All armies are to be selected to a maximum of 1600 army points, but the format is somewhat different from the standard WAB lists: all armies use the same basic army list, but with some restrictions and minimums; e.g. armies from Leon-Castile have to spend a minimum of 200pts on Light Horse, and a further 200pts on Knights. Any troop or character types that are not available to that army are simply left out, so, for example, armies of Leon & Castile cannot include Camel Riders, Horse Archers, or a Muslim Imam. Hopefully this provides a historical bent for the armies chosen, and gives some differentiation in game terms.

Character minimums & maximums are indicated by numbers of characters, rather than points values (although you still ‘buy’ them with army points). All armies must have 3 characters – 1 Army General, 1 Army Standard Bearer, and one other – this is to facilitate one of the battle scenarios we will be playing during the tournament ("Ransom"), and to keep the overall number of characters in check.

Any unit may include a Leader, Standard Bearer & Musician at the usual cost of +5pts each. The one exception to this is that the Almoravid may include two Drummer models in certain units (see "Almoravid Drummers" in the Special Rules section at the end of the list).

*Up to one unit of Christian Knights may ride Warhorses, at an additional cost of +4pts per figure.

*Basque Javelinmen are only available to Leon & Castile.

*Leon & Castile are Christian states, so their Warrior Generals, Army Standard Bearers and Nobles are automatically Christian characters (the advantage of this is a slightly more knightly equipment selection).

1 Warrior General

1 Army Standard Bearer

1 Noble or 1 Cantador or 1 Priest

0-400pts Guard Spearmen

0-800pts Spearmen

0-200pts Archers

0-200pts Andalusian Spearmen

0-100pts Skirmishers

0-100pts Basque Javelinmen

0-100pts Crossbowmen

200-800pts Light Cavalry

0-400pts Noble Cavalry

200-800pts Christian Knights (apologies for the previous typo!)

*All the units of Christian Knights may ride Warhorses, at an additional cost of +4pts per figure (because of Aragon’s close links with France).

*Aragon & Catalonia are Christian states, so their Warrior Generals, Army Standard Bearers and Nobles are automatically Christian characters (the advantage of this is a slightly more knightly equipment selection).

1 Warrior General

1 Army Standard Bearer

1 Noble or 1 Cantador or 1 Priest

0-400pts Guard Spearmen

0-800pts Spearmen

0-200pts Archers

0-200pts Andalusian Spearmen

0-100pts Skirmishers

0-100pts Crossbowmen

200-800pts Light Cavalry

0-400pts Noble Cavalry

200-800pts Christian Knights

*Spearmen may be Stubborn for +3pts per model.

*Archers may be Stubborn for +3pts – but only if they are combined with a Spearman unit that is also Stubborn. Units of Almoravid Archers on their own cannot be Stubborn.

*Spear and Guard Spear units may use an extra Drummer (Musician) model for an extra +5pts – these units have the "Almoravid Drummers" special ability, as described in the Special Rules at the end of the army list.

*The Imam character is only available to the Almoravids, as are Camel Riders.

1 Warrior General or 1 Venerable General

1 Army Standard Bearer

1 Noble or 1 Imam

0-500pts Guard Spearmen

400-1000pts Spearmen

100-400pts Archers

0-300pts Andalusian Spearmen

0-100pts Skirmishers

0-400pts Light Cavalry

0-200pts Horse Archers

0-200pts Noble Cavalry

0-200pts Camel Riders

*The Andalusians have access to up to more Crossbowmen than the Christian states (up to 200pts). This may not be strictly historical, although the Andalusians did become well-known for their skill with the crossbow in later years, but it gives them an edge in battle! If this worries you, assume that your Andalusian King has dug deep into his personal fortune to hire the best mercenaries he can get (which did happen).

*Andalusian armies may feature Christian characters (as mercenaries in the service of the King). Thus Christian Warrior Generals, Army Standard Bearers and Nobles may be taken (the advantage of this is a slightly more knightly equipment selection).

1 Warrior General or 1 Venerable General

1 Army Standard Bearer

1 Noble or 1 Cantador or 1 Priest

0-400pts Guard Spearmen

0-600pts Spearmen

0-400pts Archers

0-600pts Andalusian Spearmen

0-100pts Skirmishers

0-200pts Crossbowmen

300-800pts Light Cavalry

0-200pts Horse Archers

0-600pts Noble Cavalry

0-400pts Christian Knights

Equipment: Sword.

Options: May have Light Armour (+2pts), Shield (+1), Large Shield (+3) – only if on foot, Javelins (+2), Throwing Spear (+4). May be mounted on a Horse (no extra cost, increases M to 8".) A Christian Warrior General may have Heavy Armour (+3 pts), Thrusting Spear (+4) and a Warhorse (+10pts) – if he selects a Thrusting Spear, he cannot take Javelins or Throwing Spears.

Special Rules: Army General.

Equipment: Sword.

Options: May have Light Armour (+2pts), Shield (+1). May be mounted on a Horse (no extra cost, increases M to 8".)

Special Rules: Army General

Equipment: Sword.

Options: May have Light Armour (+2pts), Shield (+1), Large Shield (+3) – only if on foot. May be mounted on a Horse (no extra cost, increases Mv to 8".) A Christian Army Standard may have Heavy Armour (+3 pts) and a Warhorse (+10pts).

Special Rules: Army Standard Bearer.

Equipment: Sword.

Options: May have Light Armour (+2pts), Shield (+1), Large Shield (+3) – only if on foot, Javelins (+2), Throwing Spear (+4). May be mounted on a Horse (no extra cost, increases M to 8".) A Christian Noble may have Heavy Armour (+3 pts), Thrusting Spear (+4) and a Warhorse (+10pts) – if he selects a Thrusting Spear, he cannot take Javelins or Throwing Spears.

Equipment: Sword.

Options: May have Light Armour (+2pts), Shield (+1), Large Shield (+2) – only if on foot. May be mounted on a Horse (no extra cost, increases Mv to 8".)

Special Rules: The Cantador may lead a single formed unit (not skirmishers). After deployment, but before the first move is taken, the Cantador may try to inspire his unit – roll a d6:

1-2 The voice of the Cantador is drowned out by the blowing of horns and the stamping of horses’ hooves. He may fight with the unit, but his song has no effect.

3-4 The Cantador’s song strengthens the will of his men; the unit will automatically pass its first Leadership-based test of the battle (this has to be the first test – the ‘automatic pass’ CANNOT be saved for a later test. If the unit is already Stubborn and this coincides with the first Break Test, the Cantador’s song is wasted.)

5-6 The Cantador inspires his men to come to blows with the enemy as quickly as possible – the unit may add d3" to its movement for ONE move, march or charge during the battle. The use of the extra movement must be declared before the dice are thrown; and the extra d3" is not doubled for charging or marching.

Equipment: Sword.

Options: May have Light Armour (+2pts), Shield (+1), Large Shield (+3) – only if on foot. May be mounted on a Horse (no extra cost, increases Mv to 8".)

Special Rules: The Priest can lead a single formed unit (not skirmishers); this unit may re-roll ONE failed Leadership-based Test during the battle, as long as the Priest is still alive & leading.

Equipment: Sword.

Options: May have Light Armour (+2pts), Shield (+1), Large Shield (+3).

Special Rules: The Imam can lead a single formed infantry unit (not skirmishers); this unit becomes subject to Hatred of all enemies, as long as the Imam is still alive & leading.

The Imam is a Muslim cleric, in this case a fanatical leader from the Almoravid sect of North Africa. He may only be selected for the Almoravid army.

Equipment: Sword, Thrusting Spear, Large Shield, Javelins

Options: May have Light Armour for +2 pts. May be Drilled for +2pts.

Special Rules: Stubborn

Equipment: Thrusting Spear, Shield, Javelins

Options: Any Spearmen may exchange their Shields for Large Shields for +1 pt each. Almoravid Spearmen may be Stubborn for +3 pts.

Special Rules: Combined Formation - may have up to 50% Archers in the rear ranks of the unit, shooting using the Massed Archery rules. In this case the Archers lose their Light Infantry status.

Equipment: Composite Bow, Sword.

Options: May have Shield for +1pt.

Special Rules: Light Troops. Combined Formation – may be combined with a Spearmen unit as explained above (in this case they lose the Light Troops ability).

Equipment: Hand weapon, Thrusting Spear, Shield, Javelins.

Options: May have Light Armour for +2 pts.

Equipment: Hand weapons, javelins.

Options: May have Throwing Spears for +2pts. May have Shield for +1pt. May exchange Javelins for Shortbow for + 2pts or Sling for +3pts.

Special Rules: Skirmishers.

These troops represent the poorer-equipped auxiliaries of the army, peasant militiamen unable or unwilling to join the battle-line. Slings were still a common weapon in both Christian and Muslim hands in the Eleventh Century. Some African warriors in the Almoravid armies still fought in their native styles, skirmishing with shortbow or javelins.

Equipment: Javelins, Hand Weapons.

Options: May have Shield for +1 pt. May have Throwing Spears for +2 pts.

Special Rules: Skirmishers. Feigned Flight.

The Basques of North Spain were well-renowned for their ability to harry the enemy with javelins (‘dards’), and were experienced guerrilla fighters. They often found employment in Northern European armies. For the purposes of this tourney, they are only available to Leon & Castile.

Equipment: Crossbow, Sword.

Options: May have Shield for +1 pt. May have Light Armour for +2 pts.

Special Rules: Light Infantry.

The crossbow became an infantry weapon of prime importance in Spain soon after its introduction, the Andalusians in particular becoming proficient in its use. However, I have limited numbers for the purposes of this event, as (a) it was early days for the crossbow, and (b) it’s a very powerful weapon in WAB!

Equipment: Javelins, Hand Weapon, Shield.

Options: May have Throwing Spears for +2pts

Special Rules: Feigned Flight. Light Troops.

Light Cavalry "a la Jinete" were one of the hallmarks of Spanish medieval warfare; swift-moving raiders, lightly equipped with javelins and spears, they could be of any origin. Noted exponents of this style of warfare included the Mudejars of the Christian kingdoms (Moors living under Christian rule), the Navarrese, and the Berber tribes of North Africa.

Equipment: Hand Weapons, Horse & Shortbow.

Options: May have Shields for +2 pts.

Special Rules: Light Cavalry, Feigned Flight, Parthian Shot & Expert Horsemen ability.

Horse archery is clearly illustrated in several Spanish manuscripts of the period, and was probably practised by the Andalusians. The option to have horse archers in the Almoravid army is also included, as they may have used small numbers of Ghuzz Turks in their campaigns (they could equally be local allied Andalusians).

Equipment: Hand weapons, Light Armour, Javelins, Shield.

Options: May have Throwing Spears for +2 pts.

Special Rules: Light Troops

These mounted warriors would have been the nobility of Al-Andalus fighting in their traditional style, or could represent the Christian nobility of less-settled areas, such as Galicia; or just the poorer Caballeros Villanos, unable to afford the full equipment of the Caballeros Hidalgos. In an Almoravid force, they could be allied Andalusians, or a small force of guard cavalry that were occasionally used as bodyguards.

Equipment: Horse, Thrusting Spear, Heavy Armour, Sword, Shield.

Options: Warhorses may be selected only if allowed by the Faction Special Rules.

Special Rules: Ferocious Charge. May count Rank Bonus of up to +1 only when charging.

NB: The profile above includes a Movement reduction for the Heavy Armour.

The charging Christian knight shaped the destiny of medieval Spain, although the Spanish were not necessarily as well-equipped or mounted as their Norman contemporaries. These troops would be the better-equipped Caballeros Villanos or Caballeros Hidalgos of any Christian army, or North European Crusaders serving with the Spanish. The Andalusians also hired such knights whenever they were available.

Equipment: Javelins, Hand Weapon.

Options: May have Throwing Spear for +2 pts. May have Shield for +1pt.

Special Rules: Light Troops. Camels cause Fear in all enemy cavalry.

Please note that the Ferocious Charge, Feigned Flight, Parthian Shot and Expert Horsemen special rules are the same as those included in Armies of Antiquity, and are included here for completeness. The Almoravid Drummers rule is completely new, and the Combined Formation rule is different to that in AoA, so please read them carefully.

The Almoravid and Almohad armies were considered disciplined by the standards of their time, and included large numbers of Saharan drummers to boost morale and issue orders; their massed beating terrified the Spanish during the 1086 invasion of Spain. Because of this, any Almoravid Guard Spear or Spear unit may feature TWO Musician models (rather than the usual one) for an extra cost of +5pts per model. Any unit so equipped automatically wins a drawn combat by one point, rather than having to resort to a ‘musical roll-off’ as described on pg.40 of the WAB rules.

Some units may have mixed spearmen and archers together, normally with the bowmen at the rear of the unit, shooting over the heads of the spearmen in front. This is represented as follows:

• The archers lose their Light Infantry status, and are treated as normal infantry for the purposes of movement and rank bonuses.
• The archers may shoot using the Massed Archery rules on pg.23 of the WAB rulebook. Please note that it is not possible to move and shoot using Massed Archery in the same turn.
• All missile hits from the front or sides of the unit are taken by the spearmen (they are screening the archers with their shields, and are assumed to take the brunt of missile attacks). When there are no spearmen left, the archers take casualties instead.
• Missile hits on the rear of the unit should probably be taken by the archers – it’s an unlikely situation, so just use your common sense on this one!
• Melee hits should be taken by whichever figures are in contact with the attackers; it’s probably a good idea to declare who is attacking who before you roll the dice, to avoid any disagreements over Saving Throws!

Units with this ability which charge (not counter-charge) into melee, and win the round of combat, will automatically Break their opponent, with no Leadership Test being taken. Enemy units that normally ignore Break Tests (e.g. Stubborn units that have not yet used their ‘Stubborn’ ability) must roll a d6; on a roll of 1-3 they are broken anyway, and on a roll of 4-6 they hold.

If troops with Feigned Flight choose to flee or fire & flee as a charge reaction, they rally immediately at the end of their move, an may reform facing any direction. Should the charging enemy encounter them, the troops are not destroyed, and may instead fight in the combat phase. Their opponents still count as charging.