Galleys, Guns & Glory

Maltese galleys face off against some Barbary corsairs.

 I have always been a big fan of Thomas Foss, of Skull and Crown fame and his beautiful and wildly inventive Wooden Wars game, admiring especially the captured expressions of the young war-gamers who have experienced it first had; but when I first caught a glimpse of Thomas' latest venture, Galleys, Guns & Glory, I knew I had to be involved. I approached Thomas and was lucky enough to be allowed to play test GGG.

GGG is a game of renaissance galley warfare, the likes of which, were under taken throughout the Mediterranean during the 16th century. The most famous conflict of the time was the Battle of Lepanto, the last major naval battle fought in the Mediterranean entirely between galleys. The period and the weapons of war involved are so uniquely different and fascinating from other naval eras.

The most charming appeal of GGG, and what grabbed my attention initially, are the beautifully crafted "flat-pack" galleys that Thomas has designed and produced for the game. It is really hard to believe that a simple collection of jigsaw like components go together so easily and can produce such lovely looking models. Thomas has really thought of everything on these galleys, from their authentic appearance, including their flags and banners, to the smoke markings, which not only look cool but serve a function in the rules.

It's hard to believe the galleys start out like this...

...and can end up like this!!

I had the opportunity to play test GGG again recently and had a great time. The rules are still WIP but are close to completion. They are fun, with many tactical choices, but simple enough to be played during conventions and the like. I personally have only played with a handful of models, which works fine, but I think the game would work best with a greater number of galleys, with multiple Capitanas (players) per side. I look forward to trying the rules out on a larger scale.

What follows is a AAR of our game.

The Maltese flagship, the "Hand of God" and her two escort galliots.

The Barbary corsair fleet.

The Maltese open fire on the corsairs!

And the smaller corsair galliots return fire.

Outnumbered, the Knights of Malta back oar, flanked by a rocky islet

The Barbary corsair flagship, "Mustafa's Beard".

"Mustafa's Beard" fires, her shot tearing through the Maltese flagship.

Things look grim for the Maltese, as the corsairs quickly reload their guns and slide in for the kill.

Sensing disaster for their flagship a small Maltese galliot slips in between...

...and is rammed by the Barbary flagship, a fire erupting on the gallant galliot.

The galliot has bought the "Hand of God" some respite.

A grand melee ensues and the Knights sweep the two Barbary galliots of men.

The gallant galliot is consumed by fire and sinks beneath the azure waves...

...and the sea wolves swarm the "Hand of God".

The "Hand of God" is rammed, shot tearing her apart at close range, and she sinks, spilling her brave men into the sea.

The galliot "Saint Emmanuel" stands alone now, and her crew enraged, rams the closest corsair...

...sinking it, while a second corsair counter rams and boards the "Saint Emmanuel".

The Maltese fight like men possessed killing the enemy to a man, but all is surely lost as the Barbary flagship sidles up.

The soldiers of  the "Saint Emmanuel" drive their enemy into the sea, their deck awash with blood - they are victorious!!

This proved to be a very exciting engagement and a very close run thing. The Maltese were outnumbered 3 to 5, but possessed good saving throws due to their heavy armor. Some brilliant saves in the end won the battle, stealing victory from the very jaws of the despicable Barbary corsairs, in what initially looked like a clean sweep.

I'd love to try GGG with three "wings" as it is intended, including the morale rules that govern if a wing flees mainly due to the loss of her flagship. We did not try the morale rules in this small engagement , which could have very well changed the outcome.