Last night, the first official play-test of our wargame took place. The Republican Brony offered his services, as well as those of his forces, in a decisive clash with the Equestrian Legion, commanded my yours truly. Our two forces met on an open plain outside Canterlot where they would square off in a non-lethal simulation of combat...

The Equestrian Legion: Total Forces 240
Legionary Cohort 3rd Centuraie ~ 3rd Cohort, Legion I
Mixed-Pony Melee Infantry
Unit size: 80/80

Praefectus Fabrum 1st Centuraie ~ 6th Cohort, Legion I
Mixed-Pony Ranged Support
Unit size: 80/80

Magus Vexillatio 4th Centuraie ~ 7th Cohort, Legion I
Unicorn Mages
Unit size: 80/80

The Independant Republic of Ponies: Total Forces 250
Earth Pony Militia
Earth Ponies Militia-Infantry
Size: 100/100

Unicorn Militia
Unicorns Mages Militia-Infantry
Size: 100/100

Gryphon “Hunters”
Gryphons Ranged Aerial Militia
Size: 50/50

Action Report:
Both sides lined up, their melee infantry in front, followed by their mages (unicorns) and their ranged troops in the back. Right out of the gate, the Equestrian Legion took the initiative and moved to engage first...

The Centuraie of Praefectus Fabrum struck first, taking their shot at the first ranks of the IRoP's unit of Earth Pony Militia. A lackluster volley of weighted bolts from their Scorpions and a healthy dose of luck upon their part reduced their casualties to a meager six losses. Next, the Magus Vexillatio took aim upon the same unit and let loose a mighty volley, that despite the IRoP's mages best attempt to ward off, managed to inflict fourteen losses, further weakening the militia unit. The meanwhile, the Legionary Cohortis took their time to dig themselves some temporary defenses...

The IRoP countered by having their Griffins take to the air, while their unicorn mages attacked the entrenching Legionaries, causing seven casualties. However, The tides turned when their Earth Pony Militia charged into the defending Legionaries. As the first round of melee was completed, the Legionaries took a mere six casualties, to the militia's fifteen!

The next round began with the Equestrian Legion once again seizing the initiative. This time, the Scorpions and Polybolos of the Praefectus Fabrum filled the air with a deadly hail of bolts, downing a whopping 21 of the IRoP's 50 Griffins! Then in a lackluster performance from the Legion's mages and a rather impressive showing on the part of the IRoP's own mages, the Legion only managed to inflict a measly four casualties upon the enemy unicorns. While the Legionaries again continued to fortify their position.

The IRoP's griffins, enraged by the Legion's previous attack, volleyed the ponies below. However, due to an amazing stroke of luck, not a single one of their shots landed home! What followed was the IRoP's unicorns attempting to attack the same unit of the Legion, only to end up being fired upon by the Legion's own mages, whom inflicted an impressive sixteen casualties upon the IRoP's mages for their effort! However, this time when the IRoP's militia stormed the Legionary's fortifications, they found a much different reception...The awaiting Legionaries swatted back the militia's attack taking no casualties themselves and inflicting another dozen upon the militia!

Going into Round three, things aren't looking so great for the IRoP. Nearly half their Earthpony Militia have been wiped out and the same for their Griffins. Nevertheless, they take the initiative and instantly press the attack! Their Griffins rain crossbow bolts down upon the entrenched Legionaries, however, their training and fortifications render their attack little more threatening than rain. The same cannot be said for their unicorn's attack, which inflicts the first major casualties upon the Legionaries thus far, hobbling 18 soldiers. However, at this point, Republican decides its time to desist in his attempts to assail the entrenched Legionaries.

Once again the Scorpions and Polybolos of the Legion tear into the IRoP's Griffins, downing 14 more...and once again, when the Legion's mages begin to sling spells, the IRoP's mages counterattack. Like in their previous showing, they again take casualties, though much more this time, as 13 of their mages fall to enemy fire. Now, is when the Legion decides it is time to end the fight and the Legionaries come out of their defensive positions and pursue the IRoP's earthpony militia. Both sides, weakened from combat losses, make a meager showing. The Legion does manage to inflict six casualties upon the Earthpony militia without loss however...

The Equestrian Legion continues their initiative and lashes out hard against their IRoP counterparts. The coordinated magic attack upon the IRoP's Griffins is a magnificent showing of the Legion's power, striking down each remaining Griffin and filling the sky with a deafening thunder of magic! Finally getting their lanes of fire down, the Praefectus Fabrum riddled the IRoP's mages full of holes at long range, sending a wave of casualties 38 strong from the field! Finishing off what they had started the turn before, the Legionaries once again pounded into the Earthponies' lines, inflicting another thirteen losses upon their formation without casualties of their own.

With their airpower gone and their infantry in tatters, the IRoP conceded the field, granting the Equestrian Legion the victory! Final casualty counts stand at 187 losses for the IRoP and 31 for the Equestrian Legion, seven of which were aided by battlefield medicine and returned to their units, leaving the Legion's final casualty count standing at 24.

In summation:
The fortunes of war played heavily in this battle, for both sides, though ultimately the IRoP was outgunned from the onset of battle - their units being less powerful individually than the Equestrian Legion's. Nonetheless, it was a good and sporting fight, both sides coming out of it having fun and I learned some interesting tricks for GM'ing these fights. For everyone, else, stay tuned for more pre-war wargame battle-reports!

Two nights ago, the second official playtest of the wargame took place. The Republican Brony again offered his services, as well as those of his forces, in a horribly one-sided clash with the Equestrian Legion, commanded my yours truly. Our two forces met on an open plain outside Canterlot where they would square off in a non-lethal simulation of combat...

Independant Republic of Ponies:
Earth Pony Militia (x5)
Earth Ponies Militia-Infantry
Size: 100/100

Unicorn Militia (x4)
Unicorns Mages Militia-Infantry
Size: 100/100

Gryphon “Hunters” (x2)
Gryphons Ranged Aerial Militia
Size: 50/50

Minotaur “Legionaires” (x2)
Minotaur Melee Infantry Elite
Size: 50/50

The Equestrian Legion:
Legionary Cohort (x5)
Mixed-Pony Melee Infantry
Unit size: 80/80

Praefectus Fabrum (x1)
Mixed-Pony Ranged Support
Unit size: 80/80

Magus Vexillatio (x2)
Unicorn Mages
Unit size: 80/80

Aerial Wing (x1)
Pegasi Aerial
Unit size: 80/80

Auxilia Centuraie (x1)
Human Irregulars
Unit size: 80/80

Action Report:
The Equestrian Legion lined up with our skirmishers out in front, the five Centuraie of Legionaries in the second-line, the two units of mages and combat-engineers in the second and the Aerial Wing in the rear. While the Independent Republic of Ponies set two units of Earth Pony militia in the front with their Minotaur in the frontline, two more infantry units in the second with the first pair of militia in the second, and the final pair of mages and their fifth infantry unit in the third, while their griffins took up a watch in their rear line.

Right out of the gate, the Equestrian Legion took the initiative and moved to engage first...though it was with the very first roll that the first indications of trouble arose. The Auxilian skirmishers made to attack the Earthponies on the (Left) flank of the IRoP's front line, only for their attack to fail to accomplish any significant headway whatsoever. The Legion's mages however, managed to inflict some casualties on their flanking forces (12 & 7 respectively), however, they were meager at best thanks to the Republic's own Mages making every effort to counterspell their attacks. The Legion ended its turn as our Legionaries dug in for the long haul, the combat engineers began their construction of siege engines and the Aerial Wing took off to establish an overwatch.

The IRoP's mages immediately began their slow, abrasive series of attacks upon the Legion by their 1&2 units targeting the (First Centuraie) and despite the best efforts of our mages, managed to inflict 18 casualties. The Auxilians were hit next by their 3&4 units, inflicting another twelve casualties. Next the Minotaur lash out at the Auxilians, obliterating them before they can retreat. Thus making the entrenched Legionaries the new First Line, while the Legion's mages moved up to the second line. To end their turn, the IRoP has their griffins take to the air.

The Second round sees the IRoP steal the initiative and attack yet again. This time having their mages fire upon the line of the Legionaries all together, only to be somewhat effectively countered by the Legion's own mages - nevertheless, they manage to inflict nine casualties across the lines. The Griffins then launch their attack upon the first (first Centuraie) Legionaries, causing a whopping 41 casualties. Their first two units of Earthponies then hammer the same unit, causing 23 additional casualties, without retribution. Then comes the moment of truth, the Republic's minotaur slam into the Legionary line like a terrible thunderous cloud. However, when the dust cleared only 91 legionaries lay dead, while the entire minotaur force fell upon their position. However, it was enough to put an end to the Republic's attack...for now. In the meantime, the Republic brought up their reserves, reforming the entire Earthpony Line.

The Legion's Aerial Wing was the first to engage the Republic's Griffins, in retaliation for their previous failure, however, the Griffins tore the pegasi force to ribbons with impunity, inflicting 40 casualties! The combat engineers, with their established siege machines, then lobbed their shots into the enemy line of mages. Luck was not with them, however, as only six fell to a horrible, fiery death. When the Legions' mages attacked the Republic's griffins, it was their unicorns that stepped up and counterattacked, inflicting 23 casualties upon the Legion. Meanwhile, the Legionaries continued their staredown with the much larger line opposing them.

The IRoP launches a coordinated attack against the Legion's Engineers, with their mages and Griffins, and despite the Legion's own mages' best efforts, they failed to prevent their utter destruction. It was then that their earthponies charged the (second Centuraie) Legionaries and wiped them out, while only taking six casualties themselves.

The Legion once again sends its Aerial Wing up to meet the Griffins, only take another dozen casualties without effect. With their siege engineers and Auxilia gone, two whole Centuraie of Legionaries destroyed and the remainder at half strength, their mages in rough shape and their Aerial Wing depleted, the Legion humbly offers terms.

The battle ends with the IRoP taking 131 casualties, to the Legion's 431 (after 39 were saved from death's clutches), with the remaining 369 being taken prisoner.

In Summation:
Through a combination of luck, commander's intuition and superior numbers of especially mages, Republican Brony owned the field this day. This has given me time to reflect upon the aspect of magic in the coming war and just how much a deciding factor it will be...

ALSO!
I need leaders to step forward to help me playtest this! I'd like to get at least two or three runs with each of you before this war starts to ensure that this damned thing actually works properly!

This evening the Forces of LUNA, under General Bithorne offered their assistance in our third playtest and our first encounter with their forces. This battle spotlighted some of the strengths and weaknesses of both systems of combat and game mechanics. Our two forces met on an open field outside of Canterlot for a simulation of the combat to come...

L.U.N.A.:
Demonic Wave
Elite Earth-pony Infantry
Unit Strength: 100/100

Moonlight Fangs
Elite Unicorn Infantry
Unit Strength: 100/100

Everfree Snipers x2
Earth-pony Irregular Ranged Inf
Unit Strength: 100/100

Night Panthers x2
Pegasi Airborne-Infantry
Unit Strength: 100/100

Equestrian Legion:
Legionary Cohort x3
Mixed-Pony Melee Infantry
Unit size: 80/80

Magus Vexillatio x2
Unicorn Mages
Unit size: 80/80

Trinarii
Earth-pony Super-heavy Elites
Unit size: 160

Action report:
The Equestrian Legion fielded our three Centuraie of Legionaries (80 each) in the Front Line, our two Centuraie of mages in the Second Line and our Trinarii (where else) in the Third Line. While LUNA posted their Demon Wave Unit, their Moonlight Fangs Unit and their two units of Night Panthers in the Front Line and their Everfree Snipers in the Second Line.

Right out of the gate LUNA took the initiative and brought the fight to the Legion's Front Door! Their Front Line moved in a coordinated strike, their Night Panther Units I&II striking the Legionary Centuraie !&III respectively, while the Demon Wave and Moonlight Fang Units lashed out at the center of our line (the Legionary Centuraie II). As the 1st Night Panthers struck the Legionary Centuraie (I) ending in a clash, in which neither side managed to inflict a single casualty. As the 2nd Night Panthers struck the Legionary Centuraie (III), the Legionaries proved their worth, repelling the assault without loss on their part and inflicting seventeen casualties upon our foes. However, in the centre, things were much more grim...in one massive, powerful blow, the entire Legionary Centuraie (II) was wiped out, without a single loss to the enemy. Such was a heavy loss for the Legion... Then in what was to be the one major mistake of the battle for LUNA, their archers turned their sights upon the Magus Vexillatio Centuraie II inflicting 31 casualties!

However, the Legion was not about to take such a loss sitting down. No, we were in a prime position to avenge ourselves! Our Mages turned upon their archers in too close a position and opened fire, inflicting 81 casualties in total (43 in the 1st & 38 in the 2nd )! Then, the banners were raised and the trumpets, the Trinarii were unleashed upon the enemy Moonlight Fangs Unit, for devastating effect - inflicting 53 casualties without loss upon their part! (The Trinarii are now in the Front Line, in melee) The Remaining Legionary Centuraie took up a defensive Stance in preparation to what was about to come...

LUNA retaliates by having their archers taking turns volleying the Legion's II mage unit. The first volley inflicts no casualties and the second inflicts but 11. He then has his Night Panther Units gang up upon my engaged Trinarii (effectively giving their units a chance to withdraw and enter a defensive stance). However, this move costs him 33 of his own troops, at the cost of 13 Trinarii.

The Legion's mages then fire upon LUNA's archers once more, inflicting 43 & 29 casualties respectively and forcing the survivors of the 1st Everfree Snipers to flee the field! While the Trinarii take up a Defensive Stance to end the turn.

LUNA's Night Panther Units fall back to the second line and take up a Defensive Stance, while his remaining archers pull back to the Rear Line and open fire upon the Trinarii, who shrug off their arrows with impunity. Then their Demon Wave Unit smashes into the Legionary Centuraie (I), inflicting 47 casualties, with no losses of their own.

The Legion's mages launch a combined assault at the Demon Wave Unit, to no effect, because of their enchanted armor. This time, the Trinarii took to smashing the Demon Wave Unit, inflicting 39 casualties, at the cost of 30 of their own.

LUNA counterattacks by sending in their Moonlight Fangs Unit to attack the Trinarii, to no effect. Neither unit can get a grip on the other... Then their archers take aim upon the Legionary Centuraie (I) to no effect. Finally their Night Panther Units take to the air, as their Demon Wing Unit withdraws to take up a Defensive Stance.

The Legion's mages tee-up on LUNA's airborne units inflicting 41 & 37 casualties respectively. The Trinarii fall back into the Second Line and take up a Defensive Stance.

The Night Panther Units then descend upon the Legion's mages from up above, entering melee. The fighting that results, costs LUNA 23 pegasi to 15 of the Legion's mages. Their archers then move up to the 4th Line and fire upon the Magus Vexillatio Centuraie II, inflicting 2 casualties. While the Moonlight Fangs Unit moves back to the Second line to take up a Defensive Stance.

The Legion's mages continue their fight with the formerly airborne forces of LUNA, wiping out one unit and capturing 13 survivors of the second. Then the Legion goes once more, allowing their mages to enter a defensive stance.

LUNA's archers once again target the Legion's II mage unit, to no effect. However upon rerolling for initiative, LUNA goes once more... [At this point the GM makes an exception and allows Hearn to bring in Bithorne, his Dragon OC... A powerful, single Dragon.] He moves his Moonlight Fangs Unit into a Defensive Stance, before sending in his Demon Wing Unit to wipe out the Legionary Centuraie (I) without cost. Then his archers again target the Legion's II mage unit, and again they manage no effect.

The Legion's Mages attack the Demon Wave unit, to no effect, only moments before the Trinarii launch their charge. In the clash, the Trinarii manage to wipe out the Demon Wave Unit, at a cost of only 44 of their own! Then the Legion retakes the initiative upon the next roll and continues their assault! Their mages manage inflict 5 casualties upon the Moonlight Fangs Unit, before the Trinarii are sent in to end them. As the Trinarii smash into their lines, they inflict 40 casualties while taking 36 themselves. The last two survivors of the Moonlight Fangs Unit flee the field!

Both sides realign their lines. LUNA's Everfree Snipers II (archers) become the Front Line and Bithore is right behind them in the Second Line. The Legion moves up the Legionary Centuraie (III) up in front of LUNA's archers and establishes a defensive position, while their mages move up to join the Trinarii in the Second Line...

LUNA's archers take up a skirmish line, while Bithore takes to the air.

The Legion takes the offensive, by turning their first unit of mages upon LUNA's Archers, routing the two survivors of the attack! The Legion offers Bithore, the final standing member of LUNA the option to surrender...

Bithore responds by attacking the Legion's First Mage Unit, and inflicting 40 casualties. What follows is his extermination of the Mages in question, then the failed charge of the Trinarii against the Dragon, in which he exterminates the entire unit...and finally the last charge of the Legionary Centuraie (III), in which, Bithore manages to lay low 32 legionaries...

Victory from the jaws of defeat. The Battered Legion Force Surrenders...
(And this is why we will have no dragons in armies kiddies. They can wipe out entire companies single-handed!)

The battle ends with the casualty count at 467 for the Legion, 569 for LUNA - A Pyrrhic Victory for LUNA.

In Summation:
Though LUNA won, it was a Pyrrhic Victory for them. The Legion and LUNA having a similar mindset toward combat, fighting on to the bitter end - Though in our case, not to utter annihilation. This battle once again proved the usefulness of unicorns and the raw destructive power of Elite units, despite their cost... It was also nice to get a chance to engage a different enemy for once! Good fighting Hearn, I look forward to seeing that attitude against Irongalley!

Sorry about the delay in getting this information up everyone. This report is from a playtest on the 18th (July). In which was the first battle where I was preforming purely in the role of GM. The two combatants were Hearn of LUNA and RepublicanBrony of the IRoP.

L.U.N.A.:
Everfree Snipers x2
Heavy Earth-pony Ranged Inf
Unit Strength: 80/80

Iron Fluff Wall x2
Buffalo Soldiers
Unit Strength: 100/100

Independant Republic of Ponies:
Earth Pony Militia x6
Earth Ponies Militia-Infantry
Size: 100/100

Unicorn Militia x5
Unicorns Mages Militia-Infantry
Size: 100/100

Gryphon “Hunters” x4
Gryphons Ranged Aerial Militia
Size: 50/50

Action report:
The IRoP set up his six companies Earthpony militia on his front line, his five unicorn militia companies in his second line and his four Gryphon “Hunters” companies in his third line. On the other side, LUNA fielded their two companies of Buffalo (heavy-infantry) Soldiers on his Front Line and his two companies of Everfree Snipers on his fourth line.

Right out of the gate the IRoP took the initiative and began to hammer LUNA. The hammering of the IRoP's mages inflicted massive casualties upon the 1st Company of Bufflao. Then immediately behind that, came a second volley of fire from the Republic's 1st and 2nd Griffin Companies still upon the ground. The combination of fire caused what little remained of the Buffalo Soldiers (of 1st Company) to rout! This did not end the Republic's offensives, however, as the 3rd and 4th Griffin Companies launched their assault upon the 2nd Buffalo company, which managed to repulse the barrage without casualty. Then, the entirety of the Earthpony milita of the IRoP launched their assault upon the 2nd Buffalo Company, inflicting 52 casualties while taking 31 of their own.

LUNA stumbling from the initial clash falls back into defensive positions. Then, in a stroke of fortune, LUNA seizes the initiative and turns the fight back against the IRoP. The Everfree Snipers unleash a volley of arrows into the 1st and 2nd earthpony militia companies, inflicting 17 and 26 casualties respectively.

The IRoP then counterattacks, unleashing their mages upon the remaining company of Buffalo Soldiers, wiping them out! This forces the IRoP's troops to advance their front line, as their Griffins take to the air.

LUNA's forces continue to carry the initiative and their remaining Snipers launch a blistering pair of attacks against the 1st Unicorn Militia Company and the 2nd Earthpony Militia Company, inflicting 29 casualties each.

With LUNA's remaining ranged-troops all that remain on the field, dug into defensive positions, the Griffin "Hunter" Companies launch a combined assault against the 1st Everfree Snipers Company, inflicting 44 casualties. Then the 1st, 3rd, 4th, 5th, & 6th earthpony militia companies charged the 2nd Everfree Snipers, inflicting 28 casualties, at the cost of 46 of their own. All the while, their unicorn militia make ready to move to the Third Line.

With the IRoP's next move, they fill the air with magic and arrow from their unicorn militia and Griffin "Hunters", wiping out both companies of Everfree Snipers 'to the man'.

The final casualty counts come to 168 for the IRoP and 348 for LUNA.

In Summation:
This battle pointed out the folly of entering into combat with a force without unicorns, most especially against an army with a substantial force of their own. Put simply, Elite units cannot withstand mass charges of infantry, if not supported by both ranged and magic users! Nevertheless, both combatants fought honorably and acted with nobility.