Another Crusade game - To The Strongest

Well, it has been a while since my last game and post but both should be more frequent in the future as I have RETIRED! Cheers, shouting and general celebration!

So I gathered some of our regulars and we played another game using To The Strongest (God I like these rules). In the first week of retirement I made some game markers and chits to make it even easier for new players to get into the game.

I made these for each unit in the game. We placed these directly behind the respective unit or on their base. As you can see all the information needed except what you need to hit is on the chit. We found these to help a great deal.
I also made markers to indicate the command that each unit belongs to. These are color coded for rapid identification during the game.

I converted some colorful wooden sticks acquired at Michael's into lance markers for the knights in our games. These items were found to be very helpful for all the players. 

Now on to the troops involved in the fight.

Crusaders had the following units.

Command #1

Attached  General Mounted Heroic 6 points

Detached General Foot 5 points

2 units of Knights 11 points each

3 units of Spearmen 7 points each

2 units of Light Bowmen 4 points each

Total points 62

Command #2

Attached  General Mounted 5 points

Detached General Foot Heroic 5 points

2 units of Knights 11 points each

3 units of Spearmen 7 points each

1 unit of Light Bowmen 4 points 

Total points 57

Command #3

 Attached  General Mounted Heroic Senior 7 points

 Detached General Foot 5 points

1 unit of Knights 11 points

2 units of Spearmen 7 points each

1 Mob 7 points

1 unit of Crossbowmen 7 points

1 unit of Light Bowmen 4 points

Total points 55 

Muslims had the following units.

Command #1

General Mounted Attached 5 points

General Detached Foot 5 points

2 units of Knights 11 points each units Light Bowmen

1 unit of Spearmen 7 points

1 unit of Light Cavalry Bow 5 points

1 unit of Light Cavalry Javelin 5 points

2 units of Light Bowmen 4 points each

Total points 56

Command #2

General Detached 5 points

General Mounted Attached 5 points

2 units of Knights 11 points each

4 unis of Spearmen 7 points each

Total Points 60

Command #3

General Attached Heroic Mounted 6 points

General Detached 5 points

1 unit of Knights 11 points each

2 units of Light cavalry Bow 5 points each

1 unit of Light Cavalry Javelin 5 points

2 units ofSpearmen 7 points each

2 units of Light Bowmen 4 points each

Here is a picture of the Crusaders set up. Crusaders had to set up first because the Muslims  out scouted the Crusaders.

 Above is Command #1 as deployed.

 Above is Command #2 as deployed.

Above is Command #3 as deployed.

They are set up from left, center and right.

Below are pictures of the game after the Muslims set up.

 Above you can see Bill (right) face off across from his son Jake.

The players were - Muslim - Wendell, Bill and Jamie - Crusaders - Jake and myself.

Jake is Bill's son and this was his first full game with us. I must say that his grasp of the rules was rapid and concise. He played a great game and as the Crusader's leader we played to a draw as both sides had lost the same number of Victory points at the time we had to stop.

Below are more pictures of the game in no particular order because sadly I became engrossed  in the game and the chance of actually being on the winning side to fulfill my responsibility reporting this game. I will get better.

I hope that this has provided a little bit of insight on how we are approaching To The Strongest. Many more reports to follow and a campaign if possable.

Greg