ADLG - Game Report 196

Seleucid (42) vs Classical Indians (79)

For the final pre-Beachhead warm-up and test game I fought Kevin’s Indians. An old foe that we were familiar with and had bested at least once before. For this match-up I brought out the 28mm Army in all its splendour, but would it perform as good as it looks.

Both of our armies were 3D printed and we had been sharing experiences of our learning experiences of 3D printing as we assembled our armies. If our elephants look the same, this is because they are. However, for mine I grafted onto the model some Greeks to replace the Indians!

The Scythed Chariot finally makes contact, but against the elephant, which did not go well for the Chariot.

However, the pikes and their supports were doing much better, and the odds were in their favour on that flank. Whereas the odds on the Greek right were less encouraging. Would the holding command be able to hold?

The Thureophoroi on the right flank of the pikes has done exceedingly well in severely damaging the Indian 2 handed cutters! While the pikes for their part continue to close in for the kill. On the Grek right the holding action is delaying the Indians.

The Greek right has done its job in buying time for the pikes to come into contact. Especially the Thureophoroi who gave their all once the Indian Elephant conformed to them! However, with the pikes turning the Indian’s right and preparing to move down the line the battle swings in favour of the Greeks.

Outcome

A win for the Greek’s by 25 to 21 with the Greek’s one hit from breaking themselves.

Lessons Learnt

The question of whether the Army was going to be large enough to sustain losses and win would come back to haunt me at Beachhead.

Despite the figures being 3D printed with relatively brittle resin, we only had very minor breakage of our figures during and after the game; they are robust enough for battle even with dice flying across the board.

ADLG - Game Report 195

Seleucid (42) vs Seleucid (42)

After a bit of discussion with Kevin and a review of other Seleucid orbats from the hive mind provided by the ADLG Wiki of the Madaxeman, I put together a revised orbat for the Seleucid army. This one was based on two approximately equal commands of pikes, elephants and peltasts, and a smaller cavalry command. First offer of battle for this revised orbat came from Robin who put out a Seleucid enemy for me to face – a prophetic choice as the competition at Beachhead would be replete with Greek pike armies!

I was attacking in the plain. I deployed the weak cavalry command on the right with its two Heavy Cavalry, a Light Cavalry and two light infantry. In the centre was the CinC with his three pikes, elephants and two peltasts, and a brace of Heavy and Light Cavalry, along with a Scythed Chariot for its shock value. On the left the composition was similar to the centre but lacked the Light Cavalry and the Scythed Chariot.

The line advanced as best as it could. In the centre the Light Cavalry are trying to protect the chariot from missile fire. However, despite the CinC’s brilliance in the centre he lacked the command points to adequately manoeuvre his command the way his deployment demanded.

The impetuosity of the Scythed Chariot demanded that it charge the enemy light troops which of course won the combat! As the lines contact each other the CinC’s pikes have come off a decidedly second best! However, on the right the Thracians have destroyed their opponent and are now in a position to support the cavalry, if required, to support the cavalry which have flanked the enemy elephant.

The enemy elephant avoids disaster against my Cavalry and sound beats them, even with my Thracians to their rear. At the same time the other enemy elephant has destroyed my Elephant and which is now capable of manoeuvring against the Thracians rear. In the centre one of the CinC’s pikes has been destroyed but the Argyraspids have destroyed their opponent and have now wheeled on to the flank of another pike unit.

Outcome

A win for Robin’s Seleucids by 22 to 17. On reflection this could have gone either way.

Lessons Learnt

The CinC needs to get lucky on his die rolls to be able to command all of these units in the first round.

ADLG - Game Report 194

Ostrogoth (95) vs Patrician Roman (88)

For the final game of the day I was facing Mark’s Patrician Romans. Once again I was defending in the plains and decided I needed to have a secure flank by successfully deploying a coastline. The deployment was the same as against Tony’s Armenian’s and fortunately there was another handily placed field for the Bowmen to use as their refuge and to establish Fire Base Alpha.

With the coastline and the width of the Ostrogothic line this was going to be a battle of little subtlety.

Contact! So far the Ostrogothic Cavalry have made inroads into the Roman cavalry and there are now gaps on the left and in the centre. The latter of which the Huns are getting ready to exploit. The infantry are continuing to advance.

On the left the Roman Cavalry have been effectively beaten, which has opened up front for the Ostrogoths to advance into the rear and flank the enemy. The attack against the Roman Foederati has gone well with losses inflicted. On the right Fire Base Alpha has already destroyed the Roman Bowmen and has now started to inflict casualties on the Auxilia.

Outcome

A win for the Ostrogoths by inflicting 23 and only receiving 10 in return. This gave a day’s result of 2 wins and a loss, to allow me to finish 5th equal out of 26; possibly my best result for a while!

Lessons Learnt

A potential validation of how to field 4 bowmen units in a command?

ADLG - Game Report 193

Ostrogoth (95) vs Armenian (71)

For the second game I was up against Tony’s Armenians. For those in the know, the Armenian Cavalry with the raised spears are in fact in this period for the theme of the competition Heavy Cavalry and not Cataphracts (thank goodness). I decided this time, as I was defending in the plains, to try and anchor my Bowmen in terrain that would suit them and provide some protection. Meanwhile the two cavalry wings were deployed in the centre and left. Initially in column ready to deploy as required in response to the enemy.

The Ostrogothic cavalry wings have been sent to the left to provide greater concentration against that wing of the Armenians. Meanwhile the Bows have secured the defensive terrain, with the heavy infantry to protect their flank. Fortunately, the Ostrogothic camp is fortified and therefore can stand on its own if required.

On the left we have achieved the desired concentration of effort. While on the right the Ostrogothic infantry stand ready to face the Armenian heavy cavalry supported by the bows.

On the left the Armenian Horse Archers have severly damaged the left wing of Ostrogothic cavalry. However, the cavalry in the centre have performed better attacking uphill against the enemy javelinmen and bows. The greatest success is with the Ostrogothic infantry which have enticed the enemy cavalry to charge and are which are now paying the price for their boldness being assailed in the front and in the flank. The Ostrogothic included General needs all the support he can get!

The support provided to the Ostrogothic Infantry Commander allowed him to survice only for him to be caught in the rear by the enemy light cavalry. Despite this, his command has destroyed all before him. On the left the Ostrogothic cavalry are refusing to give ground and are continuing to fight on.

The Ostrogothic cavalry on the left and centre continue to tie up a lot of enemy troops. However the Infantry has now regrouped and is advancing on the hill.

Outcome

An Ostrogothic victory by inflicting 25 and losing 21. A close won victory with the Ostrogoths only 4 away from breaking!

Lessons Learnt

The deployment worked well, and the Bowmen provided excellent support to the infantry line.