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Post by elpresidente2016 on Jan 5, 2020 11:49:29 GMT
Dear all,
Firstly, the late Middle Age ADLG competition is over! Apart from Chris R and Steve T's shameful non aggression pact to conclude the 15mm side of things, Max and Mike fought out the final of the 25mm. Franch Ordannance against Italian Condottierri. I only caught the latter stage of the battle, but I understand Mike was hampered early on by having an unreliable ally, who let him down, letting Max get a positional advantage. When i was watching, it was a very tense affair and looked like it could have gone either way. Max was helped by having a succession of very good dice rolls for combat ( at one stage 6,6,5,6 and then later 6,3,6,5) and this helped hi close the game out. There was skillful play on both sides, with clever positioning of troops and good tactical play to get flanks involved. An excellent game between two worthy opponents, and in the end Max was triumphant. Well done to him, and I hope everyone enjoyed the games in that competition.
In the current competition, Ive had a couple of results in. Joe and Gavin fought. Apparently, Gavin didnt get any terrain on his side of the table, his archery was ineffective, and when it came to the hand to hand fighting, he couldnt roll a dice to save his life. Joe was the victor there. probably because I was filling in a gap in this league, it has been motoring along, with only two games left to complete it. All the rest of you need to get a move on!
Bryan and Graham opened up the combat in their league. I visited this game at various times. Bryan had the initial advantage, it swung back Graham's way, and then ended with a spectacular mutual destruction.
I had a game against Chris M, again, using the Gauls to prevent a bye, against Chris' Later Persian. His army was actually larger than mine, that I wasnt expecting. We both had a solid infantry centre. My cavalry went on my left, facing off against some of his. In the right of centre, there was a plantation, which I filled with medium swordsmen and Chris faced with medium spear. On my right, I had some more heavy infantry and skirmishers facing more cavalry and scythed chariots. I was defending, but closed as fast as I could. ( partly because I had the idea Chris would have lots of bowfire. He didnt!) On my right, the cavalry died against his, but held out long enough for the centres to meet. On the middle right, my warbands were initially very successful against his medium spear, but then died as Chris' used his greater command and control to flank and rear attack them. On the right, I withstood the impact of the scythed chariots, and prevented the cavalry rolling the line. The clash of the two lines of heavy infantry went in my favour, impetuous impact seriously damaging the spearmen. Then it was a matter of who could get over the line first. Chris skillfully picked off my units as they ran around all over the place ( as warband tend to do) I, less skillfully, relied on mad warband to hit very hard wherever they could. we both were one point away from breaking. In my last turn, I managed to get a couple of successful rallies, and hand out just enough damage to squeeze over the finish line for a win. It was great fun, and I think, better than a bye for Chris.
So everyone needs to keep on playing the battles. Please get the scores to me, any reports are greatly appreciated. I may not be able to get to the club for the next couple of weeks, depending on The NHS sorting out some issues, so I will be reliant on you sending stuff to me.
Tony
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Post by elpresidente2016 on Jan 21, 2020 11:00:47 GMT
Dear all,
Ive been away for a couple of Friodays, but the battles have kept on coming.
On the 10th, we had a clash between Joe and Chris R. Here is a brief report
Joe turned up with an army that included 11 bases of armoured hoplites plus 4 Elite Med Cav. I think the rest of army was 2 x Med Sw 2HCW, 2 LH with Javelins, and 5 LF. As I have no armoured foot, no elite foot, no Elite Med Cav, and only 1 Heavy Cav, I wasn’t about to fight Joe frontally. I sent my right hand command to try and get round the left hand end of Joe’s line and my left hand command to try the same trick at the other end.
My left command was making good progress until Joe’s Elite Med Cav arrived from the other flank and drove me back. Meanwhile he had held his hoplites back to stop me running round the left of his line. By the end he was pressing back my left command and I had finally got round the back on the opposite flank.
We to-ed and fro-ed quite a bit but a very technical game resulted in a draw – I had killed 14 out of Joe’s 24 ( 58.3%) and he had taken 16 of my 27 (59.3%). Another 90 minutes and we’d have a result!
As you can see, Chris is turning into a maestro at not getting a result! Still, its the first of the 15mm games played.
It was a very busy night on the 17th, with four games being recorded.
First up, we had Chris M and Gavin playing. Heres the report:
Chris McNeil’s late Achaemenid Persians fought my Early army in our 25mm group. We both needed a win to secure a good chance of making it to the next stage, so this was always going to be a keenly fought game.
Chris won initiative. As usual, most of the rough terrain ended up on the battlefield edges, except for a single rough field in the centre of the table.
Chris set up with cavalry on the right, medium foot and an elephant in the right centre, hoplites left of the rough field, and a cavalry command on his far left led by new-fangled scythed chariots.
My cavalry were on the right, with my Greek allied hoplites facing Chris’ hoplites in the centre. My large Persian and subject infantry command held the central field and the left wing.
Chris attacked my right cavalry wing immediately. My cavalry moved up to bow range and shot down one scythed chariot. The other chariot charged in, supported by cavalry. Chris' command did well in the melee but my cavalry clung on, inflicting some casualties in return and ensuring my hoplites' right flank was secure.
On Chris’ right he withdrew his cavalry straight away from the massed bows of my sparabara and subject allies. He instead launched an attack with the elephant and medium foot. Unfortunately they took heavy arrow casualties on the way in and were then massacred to the last man in close combat. The elephant distinguished itself by scoring ‘1’ on three successive rolls. I redeployed my Paphlagonian and Bithynian foot through the field to support my hoplites’ left flank.
With flank security my armoured hoplites counter-attacked Chris’ linen-clad mercenaries with sufficient success to take him over his break point. Victory to the old-timers.
So Gavin has recorded another win, Chris another loss- Need to watch out there Chris as you are getting near the Gaul's score!
George and joe had a 15mm battle. A brief report from Joe:
George’s Macedonian v my Classical Greek Thessalian. I attacked. 2 sets of fields to my left hill on my base covered in plantation, another field opposite in the middle and a plantation on my right in my base. George deployed a LMI and medium swords on my left with a big Hoplite command in the centre of ordinary and mediocre hvy spearmen. Then on my right 2 light horse and 4 heavy impact cavalry! This made my 4 elite medium cavalry feel a tad nervous. Still attack is our motto so my cavalry got stuck in and eventually with the help of medium sword men from the infantry command won the flank. The hoplites surged forward, with their armour managed to hold the left and smashed the centre.
Not before we were one point each from breaking but the Thessalians held their nerve ran out victorious.
So a very bloody victory to Joe, who has nearly finished all of his battles in both scales!
Brian and Graham came to blows. A brief report from Graham;
Played my game against Brian and his Urartu last Friday and got Bowed to death.
He would not stand still and allow me to charge my HI but kept retreating until he run out of table but he kept firing when he could resulting in all my HI having cohesion points against them when I finally pined him at his table edge. His MC did a great job in keeping my HC off his flanks.
RESULT Win for Brian. I lost whole army 28 units. Brian last 3 units and 6 with Cohesion Points (Total 12).
So Brian records a win, which makes me glad I took armour on my hoplites!
And lastly, a true battle of ancients between Ken and Bryan. Heres the report:
Bryan and I played our league game on Friday, an Early Carthaginian civil war; although the armies were very different.
Bryan went for a high quality force with competent commanders, whilst as usual I had ordinary generals and a minimum of the good stuff.
Bryan won the initiative and decided to defend, with all but one field, Bryan’s centre right, being on his left flank, a hill and marsh on his side of the table, and two fields and a plantation on mine. Bryan deployed his 4 Elite heavy chariots and an elite slinger (in ambush in the marsh) on his left; his spear command (six I think, all armoured with two elite) with two LH javelin and a psiloi (deployed in front of the spear) in the centre; and on his right 4 medium cavalry, two medium spear and two medium swordsmen. The army broke on 22.
I deployed with a cavalry command, consisting of two elite heavy Chariots, two Medium cavalry, and two LH javelin on my left, to the left of Bryan’s field; my centre containing two elite heavy armoured spearmen, six heavy spearmen and two elite slingers; and my right consisting of four heavy armoured Greek spear, two psiloi, two LH javelin and two levy medium spear (mediocre). The army broke on 26.
Going first, my line advanced towards Bryan’s line, my LH engaging his LH and my slingers advancing through the fields, followed by the levy, to spring his ambush in the marsh. On the left my LH advanced to investigate a potential ambush in the field, which proved to be a ruse, whilst my chariots and Cavalry advanced forward to the left and expanded to cover the flank.
On Bryan’s turn, he moved his swordsmen through the field to threaten my LH on the flank whilst his Medium Spear advanced towards their front. Meanwhile his cavalry, which had been deployed behind the line turned and moved to their right towards my cavalry and chariots. He also advanced his centre spears and threatened with his chariots. There then developed a series of skirmishes that lasted for most of the game. On my right my two psiloi engaged the slinger, with mixed fortune, both sides taking a disruption, although Bryan eventually withdrew when my second psiloi got on his flank, leaving my psiloi to advance and engage the end of his spear line, one of which turned to face. In the centre the LH faced off against each other in front of my Greek spear and Bryan’s spear line, effectively blocking that part of the field unless one side gave way. For most of the game I managed to disrupt on or both of Bryan’s skirmishers, but he was equally as good at removing the damage before I made it fatal. To the left of my spear line my two slingers succeeded in driving off Bryan’s javelinman after I caused a disruption, but then faced his four elite chariots that had moved from his left flank behind his spears to replace his cavalry that had moved right to face my horse. Finally on my left, my LH managed to cause a disruption on one of his medium spear and one of his swordsmen, both of which he constantly failed to remove the disruption from.
Whilst the centre jostled for position with Bryan’s chariots lining up against my spear and my line advancing slightly ahead of the blocked Greeks (bar one who managed to join the right on my spears), the action started to hot up on my left. Bryan’s four medium cavalry, in two lines faced off against my cavalry, his spear brushed aside one of my LH who evaded, whilst his swordsmen did the same with the other one. To counter this threat to the left flank of my spears, I turned the end spear and advanced towards the left corner of the field, as the rest of the line advanced, zocing the swordsmen. Bryan now engaged my left with his cavalry taking on mine whilst his spear advanced into my chariots and his unblocked swordsman loved up towards the chariots flank. The initial contact was fairly even with one each of the cavalry taking a disruption whilst his spearmen also took disruptions but held. Next turn, due to low pip dice, I was unable to bring my LH back into the action, and on his next turn Bryan’s swordsmen hit the flank of the chariots. Unfortunately it didn’t save his engaged spearman, as my now disrupted chariot, fighting at -1 (0 & -1 for disruption) still manged to blow it away. It did mean however that my chariot had to turn and face the swordsmen. Next turn the inevitable happened and the chariot died, disrupting the second chariot at the same time as my leftmost cavalryman bit the dust. With one cavalry and one chariot let, both overlapped, Bryan’s dice went into overdrive and took out the remaining chariot and next turn the remaining cavalry; leaving only the LH and solitary spearman to hold my open left flank.
With things going Bryan’s way he decided to launch his chariots and spears not blocked by the LH skirmish Against my spear line. He also began to manoeuvre his cavalry and remaining medium spear and swordsmen towards my flank. My slingers had previously been evaded by the advancing chariots, one now covering the flank of my spears whilst the other took pot shots at Bryans blocked swordsman in the field, with some success. Unfortunately for Bryan, things did not go well, with the chariots grinding to a halt on the spears, all but one taking a disruption, whilst a similar fate befell his spears, although at least his overlapped elite managed a draw. Things now turned again in Bryan’s favour as over the next couple of turns he won most of the combats, gradually reducing the resilience of my spears, although my elite spears did win the first breakthrough against one of his spears and advanced. At the same time the chariot next to these finished off the spear opposite, and next turn turned into the flank of elites. Fickle fate changed again, and my spear beat the chariot enough to kill it (having previously been demoralised) and in pushing back through the adjoining chariot, killed that as well, being already 2 demoralised down.
Things were now very squeaky as Bryan was down 18 out of 22, whilst I was in slightly better off being 16 0ut of 26. Bryan sensing that my spears were on the verge of collapse (the survivors on the left facing the chariots both being overlapped) threw in everything that would reach. Unfortunately that was only his medium spears and swordsmen, his cavalry having been fatally slowed by the attentions of my LH. His spears pushed away one of my slingers, whilst the swordsmen caught the other in the open killing it outright. With another spear dying, my losses increased to 20, but Bryan was also on 20.
Last bound was called, and as the attacker, I had just finished my turn. It was currently a draw, but Bryan had the bit between his teeth and fought on, bringing his medium spear into range of my remaining slinger, who promptly shot it, and as already being 2 down, killed it. I had already presumed a draw, as even if Bryan had managed to kill all the opponents already engaged (which he didn’t) I would have still only have been on 24. On the final count however Bryan was dismayed to find his losses at 22 and his army broken, whilst I was still on 20. Obviously when we had added things up on the previous turn he must have missed a demoralisation, as the loss of a demoralised unit should only have added one more to his tally!!
A fast moving and fun game with lady luck changing sides frequently (at one point Bryan didn’t through lower than 5 in a whole turns combats) to the detriment of both sides.
Final result: Win to me with losses; Bryan whole army on 22, and me 10 units lost.
Which sounds like an epic game.
These are all the games I have had reported to me. Let me know if any have been played that Ive not caught up on. Please keep playing the games and keep the competition moving. Joe has set a shining example for us all!
Tony
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Post by elpresidente2016 on Feb 4, 2020 12:20:16 GMT
Dear all,
Thank you for getting on with the games in my absence, we have a collection of reports that have come in over the weekend Before these, just a small matter of housekeeping. Max has bought some new figures and would like to use a classical Greek army in the 15mm instead of neo- Babylonian. I am minded to allow this as no games have been played in the league yet, he hasnt seen anyone else's list and the competition is supposed to be about hoplites anyway. If anyone has any violent objections, please let me know.
So, on to the reports. First in was Chris R against Martin. heres the report from Chris;
"
I won initiative and attacked in plain. The terrain consisted of a gully, 2 fields and 2 plantations. Most of it fell on the right side of the table so I lined up my Spartans on the left, the Gauls and 2 spear in the centre and 4 spear plus 2 Thracians on the right. Martin placed his cavalry command – 2 Heavy Chariots and 2 Med Cav on his right (opposite my Spartans), a 10 man unit of Armoured Hoplites in the centre, and a unit with 3 Armoured Hoplites on his left with a couple of ambush markers.
I steamed forward with the centre command because I wanted to get clear of the terrain. The Spartans started to wheel in from the flank but they were a bit back and my right hand command rushed up towards the ambush markers. In the next turn they got to within 1 UD and out pop 2 LF with Jav, 2 LF Archers and 2 Javelinmen. The Thracians went in and cleared the terrain making my right flank secure. In the centre the 2 HC hit the end of the line of Gallic swordsmen but my Spartans arrived next turn. A swordsman dies but so do the chariots. Martin commits his spear line but I have overlaps both ends. And the Gauls are starting one up and ignore armour in the first round.
Long story short; the Gauls do the business in the centre and the Spartans get round the flank.
The result was a win to me (23 killed out of 23) for the loss of 15/25."
Hopefully the game was longer than the report, but well played Chris. Next, Denis and Neil matched up.
Denis' report
"
Neil and I played the first game in our 15mm group last night.
Neil won the initiative and chose to defend. My initial deployment was poor, but some high PIP rolls enabled me to switch my swordsmen from right to left so that they were facing Neil's mediocre Spear rather than the heavy chariots (although, in the event, the mediocre spear did rather well, getting an overlap and slowly chewing their way along the line of swordsmen).
In the centre, our spear traded casualties, but with Neil losing more than I. His Bow and Heavy Chariot command on his left wing wasn't able to make much impact against the Heavy Spear and medium Cav facing them and that command was practically wiped out.
Neil rolled well when trying to rally - I think I rallied only once in several attempts - but had some atrocious combat rolls, including being on the wrong end of a couple of 6-1s.
I broke his army (exactly 25 points). He inflicted 15 points of damage on my army."
So Rome did what it was good at, and got the victory.
Graham and Ken fought out a disjointed battle, report from Graham
"
Ken won the initiative and decided to attack.
Nearly all the terrain was placed on my side of the table as follows. From my left was a square field in my left had corner. Next a oval Plantation 4 UD from my base line with the long side parallel with the short side of the table and in the middle of the left flank sector. Next a square field on Kens side on the corner of the left flank sectors and central sectors. A oval hill, in my centre sector, parallel with the short side edge of the table and not touching my base line. Then a road and then a second oval Plantation on my base line with the long side parallel with the short side of the table. Finally, a square field on my right touching the right short side of the table, my side on the centre line.
I deployed as follows. On my right was 2LI(bow), 2LC(javelin) and 5HC(1 a General (Elite)). In the Centre (all Spears) 4 HI left of the hill, 2 MI and 1HI on the hill and 1 HI and 1 MI on the right of the hill and left of Plantation plus Light Chariot General behind. On my left 2 MI swordsmen, HC General(Elite) and beyond the Plantation 1 LH(bow). I placed two ambush markers in the Plantation on my left, one at the top nearest Ken and the other at the bottom towards my base line. Ken deployed from his left 2 LI(slingers, Elite), 8 HI(Spears, 2 Elite). Centre had 2LH, 2MC and 2 Heavy Chariots. On his right was 4HI(spears), 2 MI(swordsmen), 2 LI(javelin) and 2 LH(javelin). All my Generals were competent, Ken's Ordinary.
Ken got off to his usual fast start with a 1 for his spear command on my right. His centre followed slowly also and it was only his right that he did anything by advancing to take control of the field with his LI and used his LH to find out what was in my ambush nearest him. 3 LI(javelin). In my first move I advanced my LI and LH to take the field on my right. My centre I advanced to get the crest of the hill and my left advanced so that it supported my centre and could fire on Kens LH. I shall now tell what happened on each sector separately, instead of all together.
On my right, my 1 LH and LI took on Kens LI. This forced Ken to bring from his centre his LH but they arrived a bit late but then did kill 1 LH from shooting. I charged with 1 LC and 1 LI in support one of Kens LI, killed it and did a 1UD pursuit. (KEN I could have advanced my LI as well, please note). Anyway Ken charged my LI and as it was being attacked from the side/rear and as it stood no chance I evaded off the table. My LC then took a trip to Kens baggage with Kens LH following but not able to catch me. He had a number of chances with shooting but failed. I lost my LH to Kens LH at his baggage but for the lose of 1 LH, Kens baggage gone and 2 LH out of the game was well worth it. Ken advanced his spearmen and pinned my HC but bar one attempted to hit a HC in the flank that was it for the whole game. The two LI left by the Field kept shooting at each other and getting no where.
In the centre Kens MC and chariots pined my MI/HI on the hill and nothing happened. However, on my right between the hill and the Plantation, Ken had some success with 1 HI(elite) and 1 MC after a very messy melee by killed 1HI and 1MI but not before having to throw in his HI general to save his HI(elite) from being beaten by a MI.
On my left things did not go Kens way. First I started to out shoot him and then my second ambush (2 Javelinmen) came forward killing 1 LI and then charging the other who evaded off the field but was killed when my Javelinmen caught him. Ken then charged his 2 MI(swordsmen) at my other Javelinmen element which evaded but Ken stopped just off the Field so I charged my HC General, MI(Swordsmen) in the front, a LI in his open flank and the Javelinmen element that had just killed a LI into his rear. Kens dice then came to his aid and somehow he survived for three turns. Ken also brought up his 4 HI to support his swordsmen (KEN that HI fighting my swordsmen should have had -2 for being in rough terrain, therefore I was 1 up not you).I was unable to get my HI in as they were just outside 2UD of Kens HI. Ken LH on his flank had lost 1 and the other had been pulled back in case I charged him in flank or rear.
So that is how it stood when time was called by our Treasure who wanted the receipts for the sub paid. Both Ken and I realise afterwards that it was not a good idea to play a comp. game when Ken is on the Door, takings subs and saying hallo to visitors. But we played so the result stands. What was your cunning plan Ken?
Ken lost 5 elements and Baggage plus 2 disordered elements = 16 ARMY TOTAL 26
I lost 4 elements plus 1 off the table plus 4 disordered elements =13 ARMY TOTAL 28"
And I probably agree about door duties getting in the way- it shouldnt really happen but the door rota was sorted out after the game had been arranged.
And finally, Richard and Brian had a close game, leading to a very bloody draw. The report from Richard
"
Friday 31st myself and Brian Wales played our game. End result was a draw.Brians army did not contain any heavy spear.
breakdown
I lost 18 out of 19 break points
6 units lost
6 units disordered
Brian lost 19 out of 24 break points
7 units lost
1 ordinary general killed
4 units disordered
Very hard fought game pitting heavy spear against mainly mixed medium sword/ bow. Brian skilfully used delaying tactics to prevent me overwhelming his flanks and a long steep hill used defensively scuppered my centre attack .With time running out I tried to carry the hill relying on greater cohesion and armour but came a very bad cropper. "
So there we are, it must have been a very busy club night. Hope the games carry on coming this quickly as i moves the competition along, and I'll see you on Friday
Tony
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Post by elpresidente2016 on Feb 12, 2020 10:43:34 GMT
Dear all,
It was a busy Friday for Hoplite battles. Some details have been put on Facebook, always worth keeping an eye out there, but here are all the details, and it only took a little nudging to get reports.
So thank you guys for your efforts in writing up the battles.
Here is the first , a league finalising match between Joe and Chris M
" I like to try and get photos of the other games but yet again I was in an ‘epic’ v the Later Achaemenid Persians of Chris Mc N. I informed Chris before hand that I only needed a draw and we both laughed as we new it was not in my DNA to go for a draw! I tried to get a waterway, but no though I did manage to move some terrain, so nice flat plain. Chris attacked. He had 2 cavalry wings of 2 Lt horse 4 cavalry, each 2&2 mediocre and ordinary. Comp General. In the centre Brill Gen with 6 hoplites ordinary 2 scythed chariots elephant medium spear light foot. 27 breakpoint v my 24. He messed about with the chariots and elephant and tried to get around my left flank but 2 armoured Hoplites stopped that in the mean time my foot commands closed ranks in the centre and my cavalry went right flanking to attempt to take on his other cavalry command. Lt foot Javlin men took the elephant down a cohesion with throwing javelins then ran away ( redeployed) and the spear finished the job. Chariots impaled on the hoplites and a slogging match stared in the centre. As we finished last bounds I had 25 of Chris’s army he 6 points of mine. His cavalry flank had shattered and the spear minced up the one on my left, though Chris wisely broke off and ran away ( redeployed) ready to return. On the right my light horse were almost at the baggage, but no cigar! Great game and a hard earned draw, again! However, in the great tradition of Ramases II I shall claim a wonderful victory and lead my troops to the sun lite uplands if Thessaly. "
This means that Gavin and Joe are going through, Chris M has been knocked out and my Gallic army was (intentionally) prevented from progress by the scoring system.
In 15mm, Chris R and Gavin battled it out. We have a report from Chris:
"
From my side of the board there was a couple of fields on my right and a planation on my left. These narrowed the field.
I deployed the heavy command – hoplites plus elephant -on the right and decided to push the elephant through the rough and take away Gavin’s flank. On the left I deployed my mixed cav/javelinmen command intending to grab the plantation and remove Gavin’s flank. In the centre I deployed my cavalry command hoping to hold up his army as much as possible.
Gavin deployed his command with 2 Med Sword and 2 Skirmishers on right (from my side of table) to contest the fields and lined up 6 hoplites alongside. His centre command had 3 heavy Gallic Sword plus some elite spear. On the left he had his cavalry command including 2 HCav Elite.
My main problem arose from having my generals embedded. They were repeatedly engaged in combat which limited the manouverability of my troops.
On the right the elephant and his escorts ploughed forward, killing the Med Swordsmen. But the skirmishers were a tougher not and kept them engaged for most of the game – even killing the flump. On the left I killed Gavin’s cavalry, but slowly. And the fact that his Elite Heavy Cav kept my centre commander engaged meant I couldn’t threaten the flanks of Gauls as they advanced.
When the Gauls hit home they vapourised my spearmen, and the fact that Gavin’s hoplites out-fought mine as well resulted in the heavy command going down. But by now my cavalry commands were free of combat and able to counter-attack. Both armies were teetering by this point. I was at 22/27 and Gavin at 19/25. I racked up some kills and after my torn it was 25/27 v 24/25. But in the final turn both armies broke.
Gavin felt he had misplayed it, but I’m not so sure. His use of the psiloi prevented the elephant from playing a decisive role. His cavalry command held out against superior numbers very well. And the Gauls did what they are good at –destroying spear. On my side my use of the javelin-armed light horse to stop the Gauls reaching the camp was good and I felt a bit unlucky with the PIPs for my Brilliant Commander."
And a response from Gavin:
"
Very good report which I agree with.
I made two mistakes.
1 picking rough terrain which did not help against Chris' elephant and 5:2 superiority in medium infantry
2 being too aggressive with my outnumbered right wing cavalry which were then destroyed piecemeal."
And the end result was a mutual destruction.
Dean and Martin faced off against each other- Incidentally, a word of theanks to Paul G here, as, although he is not playing, leant both Martin and Dean figures so that they could play. Well done Paul.
Anyhow, Dean and Martin ended up as a draw, heres a report from Martin:
"
Hoplite battle Dean T (Classical Greek) vs Martin H (Cyrenian Greek
Meeting at the coast in a mostly open area broken in the center by a gulley diagonally adjacent to a plantation with another plantation next to a field far behind Deans line of deployment.
I formed my mounted corps of Heavy chariots then Medium cavalry in column on my left near the surf with armoured Hoplites in line extending inland such that on advancing their right hand unit would be able to clear the seaward end of the gulley.
Javelinmen and Javelin armed Light Infantry faced my edge of the gulley. Bow armed Light Infantry faced the plantation which was further towards Deans line with another corps of armoured Hoplites extending inland to their right.
From the shoreline on his right Dean deployed Medium cavalry to face my chariots, a mass of Javelinmen eyeing my Hoplites, units of Medium swordsmen, some Impetuous, others with 2 handed weapons facing the plantation with Light horsemen nearby waiting to see where they’d be needed and some Slingers placed to advance past the inland side of the plantation. Last the elite Hoplites line extending further inland.
Dean advanced, his cavalry and Javelinmen straight ahead, the swordsmen through the plantation whereon they rolled a 1cp and slowed somewhat. The Slingers dashed forward ahead of the elite Hoplites who moved to angle the extreme left of their line forward.
My chariots moved forward taking half the cavalry in column with the seaward Hoplites advancing, Javelinmen and LI moving to my edge of the gulley. My LI Bow ran forward to take on the Slingers in a rather poor exchange of slingshot and arrows. My right hand Hoplites broke off 3 units to cover the inland end of the gulley and anything that might come through the plantation with the remainder advancing and angling to their right to parallel the oncoming line of spear topped shields.
On the shore the chariots accelerated to clash with Deans cavalry, a melee that lasted several turns until the chariots managed to bring forward an overlap in a rather confined area forcing the issue by slight but telling weight of numbers. Deans Javelinmen did what they do best, pelt the oncoming Hoplites then fall back to avoid getting caught in one sided hand to hand.
Inland the sheildwalls met and the meatgrinder commenced, Dean often winning the fight due to his elite only for my armour to save my men.
“I hate armour” was often heard during that fight which was still going at the end of the evening!
The hottest part was played out in the centre. My Javelinmen seeing Light horse and swordsmen lining the opposite side of the gulley charged down, across and up to drive off the Horsemen only to be charged by swordsmen. Trying to evade they rolled short and were caught and slaughtered, this potentially opened a gap in my center so the right hand unit of my seaward Hoplite line turned right to cover the end of the gulley ZoCing the triumphant swordsmen. Similarly the 3 strong Hoplite unit facing the plantation had to break a unit off to cover the inland end of the gulley. Unfortunately to ZoC the swordsmen
to their front gulley they had to move down into the gulley which proved to be a cause of their subsequent undoing!
In order to limit a developing overlap in the meatgrinder the now 2 strong Hoplites had to break off another unit to rejoin the main body of their corps to their right.
My LI Javelin and LI bow were shooting at the swordsmen emerging from the plantation but had to evade when this provoked the swordsmen to charge forward, a move that brought 3 swordsmen directly onto the remaining detached central Hoplite, a fight that lasted longer than either of us thought it would, given the damage that the overwhelming numbers of impetuous warriors were causing (“I hate armour”)!
In the gulley the swordsmen at the seaward end were striving to fight their way out, Deans Light horse tried to give support but was driven off by my reserve medium Cavalry whereas at the other end of the gulley 2 handed weapons were plied to gruesome effect against heavy Spearmen struggling to hold a shieldwall in the rough.
The result a draw.
Thoroughly enjoyable with a mix of high rolls when you need it and low rolls when you really don’t! C’est la Guerre."
And lastly, a battle report from Steve about his game with Graham, i promise the report is quieter than Steve was on the night!
"
The battle report:
I gained the initiative and Graham as defender went heavy on terrain, luckily for me it either all went on my side touching the edge, or on my left flank. We both deployed mainly in the open.
Graham has his cavalry on his left flank, a spear line in the centre, and a mix of good terrain troops on his right. I countered with a spear line on my right, the Spartans in the centre, and my cavalry on the left, with a sprinkling of light troops in each command.
The game started badly for me as my Spartans became unreliable on the first turn, both my right and left commands advanced to pin Graham back and buy some time for my Spartans to become reliable. Graham responded by moving his spear line up slowly, pushing his light troops forward to fire missiles at my lines, and split his cavalry up to send some for the gap growing between the Spartans and my right flank.
Graham’s cunning move turned sour on the second turn as my Spartans became reliable to a load cheer, you may have heard that at the club on Friday. They surged forwards, with both my left and right flanks pushing towards Graham’s forces to pin them. Graham responded by some astounding moves, helped by very high pip dice by all his commands. The Cavalry command turned round and headed towards his opposite flank in two columns, his lights skirmished with my lights and spears. Half of his spear line faced off against my Cavalry, the rest facing my Spartans turned round and moved off towards his baggage. His shooting was good inflicting casualties on my lights.
The following turn was mainly movement with more skirmishing.
Next turn my right flank spears charged to push away his lights, and rescue my lights. The Spartans marched steadily across the table after the retreating spear line. On my left which was looking heavily outnumbered I moved my troops into positions to buy time. Graham’s retreat had to stop as he closed in on his own baggage, and his cavalry were taking casualties from my light troops. The Cavalry General and half the Cavalry turned round to cover his left flank.
The next move it started to get very difficult for Graham, I again charged his skirmishers with my spears, who caught and destroyed them and they were then close enough to charge next turn on his weaker medium spears, more of my spears charged his light cavalry who stood as an evade would take them off the table, the Spartans got close enough to charge the following turn. Graham now unleashed his attack on my left which was succeeding but my line held, and he countered on my right with his General and Cavalry charging an isolated spear, who held in the fight.
My Spartans and spears now all charged into Graham’s spear line and were successful in most of the fights, but Graham held, on my left I continued to hold against Graham’s light command. But in Graham’s turn it was getting more decisive, on my left, my flank guard starting to break, but I managed to hold a line slightly further back. In the centre Graham’s spear line started to break and my forces surged through. Graham’s cavalry general fought hard but could not break my isolated spear who was now being joined by friends.
On what would be the last turn (I knew that I would not get another turn before last moves after that), I flung everything left into the fight, my spears surged out of the back of Graham’s spear line into the baggage, and I hit the forces supporting Graham’s cavalry general in the flank, my heavy cavalry on the left gave up the flank and retreated away as fast as possible, so that I did not throw away my forces to defeat, in the attempt for victory if I could not break Graham’s right and centre. I need not have worried Graham did not get another turn, his general lost the fight and then died in another loud cheer by my forces and most of his fighting forces died against the Spartans and the spears.
A good game, the wasted turn whilst my Spartans waited for good omens to attack, nearly lost me the chance of victory before nightfall. But, in the end it all turned out well."
So there we have it for another week. Thanks for keeping the battles coming. One mini league is now complete. Remember, if you are painting the army up for the com,petition and its taking longer than you thought, we might well be able to arrange lend lease troops for you.
Tony
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Post by elpresidente2016 on Feb 18, 2020 19:59:21 GMT
Dear all,
there were lots of battles on Friday. I haven't got the result (or a report) from Geoff and Martins game, but Im away for a couple of days so thought I would get this out while memories are fresh.
Ill start of with my battle against Max. I was now into my Greek mode, and was using the Thessalonian list i circulated, which ha a bunch of cavalry, some hoplites, and a large amount of javelinmen. Max's classical greek list was spartan with Phokian allies, loads of hoplites, some light troops and allied hoplites with a piece of heavy artillery. The terrain went well for max, giving him a village on a steep hill on his right, some plantations and a filed on his left, and on the centre left towards the middle of the table another field.
He filled the gap between the village and the plantation with his battle line, the Phokians next to the village and the Spartans stretching to the fr plantation. I put my cavalry in front of the village, my hoplites in front of the Phokian part of his line, and my javelinmen towards the rough terrain on my left. I was attacking, and so advanced as quickly as possible, discoering that the ambush marker in the village was some light infantry, and the ambush marker in the plantation was some Thracians and more light infantry. My swarms of light cavalry had sufficient numbers that they kept Max's lights bottled up in the village, neither me daring to go in, or him daring to come out. ( this stalemate lasted for the game) My main battle line pushed forward, with Max's artillery bombarding them, fortunately with very little effect. ( only scored two hits in the time it took me to cross the table) On my right, my javelinmen were facing off against Max's Thracians and psiloi javelins, with some hoplites coming up to support. Max charged, and my light infantry threw short and Max rolled long.. this was actually a crucial point in the game, although we only realised that later. The destruction of this psiloi left Max with a Thracian behind my battle line, with nothing to engage it.
The battle was developing in three separate zones. On my left, the cavalry/village stalemate. In the centre, my troops advancing as quickly as they could, with Max beginning to wheel his line to flank mine, although this was hindered as couldnt come too far forward as his troops would have been in fields. On my right, my javelinmen engaged in a swirling delaying combat, using terrain, and thier superior speed to continue the fight as long as possible, or die slowly to put it another way.
My main hoplite line hit the phokians, and gradually destroyed them. max gradually gained the upper hand on my left and slowly finished off my javelinmen. In the centre, a desperate struggle was taking place, as my Thracians in the field were gradually outflanked and destroyed. casualties were mounting up, and when I had destroyed the Phokian command, leaving a hoplite with an unhindered move to take the baggage, we checked the numbers and found my army had broken. If the javelinmen had held on for that last turn, I would have had the game, but as it was, the points went to Max. A great fun game which was very close, and well done to Max for prevailing.
Gavin and Joe matched up. Heres the report:
'My last game of the group stages. 15mm Gavin’s Syracuse v my Thessalian. 2 fields on Gavins baseline one on mine. Hill with plantation removed. Gavin’s units moved forward, his cavalry moved across his rear towards my left. This was to back up his command with the Gaulish heavy foot. On my turn I moved forward and sent my cavalry to the right from their centre starting position with all my infantry sliding right. Eventually 2 if my left command broke right to link with the right flank while the cavalry Lind up on the extreme right. The left refused for as long as they could. The 2 lines hit. Gavin’s melee dice were awful with some victories but not enough.
The Gauls failed to break the line. I had a gap in the centre which the light horse valiantly held.
In the end my armour was worth its weight in linen. Enough units were destroyed and Syracuse was defeated.'
So well done to Joe for the victory, and especially for getting all your league games played.
Denis and Ken played a battle, and Ken has sent us a detailed report;
'
I attacked and Denis protected his left flank with a waterway. His compulsory field was initially placed in my centre base edge and his plantation was placed in his right flank near the centre table edge. I had two more fields one of which was opposite his plantation, and the other in my centre left. I failed to move his plantation, but Denis was able to move his compulsory field, which he did, moving it into the centre right roughly in line with my two fields. In my opinion this was a big mistake as it gave my LMI Javelinmen and psiloi a safe haven (of sorts) from his legionaries.
Denis’ right command consisted of three Elite armoured spearmen, with three more armoured spearmen on their left, with a competent general. His centre had two more armoured spearmen, supported by two medium cavalry and two psiloi javelinmen, with a brilliant general. His left wing had six heavy armoured swordsmen supported by two psiloi javelinmen and another competent general. His camp was fortified. Even with the waterway reducing the table width, Denis’ army was still very exposed on its right wing.
My army from left to right consisted of two heavy chariots and four Heavy infantry spears, supported, by a unit of javelinmen and two psiloi bowmen. The centre command was similar but lacked the javelinmen and the psiloi were slingers. My right hand command was allied and consisted of two heavy armoured chariots with impact, two HI spear, three javelinmen, two LH javelin and a psiloi slinger. All generals were ordinary.
I deployed with chariots on the outer flanks with spearmen next to them, and javelinmen in the rough ground and skirmishers in front. My centre command deployed to the rear of, and between the two central fields with the chariots on the right; only two of these spears were able to advance between the fields without entering the rough ground. The stage was set for a battle between quality and quantity. Apart from the psiloi, all Denis’ infantry were heavy and armoured, with three elites. I had three less HI, none armoured but did have seven more units, more firepower, most of which outranged him, and definitely more mobility.
As attacker I opened proceeding with a dismal set of pips which only allowed me to advance my lights. On the plus side, my LH did inflict a disruption on his left flank swordsmen. Denis responded with lots of movement which allowed him to advance all along the front, chasing away the lights and redeploy the cavalry and infantry with their brilliant general onto his right flank, which otherwise would have been in danger of being turned. The next few turns saw Denis’ line continue to advance (although movement pips dried up a bit) against continued, though ineffective sniping from my lights, whilst my spear lines advanced slowly forward (more low movement dice) keeping their flanks covered by the lights in the fields. Chasing away my lights had split his infantry into four distinct blocks.
On his right the fights began with his psiloi taking on mine in the field, even though his left hand unit was disrupted . He had the advantage in the first turn of javelins but my left flank was supported by the javelinmen. The result was that I took a disruption on the right hand unit, but he lost the overlapped unit. On his left four of the swordsmen attacked the spearmen, and two of the javelinmen in the field. This left the latter two swordsmen disrupted by the rough terrain and overlapped by the third javelinmen. His remaining two swordsmen declined to attack my impact heavy chariots. His right hand command (now the centre) advanced towards my centre command which was slightly further back due to the constraints of the available gap between the fields. These fights did not go well with the swordsmen opposite my spear being disrupted, the first one in the field being a draw, and the overlapped one being disrupted. Coming into the rough ground negated the swordsmen’s impact benefit, which coupled with the javelinmens plus one in first turn evened things up nicely.
Next turn Denis ‘ spears attacked my centre, but again the results did not go well for him; although his armour was saving him from crippling results and my troops were making heavy work of causing real damage. On my left my chariots moved in to a position where they could take on the cavalry and the spears moved up to support. After a few more rounds of low pip scores and slugging it out I finally managed to kill his swordsman opposite the spearman on the right of my line, but things were starting to turn in Denis’ favour combat wise and he achieved a couple of 6:1 that either finished off or seriously weakened parts of my line. Pip dice were still low, but I decided to risk my impact chariots on the right flank against his uncommitted swordsmen in the hope of removing them as a threat, but with only 1 pip I was unable to take an overlap support with me, or advance my unopposed spear forward ready to overlap his open flank in my next turn. I also sent in my chariots on the left flank against his cavalry. These attacks were partial successful with the impact chariots on the right using furious charge taking the waterway flank swordsman down to 3 disruptions, but his neighbour made no impression on his opponent and next turn he was blown away by a 6:1 result whilst I failed to inflict any further damage on the damaged swordsman. On the other flank, the cavalry on the end on the line was destroyed but the next in line only damaged and again next turn there was no further progress, although the final spear lines had engaged.
A count up of damage revealed that Denis had lost six units, but with disruptions he was only 1 point from breaking. Meanwhile I had at that time lost three units but had four disruptions. Despite the precarious position, it took me two further turns to get the extra point and in the meantime I lost the other impact chariot and two more spears which took my final losses to 16. Had Denis won a few more of the earlier combats things could have been very different.
Denis fought a tough game, bringing the fight to my troops even though that meant taking his heavies into rough ground to prevent me overlapping the rest. To be honest he didn’t really have a choice, as to stay back would have exposed his troops to constant long rang shooting, which although unlikely to finish off many, if any, units may have weakened them in the eventual clash, and I could sit back whilst my left flank swamped his much smaller right, and then proceeded to roll up his line whilst my centre engaged his. Denis was also not helped by the fact that he failed all but one (two at most) rally attempts even when his generals were adding their support.
So although in the end I finished with a clear win, it was not plain sailing.'
So a tough game there, and well done to Ken for his triumph.
Chris R played Dean, and sends us this report;
'
I won initiative and attacked in the plain. At the start the terrain – 2 fields, 2 plantations, and a gentle hill- scattered to the edges of the table. Given that my army isn’t that wide I brought a plantation in from the flank, and then was surprised when Dean moved it to the centre of the table.
It turned out that Dean had a Spartan command with 2 2HCW Thracians and 4 Med Sword Impetuous – mad Gauls. He also had a Thessalian command with 6 Javelinmen and 3 Med Cav. His final Spartan command had 6 Elite Spears and a couple of slingers. In addition there were two LH attached to the Gallic command. He deployed the Gauls facing the plantation in the centre with the Thessalian command to the left and hoplites to the right.
Seeing his Med Sword Impetuous in the centre I decided to delay there and placed my centre command a little to the right of the plantation. I lined up my command with the 4 Gauls – Hvy Sword Impetuous- opposite his spears, and pushed my LH out wide to the right. The Spartans were tasked with the job of holding back the Thessalians and providing support in the centre.
My attack on the right flank drew Dean’s light horse across but I got lucky and knocked down his cohesion. Eventually I ran them down and grabbed the camp.
In the centre my 3 LF peppered his Gauls whilst a mix of Ord Spear, Elite Sp and Thracians awaited the Gauls on the far side of the plantation. This caused Dean some confusion as he didn’t want to charge them in with markers on them but they were taking 3 PIPs to hold each turn. Eventually he went for it.
Whilst we were playing cat and mouse in the centre my right hand command had closed on the Elite Spears of Dean’s left flank. I got them in with overlaps but the Elite nature of the Spears meant that a quick breakthrough was hard to achieve. But gradually I started to break them down.
Finally 6 Javelinmen and 3 Med horse descended on 4 Spartan hoplites. Somehow the Spartans held on.
At the end of the game I had 4 dead units, 8 units on table with markers, and Dean was a move or two from taking my camp. But I had captured his camp and inflicted 21 other casualties on Dean.'
Which sounds like a very bloody battle, so well done to Chris for getting stuck in there.
Graham played Richard. Here's his report;
'
Richard (GREEK) v Graham (LYDIAN)
Richard won the initiative and chose to attack. He placed a river (difficult) on my left flank. 2 plantations were placed by me in his half of the table, one next to the river the other abutting it. Richard placed in his centre a hill touching his base line and I placed a field on my Centre base line. One final field was placed on the right flank touching the side plus one road.
I deployed with my Heavy Spears left of the field in my centre with my Medium Spears on the field. My Heavy Cavalry was on my right with my Light Horse and Light infantry in front. My Medium Swordsmen and Javelinmen were deployed on my left filling the gap between my HI and the river. My 3 Light Infantry were deployed on the other side of the river and 1 Light Horse in front of my infantry. Richard placed 6 Heavy Spearmen into the plantations. He continued his line with 6 more Heavy Spearmen partially in the Plantation and his final command of 5 Heavy Spearmen and 1 Medium Cavalry finished his line. All generals were competent but my Generals were units.
Richards first move throws i.e. 6, 4 & 2 allowed him to advance through the plantations and out into open ground. His left command (5 HI &1MC) did slide to his left. I moved my right hand LI into the field and one HC to back them up. In my centre I did not move and it was only my 3 LI behind the river that advanced. Next move Richard just advanced his line with his left doing a slide again. My right LI formed up in the field and fired at his MC but no effect. My HC moved into the field and another advanced. 2 of my left hand LI formed up on the river bank with their feet getting wet and fired at Richards HI, no effect. My last LI continued along the river bank. Richard charged with his right HI next to the river and my LH evaded out of the way. His centre advanced as before and his right HI again did a slide charge on my LH who evaded but he ended up pinning a HC. His MC also advanced to cover his flank passed the field. In my turn I turned around my HC in the field and charged his MC in the rear. I also moved one of my HC through the gap that had appeared between his centre and right commands. In the centre I retreated back my MI in the field but left one at the edge. My 1 LI on my left crossed the river into the first plantation. Richard advanced again with his right and centre but on his left he charged with 2 HI at my 1 MI in the field and charged my pinned HC with his 3 other HI. My HC stood so that I was able to get my General HC out of the way onto Richards flank. My centre HI did an about turn and moved toward my base line while my 2 MI about faced. In Richards turn he advanced again with his right and centre commands but had to leave 2 from his centre as they would have ended up in the field. He killed my MI with his HI (my mistake I should have retreated it back with the other 2) and he also killed my HC that was fighting 3 HI. The battle between my HC and Richards MC had turn against me and we found ourselves both on yellows. In my turn my General HC charged one of Richards HI in the flank who died. My HC behind Richards line in the centre also about faced and charged one of the 2 HI in front of the field in the rear. My HI retreated 1UD and turned around and my 2MI & 2LMI retreated back to the base line with my LH getting out of the way by moving into the river. The LI in the plantation carried on moving towards Richards baggage. Richard finally got his HI into contact with my HI. The first round was about evens but his use of 2 HI Elite plus Generals was deadly. In the centre his HI charged by my HC had turned but was then charged in the rear by one of my MI. This was the killer move.One his left he tried to stop my General HC from attacking a second HI in the flank but failed and I was able to bring another HC in support of my General. However my HC died this turn to Richards MC. My 4 left wing units turned around facing Richards HI on my base line. My 1 LI finally reached Richards baggage and took it. Richard finally got his right flank HI at my MI/LMI. They just survived the fist round. The centre was not looking good as two holes appeared in my line but I had my two General units behind to stop up the gaps. On my right Richards MC was ready to attack my General HC in the flank in Richards next move. In my turn things did not go right. I lost 3 units on my left (2LMI/1 MI). My General for the centre was on yellow, I did kill one HI but my General HC on my right lost and went to yellow.
We then counted up our scores. Richard had lost 4 units and his baggage, plus 6 disorder. TOTAL 18 (ARMY 18). I had lost 9 units and 5 disorder. TOTAL 23 (ARMY 28)'
And lastly, Steve and Bryan's battle. Report from Steve;
'
We played our game on Friday 14th February, but it was not a Valentine’s Day massacre, actually a very close game.
Bryan won the initiative with his elite Early Carthaginian army and chose to attack in plain, the central battlefield was open, with a plantation on his left flank, and fields/hill covering the right flank third of the battlefield. The Carthaginians deployed with spear line on his left, elite chariots in the centre, with the right flank the cavalry and medium sword/spear. This faced my Early Macedonian my spear line on the right and centre supported by medium swordsmen, and my cavalry on my left supported by more medium swordsmen.
Bryan’s first move was dramatic, he turned his spear line to move to the centre, and turned his chariots to move to his left, crossing in front of each other (chariot dancing), whilst his cavalry and terrain troops raced forward on his right. I responded by a steady movement forward of my spear line, and my cavalry and terrain troops covering the flank. The following move closed the gaps and lined up, with no combat but some ineffective shooting.
The battle then exploded into action. The chariots charged half of my spear line, and the terrain troops charged my terrain troops on Bryan’s left. I responded by charging my Cavalry into Bryan’s Cavalry, some stood some evaded, creating a confused melee. I also chased away Bryan’s light troops on his left. The battle then broke into 4 loosely connected fights
The Carthaginian Left: On Bryan’s left his chariots charged the stationary spears and were successful with two chariots in the centre badly damaging two spears (but they held), one chariot on the far left near the plantation lost receiving damage, the other had no effect to either side. I counted by charging his lights on this flank who evaded, leaving my medium swordsman past the chariots flank. The fight continued with the two central chariots eventually destroying the spears in front of them but both the other two chariots were damaged. My Macedonian swordsmen now charged the flank of the far left chariot and attacked the one LI holding them up, which stood as an evade would take it off the table, it was destroyed anyway so may have been best to flee.
The Carthaginian Centre Left: Here the two spear lines finally clashed, and fought a steady evenly balanced combat, with both forces having damage and loses, slightly in favour of the Macedonians.
The Carthaginian Centre Right: The Carthaginian Cavalry were very busy moving to support the attack on the right, protecting the flank of the spear and fighting the Macedonian Cavalry in front of them, the game between terrain and the spears was narrow so this fight was complex, this resulted in the fight breaking up into a lot of individual combats, which went badly for the Carthaginians with one Cavalry unit being destroyed every two bounds, unit none left to hold the position.
The Carthaginian Right: This started slowly with the Macedonians holding, but eventually the Carthaginians getting the upper hand and destroying the Macedonians, only Macedonian light horse dancing around the terrain trying to prevent the breakthrough.
This brought us to the last round. Both sides had been losing bases steadily, the Carthaginians slightly more, and both had damaged units, but the Elite Carthaginian army was small. The Carthaginians tried to rally, a frustrating process in LADLAG, as even with a lot of pips they failed. The fighting continued with more success for the Carthaginians, but the Macedonians were still a long way from breaking. In my turn I attacked on the flanks, and destroyed one chariot and a spear, plus inflicted more damaged, my Cavalry raced towards the baggage for the following turn, but it was not needed as the Carthaginian army broke on losses.
A finally balanced game, Bryan was unlucky as every time his Cavalry lost they lost big and allowed my Macedonians to break through (also get near the Carthaginian break point), everywhere else the Carthaginians won, but not quite enough to win the game.
Steve won 23 to 17'
So a very comprehensive spread of battles being played, ADLG took half the tables being used at the club.
Please keep playing the battles and sending the reports and results to me,
Tony
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Post by elpresidente2016 on Feb 25, 2020 15:03:17 GMT
Dear all,
Some updates from the hoplite happening competition.
Max fought Brian. Max had good defensive terrain and stood between it, protecting his flanks. Brian came forward and declined to go into hand to hand, and shot. Eventually, Max came forward a bit and caught some of Brians stuff, but not much. As they would probably still be fighting now, it was declared a draw with 6 points of disruption each.
I played Neil. The terrain went well for me, putting a big patch of fields in the centre middle on Neil's side and to the right of that, more patches of fields and plantations leading in to his deployment zone. On the right, another plantation and a gentle hill. Neil filled the hill with spearmen, put his hoplites behind the central rough, and his heavy chariots in the clear between the central rough and the plantations. I deployed my cavalry in front of the hill and plantation, my two thracians in front of the central rough with hoplites leading away to their left, and right on my left in front of the carpet of fields and plantation went my javelinmen. I was the attacker and so went forward. My cavalry advanced and bottled Neil up, limiting him to charges to clear my skirmishing horse away. My Thracians rushed forward, and the hoplites veered leftwards. The javelinmen raced for the cover of the fields. Neil tried to advance through the central field, but the hoplites were slow. His chariots came forward, but didnt want to get too far forward and be outflanked. Neil defended the avenue of fields and plantations with all of his rough terrain troops, which were a couple of psiloi and some mediocre bowmen.
My javelinmen, not the best troops in the world, were nevertheless encouraged by outnumbering the bowmen two to one. My psiloi engaged his, and killed them. I was outflanking the bow, and although it took some turns, disposed of them. My hoplites were facing off his chariots, and then his hoplites, preventing these turning into the flanks of the Thracians. The Thracians, despite being outnumbered, were firghting in terrain they liked and which severely hindered Neils hoplites. Damage was accruing on his army, and so he decided to unleash his chariots in a thundering charge. They were slightly down on impact, but then Neil pulled out his special dice and lost or drew every combat in a round. This crippled the chariots, and meant they all fell in this and the next round. Despite him pushing through and outflanking the Thracians, eventually finishing them off, his army had taken so much damage it couldnt really form coherent lines, and I was able to pick off enough elements to tip Neil into defeat.
The other battle was George against Gavin. We have a report from this battle:
'
My last group game with the Syracusans, facing George’s Macedonians. I opted to attack, and George opted to place some rough terrain just where I didn’t want it. My right flank was covered by a large field and another field lay in George’s centre half.
I deployed with my cavalry on the right to screen George’s medium and light infantry. My Gauls were on the right centre, hoplites in the centre, and the other hoplite command on the left supported by lighter foot. George’s centre was a wall of heavy spear and his excellent cavalry faced my left wing hoplites.
George’s medium foot occupied the bad terrain on my right but sensibly refused to emerge and face my cavalry. Very little happened on that wing.
One of the Gauls on my right centre managed to catch an isolated mercenary hoplite and unexpectedly annihilated it, exposing itself to a flank attack which eventually destroyed it. I had to send a citizen hoplite in to stabilise the flank and it too eventually ended up being wiped out. The other two Gauls kept going and destroyed two more mercenary units on a cultivated hill before being halted by George’s reserves.
In the centre I moved quickly forward only to see George’s hoplites turn tail and retreat through the field. I followed them to the edge and drove his skirmishers off-table, but my hoplites could not emerge and attack his shield wall without penalty.
The decisive battle was on my left where my hoplites advanced quickly, forcing George to withdraw his cavalry. The hoplites pursued like homing missiles. Eventually we ran out of space. My Siculi charged his light horse, with two hoplites on their right charging a single lancer. Three more hoplites pinned the other three lancers, whilst two hoplites moved right to turn the flank of George’s centre. At this point George’s dice throwing imploded, and a series of melees resulted in winning margins for me of between 2 and 5. Cavalry units went down fast allowing my infantry to envelop the rest of George’s mounted troops piecemeal. Eventually the general too went down.
On the final turn, the outflanked hoplites on George’s right centre started dying and I crept over the 29 points needed. This was a challenging game, and without the dice gods’ intervention I wouldn’t have been able to do better than a winning draw unless we kept playing until midnight.'
So thank you for that.
I think i have all the results bar one entered on the spreadsheet, Ive not entered the rtesult of Martin and geoff as I think there is a report coming.
Keep on playing the battles, we are making good progress on this so far.
Tony
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Post by elpresidente2016 on Mar 7, 2020 11:54:14 GMT
Dear all,
Please find attached the spreadsheet with all the results I have so far. I'd appreciate it if you check it and make sure I haven't made any errors.
So a couple of battle reports from me. Last week I played Brian, his Uratu against my Thessaly Greeks. Brian's army consisted of masses of half sword/half bow foot and a few cavalry. I put down a waterway on my left flank, and there were patches of brush s across the table, with a steep hill on the right half of the table. I deployed my hoplites against the waterway, the cavalry in the middle and my javelinmen to contest the rough and steep hill. Brian did not want to fight my armoured hoplites, so his right hand command turned and marched away. I pushed the hoplites forward as fast as possible. I advanced with the cavalry and javelinmen, and working together pinched out some of Brians troops in the middle of the table. However, Brian showed that javelinmen are not really fit to be called battle troops, and killed them all. This meant there was nothing opposing his right flank, in the middle, i had light horse and cavalry against him, and on my right my hoplites wee about to capture his camp, and he still didnt want to fight them with his mixed units. So it was called a draw, as neither of us could close the game down to a finish in the forseeable future.
last night, I fought Denis. He was using Camillan Roman, and when he had deployed my heart sank, as there was a wall of armoured spearmen and swordsmen, some of them elite. My javelinmen and light cavalry felt very inadequate. There was a waterway on my left, and on the right was a field. I deployed my cavalry in next to the waterway, then my hoplites, and then my javelinmen, who were hoping to get into the field for safety. However, Denis' cavalry contingent was very small. As the attacker, he pushed forward. My light horse advanced to skirmish, my hoplites angled forward to try and keep a flank safe, and my javelinmen ran for the field. My medium cavalry galloped behind my hoplites to face off against Denis'. The wall of armoured troops pushed forward. I pulled as many of my light horse out of the way as I could. At turn three, the lines clashed.As everyone was armoured, no -one had an advantage. I won several of the fights, and Denis swordsmen failed to capitalise on their impact, leaving both of us with a covering of red and yellow hit markers. In my turn, I engaged his cavalry with mine, and came out beating both. On the main line, nearly all of the yellow and green markers turned into red ones. We knew then that the battle wasnt going to last too long! Most of my light horse pulled back behind the main battle line, except for two who I couldnt move and who evaded off the table. The main battle lione were knocking lumps out of each other, with holes appearing and flanks being turned. my javelinmen joined in the cavalry fight, and wiped Denis cavalry out, and then they joined in the main battlke line fight. Some of my javelins then went on a route march to capture the camp... so far away that when the game ended, they were almost within assault range. However, in the middle the battle was won and lost. Denis and I were each killing units, but his army was much smaller as they were all quality troops (unlike the dross I had impressed into my army) and eventually this told and his army broke.
The week before last, Martin and geoff fought. Unusually, both of them sent me a report, so here they are, and you can decide for yourselves where the propaganda is!
From Martin;
'
Terrain for this encounter was so spread as to leave a basically open battlefield. A gulley pretty central on Geoff’s baseline with a plantation halfway forward on his right sideline, a field far into my right rear with a road close and parallel to my baseline.
Geoff deployed some Javelinmen and LI Javelin in the gulley next to his camp. Javelinmen and LI Javelin on his right to move through the plantation, mediocre Heavy Spearmen to their left then armoured Heavy Spearmen central with units of Swordsmen behind the left hand end of their line. Light Horsemen out in the open to the left of the Swordsmen.
I deployed Javelinmen and LI Javelin in the field with LI Bow to their right out to sideline. A column of armoured Heavy Spearmen on the road behind the field, another column close to the left edge of the field. Heavy Chariots and Medium Cavalry on the road. Center and left two lines of armoured Heavy Spearmen the left end of which reached the center of my baseline.
Geoff sent his LH forward to ZoC any movement out of the field with his center and right advancing as rapidly as possible. My Jav and LI Jav moved forward to the fields edge with the LI Bow advancing on their right. My HSp column on the road moved along behind the field and left-wheeled to follow the LI Bow forward between the field and my right sideline. My HCh and Cav moved forward toward Geoff’s LH who promptly retired which gave Geoff’s Swd opportunity to hit my HCh in the flank who survived to turn to engage in a fight which saw a Swd and a HCh die taking my mounted troops General with it.
I moved Jav, LI Jav and LI Bow to try to shoot Geoff’s surviving Swd, with a view to opening Geoff’s left flank, but without immediate success so I charged two Jav into the disorganised Swd only to lose the fight.
My remaining HCh and some Cav tried to roll the left end of Geoff’s central HSp again to no avail. The HSp lines met and Geoff got overlaps on my left where his unarmoured, mediocre troops in greater numbers gradually won. In the center, where our evenly matched armoured HSp met, Geoff also had overlaps and won. My HSp column to the left of the field advanced to try and link with the column now moving in from the right along the front edge of the field but then Geoff had incurred enough casualties on my left and center to preclude further action.
Geoff’s remaining Swd covered his left flank heroically while his HSp gained him the victory.'
and Geoff;
'
Geoff won against Martin. Martin army was broken and Geoff had 12 casualties. Cannot remember the break point of Martin’s army which was Cyrenian Greek, Not Classical Greek quoted on the results sheet.
Martin decided to defend and Geoff pick to come in plains. Which was couple plantations with field on Geoff’s right hand side. On Middle of Geoff base edge was Gully and couple of field along the left hand edge.
The terrain was all around the edges of the table. Geoff set up on his right hand side of the table and Martin set up on his right hand side of the table. Geoff advanced to attack Martin’s left flank and use one command to trying slow Martin’s right flank from turning his left flank.
Martin was slowed deploying on his right hand side by a field and Geoff threw a couple of MI infantry into side of couple of Chariots which slowed him down even more. Geoff was lucky as the Bases on the right survived for number of turns.
Martin had put his cavalry in the centre and Geoff pressured this with Spearmen. Which in the end need to fight as ran out of room to evade any more.
To Geoff right of Centre was Spearmen against Spearmen was equal battle. On Geoff’s right was in his favour as out numbered the Spearmen Martin had on this flank. Geoff was lucky in the fights on this side of the battle and destroyed most of Martin’s Spearmen and was starting to roll up the centre.'
So both sides of the story there.
Chris played George. A brief report from Chris;
'
I played George in the 15mm league.
I could write a detailed report extolling my brilliant skill-level and cunning moves. But it would be a sham. The truth is George managed to roll more ‘1’s than anyone could have reasonably expected and I rolled quite a few 5s and 6s. His HC Impact got taken down by an Elephant. His Med Sword evaporated on equal dice. And he lost 2 generals in combat. He was 12 or 14 down before I lost a unit.
I destroyed 29/29 cohesion for the loss of 12 cohesion. It was all rather one-sided.'
Which is a surprisingly honest appraisal of George's appalling dice results. I think I'd have still bigged up my generalship though...
Chris M palyed Olly. Ive updated the spreadsheet, and enclose this as a taster;
The game between Olly and I on Friday ended as a draw.
Olly had lost 24 out of 26 and I had lost 20 out of 26.
Just needed one more turn, but 10.30 was called as we completed a turn, curses. Elite and armoured hoplites just take sooo long to kill!!
I have a battle report almost finished and will send it tomorrow.'
And Im still waiting for the report...
Geoff played Dean, and won a victory.
And then last night, Chris R played Geoff. A summary from Chris;
'
My last league game was against Geoff – 25mm – Spartans v Italian Greeks.
I won the initiative and chose to attack in plain. Geoff chose 2 fields and a plantation. I chose a road and a waterway.
I lined up with the Spartans on my right, the hoplites and Gallic warband in the centre, and the Thracians on my left. Opposite the Spartan hoplites Geoff had Italians – Heavy Spear Mediocre. In the centre he had 6 Armoured Hoplites. On his right he had a javelinmen and 2 Thracians.
The two armies just marched up and smashed into each other. 3 of the 4 warband fluffed their lines and lost despite being +1 at impact. The Spartans however started a long grinding down of the mediocre spear in front of them. Meanwhile my Thracians proved the tougher of the two sets of troops fighting in the plantation.
Things swung to and fro, but in the end I won having lost 22 out of 25 and demolished Geoff’s 28 strong army.
Highlight of the evening was the Spartan General’s unit that went down 6-1(2 with Elite), 6-1 in successive turns of combat! He cost me 4 cohesion points!'
So several of the leagues are now complete. Please keep playing the outstanding games. Remember, if its an issue of troops not being painted and ready , let me know and I can hopefully sort out some troops to stand in.
Tony
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