Battle of Mursa, 351 AD using Ancients Battlelines Clash

Introduction

This is game 74 in play testing my ancient rules by replaying historical battles.  My last few games was using a revision of my own Ancient Battlelines Clash rules and I do like them.  I felt I had strayed a bit too far from what I was really looking for.  This current revision goes back to ABC version 2.5 from years ago (the one I played the most) and then updates it with all the learnings from the last year on.  It differs from ABC 2.5, but similar to recent versions, as does away with disorder, so no markers on the table.  It combines the missile and melee table and units rout more easily than the original ABC. It is on a grid and still has reactions to enemy moves/combat results (unlike recent versions), so it solo friendly once again. I have played this version about ten times already with Chariot period armies and it has worked fine, just some minor tweaks and clarifications added. ABC is designed to finish in less than 30 minutes on a 2’x2’ or smaller table; currently using a 10x10 grid on 40cmx40cm table.

Battle of Mursa, 351 AD

The Eastern Roman Empire vs. Western Roman Empire.

Scenario source: Peter Sides Ancient Historical Battles Volume 2.

Link(s):

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

Troops

Romans (Constantius)

1 LDR, 2 KN (Cataphracts), 1 MC, 1 LC, 1 HI (legions), 2 MI (Auxilia), 1 LA.

Breakpoint: 3

Romans (Magnentius)

1 LDR, 3 MC, 2 LC, 2 HI (legions), 2 MI (Auxilia), 1 LA.

Breakpoint: 3.5

Scenario

Map: A hill 2BW (basewidths) wide on Magentius right flank to Constantius baseline.  On hill aligned with Magnentius deployment is a 1BW stadium (town).

Special rules: Ambush is known to Constantius

Deployment

Constantius on the left, Magnentius on the right.

Deployment (left to right):

Romans (Constantius):

KN MC HI HI MI KN* LC.  1 MI and 1 LA in front of the Stadium.

Romans (Magnentius):

LC MC MC MI HI MI MC* LC.  1 HI in stadium, LA in front of battleline HI.

Game

Constantius advances the right flank cavalry to the right to attack that flank.

The centre advances to provide support for both flanks.  The left flank advances.  The archers and Auxilia advance to hopefully engage with the infantry in the “ambush”.  Missiles fail to dislodge the stadium infantry.

Constantius advances

The Magnentius light archers in the centre fires on the Auxilia and it is routed.  This leaves a hole in Constantius’s centre.

Light archers routs the Constantius medium infantry

Magnentius advances his right flank as the Light Cavalry may be able to rout the knights and Magnentius has a better chance against the directly opposing Medium Cavalry.  The Light Cavalry rout and Magnentius (and cavalry) is locked in melee with the opposing cavalry.

Magnentius right flank cavalry attack

The Magnentius Light archers move to fire at the Constantius Legions but fail to do anything.  But the Legions is at least prevented from advancing.

The Magnentius centre advances and the left flank Light Cavalry moves in front of the heavier cavalry to protect the latter.

Magnentius centre and left flank manoeuvring

Constantius charges in to Magnentius left flank hoping to disrupt it enough that can turn to face the remaining opposition as required. 

Constantius right flank cavalry charges in

Constantius Light Cavalry routed but Magnentius Medium Cavalry is routed.

Constantius centre Legions charges the Light archers.  Anything but a 1 (that will rout the Legions).  Rolled a 1.  Constantius Legions routed.  This is bad.

The Legions charges the Light archers but is routed

Magnentius Medium Cavalry Vs Constantius Medium Cavalry is indecisive but the Cataphracts flank attack Magnentius Medium Cavalry, and his cavalry is routed.

Cataphracts flanking Magnentius

Stadium missile firing inconclusive.

The centre Light archers must turn to face the Cataphracts, does so but is routed in a subsequent melee after the missiles fail to do anything (not surprising Vs Cataphracts).

Light archers Vs Cataphracts

The Cataphracts then proceed to rout the Legions, the Auxilia but then is routed themselves by the Magnentius Light Cavalry.

Cataphracts Vs Legions

Cataphracts Vs Auxilia

Cataphracts Vs Light Cavalry (the Light Cavalry wins!)

Both sides have reached their army breakpoint but Magnentius has lost more and so Constantius wins!

End

Verdict

I did not think Constantius was going to win this one – there was too much facing him, although “point-wise” they were about equal. The Cataphracts ruled the field in this one.  The rules are also working quite well. My hope was realised that the playtest games (with ancient middle east armies) would also translate fine into these later period games.  No issues or clarifications required.  A few more games and I may even put them onto the ABC webpage.