Another game of men Who Would Be Kings, this time with Wayne.

Scenario D in The Men Who Would Be Kings is not a straightforward attack and defend fight. While one force is designated as the attacker, the defender cannot simply sit in a strong position. Instead, they must patrol a number of important locations across the table such as villages, wells, or crossroads. This creates immediate pressure, as the defender has to keep units moving and spread out in order to meet these obligations.

The defender’s challenge is one of balance and timing rather than raw strength. They need to move between objectives, maintain a presence across several points, and still be ready to react to the enemy. Every choice carries risk. If they concentrate too much force in one place, another location may be left exposed. If they follow the patrol too rigidly, units can become isolated and easy targets. The defender is constantly managing gaps, and those gaps are where the real danger lies.

The attacker is not simply advancing in a straight line. Their aim is to exploit the defender’s movement. They look for units caught between patrol points, objectives that are thinly held, or moments when hesitation or failed activation leaves a position weak. By applying pressure in different areas, the attacker can disrupt the defender’s ability to maintain control, breaking the system piece by piece rather than through a single decisive clash.

Victory depends on control over time rather than a single moment. The defender wins by continuing to patrol and hold the required locations. The attacker wins by disrupting that effort, either by taking key points or preventing them from being properly maintained. The scenario feels less like a set battle and more like a security operation under strain, where movement, timing, and decision making matter more than firepower alone.

The game started predictably for my Egyptian irregular horse after a failing a pin test I tried to rally rolled “snakes eyes” and ran of the board!

I quickly started to patrol one objective (stay touching for a turn)

But not for long as I was promptly thrown back by the River Arabs tribal infantry.

I repeated the patrolling on the left. Was promptly charged by tribal cavalry who frankly just “didn’t like it up em”

It was then my turn to unleash my irregular cavalry in a glorious charge and over a short period of charges and follow ups wiped out the River Arab tribal troops who had the audacity to stop my patrolling!

More tribal troops advancing only to feel the hot lead from my Regular Sudanese troops.

Back in their rightful place patrolling the first objective!

Things were quite tight for a while until the Egyptian massed fire power gradually caused the River Arabs to melt away. When we decided the bar was more inviting it was a close run event with the Egyptians in front 16 to 12.

The “Wayneinator” turned out to be no Arnie! Long live “Skynet”! Oops I mean Guru!