WAB FORUM ARMIES

THE CONQUISTADORS
Knight was a powerful weapon in feudal warfare, and against
lightly armoured Indians, who had never seen a horse before, it
was devastating. This is despite the trend towards less reliance
upon armoured cavalry warfare that was developing in Europe.
Since the indigenous natives didnt have access to horses until
later in the Conquest, the mounted Conquistadors roamed
supreme.
But it was in the democratization of the infantry and command
that allowed the Spanish armies to be victorious in battle. Unlike
some European countries, like France, Ferdinand and Isabella
began training the lower classes as halberdiers, swordsmen,
arquebusiers and artillerymen. They would then place these
newly trained soldiers in small close order formations that
anticipated the later development of the Tercios. Also,
commanding officers were selected and promoted more on
military capabilities and achievements in the field, rather than
simply selected based upon a noble birth.

HISTORICAL BACKGROUND
In 1492 the last stronghold of Moorish Andalusia, Granada, fell
to the Spanish Kingdoms of Castile and Aragon. The same year
saw the successful first voyage of Christopher Columbus to the
New World. The end of the Reconquista brought with it the
return of a large amount of newly unemployed ex-soldiers to face
a bleak economic future. The promise of new lands provided
ample recruits to seek their fame and fortune. Combined with a
religious fervor and a new sense of patriotism, these new
explorers displayed a single-mindedness and self assuredness
necessary to eventually conquer an entire world.
The majority of the Conquistadors came from the sheep and
cattle grazing lands of Extremadura in Castile. The poor were
attracted to the New World with the promise of lush green
opulent farmlands that they could own themselves. The minor
nobility, the Hidalgos, to which both Hernan Cortes and
Francisco Pizarro both belonged, were generally men of greater
pedigree than actual wealth. They sought to establish themselves
financially, socially and politically by exploiting opportunities in,
what they thought, was India.
Within a few years the Europeans had conquered and settled
Espanola (modern day Santo Domingo, the island making up
modern day Haiti and the Dominican Republic), Cuba, Jamaica,
Puerto Rico and had even established their presence on the
mainland at Darien (modern day Panama). This required the
brutal pacification of the indigenous native populations of
these islands. Soon the Spaniards needed to expand into the
surroundings of the Caribbean in order to accumulate more and
more slaves to maintain their lucrative farms and haciendas. This
eventually brought them into contact with the Yucatan peninsula
of modern day Mexico.
Militarily, the Spanish army was second to none in Europe. It
was the product of almost 800 years of armed resistance to the
Islamic occupation of Spain. Many of the Conquistadors were
also veterans of the Italian Wars, where Aragons holdings in
Naples were under threat by the French.
As in any late feudal system, the most important component of a
Spanish army was the Mounted Knight or Caballero. These were
generally from the nobility and fought with lances and enjoyed
the benefits of moderate armour. A full bore charge from a

Another advantage, that the Conquistadors had, was steel. Of

prime importance was the Toledo sword. This was a high
tempered steel rapier that was lighter, more maneuverable,
sharper, narrower than, and as resilient as its predecessors. The
thrust of these swords could penetrate even chain-mail. Also the
metal armour worn by the Conquistadors proved to be more than
a match for the limited abilities of the Mesoamerican weapons. In
fact, the conquistadores may have abandoned their armour in
favour of none at all or adopted the lighter cotton based
indigenous armour. Few pictures in the various codices show
fully armoured Spanish soldiers. Muslim-styled adargas and
traditional target styled shields were used extensively.
Of further importance are the ranged weapons employed by the
Spanish, such as the crossbow, the arquebus and the cannons.
While accurate missile firing was not unique to the Europeans,
none of the Mexican atlatl or bows had the hitting and
penetrating power of the crossbow and black powder weaponry,
unless they were at extremely close quarters.
The evolution of warfare in Europe was driven by the material
and technological innovations that the Conquistadors in the New
World would not have to face. But their organizational
sophistication, their supreme self confidence and the thirst for
untold riches made them the most dangerous of adversaries.

SPECIAL RULES
Veterans
There were many Conquistadors who were veterans of the
Reconquista in Spain and the European wars in Italy. To
represent their great fighting ability they may re-roll all of its to
hit dice rolls once per battle, either for hand to hand combat or
for shooting. Note, the unit must re-roll all of its dice, not just the
failures, and must abide by the second roll. The unit may lose
its veteran status if it has been broken or lost a round of hand to
hand combat and therefore may not benefit from the re-rolls.
Toledo Swords
The thrust of a Spanish rapier would penetrate the cotton based
armour of the indigenous warriors. On a To Wound roll of 6,
the sword was thrust and the enemy troop cannot use an armour
save if they only have cotton armour. The enemy may still use
their shield save (if they have one). This is an In-Book rule that

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THE CONQUISTADORS
only applies to combat against cotton armoured indigenous
warriors.

Each arquebusier is allowed only four rounds of shot for the

duration of the game.

Heavy Armour
The option to take Heavy Armour brings with it a -1 movement
penalty for Cavalry and foot troops. This is due to the weight of
the armour, the oppressive heat and humidity of Mexico and
South America and the high altitude of fighting around
Tenochtitlan or Cuzco.

This represents the limitations of black powder weaponry that

was available to the Conquistadors. This could be due to the great
deal of time it took to prepare, load and fire these weapons,
which was estimated to have a firing rate of 90 to 120 seconds
per shot. The steadiness of a gunner firing at maximum rate
would be about 30 minutes, after which the accuracy rate
becomes even worse. Therefore an ideal situation would have an
arquebusier hitting between 15 and 20 enemies. The firing
limitations could also represent the limited amount of gunpowder
available to each soldier, or the fouling of the powder in the
dank, humid weather.

Terror
The horses of the Conquistadors were never seen before by those
of the New World. The use of mounted Knights had an almost
palpable psychological effect upon the indigenous warriors. The
same is true for the trained Mastiff war hounds employed by the
Conquistadors in Mexico and the Caribbean. These dog packs
were used in Cuba and Santo Domingo but no mention is made in
the battles on the mainland. I assume they were present but were
not of militarily significance, and therefore not written about. I
recommend keeping them for completeness. Therefore, horses
and war hounds can be considered to cause Terror in any enemy
unit or individual as per the WAB rulebook, pg. 52. All native
allies of the Conquistadors are considered used to the horses
and dogs and are thereby exempt to the effects of Terror
First or Ferocious Charge
Conquistador Cavalry do not have First Charge or Ferocious
Charge as found in Armies of Chivalry WAB supplement page 5.
They do receive their normal charge benefits however. This is
due for the following reasons:
1) The only recorded full cavalry charge by the Conquistadores
was on the open plain at the battle of Otumba. Most cavalry
combat did not consist of full Cavalry charges.
2) The horses available to the Conquistadors were locally bred in
Cuba and Santo Domingo and were not the typical European
warhorse.
3) The Conquistador cavalry charges were more skirmish-like
and not the tightly ranked affairs as seen in the plains of Europe
and Asia.
Black Powder
The guns of this period were the relatively primitive smoothbore
matchlock arquebus. They were little more than bronze or iron
tubes strapped to a curved wooden stock. A triggering lever
pushed a saltpeter soaked (match) into the powder within the pan.
The ignition of this powder further ignited the powder within the
tube thereby propelling the projectile from the barrel.
The Arquebus has the following characteristics as seen in the
Armies of Chivalry supplement:
Range+24
Strength 4/3 (the strength of the gun is 4 at half range and less)
Save modifier -2/-1
Move or Shoot
However, this, to me, seems very powerful, especially against
poorly armoured natives. Reading Cortes and Bernals
chronicles, one finds that blackpowder weapons were not as
dominant in the battlefield as a modern reader would expect. As
an In period rule I suggest the player uses the weapon profile
below:
Range=16; Strength 3; Save Modifier= -1; Move or Shoot.

This firing restriction applies to the Faconet cannons also. You

have four shots only. See the WAB rulebook for full cannon
rules.

First Shot.
Because the Arquebus smoothbore was clean at start of battle
the 1st shot gets -1 to the to Hit roll. The subsequent 3 firings
roll as normal.
Formations
All Conquistador foot troops are considered close order and
count a rank bonus up to +3. Conquistador Cavalry is considered
Open Order and do not get a rank bonus. Conquistador cavalry
may skirmish and may reform into an ordered unit if a musician
is present. Indigenous allied formed units are also Open Order
and have a rank bonus of +2. Skirmishers are, of course, skirmish
order and have the usual benefits and limitations of skirmishers
in WAB.
Renaissance Phalanx
Conquistador pikemen were not commonly employed, as the
indigenous armies did not deploy cavalry troops. Pizarro, and
others are thought to have used pikemen in the Peruvian Civil
Wars and I have included them here for completeness. A
Renaissance phalanx follows the following rules (as found in
Armies of Chivalry WAB supplement page 7).
Movement and Manoeuvre
1. The Renaissance Phalanx may wheel normally during a
march or a charge move.
2. The Renaissance Phalanx is allowed the following
manoeuvres: about face (turn through 180 degrees) and
adjust its ranks (change formation).
3. The Renaissance Phalanx is incapable of a 90 degree left or
right about face
4. The Renaissance Phalanx can never change facing in
subsequent combat rounds when engaged on its flank or
rear.
5. The Renaissance Phalanx may reform.
6. A Renaissance Phalanx may not automatically FBIGO at
will unless it outnumbers the enemy unit 2:1
Combat
1. The Renaissance Phalanx must have at least 16 models and
have a minimum +1 rank bonus.
2. The Renaissance Phalanx may charge and still fight in two
ranks.
3. All hand to hand attack by units or characters on foot
against the front of the Renaissance Phalanx suffer a -1 to

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THE CONQUISTADORS
4.

hit modifier. This does not apply to missile fire as the

Renaissance Phalanx was susceptible to missile fire.
Mounted units and characters may charge the front of a
Renaissance Phalanx but do not receive strength benefits for
weapons. In addition all hand to hand attacks from mounted
units and characters suffer a -2 to hit modifier.

0-1 Falconet Cannon per 1000pts of

Conquistadors/Allies
0-1 War Dog Unit and Packmaster per army
0-1 Battle Wagon per army.
0-2 Brigantines per army (these do not affect the
point cost. See Rules).

ARMY COMPOSITION
Each formed unit may have a Leader, Standard Bearer and
Musician at +5 points each

ALLIES
At least 25% of your total army cost must be spent on indigenous
allies. The Conquistador portion of the Conquistador army is
treated like a separate army and, therefore, must include an Army
General. Command figures are all +5 pts each, in addition to their
normal cost.

SPANIARDS
Please note: Points spent on all Conquistador Characters,
Cavalry, Infantry and Auxiliaries can only total up to a
Maximum of 75% of the entire army point cost.
1.

2.
3.
4.

To represent the Spanish armies of the first two expeditions

against the Maya you may field Swordsmen, Halberdiers,
Pikemen, Arquebusiers and Crossbowmen and a single
Falconet. You may not field any Cavalry. You may not take
native allies.
To represent the third expedition against the Aztecs (Cortes
conquest of Tenochtitlan) you may add 0-1 unit of Cavalry,
but you must remove the pikemen.
To represent the Spanish expedition (Pizarros Conquest
against the Inca) in South America, use the lists as in #2.
To represent the Spanish in the Peruvian Civil Wars, the
Wars against the Mapuche, and the Chichimec Wars, you
may use all the various troop types available to the
Conquistadors.

CHARACTERS:
up to 25% of the points available to the Conquistadors. (375 pts
of a 2000 pt army)

CAVALRY:
0-1 Unit of Cavalry only.
The Cavalry unit may only contain up to 10 figures.
Command models and mounted Characters count towards the 10
Cavalry maximum.
Cavalry are considered Open Order and have no rank bonus.

INFANTRY
At least 50% of the points available to the Conquistadors must be
spent on Cavalry and Infantry. (At least 750 pts of a 2000 pt
army)

Swordsmen

Halberdiers

Pikemen

Arquebusiers

Crossbowmen
A single unit of Arquebusiers or Crossbowmen may be taken for
every unit of Spanish foot soldiers, (Swordsmen, Halberdiers and
Pikemen) of equal or greater size.

AUXILIARIES
Up to 25% of the points available for Conquistadors. (Up to 375
pts of a 2000 pt army) may be taken.

0-1 Negro slave unit allowed per army

Note: this applies for the Conquistadors of the Conquest of

Mexico and the Conquistadors of the Peruvian Civil Wars.
The Conquistadors of the Conquest of Peru did not employ
indigenous allies to any large extent and are therefore free of the
25% Allies stipulation.
Points spent on all Indigenous Allies and Characters must total
up to a Minimum of 25% of the entire army point cost, (500 pts
of a 2000 pt army).
See the Tlaxcalteca, and Inca lists for the specific troop types.
The Allied portion of the Conquistador army is treated like a
separate army and, therefore, must include a Tlatoani or Inca
Army General.
All Psychological and Leadership testing for the Allies must only
be done against the Ld value of the indigenous Army General.
Allies may not benefit from the Re-roll of the Conquistador
Army Standard Bearer as they have no concept of the
significance of the Christian Standard.
The Conquistadors do not take a Ld test at the death of the allied
Army General, as must the Allies, however, the entire army takes
a Ld test at the death of the Conquistador Army General.
If playing Conquistador versus Conquistador conflicts of the
Peruvian Civil Wars, then the 25% Allies are taken from the Inca
list. You must take 1 Inca unit (Auqua or Huaminca) for every
Canari, Anti, Cunti or Colla unit.
They must be led by an Apusquipay Army General on a
Palanquin.
The Inca Allies may use Huacas, Gunacas and Hill fortifications
as per the Inca lists.

CHARACTERS
0-1 GENERAL.
M WS BS S T W I A Ld Points
Cortes
4
5
5
4 3 3 6 3 10
140
General 4
5
5
4 3 2 6 2
9
115
Equipment: Hand weapon. May have Toledo Sword (+2pt), light
armour (+3pts), shield (+2pts) or buckler (+1pt). May wear heavy
armour (+4 pts), -1 to Mv penalty. May have lance (+3pts) or

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Thrusting spear (+2pts) if mounted. May have Halberd (+3pts)
or a double handed broadsword (+3pts) if dismounted. May ride
Horse (+10pts).
Special Rules: Army General. Toledo Sword

M WS BS S T W I A Ld Pts
Halberdier 4
3
3
3 3 1 3 1
7
8
Equipment: Halberd. May have light armour (+2pts). May have
heavy armour (+3 pts) at -1 Mv.
Special Rules: Halberds

0-1 ARMY STANDARD BEARER

M WS BS S T W I A Ld Points
ASB 4
5
5
4 3
2 5 2
8
95
Equipment: Hand weapon. May have Toledo Sword (+2pt), light
armour (+3pts), shield (+2pts) or buckler (+1pt). May wear heavy
armour (+4 pts), -1 to Mv penalty. May ride Horse (+10pts).

0-1 PIKEMEN

Special Rules: Army Standard Bearer. Toledo Sword

Special Rules: Renaissance Phalanx. Use in Early Yucatan

excursions and Peruvian Civil War scenarios only.

CAUDILLO
M WS BS S T W I A Ld Points
Captain 4
4
4
4 3 2 5 2
8
60
Equipment: Hand weapon. May have Toledo Sword (+2pt), light
armour (+3pts), shield (+2pts) or buckler (+1pt). May wear heavy
armour (+4 pts), -1 to Mv penalty. May have lance (+3pts) or
Thrusting spear (+2pts) if mounted. May have Halberd (+3pts)
or a double handed broadsword (+3pts) if dismounted. May ride
Horse (+10pts).
May be Army General (+25pts). May be ASB (15pts).

0-1 CHRISTIAN PRIEST

W
2

I
4

A
2

Ld
7

M WS BS S T W I A Ld Pts
HandGunner 4
2
3
3 3 1 3 1
7
8
Equipment: Arquebus. Range=16; Strength 3; Save Modifier= 1; Move or Shoot. May have light armour (+1pt).
Special Rules: Blackpowder. First Shot. Move or Shoot. For each
Handgunner Unit an equally sized or larger Pikemen, Halberdier
or Swordsman Unit must be taken.

M WS BS S T W I A Ld
Crossbowmen 4
2
3
3 3 1 3 1
7
Equipment: Crossbow Range=30; Strength 4; Save Modifier= 1; Move or Shoot. and hand weapon. May have light armour
(+2pts).

Special Rules: Toledo Sword.

T
3

HANDGUNNERS

CROSSBOWMEN

If upgraded to ASB may not use halberd or 2-handed

broadsword if dismounted, or lance and thrusting spear if
mounted.

M WS BS S
Priest 4
3
3
3
Equipment: Toledo Sword.

M WS BS S T W I A Ld Pts
Pikeman 4
3
3
3 3 1 3 1
7
8
Equipment: Pike. May have light armour (+2pts). May have
heavy armour (+3pts) at 1 Mv.

Points
70

Special Rules: Toledo Sword. Hatred Rules #2 and #3. Any unit
he is with Hates any unit containing Priests and Characters as the
Christian Friar cannot discriminate between any of the fancy
suit wearers.

INFANTRY
0-2 Infantry units may be upgraded to Veteran at (+1pt).
Swordsmen Veterans cost (+2pts).

Special Rules: Crossbow. Move or Shoot.

For each Crossbow Unit an equally sized or larger Pikemen,
Halberdier or Swordsman Unit must be taken.

CAVALRY
0-1 CABALLERROS
M WS BS S T W I A Ld Points
Mounted 8
4
4
3 3 1 4 1
7
23
Equipment: Toledo Sword. Horse. May have light armour
(+3pts), shield (+2pts) or buckler (+1pt). May wear heavy armour
(+4 pts), -1 to Mv penalty. May have lance (+3pts) or Thrusting
spear (+2pts).
Special Rules: Open Order. Terror. Toledo Sword.

SWORDSMEN
M WS BS S T W I A Ld Pts
Swordsmen 4
4
3
3 3 1 4 1
7
8
Equipment: Toledo sword. May have shield (+2pts) and light
armour (+3pts). May have heavy armour at (+4 pts) at -1 Mv.
May have 2 handed Broadsword at (+3pt) but may then not have
shield.
Special Rules: Toledo Swords

AUXILIARIES
0-1 NEGRO SLAVES/ CIMAROONS
Slave

M
5

WS
2

BS
2

S
3

T
3

W
1

I
2

A
1

Ld
5

0-1 HALBERDIER
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Pts
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Equipment: Improvised weapon, counts as hand weapon and
javelin. May have shield for (+1pt). Any one may replace javelin
and add bow for (+1 pt). Note: there may be a mix of weapons
and armour types within this unit.
Special Rules: Skirmishers

Special Rules: Treat wagon a protective barrier, which counts as

hard cover, giving any man found inside a +2 Sv against
shooting.
In hand to hand combat, the crew is considered in a defended
obstacle and are considered fighting from high ground.
Teamsters behind wagon are in hard cover when behind wagon.
Wagon may move 1 per teamster pushing it.

0-1 FALCONET CANNON PER

1000 PTS
M WS BS S T W I A Ld Sv
Cannon 6 5 3 - Crew
4
2
3
3 3 1 3 1
7
Equipment: Each gun has a crew of 2. May have 1 additional
crew member (+7pts). Crew is armed with hand weapon.
Special rules: Light Cannon with 36 range. If crew fall less than
2 may only fire every 2nd turn. For shooting crew are hit on D6
roll of 5-6. May misfire.

If a War Wagon hits anything but the best and most level of
terrain consider its axle broken and now it is immobile for the
duration of the battle. That includes going uphill, downhill, into
Points water hazards, etc.
50
War Wagons may never charge, countercharge, march, flee or
fire and flee.
Turning and wheeling cost 2 Mv penalty. The War Wagon may
contain up to 5 Conquistador Infantry crewmen from the
Swordsmen, Halberdiers, Arquebusiers and Crossbowmen list
only.

If the Misfire dice is rolled on the first roll, then the cannon has
(surprise) misfired. Roll a D6 and consult the following chart:
1-3
4
5
6

Crew and Teamsters are considered skirmishers. Teamsters must

stay within 2 of the Wagon and the Crew may never deploy.

Malfunction! Nothing happens and 1 powder has been

wasted
Damp Powder! Nothing happens this turn or next as the
crew cleans out the damp powder. 1 powder has been
wasted.
Misfire! The powder ignites while the cannon is being
loaded. A crew member is killed, the powder is wasted
and the surviving crew takes a Panic test.
Kaboom! The cannon blows up, thereby, killing all the
crew. Cannon and crew are removed.

Missile weapons do not have Mv penalties as War Wagon is

considered a stable platform. Black powder restrictions still
apply.
Note War Wagons were used in urban fighting only. Please use
discretion or the permission of your opponent when using a war
Wagon as they were not used in open combat situations.
However, they are too interesting from a wargaming perspective
to just simply ignore.

0-1 WARHOUND PACK

M

WS

BS

0-2 BRIGANTINES
W

Ld

Note: Brigantines are only appropriate for the Siege of

Tenochtitlan scenario.
M WS BS S T W I A Ld Points
Brigantine 4
- - - Free
Equipment: May have Falconet (applies toward cannon point
restrictions) Therefore, if you are allowed 2 cannon, you may
have both on land, both on the Brigantines, or one on land and
one on the ship.

PTs

Pack6/4
2
2
3 3 1 3 1
7
6
master
WarHound 6/4
3
3
3 3 1 3 1
4
5
Equipment: Hand Weapon. Dogs have sharp teeth and these
count as hand weapon! May have between 4-8 hounds.
The pack master can ride a pony (+5pts) to increase Mv to 6.
Otherwise, if on foot, movement is 4 (the dogs move at the same
rate as their handler).
He can be given light armour for (+1pt) and Javelins (+1pt). For
Ld tests use the pack master Ld. The pack master cannot be
targeted individually. If shooting at the pack you hit a dog on D6
roll of 1-5 and hit pack master on 6 roll. If he dies, the dogs test
future tests on their Ld value.
Special Rules: Terror, Skirmishers

0-1 WAR WAGON

Pts
M WS BS S T W I A Ld
War
- 6 4 - 110
Wagon
Teamster 4
2
3
3 3 1 3 1
7
Equipment: Comes with 4 teamsters that push wagon.
Two additional teamsters can be purchased at (+6 pts). Teamsters
are armed with hand weapon. May have light armour at (+1pt).

Special Rules: Brigantines start at the farthest shoreline or table

edge from the Aztec defenses. Brigantine moves in only four
ways. It must do 1 of these per turn.
Moves forward 4 in a straight direction
Drifts forward 2 and can turn up to 45 degrees either left or
right.
Stops (this is the entire move). Brigantine must pass a Ld test
to stop. Use the Ld value of the top Ld crewman to do this. A
failed test means ship moves forward 4 again.
Moves backward 2. Must have been stopped prior to this.
If the Brigantine hits shallow water it is considered to have run
aground and cannot move for duration of game. If Brigantine hits
another Brigantine, the shoreline, or a causeway of Tenochtitlan
the hull is considered breached the ship sinks and the crew are
considered drowned or otherwise considered out of action.

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Each Brigantine can hold up to 10 conquistador foot troops from
the Swordsmen, Halberdiers, Arquebusier and Crossbowmen list
only. They are considered skirmishers. They may deploy from
the boat up to 4 from the boat only. They may not march or
charge from the boat.
Brigantines are free but, for each one used, the Aztec opponent
may use 5 war canoes for free also. Each canoe holds a crew of 6
warriors (from any list) and the crew is considered skirmishers.

Anawalt, Patricia and Berdan, Frances, The Essential Codex

Mendoza, University of California Press, 1997, ISBN 0-52020454-9
Brown, Kathryn and Stanton, Travis, eds., Ancient
Mesoamerican Warfare, Altamira Press, 2004, ISBN 0-75910283-X
Cocker, Mark, Rivers of Blood, Rivers of Gold Grove Press,
1998, ISBN 0-8021-1666-3

War canoes move 6 and may move and turn in any direction. If
a canoe touches a brigantine the Aztecs have successfully
assaulted the ship. Any Aztecs, within the 8 charge range (the
normal 10charge distance -2 penalty for climbing up the boat)
of a Brigantine crewmember, are in hand to hand combat. The
first combat gives the Spanish crew a +1 combat resolution due
to higher ground. If the brigantine, during its normal forward
or backward movement, contacts a canoe, then the canoe sinks,
and the crew are considered drowned or otherwise considered out
of action.

Diaz, Gisele and Rodgers, Alan, The Codex Borgia, Dover

Publications, 1993, ISBN 0-486-27569-8

Boats are considered stable objects and so there are no Mv

penalties for shooting.

Gruzinski, Serge, The Aztecs : Rise and Fall of an Empire,

Harry N. Abrams Inc., 1992, ISBN 0-8109-2821-3

Use of war canoes and Brigantines would be typically used

during the Noche Triste (canoes only) and the Siege of
Tenochtitlan scenarios.

Hassig, Ross, War and Society in Ancient Mesoamerica,

University of California Press, 1992, ISBN 0-520-07734-2

Make sure you use a clearly delineated Lake Texcoco region with
dangerous shallow areas, islands (with appropriately stationed
Aztec warriors) and causeways (also brimming with brave Aztec
warriors!).

ALLIES

Cortes, Hernan, Letters from Mexico, Pagden translation, Yale

University Press, 1986, ISBN 0-300-09103-6
Diaz Del Castillo, Bernal, The Discovery and Conquest of
Mexico, Maudsley translation, Da Capo Press, 2003, ISBN 0306-81319-X

Hassig, Ross, Mexico and the Spanish Conquest, Longman

Press, 1994, ISBN 0-582-06828-2
Hassig, Ross, Aztec Warfare: Imperial Expansion and
Political Control, University of Oklahoma Press, 1988, ISBN 08061-2773-2
Heath, Ian, Armies of the 16th Century Vol 2, Foundry Books,
1999, ISBN 1-901543-03-X

See Tlaxcalteca and Incas list.

Allies must be at least 25% point value of entire Conquistador
army.
The Allied portion of the Conquistador army is treated like a
separate army and, therefore, must include a Tlatoani or
Apusquipay (Army General).

Leon-Portilla, Miguel, Aztec Thought and Culture, University

of Oklahoma Press, 1963, ISBN 0-8061-2295-1
Leon-Portilla, Miguel, trans., The Broken Spears, Beacon Press,
1992, ISBN 0-8070-5501-8
Mann, Charles, 1491: New Revelations of the Americas Before
Columbus, Alfred Knopf, 2005, ISBN 0-7394-6441-8

All Psychological and Leadership testing for the Allies must only
be done against the Ld value of the Allied Army General.
Allies may not use the Break Test re-roll benefit from the
Conquistador Army Standard Bearer as they have no concept of
the significance of the Christian Standard.
The Conquistadors do not take a Ld test at the death of the allied
Tlatoani or Apusquipay as do the Allies, however, the entire
army takes a Ld test at the death of the Conquistador Army
General.
The Inca Allies are only to be used for Peruvian Civil War lists.
The Inca Allies may use Huacas, Gunacas and Hill fortifications
as per the Inca lists. Tlaxcalteca Allies may use their specific
Special Rules.

Pohl, John, Aztec Warrior, Osprey Publishing, 2001, ISBN 978184-176148-0

Pohl, John, Aztec, Mixtec and Zapotec Armies, Osprey
Publishing, 1991, ISBN 1-85532-159-9
Pohl, John, The Conquistador: 1492-1550, Osprey Publishing,
2001, ISBN 1-84176-175-3
Pohl, John, Aztecs and Conquistadors, Osprey Publishing,
2005, ISBN 1-84176-934-7
Robinson III, Charles, The Spanish Invasion of Mexico, Osprey
Publishing, 2004, ISBN 1-84176-563-5
Sahagun, Fra Bernardino de, The Florentine Codex: Vol. VIII,
Monographs of the School of American Research, 1982, ISBN 087480-082-X

REFERENCE WORKS
Games Workshop, the Games Workshop logo, Warhammer, Warhammer Historical Wargames and the Warhammer Historical Wargameslogo are trademarks of Games Workshop, Ltd

WAB Forum http://wabforum.co.uk/

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WAB FORUM ARMIES

THE CONQUISTADORS
Soustelle, Jacques, Daily Life of the Aztecs, Stanford University
Press, 1961, ISBN 0-8047-0721-9

17 Zoomorphic Warriors- full command- 236pts

321pts

Thomas, Hugh, The Conquest of Mexico, Pimlico Press, 2004,

ISBN 1-8441-3743-0

9 Tlaxcalan Arrow Catchers- l. armour, full command- 78pts

9 Tlaxcalan Archers- bows, l. armour- 72pts
2 Zoomorphic Warriors- one atlatl- 29pts
179pts

INTERNET LINKS
WAB Forum
http://wabforum.co.uk
Cronofuss informative site
http://www.chronofus.net/php/index.php?c=6&sid=47ca8bf
18c30f8b947344692fcf0a623
and
http://www.chronofus.net/wargames/aztecs/army.htm

Total

500pts

Total Army

2000pts

http://www.balagan.org.uk/war/iberia/1494/painting_guide.htm

SPECIAL THANKS
Many thanks to WAB Forum members for providing the
template and their great support.
Sample 2000pt Conquistador Army
Conquistadors
Conquistador Army General- L. armour, shield, lance, horse133pts
Army Standard Bearer- Toledo Sword, L. armour, shield, horse112pts
8 Caballeros- L. armour, shield, lance, horse- 248pts
493pts
Christian Priest- 70pts
14 Swordsmen- shield, l. armour, full command- 197pts
267pts
15 Swordsmen- shield, l. armour, full command- 210pts
210pts
20 Halberdiers- l. armour, full command- 215 pts
215pts
10 handgunners
80pts
10 crossbowmen
100pts
10 crossbowmen
100pts
10 Negro slaves/Cimaroons- 5 archers upgrade
35pts
Total

1500pts

Tlaxcalan Allies
Tlaxcalan Tlatoani- Maquahuitl, shield, armoured war suit, atlatl85pts
Games Workshop, the Games Workshop logo, Warhammer, Warhammer Historical Wargames and the Warhammer Historical Wargameslogo are trademarks of Games Workshop, Ltd

WAB Forum http://wabforum.co.uk/

v 0.1