They Couldn't Hit the Broadside of a Barn - Western Han Chinese vs. Goguryeo Korean

Korean pole armed armored halberdiers (Khurasan Miniatures)

In a masterful feat of speed painting, Brian managed to paint an entire 10,500 point Goguryeo Korean army in two months and eight days (or was it five days)?  This army was built in response to my recently completed Han Chinese army which took considerably longer to complete.  So with an open Saturday, we met to initiate the Korean army.  

Here's Brian's list:

And here are my Western Han:

Brian was ably assisted by Lance (he of the Mongol army fame) while I had Mark pushing lead and rolling non-skulls on my side. 

Synopsis of the Battle

Both sides lined up in the classic formation of cavalry on the wings and infantry in the middle. The Koreans lined up their armored horse on their left flank and their bow armed cavalry on their right. The Chinese split their cavalry with two conscript heavy cavalry and two dependent state cavalry on the right and half that number on the left flank. 

The Chinese pushed forward on their right against the armored cavalry but their shoot and charge ability was for naught as the bolts and arrows harmlessly plinked off the armor. The forces charged each other but the strength of the Korean cavalry wore down the Han and quickly the Chinese were down two TuGs.

On the other flank, a stalemate ensued as both sides kept out of missile range until finally they lined up and let loose. In a devastating volley, the Koreans managed five hits on five dice.  Yikes! The Han were soon down three TuGs. 

One unit of Conscript Heavy Cavalry broke off from the missile duel and slammed into the group of poor Korean militia coming to support the fight. Things were looking up for the Chinese who now scored to make it 3-1.

The infantry in the center finally engaged and a bloody scrum ensued. Soon both sides lost two TuGs and the Chinese were on the edge of destruction 5 - 3. 

The final turn saw the Koreans with many chances to break the Han and finally they did so when an armored cavalry TuG slammed into an unprotected, bow armed Dependent State Cavalry unit.

More pics below

Line of Han Chinese cavalry (Right flank)

Korean halberdiers occupy the center

The stand off of the missile armed cavalry

Both sides' infantry blocks look formidable

Per Brian's request, Mark used his laser cutter to create whimsical markers. Here, Brian makes his opinion known about Tom moving his cavalry in a way to make it harder to charge the next turn.

Impressive array of armored cavalry - impervious to missile fire

Korean cavalry work their way around the Chinese left flank

That's one cavalry unit gone and one remaining, for now.

Here they come!

Feeding units into the fight.

The heavy cavalry would soon break the poor infantry

This is what happens when you are outnumbered. The Han Cavalry attempts to run away but is shot to pieces by the Koreans

IMPACT!

That's a lot of bow armed Korean cavalry

Close up on the Han Chinese heavy cavalry

The poor Korean infantry began the game protecting the camp.

Clash of spears in the middle

The infantry ranks are thining

The competent leader with one wound tries to hold the center. (He would eventually be killed)

Nice pic of the Han Chinese Dependent State Cavalry

You can see the impending cavalry clash a the top of the picture and the infantry slowly coming to grips.

Moments before the charge.

The Han Chinese have caltrops (look like cow flops). The 2nd game using them and the 2nd game where they were useless.

We keep shooting but the arrows just bounce off.