ADLG - Game Report 238

Ptolemaic (43) vs Early Imperial Roman (85)

Time for another sojourn to Entoyment in its new premises for a day's ADLG gaming with The Usual Suspects. I decided to take along my newly formed 28mm Ptolemaic army, with its newly painted Imitation Legionaries and Nubian Warriors.

As agreed prior to the event we offered battle firstly against Kevin's Romans. It is always surprising to us what a difference it is to play in 28mm from usually playing in 15mm; the ratio of the scales is the same but in 28mm it certainly looks grander but the distances look, but aren't, different. The Ptolemaic Army was organised around two very similar infantry commands with Pikes, Imitation Legionaries, and associated Greek supporting medium and light troops. The third command deployed out of picture to the right, was a small command of Heavy and Light Cavalry.

The Army will advance!

Finally, the Cavalry come into view in order to protect the Army's right flank. On the far left the Nubian warriors are playing catchup.

The opposing skirmish troops closed to provide some measure of protection for their respective forces and where possible cause some attrition before the main fight of the line of battle.

Before contact the bolt shorts caused sufficient damage to the pikes as to impede their initial contact. However, on the left the Thracians have been hopelessly and mercilessly crushed by the Roman Auxiliaries which of course means that there is no flank protection for the line of battle. The question is could the rest of the line win the day before the integrity of the line was totally compromised.

As more breaks in the line are created by the Auxilia, and out on the left the Roma Cavalry make ready to penetrate the line of battle, it looks likely that it is merely a matter of time before the inevitable.

The included general with the elite Pikes, despite being on their last legs, continues to fight on. A sole Pike unit has managed to turn to face the onslaught.

Outcome

A Roman victory by inflicting 24 and only receiving 10 of 24 in return.

Lessons Learnt

The Nubian warriors failed to provide an adequate reserve; perhaps they might be better employed as shock troops? A suggestion from Kevin.

The balance of the Army doesn't seem quite right and is certainly different from when they last fought in 15mm; a review is called for.