Saturday 6 January 2024

Battle of Mons Graupius 84AD using When Warriors Collide

Introduction

This is game 66 in play testing my ancient rules by replaying historical battles.  I am using another set of my rules, When Warriors Collide (WWC).  I am in the process of writing up the rules but the current draft is here:  When Warriors Collide V3.0e, .  I am play testing rules by replaying all the Peter Sides scenarios from his Historical Battles books.  WWC is designed to finish in around 30 minutes on a 2’x2’ or smaller table; I am currently using a 40cmx40cm table.

Battle of Mons Graupius

The Caledonians attack the Romans when the latter march on the Caledonian grain supply.

Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Mons_Graupius

Some battle reports:

https://amsterdamwar.game.blog/2022/03/12/mons-graupius-as-wargame-test-drive-scenario/

https://hereticalgaming.blogspot.com/2016/04/the-three-battles-of-mons-graupius.html

https://hereticalgaming.blogspot.com/2017/12/polemos-spqr-battle-of-mons-graupius-i.html

Command and Colors scenario:

https://www.commandsandcolors.net/ancients/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=731

Troops

Roman

Roman

4 HI Legionaries

4 MI Auxilia

2 HC Heavy Cavalry

2 Leaders

Breakpoint: 3

Caledonian

Caledonian
4 WB Warbands

2 LI Skirmishers

2 CH Chariots (poor so x1/2 in melee)

2 LC Light Cavalry

1 Leader

Breakpoint: 3

Scenario changes

Reduced the number of units.

Deployment

Deployment

Game

Roman auxilia move and split into two groups to be able to block the opposing 6 units.  Some Light Cavalry and Light Infantry fire at the approaching right flank auxilia for no effect.  The Light Cavalry retreats but causes the opposing auxilia to advance into a light infantry.  Subsequent melee sees both disordered.

Action on the Roman right flank

On the Roman left flank the Light Cavalry fires for no effect and the Light Infantry fire, disorder the auxilia and then retreat.

Action on the Roman left flank

The Caledonian Light Cavalry fires and disorders another auxilia on the Roman right flank.  The right flank auxilia destroys the Light Infantry in melee.

Overview of first battleline status

An auxilia charges a Chariot and it is disordered.  Another auxilia charges another chariot and it is also disordered.  An auxilia charges the Light Cavalry, the Light Cavalry fires at the auxilia and routs it.  The Light Cavalry retires.

Auxilia causing some disorders, but the rightmost auxilia is disordered.

Heavy Cavalry moves to within range of the Light Cavalry. Light Cavalry fires and retreats.  Missile fire causes the Heavy Cavalry to retreat as well.  Light Infantry charges Auxilia in the centre but is disordered.  Light Cavalry fires on Heavy Cavalry and Heavy Cavalry disordered.

Current battleline

Roman right cavalry continues to try and close with Light Cavalry but is routed by missile fire in the end.  Most unexpected.

Roman Cavalry routed by British Light Cavalry

The auxilia move up to harass the Light Cavalry and the Light Cavalry are forced to retreat.

Auxilia harassing the Light Cavalry

On the Roman left flank things are going better with a chariot and the Light Infantry routed by the efforts of the auxilia and advancing Heavy Cavalry.

Clearing the British right flank

Auxilia rout the chariot and move to the flanks to let the Legion line advance.  The Roman Cavalry on the left charges the Light Cavalry that retreats.

Romans have cleared the first line and ready to assault the hill.

The Roman Heavy Cavalry manage to pin the opposing light cavalry and disorder them.  The Roman legions charge up the hill.

Legions advance!

It was all 1:2 (except the Roman leader) so mostly the legionaries disordered.  Now the Warbands do not get the 1st melee bonus The Romans are now mostly 1:1. Managed to get an auxilia on the left flank and that warband was routed.  Next turn it advanced to the flank of another warband and that too was routed.  The Heavy Cavalry also managed to rout the Light Cavalry.

Tenacious Auxilia on the Warband flanks.

The Britons are at their breakpoint and so retire from the field.  The Romans have won!

End game

Rule changes

None. 

Verdict

A long game as there were two battlelines to get through.  Otherwise an interesting battle with some new troop type interactions tested.

Battle of Boudicca's Revolt 60AD using When Warriors Collide

Introduction

This is game 65 in play testing my ancient rules by replaying historical battles.  I am using another set of my rules, When Warriors Collide (WWC).  I am in the process of writing up the rules but the current draft is here:  When Warriors Collide V3.0e.  I am play testing rules by replaying all the Peter Sides scenarios from his Historical Battles books.  WWC is designed to finish in around 30 minutes on a 2’x2’ or smaller table; I am currently using a 40cmx40cm table. 

Battle of Boudicca's Revolt 60AD

Boudicca leads an uprising against the conquering Romans.

Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boudican_revolt

C&C ancients scenario: https://www.commandsandcolors.net/ancients/scenario-list/conquest-of-britain-43-60-ad/408-boudicas-revolt-61-ad.html

Troops

Roman

Romans

4 HI Legions

2 MI Auxilia

2 HC Cavalry

2 LDR

Breakpoint: 4

British

Britains

4 WB

2 LI

2 CH (no missile fire)

2 LC

1 LDR

Breakpoint: 3

Scenario changes

I reduced the number of units to fit onto the small board.

Deployment

Woods are on both sides of the table.

Britains on the left, Romans on the right

Game

The Romans advance, as does the British.  The British right flank Chariot charges the opposing Roman Cavalry and both are disordered (it was a 1:1 attack).  The light cavalry stayed out of it awaiting the outcome.  In a subsequent turn the Chariot is routed but the Heavy Cavalry do not pursue.

British Chariot and Roman Cavalry in melee.

The right flank Roman cavalry charges the British light cavalry that fail to get off effective missile fire and is disordered.

Cavalry action on the Roman right flank

The Roman legions advance into range of the British screening light infantry.  The Roman auxilia stay behind to guard the flanks.  The skirmishers inflict a disorder on one Roman unit but the other is forced to advance and in the subsequent melee the light infantry is destroyed.  The Romans are now within charge range of some warband units, one of which decides to charge.  Both the British warband and Roman unit are disordered.

Initial clashes on the battleline.

The left flank Roman Cavalry charges the light cavalry (else the light cavalry would shoot at the heavy cavalry in its turn). It will end up being a 1:1 melee but better than sitting there being shot. The light cavalry fire as the Roman cavalry charge in for not effect.  The Light Cavalry manage to retreat but the Roman Heavy Cavalry pursue.  In the subsequent melee the light cavalry are disordered.  In the next round of melee (next turn) the light cavalry is routed.

British light cavalry in melee with Roman Heavy Cavalry.

The remaining British light infantry fires for no effect at the Roman legionaries.  One warband charges a Roman legionary unit and the warband is disordered.

Warband in melee with the Roman legionary unit

The remaining left flank British chariot charges the Roman auxilia.  Both are disordered.

Chariot in melee with the Roman auxilia

The Roman right cavalry, even with great odds, does not manage to rout the light cavalry.  The adjacent Auxilia does rout the chariots.  The Roman leader does not rout the opposing warband. 

The right side of the Roman line not doing as well as expected.

Roman left flank – one chariot gone but the rest locked in melee.

British light infantry fires at a Roman unit for no effect and the light infantry retreat.  The Roman unit advances into the British warband with the leader.  Must attack (at 1:2) and rolls the worst result – “1” and routs.  The Warbands pursue.

Roman unit pulled into melee with the British leader warband.  Doesn’t end well for the disordered Romans.

The right side of the Romans do well this time.  The heavy cavalry routs the opposing light cavalry, a Roman legionary routs a warband.

Roman right side clearing the opposition

The Roman leader charges into the last untouched warband.  1:1 and rolled a 1! Romans disordered.  Roll again to see if leader incapacitated.  Rolled a 1!  Oh dear.

Roman leader charges a warband but is cut down.

The Romans start manoeuvring on the flanks to bring those units into the centre but then the other Roman leader routs the opposing warband and the British have reached their breakpoint and flee the battle.  The Romans win!

End game

Rule changes

Note that this game was played prior to my 30 games in 30 days so these rules changes occurred before those 30 games.

Prior to the game I changed leaders to be a 1.5 multiplier, rather than 2.  At the end of the last game I did mention I thought they were too powerful.  In Bill Bank’s Ancients they were really makers than moved per turn for local focus of effort.  Not the case with my rules. Also, I have made undisordered WB value 3 rather than 2 (and then only a x2 multiplier for 1st melee rather than x3).  WB should be a bit stronger again HI and MI than they are currently.  

Lastly, melee was always optional unless charging.  So a lot of the 1:1 melees would not occur as the risk is equal for both sides.  And made the game slower, less decisive and more predictive.  So now if you are at 1:1 or greater or charging you must melee.

Added back in a fire and retreat for Light infantry and cavalry.  Last game I said it did not seem like a problem; now it does J

Verdict

The Romans had the slightly superior force but the British could have got lucky.  They did manage to incapacitate the Roman leader but it was too little too late.  A fun game. 

Sunday 31 December 2023

30 ancient games in 30 days - games 26 to 30 (final games)

Introduction

Games 26 to 30 in the 30 games in 30 days using my own rule son a 40cmx40cm table with 15mm figures.  Replaying some historical battles based on some Bill Banks Ancients user written scenarios.  Details can be found at this introductory blog post: https://shaun-wargaming-minis.blogspot.com/2023/12/introduction-to-30-games-in-30-days.html

In this post are these battles:

  • ZELA, 47 BC, Pontines vs Romans
  • MEDWAY, 43 AD, Britons vs Romans
  • BRENTWOOD, 44 AD, Roman (Claudius) vs Britons (Caractacus)
  • SAUMIZEGETUSA, 105 AD , Dacians vs Romans (Trajan)
  • ARMENIA, 114 AD , Armenians vs Romans (Trajan) 

ZELA, 47 BC

"Veni Vidi Vici!"

Link: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Zela_(47_BC)

Map: Open.

Special: Pontic scythed chariots are 8/- as in 8 combat value and are routed if they do not rout enemy, or are disordered or required to retreat.

Pontines (bp 2.5): 1 LDR, 2 CH, 2 HC, 1 HI, 2 MI, 1 LI.

Deploy: HC* LI MI HI MI HC.  CH in front of this line.

Romans (bp 2.5): 2 LDR, 2 HC, 3 HI, 1 LI.

Deploy: HC* HI HI* HI LI HC.

Deployment, Pontic on the left.

Romans have the stronger centre and I don’t think the Scythed chariots will change that too much, although they will disorder the legions and a 1 in 6 chance of a rout!  Hit and miss really.  The Pontic left flank is stronger than the Roman right, and the Roman right is stronger than the left.  So it may well be that the battle is decided by various flank attacks.

Scythed Chariots must move and cannot turn so they advance.  The Pontic left Heavy Cavalry advances.  The Romans advance their centre and left flank.  Scythed Chariots disorder a legion unit and rout the Light Infantry (a lucky 6).  One Scythed Chariots continues off the board, the other is routed as it did not rout the legion.

Scythed chariots contact the Roman line. A Light Infantry is already routed.

The Cavalry clash on the flanks but not routs on contact.  Subsequent melee see Pontic victorious on their left, and the Romans victorious on the right.  They move to get to the flanks of the infantry battleline.

The Romans finally contact the Pontic infantry line.  The Light Infantry fires for no effect and retreats.  Across the line there are quite a few disorders, even the 2:1 combats.

Ancients battlelines clash.

The Pontic Medium Infantry and Heavy Infantry are routed, as is one of the Roman legion units.  The Pontic side flees and the Romans have won.

End game

A close game. Closer than I thought it would be!

MEDWAY, 43 AD

Distracted by a crossing of light troops in their rear, the Britons turn and assault the legionaries who have made a surprise river crossing in their rear.

Link: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_the_Medway

Map: River on Roman baseline with bridge in centre one unit wide, otherwise Open.

Special: Chariots are poor.

Britons (bp 3.5): 1 LDR, 2 CH, 5 WB.

Deploy: CH WB WB WB* WB WB CH.

Romans (bp 2.5): 1 LDR, 3 HI, 2 MI, 2 LI.

Deploy: LI HI HI* MI LI.  Enter turn 2 over bridge: HI MI.

Deployment, British on the left

The forces are about equal.  The British Chariots, although poor, can be powerful if they can flank the less numerous Romans.  The Light Infantry have an even chance Vs the poor chariots.   If the British warbands get a good result on their first melee charge then they have a chance to win.  The Romans are not going to advance until the reinforcements come on. 

The Chariots advance on both flanks and contact the Light Infantry that retreat and missile fire.  One chariot is disordered.   The chariots just cannot seem to engage the Light Infantry due to the missile fire (the chariots are forced to retreat).

The warbands advance and on turn 2 the roman reinforcements arrive and split up to bolster the line – the incoming Heavy Infantry to the Medium Infantry only flank.  The warbands make contact and due to an excellent first charge dish out a lot of disorders, rout a Medium Infantry and wound the Roman general!

Mid game

After a lot of indecisive melees finally a warband routs a roman melee.  The Romans have lost!

End game

Well, that did not go as expected.  The chariots were ineffectual, the warbands did get damage and the Romans did not even rout a single unit.  Losing the Roman general did not help either.  I think for the Romans I needed to be more aggressive with the Light Infantry against the chariots rather than just maintain a standoff.  The scenario is worth a replay.  It is interesting.

BRENTWOOD, 44 AD

The culmination of Claudius' campaign against the Britons. (Note: This is based upon Robert Graves' fictionalized account in Claudius the God, rather than the real battle!) http://www.relativerange.com/ancients/scenario/brentwood.gif

Link: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/I,_Claudius

Map: On British side (left ro right): wood (2 units wide), hill (6 units wide), marsh (2 units wide).  Takes up whole half.

Special: Britons lose if camp is taken.

Roman (Claudius) (bp 2.5): 1 LDR, 1 EL, 3 HI, 1 MI, 2 LI.

Deploy: HI in the edge of marsh,  El LI in the edge of woods, rest HI HI* MI LI  .

Britons (Caractacus) (bp 3.5): 1 LDR, 3 CH, 1 LC, 1 HI, 3 WB, 1 CP.

Deploy: In woods: WB WB, then on hill HI* LC CH CH CH, then marsh, WB.  Camp in centre rear of hill.

Deployment, Romans on the left

A very unusual scenario, if is only fiction.  The Romans need to attack the flanks and hopefully the centre quickly or else may get flanked.  They may even make it to the camp from a victorious flank.   The Britons need to win a flank and hopefully hold the centre.

Elephants advance into Warband and both disordered.    The other warband advances towards the Light Infantry but the Light Infantry retreats.  It is a bit of an impasse as neither the Elephant nor warband unit can attack at 1:1 as they are in the woods that ½ an attack value.  I may need to change it so both attacking AND defending unit is halved.  So I change the rules J  And then the elephant is routed.  Later the Light Infantry is chased down and routed as well.

British right flank, elephant routed shortly after this.

The legion on the right advances towards the warband that charges but the warband is disordered.  Next melee the Roman unit is disordered.    Subsequent melee saw status quo.

Main infantry battleline advances onto the hill.  The warband advances towards the Light Infantry and the Light Infantry is disordered and later routed.  The Light Cavalry fires for no effect.  The Roman legionaries advance into the chariots and there are disorders everywhere.   Next melee the chariots will be at a disadvantage now disordered.

Battle on the hill.  The Light Infantry is soon routed.

The chariots are all routed, the legions advance on the camp.  The Light Cavalry faces off against the Medium Infantry.  The Heavy Infantry and warbands are desperately trying to get to the hill to help out the camp.  But the camp falls before the warbands get to help.  The camp is looted and the Romans win as the British army has broken.

End game

Another interesting scenario.  Lots going on.  I even got to do a rule change!

 SAUMIZEGETUSA, 105 AD

Trajan's first campaign battle against the rebellious Dacians.

Link: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Sarmizegetusa

Map: Hill centre of Dacian side, 4 units wide.

Special: None.

Dacians (bp 3): 1 LDR, 1 HC, 1 LC, 1 HI, 4 WB, 1 LI.

Deploy: HC WB  on hill: WB HI* WB WB,  LI LC .

Romans (Trajan) (bp 3): 2 LDR, 2 HC, 4 HI.

Deploy: HC HI HI* HI* HI HC.

Deploy, Romans on the left.

The Dacians need to stay on the hill if they can to get the bonus of being uphill.  Otherwise the flanks are fairly equal and can be tied up to stop them supporting the centre attack. The Romans need to attack the Warband, hopefully break up the line when they impetuously charge.  They have two leaders in the centre so that is an advantage.  The Heavy Cavalry on each flank can hopefully delay the opposing flack forces so the infantry can be routed.  

The Romans advance the centre and the flank units move up in support.

The Roman centre does not tempt any warbands to break ranks so they charge up the hill into the Dacian infantry. A few disorders, mostly on the Romans and one of the Roman leaders dies.  But at least the Romans all survived so they will have the advantage next turn. 

Infantry clash on the hill

Bad luck next turn sees one Roman unit rout.  But then in a stroke of excellent luck (three 6s) sees three warbands in the centre rout.

Meanwhile the Dacian right flank advances and contacts the opposing Heavy Cavalry – disorders all round.    Bad luck sees the Heavy Cavalry rout.

The Dacian right wing attacks the lone Heavy Cavalry

Before the Dacian wings have a chance to come to the rescue in the centre the Romans encircle the remaining Dacian Heavy Infantry and it is routed.  The Dacians have lost!

No end game picture as I forgot.

A close game.

ARMENIA, 114 AD

Trajan's final eastern battle against the Armenians and their Parthian allies.

Link: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trajan%27s_Parthian_campaign

Map: Two small hills at rear to both sides of the Armenian edge.

Special: Romans must take camp for a win, else most they can achieve is a draw.

Armenians (bp 3): 1 LDR, 1 HC, 4 LC, 1 PX, 1 LI, 1 LA, 1 CP.

Deploy: LA MM PX HC* LC LC LC LC, Camp on right hill.

Romans (Trajan) (bp 3): 2 LDR, 2 HC, 4 HI.

Deploy: HC HI HI* HI* HI HC.

Deployment, Armenians on the left

Interesting setup.  The Romans need to focus on the camp but there are a lot of units on the other side.  The first thing to do is refuse their right flank and move forwards with the left and centre towards the camp.  The Armenians need to break the Romans before they can break the camp. 

Romans advance the Heavy Cavalry and legionaries, drifting to their left.  The Heavy Cavalry on the right flank moves to protect the legions flanks.  The Armenian’s all advance except the left flank Heavy Cavalry that turns to move to right flank.   The Heavy Cavalry and Light Cavalry dance around a little for no real effect.  The Light Cavalry units fire on the legions for no effect.

Early manoeuvring

The Armenian left flank has managed to engage the Roman Heavy Cavalry.  The Armenian Phalanx is engaged by a legion and is soon routed.  One of the Light Cavalry routs due to a Roman legion.  The Romans also have a few disorders on them due to Light Cavalry arrows. 

Mid game

The Armenian Medium Infantry is gone, as is another Light Cavalry.  The Heavy Cavalry manages to hit a legion in the flank but the romans are only disordered.  The Heavy Cavalry is then also attacked in the flank and it is routed.  Another Light Cavalry is trapped from the flank and routed as well.  The way is open to the camp.  The Romans will win as they have not taken a loss and can capture the camp. 

End game

A very interesting game with all that Light Cavalry.  A bit of crowding at the bottom of the hill.  I am surprised more Roman units were not lost.

End of 30 games

Well, that was fun.  I may have to do that again some time, or maybe not!  At least play more of these historical scenarios using these rules, easy to set up and fast to play.  There are only a few hundred more to try J

  

30 ancient games in 30 days - games 21 to 25

Introduction

Games 21 to 25 in the 30 games in 30 days using my own rule son a 40cmx40cm table with 15mm figures.  Replaying some historical battles based on some Bill Banks Ancients user written scenarios.  Details can be found at this introductory blog post: https://shaun-wargaming-minis.blogspot.com/2023/12/introduction-to-30-games-in-30-days.html

In this post are these battles:

  • VERCELLAE, 101 BC, Roman (Catalus) vs Cimbri
  • SILARUS River, 71 BC, Spartacists (Spartacus) vs Romans (Crassus)
  • PISTORIA, 61 BC, Catilines (Rebels) vs Senatorial Army of Gaius Antonius
  • ADMAGETOBRIGA, 61 BC, Gauls vs Germans
  • MUHLHAUSEN, 58 BC, Julius Caesar (Rome) vs Ariovistus, Chief of Sequani (Germans)

VERCELLAE, 101 BC

Catalus' legions in a punitive campaign against the barbarian hordes of the Cimbri.

Link: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Vercellae

Map: Open.

Special: None.

Roman (Catalus) (bp 2.5): 2 LDR, 2 HC, 2 HI, 1 MI.

Deploy: HC* HI (gap) MI (gap) HI HC*.

Cimbri (bp 3): 1 LDR, 2 HC, 4WB.

Deploy: HC WB WB* WB WB HC.

Deployment, Romans on the left

The Romans best chances are on the flanks, while the Cimbri is to take out the centre and hopefully the legions.  Historically the Cimbri lost and likely the same here.

Roman flanks advance, as does the Cimbri centre.  On each flank a Warband charges into the Roman legions but only succeed is disordering everyone.

Initial clash on the wings.

The Cimbri left flank Warband is routed.    The Cavalry melee of both flanks but all are disordered.  The Cimbi leader gets to flank a roman legion unit and rout it.  And a Warband manages to make it to the Medium Infantry and the Medium Infantry is routed.

The Roman Medium Infantry is routed.


The Roman legion is routed by the Cimbri leader

The Cimbri cavalry are routed on the flanks, as expected.

But then in bad luck the Roman legion unit is routed.  The Romans have lost and the Cimbri change history!

End game

Much closer than I thought it was going to be.  The Roman legion that was flanked failed the order move to turn, otherwise possibly would have survived longer. 

SILARUS River, 71 BC

Crassus attempts to crush the Spartacists slave revolt before Pompey arrives and steals victory.

Link: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_the_Silarius_River

Map: Open.

Special: None.

Spartacists (Spartacus) (bp 3): 1 LDR, 2 LC, 2 HI, 4 MI.

Deploy: LC LC MI MI MI MI HI* HI.

Romans (Crassus) (bp 3): 1 LDR, 2 HC, 4 HI.

Deploy: HC HI HI HI HI HC*.

Deploy, Spartacists on the left.

Best chance for Spartacists is on the right flank and then roll up the centre, no where else are they stronger.  The Romans are strong in the centre and left flank so should focus there.

Spartacus advances the HI on the right, Romans advance the centre and right flank Heavy Cavalry.  The Heavy Cavalry gets close to the Light Cavalry that retreat.  The Heavy Cavalry continues to advance.  The Light Cavalry fire and retreat, causing a disorder on the Heavy Cavalry. And the general with the Heavy Cavalry is wounded!  The Light Cavalry advance slightly to not retreat off the table, a Roman HI advances and forces one off the battlefield.

Roman Heavy Cavalry attempting to catch the retreating Light Cavalry

Spartacus and the 2 Heavy Infantry contact the Heavy Cavalry, the Heavy Cavalry is routed.

Spartacus and 2 Heavy Infantry about to rout a Roman Heavy Cavalry

The Roman centre contacts the Medium Infantry, one is routed and two others disordered.  Next melee another Medium Infantry is routed.  Two turns later the last Spartacist Medium Infantry is routed, exceeding their breakpoint and so the Spartacists have lost.

End game

A very interesting scenario.  I should have moved up the Spartacus Medium Infantry line so that once the Heavy Cavalry was dealt with by the Heavy Infantry they were closer to the rear of the legions.  And the Light Cavalry maybe could have advanced a little to give more room to retreat.

PISTORIA, 61 BC

Lucius Sergius Catilina's last stand.

Link: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Pistoria

Map: Open.

Special: Catlines army does not break.  Senatorial Army wins by destroying all Catiline units and killing leader.

Catilines (Rebels) (bp 2): 1 LDR, 2 HI, 2 MI.

Deploy: MI MI HI* HI.

Senatorial Army of Gaius Antonius (bp 2.5): 1 LDR, 1 HC, 4 HI.

Deploy: HC* HI HI HI HI.

Deployment, Catalines on the left.

The Catilines have to hang on for 8 turns (length of the game).  It will take four turns for the HI to reach the Roman army.  The Catilines could about face, retreat one turn, about face again.  Except this takes 3 turns and the Heavy Cavalry can be there in 3 turns.  If they roll a 1 in any of those turns they cannot move.  So maybe not.   Game will come down to dice rolls I think.

Roman army advances and makes contact.  A few disorders.

The battlelines clash.

In subsequent melee the Medium Infantry are lost but a legion is lost as well.  The Heavy Cavalry charge for leader to leader combat and the rebel leader dies.

Heavy Cavalry slams into the flank of the rebel leader.

A rebel HI flanks the Heavy Cavalry and two turns later they are themselves flanks and rout.  However, that took 9 turns and so a victory for the Rebels.

End game – the last rebel Heavy Infantry routs next melee.

I thought it would go better than that for the Romans. 

ADMAGETOBRIGA, 61 BC

Barbarian battle: Gauls vs. Germans.

Link: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Magetobriga

Map: Open.

Special: None.

Gauls (bp 2.5): 1 LDR, 1 HC, 1 LC, 4 WB.

Deploy: LC WB WB WB* WB HC.

Germans (bp 3): 1 LDR, 1 HC, 2 LC, 5 WB.

Deploy: LC LC WB WB* WB WB WB WB.

Deployment, Gauls on the left.

The Gauls are weaker everywhere.  All the Germans need to do is hopefully win the centre with greater numbers.  The Gauls just need to exploit weaknesses if they occur.

The Gauls advance the right flank Heavy Cavalry and the opposing Light Cavalry retreat.  The centre warbands advance, as does the opposing German warbands.  The Gauls get close enough to trigger possible charges by the Germans, hoping one or two don’t and so get a local advantage.  All the Germans charge into melee. Every single warband is disordered. 

Clash of the warbands.

The German Light Cavalry are stuck near the end of the table and the Heavy Cavalry charges.  One manages to retreat and disorder the Heavy Cavalry with missile fire.  The ensuing combat sees the remaining Light Cavalry disordered and later is routed.

Cavalry clash on the Gallic right flank

For four more rounds all warbands remain locked in melee (that is 19 melee rolls none being a 1 or a 6).  But then the Germans roll three 1’s out of 5 melees – bad news as 3 warbands rout, including the leader.  This means the Germans have exceeded their breakpoint and rout!

End game

The Germans only had a slight edge.  And the cavalry Vs lnfantry was always going to take a while. With the Light Cavalry refusing to engage as well. Normally infantry clashes are resolved a lot sooner!

MUHLHAUSEN, 58 BC

Battle by the Rhine.  Also known as Battle of Vosges.

Link: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Vosges_(58_BC)

Map: Open.

Special: None.

Julius Caesar (Rome) (bp 3): 2 LDR, 2 HC, 4 HI.

Deploy: HC HI HI* HI HI HC*.

Ariovistus, Chief of Sequani (Germans) (bp 3.5): 2 LDR, 2 HC, 5WB.

Deploy: HC WB WB* WB WB* WB HC.

Deploy, Romans on the left.

The Romans have an advantage on the right flank with the Heavy Cavalry and leader.  They should be able to withstand the initial warband charge but the Germans have two leaders compared to only one for the Romans so it will be chancy on which side wins the centre.

Romans advance along the line.  The Germans advance their infantry.

The Roman right flank cavalry clash goes in favour of the Romans where at first the enemy Heavy Cavalry is disordered, then routed.

Roman Heavy Cavalry charges the German Heavy Cavalry

The warband line, at 5 units long refuses to move. The Romans get to within the warbands charge range and obligingly only 3 of the 5 decide to charge the line (so the German line is fragmented).

German line fragments

This is actually a good thing for the Germans as a few Roman units are disordered o the fresh German can charge in and receive the charge bonus.  The two that held back were the leaders so extra bonus in combat.  Two Roman legions are routed.  Next melee a German leader is lost when disordered. Bad news for the Germans though as the Heavy Cavalry turns onto the flank of the German warbands. However the Heavy Cavalry fails to followup.   Along the line another warband is routed by the Roman legion with the leader.

Roman Heavy Cavalry on the flanks.

The Germans have reached their breakpoint and flee the field.  The Romans have won!

End game.

A close game.  An interesting scenario can could see a few replays.