Battle of Telamon 225BC using Ancients Battlelines Clash

Introduction

This is game 46 in play testing my ancient rules by replaying historical battles.  The latest version of ‘Ancient Battlelines Clash’ is on its own blog page. I am play testing the rules by replaying all the Peter Sides scenarios from his Historical Battles books.  ABC is designed to finish in around 30 minutes on a 2'x2' table.

Battle of Telamon
One Roman army arrives and the Celts decide to retire from the war.  Thinking the advancing Roman  cavalry was a skirmish, it was soon realised there was another Roman army to their rear.  the Celts formed two lines facing front and rear to meet the two oncoming Roman lines.

Here are a few internet links of interest I used for this replay:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Telamon
https://www.karwansaraypublishers.com/awblog/the-battle-of-telamon-225-bc-part-2/
https://www.commandsandcolors.net/ancients/maps/59-celtic-war-225-222-bc/65-x07-telamon-225-bc.html
http://soawargamesteam.blogspot.com/2019/05/25th-april-northamptonshire.html

Troops

Roman

Line 1

Line 2

8 Legionaries, Heavy Infantry

6 Velites, Skirmish Infantry, javelins
2 Cavalry, Medium Cavalry

Leader with the Cavalry

Breakpoint: 10

Gauls

Line 1

Line 2

8 Warbands, Medium Infantry, warband
2 Chariots, Medium chariots, javelin

2 Cavalry, Medium Cavalry

Leader with warbands

Breakpoint: 12

Note that I had the Gauls with 4 chariots but only used 2 by mistake.  If I was playing again I would use 4 chariots.  This would have also made for a closer game!

Scenario changes

The Peter Sides scenario had the two Romans armies attacking on oblique angles to the Gauls.  I have gone with the Gauls between the two Roman armies.  I am in the Society of Ancients and the Slingshot magazine has all the Telamon Battleday 2018 information. It is all packed away and not very accessible so could not refer to it.

Deployment

Gauls are the inner two lines.

Game

Roman Infantry advances.  Both cavalry clash on the hill and both locked in melee.  The Gauls charge the Velites, who retire and then the Celts continue into the legionaries.  Disorder everywhere but no routs (other than the Velites).

All but the chariots in melee.

One more round of combat.  The cavalry is still in melee.  The Gallic chariots enter the fray but are disordered.  Four warbands rout, while one legionary unit routs.

The warbands get the worst of it, although one Roman unit is lost.

Another two warbands and a chariot rout

More Gallic losses.

One more warband routs, including the leader.  Romans win.

And the Romans win!

Verdict

A very fast game - 3 turns.  Fast as the opposing lines were very close leading to a lack of decisions required.  Maybe next time they should be further apart.  Forgetting the two extra Gallic Chariots also made the Romans stronger - they would have lost more legionary units if more chariots were present.   And also fast as there was only 4 battle infantry in each line.  I think extending the lines to be 6 or even 8 infantry would have made a longer game with possibly some more decisions. Maybe even include the camp on the other hill (which would be on the opposite edge to the cavalry clash hill).   It was fun, and the ideas here are only if I ever decide to run it again in the future.

Machinas (post apocalyptic car racing) Race Game 04

Introduction

I solo play though another Two Hour Wargames Machinas (post-apocalypse car racing) game with 6 cars.

Background

I recently had a game of Machinas and decided to play another game with more cars.   I ran all but one as an NPC.  I did not do that well L

The game is run completely in a spreadsheet to automate many of the tasks.  I have reduced the narration as no one needs to blow by blow account like the previous one!  Room for improvement and will endeavour to make it more dynamic for the next game.

Game Start

Into the wasteland they come

Competing in dull steel boxes,

Coffins or victory trophies?

Decision with spikes and flames.

All Cars were randomly generated and then picked out some of the ones that seemed reasonable. I picked my car as an average one in the bunch.  Hopefully to run in a few more races.

The race takes place in the Wastelands.  The race is 3 laps, each with 6 zones to play out.

Lap 1 and Zone 1

The track is Straight.  The next zone track is Straight.

There are 6 vehicles in the race. Silver Bullet is the only PC car, the rest are run as NPCs:

• Vehicle 1 Black Speed: Savvy-3 Tech-3 Speed-4. Sedan. Signature: Speedster (+1 to Speed). Attributes: Flamethrower (high shootng score may cause out of control), Power Steering (+1d6 when checking out of control), Spiked Wheels (+1d6 for bash), Deep Treads (+1d6 passing on curves). Starting Position 1.
• Vehicle 2 Cobalt Hook: Savvy-3 Tech-2 Speed-3. SUV. Signature: Loner (-1 for wide pass not applicable). Attributes: AP Gun (1d6 becomes +1 on shooting), Power Steering (+1d6 when checking out of control), Nails (if attempt to be passed, opponent may go out of control prior to passing), Heavy Gatling (+2d6 when shooting), Oil (if attempt to be passed, opponent may go out of control). Starting Position 4.
• Vehicle 3 Purple Rain: Savvy-3 Tech-3 Speed-3. Sports Car. Signature: Cruiser (+1 Bonus die each lap). Attributes: Fixed Forward Guns (+1d6 and +1 shooting), Rust Bucket (-1 for bashing), Smoke (+1d6 on passing), Defective Chassis (+1 for car damage). Starting Position 2.
• Vehicle 4 Crimson Pirate: Savvy-3 Tech-2 Speed-2. Subcompacts. Signature: Gunner (Likes to Shoot). Attributes: Twin 50s (+1 when shooting), Lucky Charm (+1 Bonus die per lap), Angled Armour (+1 shot at), Clunker (-2 Bonus dice at start). Starting Position 5.
• Vehicle 5 Silver Bullet (me): Savvy-3 Tech-2 Speed-2. Sedan. Signature: Loner (-1 for wide pass not applicable). Attributes: Heavy Gatling (+2d6 when shooting), Old Tires (-1 passing on a curve), Spiked Wheels (+1d6 for bash). Starting Position 6.
• Vehicle 6 Green Solo Runner: Savvy-2 Tech-3 Speed-3. Sedan. Signature: Loner (-1 for wide pass not applicable). Attributes: Tail Gun (May shoot behind), Power Steering (+1d6 when checking out of control), Oil (if attempt to be passed, opponent may go out of control), Old Oil (-1 Bonus die on each lap). Starting Position 3.

Lap 1 and Zone 2

The track is Straight.  The next zone track is Curved.

Challenge

Cobalt Hook goes Out of Position.  Gain one Bonus die.

Purple Rain goes Out of Position.  Gain one Bonus die.

Crimson Pirate goes Out of Position.  Gain one Bonus die.

Silver Bullet goes Wide.

Green Solo Runner goes In Position.

Passing

Green Solo Runner attempts to pass Purple Rain. Purple Rain as Target wins and may act. Action is to Hold.

Silver Bullet attempts to pass Crimson Pirate. Crimson Pirate as Target wins and may act. Action is to Hold.

Lap 1 and Zone 3

The track is Curved.  The next zone track is Straight.

Challenge

Cobalt Hook goes In Position.

Purple Rain goes In Position.

Crimson Pirate goes Out of Position.  Gain one Bonus die.

Silver Bullet goes Out of Position.  Gain one Bonus die.

Green Solo Runner goes Out of Position.  Gain one Bonus die.

Purple Rain may attempt to pass now! Purple Rain attempts to pass Black Speed. Pass attempt fails.

Passing

Purple Rain attempts to pass Black Speed.  Purple Rain as Passer wins and may act. Action is to Shoot. Purple Rain attempts to shoot Black Speed using their Fixed Forward Guns. Black Speed damaged. Shooting has damaged the car. Damage inflicted is -1 Speed.  Black Speed Speed reduced from 4 to 3.

Cobalt Hook attempts to pass Green Solo Runner. Cobalt Hook as Passer wins and may act. Action is to Pass.

Cobalt Hook attempts to pass Purple Rain. Purple Rain as Target wins and may act. Action is to Hold.

Crimson Pirate attempts to pass Green Solo Runner. Green Solo Runner as Target wins and may act. Action is to Bash. Green Solo Runner has Oil and uses it. Crimson Pirate may go Out of Control. Crimson Pirate out of control? Retain control – stay in current spot and lane.

Lap 1 and Zone 4

The track is Straight.  The next zone track is Straight.

Challenge

Cobalt Hook goes In Position.

Purple Rain goes Wide.

Crimson Pirate goes Wide.

Silver Bullet goes Wide.

Green Solo Runner goes Out of Position.  Gain one Bonus die.

Random events

Purple Rain may attempt to pass now! Purple Rain attempts to pass Black Speed.Black Speed as Target wins and may act. Action is to Hold.

Crimson Pirate suffers the brakes locking up!  Drop back.

Silver Bullet is too close to another car.  Need to undertake a savvy check. to car in front; OK.

Passing

Purple Rain attempts to pass Black Speed. Purple Rain as Passer wins and may act. Action is to Shoot. Purple Rain attempts to shoot Black Speed using their Fixed Forward Guns. Black Speed damaged. Shooting has damaged the car. Damage inflicted is -1 Speed.  Black Speed Speed reduced from 3 to 2.

Cobalt Hook attempts to pass Purple Rain.  Cobalt Hook as Passer wins and may act. Action is to Bash. Cobalt Hook attempts to bash Purple Rain.  Target Purple Rain drops back. Target Drop back one lane.  Purple Rain drops back.

Cobalt Hook attempts to pass Black Speed. Cobalt Hook as Passer wins and may act. Action is to Shoot. Cobalt Hook attempts to shoot Black Speed using their AP Gun but for no effect. Both stay in current spot and lane.

Green Solo Runner attempts to pass Purple Rainfor a tail shot.  Green Solo Runner  is going for a tail shot.  Green Solo Runner as Passer wins and may act. Action is to Shoot.  Green Solo Runner attempts to shoot Purple Rain using their Tail Gun. Purple Rain damaged. Shooting has damaged the car. Damage inflicted is -1 Speed. Purple Rain Spped redcued from 3 to 2.

Crimson Pirate attempts to pass Silver Bullet. Silver Bullet as Target wins and may act. Action is to Shoot.  Silver Bullet attempts to shoot Crimson Pirate using their Heavy Gatling. Crimson Pirate damaged. Shooting has damaged the car. Damage inflicted is -1 Speed. Crimson Pirate Speed reduced from 2 to 1.

Lap 1 and Zone 5

The track is Straight.  The next zone track is Curved.

Challenge

Cobalt Hook goes Wide.

Purple Rain goes In Position.

Crimson Pirate goes Wide.

Silver Bullet goes Wide.

Green Solo Runner goes Out of Position.  Gain one Bonus die.

Passing

Cobalt Hook attempts to pass Black Speed. Pass attempt fails.

Purple Rain attempts to pass Cobalt Hook. Cobalt Hook as Target wins and may act. Action is to Hold.

Cobalt Hook has Oil and uses it. Purple Rain may go Out of Control. Purple Rain out of control? Drop back one lane. Purple Rain drops back.  Drops back into Green Solo Runner lane. Check both for out of Control.

Purple Rain out of control? Retain control – stay in current spot and lane.

Green Solo Runner out of control? Retain control – stay in current spot and lane.

Silver Bullet attempts to pass Green Solo Runner.  Silver Bullet as Passer wins and may act. Action is to Pass.

Silver Bullet attempts to pass Purple Rain. Pass attempt fails.

Lap 1 and Zone 6

The track is Curved.  The next zone track is Straight.

Challenge

Cobalt Hook goes Out of Position.  Gain one Bonus die.

Purple Rain goes In Position.

Crimson Pirate goes In Position.

Silver Bullet goes Wide.

Green Solo Runner goes In Position.

Passing

Green Solo Runner attempts to pass Silver Bullet. Green Solo Runner as Passer wins and may act. Action is to Bash.  Green Solo Runner attempts to bash Silver Bullet. Basher Green Solo Runner wrecked. Basher Flip back as Wreck.  Green Solo Runner has flipped back right and is now an obstacle.

Purple Rain attempts to pass Cobalt Hook. Purple Rain as Passer wins and may act. Action is to Pass.

Purple Rain attempts to pass Black Speed. Purple Rain as Passer wins and may act. Action is to Pass.

Silver Bullet attempts to pass Cobalt Hook. Cobalt Hook as Target wins and may act. Action is to Hold.

Crimson Pirate attempts to pass Silver Bullet. Pass attempt fails.

Lap 2 and Zone 1.

The track is Straight.  The next zone track is Straight.

Challenge

Black Speed goes In Position.

Cobalt Hook goes In Position.

Crimson Pirate goes In Position.

Silver Bullet goes Out of Position.  Gain one Bonus die.

Random events

Black Speed suffers the brakes locking up!  Drop back.

Passing

Black Speed attempts to pass Cobalt Hook. Pass attempt fails.

Silver Bullet attempts to pass Black Speed. Pass attempt fails.

Crimson Pirate attempts to pass Silver Bullet. Silver Bullet as Target wins and may act. Action is to Hold.

Lap 2 and Zone 2

The track is Straight.  The next zone track is Curved.

Challenge

Black Speed goes Wide. 

Cobalt Hook goes In Position.

Crimson Pirate goes Out of Position. 

Silver Bullet goes Wide.

Random events

Black Speed may attempt to pass now!

Black Speed attempts to pass Cobalt Hook. Pass attempt fails.

Passing

Cobalt Hook attempts to pass Purple Rain. Cobalt Hook as Passer wins and may act. Action is to Pass.

Black Speed attempts to pass Purple Rain. Purple Rain as Target wins and may act. Action is to Hold.

Silver Bullet attempts to pass Black Speed. Silver Bullet as Passer wins and may act. Action is to Pass.

Silver Bullet attempts to pass Purple Rain. Purple Rain as Target wins and may act. Action is to Hold.

Crimson Pirate attempts to pass Black Speed. Pass attempt fails.

Lap 2 and Zone 3

The track is Curved.  The next zone track is Straight.

Challenge

Black Speed goes Out of Position.  Gain one Bonus die.

Purple Rain goes Wide.

Crimson Pirate goes Out of Position.  Gain one Bonus die.

Silver Bullet goes Out of Position.  Gain one Bonus die.

Passing

Purple Rain attempts to pass Cobalt Hook. Purple Rain as Passer wins and may act. Action is to Pass.

Silver Bullet does not pass and so the Zone turn ends.

Lap 2 and Zone 4

The track is Straight.  The next zone track is Straight.

Challenge

Black Speed goes Wide.

Cobalt Hook goes In Position.

Crimson Pirate goes In Position.

Silver Bullet goes Out of Position.  Gain one Bonus die.

Random events

Cobalt Hook may attempt to pass now!

Cobalt Hook attempts to pass Purple Rain. Cobalt Hook as Passer wins and may act. Action is to Pass.

Passing

Silver Bullet attempts to pass Purple Rain.Purple Rain as Target wins and may act. Action is to Bash.

Purple Rain attempts to bash Silver Bullet. Basher Purple Rain drops back. Basher Drop back one lane.  Purple Rain drops back.

Black Speed attempts to pass Purple Rain. Purple Rain as Target wins and may act. Action is to Hold.

Crimson Pirate attempts to pass Black Speed. Black Speed as Target wins and may act. Action is to Bash. Black Speed attempts to bash Crimson Pirate. Both stay in current spot and lane.

Lap 2 and Zone 5

The track is Straight.  The next zone track is Curved.

Challenge

Black Speed goes In Position.

Purple Rain goes In Position.

Crimson Pirate goes In Position.

Silver Bullet goes Out of Position.  Gain one Bonus die.

Passing

Purple Rain attempts to pass Silver Bullet. Purple Rain as Passer wins and may act. Action is to Pass.

Crimson Pirate attempts to pass Black Speed. Crimson Pirate as Passer wins and may act. Action is to Bash. Crimson Pirate attempts to bash Black Speed.  Both stay in current spot and lane.

Lap 2 and Zone 6

The track is Curved.  The next zone track is Straight.

Challenge

Black Speed goes In Position.

Purple Rain goes In Position.

Crimson Pirate goes In Position.

Silver Bullet goes In Position.

Passing

Purple Rain attempts to pass Cobalt Hook. Purple Rain as Passer wins and may act. Action is to Bash. Purple Rain attempts to bash Cobalt Hook. Both stay in current spot and lane.

Silver Bullet attempts to pass Purple Rain. Purple Rain as Target wins and may act. Action is to Bash. Purple Rain attempts to bash Silver Bullet. Both stay in current spot and lane.

Black Speed attempts to pass Silver Bullet. Black Speed as Passer wins and may act. Action is to Bash. Black Speed attempts to bash Silver Bullet. Basher Black Speed drops back. Basher Drop back one lane. Black Speed drops back.

Lap 3 (last lap) and Zone 1

The track is Straight.  The next zone track is Straight.

Challenge

Black Speed goes Out of Position.  Gain one Bonus die.

Purple Rain goes In Position.

Crimson Pirate goes Out of Position.  Gain one Bonus die.

Silver Bullet goes In Position.

Random events

Silver Bullet suffers the brakes locking up!  Drop back.

Silver Bullet out of control? Retain control – stay in current spot and lane.

Crimson Pirate out of control? Retain control – stay in current spot and lane.

Passing

Purple Rain attempts to pass Cobalt Hook. Pass attempt fails.

Silver Bullet attempts to pass Purple Rain. Pass attempt fails.

Lap 3 (last lap) and Zone 2

The track is Straight.  The next zone track is Curved.

Challenge

Black Speed goes Out of Position.  Gain one Bonus die.

Purple Rain goes In Position.

Crimson Pirate goes Out of Position. Gain one Bonus die.

Silver Bullet goes In Position.

Passing

Purple Rain attempts to pass Cobalt Hook. Pass attempt fails.

Silver Bullet attempts to pass Purple Rain. Silver Bullet as Passer wins and may act. Action is to Pass.

Crimson Pirate attempts to pass Purple Rain. Crimson Pirate as Passer wins and may act. Action is to Shoot. Crimson Pirate attempts to shoot Purple Rain using their Twin 50s. Purple Rain damaged. Shooting has damaged the car. Damage inflicted is -1 Speed.   Crimson Pirate reduced from 2 Speed to 1.

Lap 3 (last lap) and Zone 3

The track is Curved.  The next zone track is Straight.

Challenge

Black Speed goes Out of Position.  Gain one Bonus die.

Purple Rain goes In Position.

Crimson Pirate goes Out of Position.  Gain one Bonus die.

Silver Bullet goes Wide.

Passing

Silver Bullet attempts to pass Black Speed. Black Speed as Target wins and may act. Action is to Hold.

Purple Rain attempts to pass Silver Bullet. Purple Rain as Passer wins and may act. Action is to Pass.

Purple Rain attempts to pass Cobalt Hook. Purple Rain as Passer wins and may act. Action is to Pass.

Crimson Pirate attempts to pass Silver Bullet. Crimson Pirate as Passer wins and may act. Action is to Shoot. Crimson Pirate attempts to shoot Silver Bullet using their Twin 50s. Silver Bullet damaged. Shooting has damaged the car.  Damage inflicted is -1 Speed.   Silver Bullet reduced from 2 to 1 Speed.

Lap 3 (last lap) and Zone 4

The track is Straight.  The next zone track is Straight.

Challenge

Black Speed goes In Position.

Cobalt Hook goes In Position.

Crimson Pirate goes Out of Position.  Gain one Bonus die.

Silver Bullet goes Wide.

Passing

Cobalt Hook attempts to pass Purple Rain. Pass attempt fails.

Silver Bullet attempts to pass Cobalt Hook. Pass attempt fails.

Black Speed attempts to pass Crimson Pirate. Black Speed as Passer wins and may act. Action is to Bash. Black Speed attempts to bash Crimson Pirate. Basher Crimson Pirate wrecked. Target Flip back as Wreck. Crimson Pirate has flipped back left and is now an obstacle.

Black Speed attempts to pass Silver Bullet. Pass attempt fails.

Lap 3 (last lap) and Zone 5

The track is Straight.  The next zone track is Curved.

Challenge

Black Speed goes Wide.

Cobalt Hook goes Wide.

Silver Bullet goes Out of Position.  Gain one Bonus die.

Random events

Cobalt Hook is too close to another car.  Need to undertake a savvy check. to car behind; both OOC.

Cobalt Hook out of control? Retain control – stay in current spot and lane.

Purple Rain out of control? Retain control – stay in current spot and lane.

Passing

Purple Rain attempts to pass Cobalt Hook. Cobalt Hook as Target wins and may act. Action is to Hold. Cobalt Hook has Oil and uses it. Purple Rain may go Out of Control. Purple Rain out of control? Retain control – stay in current spot and lane.

Black Speed attempts to pass Silver Bullet. Silver Bullet as Target wins and may act. Action is to Shoot. Silver Bullet attempts to shoot Black Speed using their Heavy Gatling. Black Speed damaged. Shooting has damaged the car. Damage inflicted is -1 Speed. Black Speed reduced from 2 to 1.

Lap 3 (last lap) and Zone 6 (last zone)

The track is Curved.  The next zone track is Straight.

Challenge

Black Speed goes Out of Position.  Gain one Bonus die.

Purple Rain goes In Position.

Silver Bullet goes In Position.

Random events

Purple Rain may attempt to pass now! Purple Rain attempts to pass Cobalt Hook. Pass attempt fails.

Black Speed is too close to another car.  Need to undertake a savvy check. to car in front; both OOC.

Black Speed out of control? Retain control – stay in current spot and lane.

Silver Bullet out of control? Retain control – stay in current spot and lane.

Passing

Purple Rain attempts to pass Cobalt Hook. Purple Rain as Passer wins and may act. Action is to Shoot. Purple Rain attempts to shoot Cobalt Hook using their Fixed Forward Guns. Cobalt Hook damaged. Shooting has damaged the car. Damage inflicted is -1 Tech.  Cobalt Hook reduced Tech from 2 to 1.

Silver Bullet attempts to pass Purple Rain. Purple Rain as Target wins and may act. Action is to Hold.

Race end

First: Cobalt Hook

Second: Purple Rain

Third: Silver Bullet (me)

Fourth: Black Speed

Wrecks:  Crimson Pirate, Green Solo Runner

Post Race

Fame
Currently 0 Fame (first race I have been in). All 3 vehicles I beat were not lower entry costs so Fame increased by 6. The two vehicles that beat me were higher entry cost so -2, for a total Fame of 4.

Salvage
I did not win so no salvage.

Verdict

Fun to play!   I think I still have a few more races in me before I try a chase.  I need to track down some cheap motorcycles.  I also want (or is that *need*) a semi-trailer if I am doing chases.