Introduction
This is game 76 in play testing my ancient rules by
replaying historical battles. This current significant revision goes back to
ABC version 2.5 from years ago (the one I played the most) It also 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, so it solo
friendly once again. I did away with disorder (so no markers on the table) and
played about 20 games like that. They
were too fast! So I made two changes: 1)
every unit has 2 “hits” 2) a unit charged by a shock unit (mainly cavalry, and
warbands Vs infantry) may be destroyed outright rather than hit. 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 Ctesiphon, 363 AD
Battle of Julian’s invasion of Sassanian Persia
fought outside the Persian capital.
Scenario source: Bill Banks Ancients.
Link(s):
Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Ctesiphon_(363)
Troops
Romans, Julian
1 Leader
1 HC, Heavy Cavalry
1 MC, Medium Cavalry
1 LC, Light Cavalry
2 HI, Elite Heavy Infantry
1 LI, Light Infantry
1 BW, Bowmen
Breakpoint: 2
Sassanids, Merena
1 Leader
1 CAT, Cataphracts
1 ELE, Elephant
1 HC, Heavy Cavalry
1 LC, Light Cavalry
2 MI, Medium Infantry
1 BW, Bowmen
Breakpoint: 2.5
Deployment
 |
| Deployment, Romans on the left |
Romans, Julian (left to right)
LC HC* LI HI+ HI+ BW MC
Sassanids, Merena (left to right)
EL BW KN* MI MI HC LC
* = leader; + = elite
Game
Julian advances obliquely with the centre infantry advancing and the left flank also advancing. The Persian Heavy Cavalry opposing Julian charges Julian (Heavy Cavalry must do a mandatory change if enemy in range). The Persian Heavy Cavalry is depleted and in the next round of combat they rout. Julian advances into the vacated spot.
 |
| Julian forces opposing cavalry to charge |
The Persian advance their centre and left flank.
 |
| Persians advance |
The Roman right flank is weak and so continues to hold back. The Roman infantry is slightly worse than the Cataphracts but otherwise they could take on any other Persian unit. The Roman’s split their centre infantry with the leftmost one advancing to attack the weak Persian infantry. The rightmost stands to receive the charge of the Cataphracts in a later turn.
Julian and his heavy cavalry attack the Persian infantry but the latter stand fast and the Roman Heavy Cavalry is depleted.
 |
| Julian attacking the Persian infantry |
The Persian cataphracts charge into the elite Roman heavy infantry. The cataphracts are slightly better and plough right through the Romans (roll a 6). The Persian left flank continues to advance.
 |
| Persian cataphracts attacking the Roman infantry |
The remaining Roman heavy infantry charges the Persian infantry but they remain locked in melee. Julian’s Heavy Cavalry routs their opposing Persian infantry and advances into the other Persian infantry. Amazingly the Persian infantry survives its round of melee (rolled a 6).
 |
| Persian infantry attacked from two sides |
The Cataphracts attack the Roman bowmen (the bowmen can turn to face) that shoot and force the Cataphracts to stand off (i.e. no melee).
 |
| Bowmen Vs the Cataphracts in a standoff |
The Persian left flank advances. The Persian bowmen are in range of the roman bowmen that turn to face the Persians (the Roman bowmen are not in melee with the cataphracts so turn to face the missiles). Mutual shooting occurs that see the Persian bowmen depleted. Next turn the Roman bowmen are depleted by shooting.
 |
| Bowmen shooting at each other |
The Roman light infantry advance to the Persian bowmen and the latter turn to face. Mutual missiles fly and the already depleted Persian bowmen are routed.
 |
| Roman light infantry about to rout the Persian bows |
The Roman heavy infantry take out the medium infantry.
 |
| Persian medium infantry routed |
The Persians have only two non-light units left and flee. The Romans have won!
 |
| End |
Verdict
The Persian need to be aggressive on their left
flank to win. I think they should have
withdrawn the centre so it would last an extra turn and give the left flank a
chance to break the army.
A great outing for the 2 hits variation. I do like that the game lasts longer. I feel there is a bit more tactics, or a least a more interesting narrative from the longer game. It is not much longer in time to play. For now, this version of rules gets a big tick. Of course, I said that about the last few versions as well 😊 At least I am still happy with using 1d6 for all resolutions that has been there since the beginning!
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