 1st Brigade moves on to the heights along with a couple of batteries of artillery.


Thomieres' 7th Division along with Curto's Light Cavalry Division continue to move west in march column. Packenham's 3rd Division moves forward at full speed to intercept. The British heavy cavalry are moving up to join in.

In the center, Clausel's 2nd Division deploys skirmishers to engage some men detached from Spencer's 1st Division deployed within the village of Los Aripiles. The resulting skirmish fire was ineffective on both sides.

Turn 2

Pack's Portuguese Brigade moves up onto the ridge and charges the 1st Brigade of Brennier's Division. The exchange of fire caused each brigade to lose a stand and become disordered. The ensuing combat was decisive and resulted in 3 stands lost to Pack's brigade and routed back off the hill. The French then deploy their batteries on top the uncontested hill.

Spencer's 1st Division moves to threaten Foy's 1st Division and Boyer's Dragoon Division. Foy in turn charges Spencer and is repulsed with the loss of 2 stands to and both leading brigades disordered.

Cole's 4th Division, 3rd Brigade moves forward to skirmish with the 2nd Brigade of Clausel's Division. The exchange was ineffective for both sides. Clausel's 1st Brigade's skirmishers attack the 2 detached stands from Spencer's 1st Division and managed to wipe them out and take the village of Los Aripiles.


Ferey's 3rd Division moves back north to come to the aide of Foy's 1st Division. Sarrut's 4th Division comes to the edge of the woods behind the Greater Aripile.

To the west, Packenham and Thomieres are closer to being engaged. Thomiers forms his men into a defensive position on a small ridge. Curto's cavalrymen form up and the artillery is deployed.

Turn 3

Spencer's 1st Brigade recovers from disorder and charges Foy's 2nd Brigade. The Light Division expands their frontage so that both brigades can charge together while Spencer's 2nd Brigade supports the Light Division. The resulting charge had a desperate struggle where both brigades loss 2 stands and the second roll gave the French brigade another two stand loss, effectively putting it out of action by being spent.

The British artillery fire from the Lesser Aripile manages to silence a French battery on top the Greater Aripile.


Curto's Light Cavalry Division reposition themselves to permit the accompanying horse artillery battery a better view of the enemy. The artillery fire from the guns did nothing to slow Packenham's inevitable advance.


Cole's 4th Division, 3rd Brigade, charges Clausel's 2nd Brigade and loses a stand from shooting as it closes from combined fire of artillery and musketry. The French brigade is pushed back, rallies and then charges and receives a desperate struggle roll, then inflicts a further two stand loss on Cole's 3rd Brigade and pushing them back. This effectively shattered this brigade as it made them spent.

In the village of Los Airipiles, Leith's 5th Division, 3rd Brigade, detaches skirmishers that attack the village. The defenders put up a valiant struggle and inflict a 2 stand loss on the attackers and retain control. Bonnet's 8th Division proceeds to march west to assist Thomieres' 7th Division. Sarrut's 4th Division pushes out of the woods and into the small valley behind the Greater Aripile.


The break through from Spencer's 2nd Brigade hit Foy's 1st Brigade but this time Spencer's 2nd Brigade suffers the loss of 2 more stands and is routed (represented by the dark green coated KGL troops). Foy is a bit closer to receiving support from Ferey's 3rd Division.


Packenham's 3rd Division as well as the heavy and light cavalry brigades are formed up for a massive coordinated attack.

Turn 4

The allies' west wing makes the much anticipated charge. The allied light cavalry suffers 2 lost stands from Thomieres' 2nd Brigade during shooting and 2 more during the failed combat and were pushed back beyond musketry range. Thomiers's 1st Brigade suffers 1 lost stand from Packenham's 2nd Brigade during shooting, but throw the chargers back with no further loss.

The allied heavy cavalry slam into a battery of artillery on the flank. The artillerymen fail to hit the enemy during normal shooting, but manage through a desperate struggle roll to kill two stands and are themselves eliminated in the process.


The end results.


Cole's 3rd Brigade does not rally but does hold ground. Cole's 2nd Brigade advances through the 3rd Brigade to prevent their annihilation. Pack's Portuguese fall back onto the lower summit of the Lesser Aripile. Leith's 5th Division, 3rd Brigade, detach 2 more stands to assist in the assault on the village. The new assault fails and attackers suffer an additional 2 stand loss and are driven back.


Thomieres' brigades charge down the ridge into the 2nd Brigade and light cavalry. Thomieres' brigades are successful and manage to push Packenham's 2nd Brigade back and inflicting 2 lost stands and the disordered light cavalry rolls horribly and is wiped out to the stand during the combat.


De Espagna and Bradford's brigades advance to try and stem Bonnet's 8th Division as they move west toward Thomieres. Leith's 5th Division moves up to counter Clausel and Maucune's division from getting closer to Los Aripiles. The Anglo-Spanish batteries open fire on Maucune's 2nd Brigade that had advanced to assist Bonnet's Division, inflicting the loss of a stand.


Ferey's 3rd Division marches in range of Spencer's 1st Division, threatening their flank. Boyer's Dragoons Division moves up to apply pressure to the Light Division. The French deploy a 3rd battery on top the Greater Aripile.

Turn 5

Packenham's Division rallies. 2nd and 3rd Brigades charge Thomiers' 2nd Brigade and Packenham's 3rd Brigade moves left to cover the gap left by the surprising demise of the Light Cavalry Division. The allied Heavy Cavalry Brigade was barely able to rally and had to spend it's turn refacing towards the 7th Division. In the process, they turn their backs on the upcoming but distant 8th Division.


De Espagna and Bradford's men expand their frontage to prepare a charge against the westward moving Bonnet.


The Light Division charges Boyer's Dragoons, inflicts a loss of 2 stands and drives them back through Foy's 1st Division. Pack's Brigade was disordered from shooting and holds ground, but does not rally. Clinton's 6th and Hope's 7th Division being held in reserve behind Los Aripiles are beginning to move forward. As seen in the photo, Cole's 4th Division, 2nd Brigade lose an additional two stands from combined musketry and artillery. British counter battery fire damaged and drove off a battery between Bonnet's division and the Greater Aripile.

More men are detached for work in the assault on Los Aripiles. The allied assault had some success and eliminated 2 stands of the defenders and pushed them to the edge of the village.


Thomieres' 1st Brigade managed to inflict the loss of a stand upon approaching Packenham's 1st Brigade, then 3 more in the ensuing combat. The routed men were pushed past the deployed battery, leaving it wide open.

As seen a few pictures back, Ferey's 3rd Division made it to assist Foy. Spencer's 1st Brigade suffers a loss of a stand during the French approach from musketry and artillery.


Bonnet's 8th Division does not wait for De Espagna and Bradford to attack and charge. The charge into De Espagna was repulsed with no loss, but Bradford's men managed to roll a deperate struggle roll inflicting and suffering a 2 stand loss and then failed the subsequent roll and lost 2 additional stands and retreated beyond musketry range.

The 8th Division's artillery unlimbers for a flank shot against the allied heavy cavalry. Clausel's 1st Brigade recalls skirmishers that were pushed out of Los Aripiles. The 4th Division belonging to Sarrut moves off west.


Spencer's lead brigade was pushed back.

Turn 6

Pack's Portuguese Brigade roll badly and quit the field. Spencer's leading brigade charges Ferey's leading brigade. The Light Division decides to charge Foy's 1st Brigade in hopes of driving them from the field.


Leith's 5th Division goes on the offensive and its 1st and 2nd Brigades charge into some Brigades of Clausel's 2nd Division 1st Brigade and Maucune's 5th Division. The charge failed to do much and each side had a brigade pushed back a few inches.


During the defensive and offensive fire phase, the French managed to hit the allied heavy cavalry in front and back and cause the loss of 2 stands in each phase, thus bringing the cavalry to the spent strength when it completed its charge into combat. Thomieres 2nd Brigade was charged by both the heavy cavalry and 2nd Brigade of Packenahm's 3rd Division. The result was minor, forced the French brigade to fall back through and behind the horse artillery battery. Curto's Light Cavalry Division was charged by Packensham's 3rd Brigade and managed to inflict the loss of 2 stands on the attackers, quite surprisingly.


The major drama of this side was the remnants of Packenham's 1st brigade rallied and moved up and attached themselves to the foot battery of artillery. The exchange of fire between both of these units was insignificant (even at canister range, oddly enough) and Thomieres 1st Brigade was able to charge and eliminate the 3rd Division's 1st Brigade, capture the artillery battery and cause the only leader casualty of the game by grievously wound Packenham.


The combined Anglo-Spanish artillery managed to damage and silence a battery assigned to Maucune's 5th Division. British artillery on top the Lesser Aripile managed to silence the heavy battery on top the Greater Aripile. The French pull up a previously silenced battery to the top of the Greater Aripile.

Bradford's Portuguese Brigade did not rally but did manage to hold ground in disorder. De Espagna's Spanish Brigade was hit by both brigades of Bonnet's 8th Division. The remnants of Bradford's Portuguese along with De Espagna managed to inflict the loss of a stand and disorder the 1st Brigade of Bonnet's Division. Despite the fact that De Espagna's Spanish Brigade was outnumbered more than 2 to 1, they managed to only be pushed back and suffered no losses.


To the upper right in this picture, you can see where Clausel's 1st Brigade and Maucune's 2nd Brigade engaged with Leith's 1st and 2nd brigades. Maucune's men manage to push Leith's 1st Brigade back to the ridge beside Los Aripiles with no loss. Clausel's 1st Brigade was able to inflict the loss of 2 stands on Leith's 2nd Brigade and push them to the gates of Los Aripiles.


Clausel's 2nd Brigade charged into the shaken 2nd Brigade of Cole's 4th Division. After a desperate struggle roll and inflicting 2 stand losses from both sides, a second resolution roll resulted in Cole's 2nd Brigade collapsing after being reduced to one stand. The follow up break through charge hit the spent 3rd Brigade of Cole's division. Fortunately for Wellington, this brigade only fell back to the muzzle of their own battery directly behind them and did not shatter.


Spencer's 1st Division, 1st Brigade suffered the loss of another stand from artillery fire. The charge from the 2nd Brigade of Ferey's 3rd Division was bloodless and the French fell back outside of musketry range. The Light Division charged Foy's 2nd Brigade and took the loss of a stand during shooting and were likewise, thrown back beyond musketry range.


The remnants of Cole's 4th Division.


The final view from the allied center.

Conclusion: the allies suffered badly and the game was called after 6 turns only. The previous time the game was played, the French lasted about 6 turns and were basically demoralized. This particular game seemed to have gone completely different from expectations. I for one was surprised at how limited the fallen leaders had been. The previous battle had seen 4 or 5 such casualties, this game only 1. Increasing the casualties done during melee seemed to greatly speed up game play and make combats more decisive.

Artillery in this game was typically sporadic on how it performed. French artillery did quite poorly given how many batteries were present. 10 batteries should have been plenty but several were damaged or silenced for portions of the game. The terrain was a contributing factor to the artillery being limited in value. The secondary reason was the proximity of the forces in limiting what could actually be a target when it wasn't blocked.

Overall, a very fun game that didn't take long to play and would have resulted in a complete reversal of Wellington's offensive plans in Spain. It is likely without any cavalry to speak of left intact, a speedy withdraw into Portugal would be in order.

Losses_______Allies__________French
Infantry_____53______________27
Cavalry______14_______________2
Artillery_____1 captured______1 captured & 3 damaged
Leaders_______1 wounded_______-

Given these disparities in casualties, it didn't seem realistic to continue the game. The plan of Wellington was a carefully timed, methodical attack and ultimately when Packenham's Division along with the cavalry failed to break Thomieres and Curto, then the support gained from turning the flank went out the window. Adding the fact Packenham's Division was shattered and the cavalry effectively obliterated in a surprising failure, the planned offensive was no longer practical.

Review: Sabol Designs Custom Monastery

In early September while browsing the internet one night, I came across a website I had not visited in some time, Sabol Designs. While browsing, I noticed where custom terrain work was a service being offered. In all honesty, I already knew what I wanted, just could not manage to do it myself.

What I had wanted was the Italian monastery offered by http://paperterrain.mybisi.com/product/italian-monastery So, out of curiosity, I sent a request asking if they could use the paper terrain set and create this piece. Having tried my own hand with the same set, I knew it would be a challenge. Thankfully, they could and offered instead to do it as a solid piece set.


I was very skeptical since there was little work to judge for the quality I may receive. The price was reasonable to say the least ($85 for the piece and $15 for shipping). They decided to do it cheap to see if it could be done. I said yes and in little over a week, I received my pictures.















The base is hollow and made from plastic/resin, similar to Games Workshop hills. The highlighting and shading is top notch, would be a center piece on any game table. The windows are Games Workshop "bitz". Doors are a little on the small side, but doesn't take away from anything. The buildings appear to be made from palsticard and the whole structure is quite tough - I can pick up the piece by grabbing onto the buildings rather than simply the base.

It exceeded all of my expectations and I would give this a five star rating. Literally, I could not see anyway to improve upon this piece or compare it to anything I've ever seen at this scale.