Arquebus (engl.)

Description

Northern Italy—and especially Milan—at the end of the 15th century was the brutal center of conflict between France and the imperial powers of Venice and Spain. The battles fought here illustrate the transformation of warfare during this period. At the beginning of the conflict, mounted men-at-arms and tightly packed pike formations, exemplified by the Swiss, dominated the battlefield. However, as the battles progressed, the increasing presence of arquebuses—early muskets—changed tactics significantly. These firearms forced pike formations to open up, as the Spanish adapted with sword and buckler, while heavy cavalry lost much of its former importance. Arquebus captures this evolution through eight major historical battles: Fornovo, Cerignola, Agnadello, Ravenna, Marignano, Bicocca, Pavia, and Ceresole. Most of these scenarios can be played in under three hours, with the exceptions of Cerignola, which is a smaller, page-sized map, and the grand one-map final battle of Pavia. The Battle of Pavia was a devastating loss for France, where over half its army and nearly all its command nobility, including King Francis I, were captured. For players, however, it offers a richly detailed map, numerous units, and plenty of tactical challenges. Using the popular Men of Iron mechanics, Arquebus emphasizes historical detail, from the differences between closed and open formations to the decline of the Swiss (pas d'argent? pas de Suisse) and the rise of the German Landsknecht—the era’s dominant force and famously the best-dressed soldiers in Europe. Indeed, Landsknecht uniforms set fashion trends throughout the western world at the time. This historical authenticity is matched by striking visuals, with colorful unit illustrations, elegant maps, and informative charts. Most battles also support solitaire play, making Arquebus a great choice for gamers looking to roll the dice on the go—so remember to Take The ‘BUS!

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