Short affair

It has been a while since I played a game of Song of Drums and Shakos. And to be honest, I kinda started to miss the rules, so I decided to come back to them.

Therefore, here is my first report from a game played with 6mm figures, on 30x30cm board, and using sticks of 60, 40 and 25mm.

As usually, I am running French/Polish side, while British forces are under command of my own Lone Shako solo SDS engine.

My forces consisted of Light cavalry officer, Polish guard lancer, Light infantry NCO and 3 elite voltigeurs. After that I had just enough points to add a National guard model, and that gave me idea for scenario. National guard model represents a young sibling of famous Spanish noble who is supporting French cause. If I manage to lead him out of the field through the enemy board edge, I will win. If he gets killed or if he runs away, NPC British side will claim the victory.

British side fielded Light cavalry officer, Light dragoon, Hussar and Royal Blue, Line infantry NCO, Line infantry veteran and one member of the rifles. British side was rolled randomly on the British list in the book.

It all started good for me, with British side rolling two early turnovers, and that allowed me to move my light troops into forest.
Then, British cavalry separated, with Royal Blue and Hussar going to the left of the lake, and Light dragoon to the right.

I used occasion to charge Light dragoon with my fear causing guard Lancer, but Dragoon stood his ground. So, I sent my officer to support his Polish countrymen.

Unfortunately, Royal Blue grabbed the possibility, joined combat and managed to double my officer and send him Out of fight. Leader lost morale test immediately pushed my precious Spanish noble off the table, so it was Game Over, with victory going to British side.


I think that last game of SDS I played some 6 months ago, so I totally forgot that in this game one should not put their officers where they do not belong (read in close combat!).
But the possibility to charge lone Dragoon with Lancer was so sweet that I just could not resist it. And when this charge failed, I could not let my harder hitter face his fate alone, so one thing let to another....

The real hero of this game was British Light Dragoon who passed the 3 dice morale check on 5+. If he had failed at least one die, everything will be different.

Now I am eager for revenge!