Introduction
I played some Dominion of the Spear recently to test out some minor rules changes and decided to play the 36 battles in the Dominion of the Spear scenario book. This is the replays of the first 10 games.
I played some Dominion of the Spear recently to test out some minor rules changes and decided to play the 36 battles in the Dominion of the Spear scenario book. This is the replays of the first 10 games.
Background
I have also used an excel spreadsheet to help generate the outcomes so I am not having to type so much. It also means some of the narrative is a bit same-y. I used generic unit types in the narrative and also specific unit types if mentioned in the scenario.
I used two:
- Melee Infantry always hit on a 4+. If versus another Melee Infantry and both are hit neither are destroyed.
- Reserves are allocated to a sector at the start. When required, reserves are drawn firstly from the destroyed unit’s sector, then from an adjacent sector (if available).
- Battle of Megiddo around 1479 BC
- Battle of Kadesh 1274 BC
- Battle of Arrapha 616 BC
- Battle of Thymbra 536 BC
- Battle of Marathon 490 BC
- Battle of Marathon 490 BC (alternative forces)
- Battle of Plataea 479 BC
- Battle of Gaugamela (Arbela) 331 BC
- Battle of Ipsus 301 BC (The Battle of Five Kings)
- Battle of Heraclea 280 BC
Canaanite attacker, commanded by Durusha the king of Kadesh. Light Chariots (left), Light Chariots (centre), Light Chariots (right); in reserve Militia Archers (on a hill) (left) Spearmen (on a hill) (centre).
Egyptian defender, commanded by Pharaoh Thutmose III. Chariots (right), Chariots (centre), Chariots (left); in reserve Axemen (centre).
 |
| Canaanite Vs Egyptian |
The Canaanite left flank Light Chariots exchange missiles with the opposing Chariots. No result.
The Egyptian right flank Chariots exchange missiles with the opposing Light Chariots. Neither inflict significant damage and are locked in combat.
Turn 2
The Canaanite left flank Light Chariots exchange missiles with the opposing Chariots. Both are destroyed! Canaanite Militia Archers (on a hill) moves into the left flank. Egyptian Axemen from the centre is directed to the right flank.
 |
| Canaanite Vs Egyptian |
The Egyptian left flank Chariots exchange missiles with the opposing
Light Chariots. Both are routed!
No Egyptians in reserve. Canaanite Spearmen
(on a hill) from the centre is directed to the right flank.
Turn 3
The Canaanite right flank Spearmen (on a hill) outflanks the centre Chariots. No result, still in combat.
The Canaanite right flank Spearmen (on a hill) outflanks the centre Chariots. No result, still in combat.
The Egyptian right flank Axemen receives missiles first from the opposing Militia Archers (on a hill). The Egyptian Axemen shatters the Militia Archers (on a hill). No Canaanites in reserve.
Turn 4
The Canaanite right flank Spearmen (on a hill) outflanks the centre Chariots. No result, still in combat.
The Egyptian right flank Axemen outflanks the centre Light Chariots. The Egyptian Axemen breaks the Light Chariots. No Canaanites in reserve.
Egyptians (defender) defeats the enemy.
A close game
Battle of Kadesh 1274 BC
Hittite attacker, commanded by King Muwatalli II. Light Chariots (left), Medium Chariots (centre), Medium Chariots (right); in reserve Foot Troops (centre) Light Chariots (right).
Egyptian defender, commanded by Pharaoh Ramses II. Foot Troops (right), Spearmen (centre), Light Chariots (left); in reserve Chariots (centre) Medium Archers (left).
Turn 1
The Hittite right flank Medium Chariots exchange missiles with the opposing Light Chariots. The Hittite Medium Chariots shatters the Light Chariots.
 |
| Canaanite Vs Egyptian |
The Canaanite right flank Spearmen (on a hill) outflanks the centre Chariots. No result, still in combat.
The Egyptian right flank Axemen outflanks the centre Light Chariots. The Egyptian Axemen breaks the Light Chariots. No Canaanites in reserve.
 |
| Canaanite Vs Egyptian |
Egyptians (defender) defeats the enemy.
Hittite attacker, commanded by King Muwatalli II. Light Chariots (left), Medium Chariots (centre), Medium Chariots (right); in reserve Foot Troops (centre) Light Chariots (right).
Egyptian defender, commanded by Pharaoh Ramses II. Foot Troops (right), Spearmen (centre), Light Chariots (left); in reserve Chariots (centre) Medium Archers (left).
 |
| Egyptian Vs Hittle (image reversed for some reason) |
The Hittite right flank Medium Chariots exchange missiles with the opposing Light Chariots. The Hittite Medium Chariots shatters the Light Chariots.
 |
| Hittite Vs Egyptian |
The Egyptian centre Spearmen receives missiles first from the opposing Medium Chariots. The attacking Spearmen are forced to flee. Egyptian Chariots moves into the centre.
Turn 2
 |
| Hittite Vs Egyptian |
The Hittite left flank Light Chariots fires missiles first at the opposing Foot Troops. No result.
The Egyptian centre Chariots exchange missiles with the opposing Medium Chariots. The attacking Chariots are shattered.
Turn 3
The Hittite centre Medium Chariots outflanks with missiles the right flank Foot Troops. Neither force the other to give ground.
The Egyptian left flank Medium Archers exchange missiles with the opposing Medium Chariots. No effective result and remain in combat.
 |
| Hittite Vs Egyptian |
The Hittite centre Medium Chariots outflanks with missiles the right flank Foot Troops. Neither force the other to give ground.
The Egyptian left flank Medium Archers exchange missiles with the opposing Medium Chariots. No effective result and remain in combat.
Turn 4
The Hittite centre Medium Chariots outflanks with missiles the right
flank Foot Troops. No effective result and remain in combat.
The Egyptian left flank Medium Archers exchange missiles with the
opposing Medium Chariots. Neither inflict significant damage and are locked in
combat.
Turn 5
The Hittite centre Medium Chariots outflanks with missiles the right flank Foot Troops. No result.
The Egyptian left flank Medium Archers exchange missiles with the opposing Medium Chariots. The attacking Medium Archers are shattered. No Egyptians in reserve.
 |
| Hittite Vs Egyptian |
Hittites (attacker) drives the enemy from the field.
Assyrian attacker. Medium Archers (left), Medium Archers (centre), Heavy Chariots (right); in reserve Medium Cavalry (centre).
Neo-Babylonian defender, commanded by King Nabopolassar. Bowmen (right), Bowmen (centre), Heavy Chariots (left); in reserve Medium Cavalry (centre) Militia Archers (left).
 |
| Assyrian Vs Neo-Babylonian |
The Assyrian centre Medium Archers exchange missiles with the opposing Bowmen. The Assyrian Medium Archers destroys the Bowmen. Neo-Babylonian Medium Cavalry replaces the centre.
The Neo-Babylonian left flank Heavy Chariots exchange missiles with the
opposing Heavy Chariots.
The attacking Heavy Chariots are shattered.
Neo-Babylonian Militia Archers replaces the left flank.
Turn 2
 |
| Assyrian Vs Neo-Babylonian |
The Assyrian right flank Heavy Chariots exchange missiles with the opposing Militia Archers. No result.
The Neo-Babylonian right flank Bowmen exchange missiles with the opposing Medium Archers. The Neo-Babylonian Bowmen routs the Medium Archers. Assyrian Medium Cavalry from the centre replaces the left flank.
Turn 3
The Assyrian right flank Heavy Chariots exchange missiles with the opposing Militia Archers.
The attacking right flank are routed. No Assyrians in
reserve.
The Neo-Babylonian left flank Militia Archers outflanks with missiles the centre Medium Archers. Neither inflict significant damage and are locked in combat.
 |
| Assyrian Vs Neo-Babylonian |
The Neo-Babylonian left flank Militia Archers outflanks with missiles the centre Medium Archers. Neither inflict significant damage and are locked in combat.
Turn 4
The Assyrian centre Medium Archers fires missiles first at the opposing Medium Cavalry.
The attacking centre are forced to flee. No Assyrians in
reserve.
Neo-Babylonians (defender) is victorious!
Battle of Thymbra 536 BC
Lydian attacker, commanded by King Croesus. Cataphracts (left), Pike Phalanx (centre), Cataphracts (right); in reserve Foot Troops (centre).
Persian defender, commanded by Cyrus the Great. Sparabara (right), Light Chariots (centre), Sparabara (left); in reserve Sparabara (right) Medium Cavalry (centre).
Turn 1
The Lydian centre Pike Phalanx receives missiles first from the opposing Light Chariots. The Lydian Pike Phalanx forces to flee the Light Chariots. Persian Medium Cavalry replaces the centre.
The Persian right flank Sparabara fires missiles first at the opposing Cataphracts.
 |
| Assyrian Vs Neo-Babylonian |
Neo-Babylonians (defender) is victorious!
Lydian attacker, commanded by King Croesus. Cataphracts (left), Pike Phalanx (centre), Cataphracts (right); in reserve Foot Troops (centre).
Persian defender, commanded by Cyrus the Great. Sparabara (right), Light Chariots (centre), Sparabara (left); in reserve Sparabara (right) Medium Cavalry (centre).
 |
| Lydian Vs Persian |
The Lydian centre Pike Phalanx receives missiles first from the opposing Light Chariots. The Lydian Pike Phalanx forces to flee the Light Chariots. Persian Medium Cavalry replaces the centre.
 |
| Lydian Vs Persian |
The Persian right flank Sparabara fires missiles first at the opposing Cataphracts.
The attacking Sparabara are routed. Persian Sparabara is directed
to the right flank.
Turn 2
 |
| Lydian Vs Persian |
The Lydian centre Pike Phalanx attacks the opposing Medium Cavalry.
The
Lydian Pike Phalanx shatters the Medium Cavalry. No Persians in reserve.
The Persian right flank Sparabara fires missiles first at the opposing Cataphracts.
 |
| Lydian Vs Persian |
The Persian right flank Sparabara fires missiles first at the opposing Cataphracts.
The attacking Sparabara are forced to flee. No Persians in
reserve.
Lydians (attacker) drives the enemy from the field.
The Lydians did not lose a unit!
The Persian missile fire was completely useless. A big deviation from history for this battle. I am tempted to play it
again to see if it is unbalanced or simply poor dice rolls, but onto the next
battle instead!
Battle of Marathon 490 BC
Persian attacker, commanded by Datis. Sparabara (left), Immortals (centre), Sparabara (right); in reserve Light archers (left) Light archers (right).
Greek defender, commanded by Miltiades. Hoplites (right), Hoplites (centre), Hoplites (left); in reserve Hoplites (centre).
Turn 1
The Persian centre Immortals fires missiles first at the opposing Hoplites.
 |
| Lydian Vs Persian |
Lydians (attacker) drives the enemy from the field.
Persian attacker, commanded by Datis. Sparabara (left), Immortals (centre), Sparabara (right); in reserve Light archers (left) Light archers (right).
Greek defender, commanded by Miltiades. Hoplites (right), Hoplites (centre), Hoplites (left); in reserve Hoplites (centre).
 |
| Lydian Vs Persian |
The Persian centre Immortals fires missiles first at the opposing Hoplites.
The attacking centre are routed. Persian Light archers from the left
flank is directed to the centre.
The Greek centre Hoplites receives missiles first from the opposing Light archers. The attacking Hoplites are routed. Greek Hoplites advances to fill the gap in the centre.
The Greek centre Hoplites receives missiles first from the opposing Light archers. The attacking Hoplites are routed. Greek Hoplites advances to fill the gap in the centre.
Turn 2
The Persian centre Light archers fires missiles first at the opposing Hoplites. The attacking centre are destroyed. Persian Light archers from the right flank advances to fill the gap in the centre.
The Greek centre Hoplites receives missiles first from the opposing Light archers. The attacking Hoplites are shattered. No Greeks in reserve.
 |
| Lydian Vs Persian |
The Persian centre Light archers fires missiles first at the opposing Hoplites. The attacking centre are destroyed. Persian Light archers from the right flank advances to fill the gap in the centre.
 |
| Lydian Vs Persian |
The Greek centre Hoplites receives missiles first from the opposing Light archers. The attacking Hoplites are shattered. No Greeks in reserve.
Turn 3
 |
| Lydian Vs Persian |
The Persian centre Light archers outflanks with missiles the right flank Hoplites. The Persian Light archers routs the Hoplites. No Greeks in reserve.
 |
| Lydian Vs Persian |
Persians (attacker) forces the enemy to flee.
An alternative version based on the scenario I usually use for this battle.
Greek attacker, commanded by Miltiades. Hoplites (thinned line) (left), Hoplites (thinned line) (centre), Hoplites (thinned line) (right); in reserve Hoplites (left) Hoplites (right).
Persian defender, commanded by Datis. Light archers (right), Immortals (centre), Light archers (left); in reserve Light archers (right) Sparabara (centre).
 |
| Greek Vs Persian |
The Greek left flank Hoplites (thinned line) receives missiles first from the opposing Light archers. No effective result and remain in combat.
The Persian centre Immortals fires missiles first at the opposing Hoplites (thinned line). The Persian Immortals breaks the Hoplites (thinned line). Greek Hoplites from the left flank is directed to the centre.
Turn 2
The Greek centre Hoplites receives missiles first from the opposing Immortals. The Greek Hoplites breaks the Immortals. Persian Sparabara advances to fill the gap in the centre.
The Persian right flank Light archers fires missiles first at the opposing Hoplites (thinned line). The Persian Light archers forces to flee the Hoplites (thinned line). No Greeks in reserve.
 |
| Greek Vs Persian |
The Greek centre Hoplites receives missiles first from the opposing Immortals. The Greek Hoplites breaks the Immortals. Persian Sparabara advances to fill the gap in the centre.
 |
| Greek Vs Persian |
The Persian right flank Light archers fires missiles first at the opposing Hoplites (thinned line). The Persian Light archers forces to flee the Hoplites (thinned line). No Greeks in reserve.
Turn 3
The Greek centre Hoplites receives missiles first from the opposing Sparabara. The attacking centre are destroyed. Greek Hoplites from the right flank advances to the centre.
The Persian right flank Light archers outflanks with missiles the centre Hoplites. Neither inflict significant damage and are locked in combat.
 |
| Greek Vs Persian |
The Greek centre Hoplites receives missiles first from the opposing Sparabara. The attacking centre are destroyed. Greek Hoplites from the right flank advances to the centre.
 |
| Greek Vs Persian |
The Persian right flank Light archers outflanks with missiles the centre Hoplites. Neither inflict significant damage and are locked in combat.
Turn 4
The Greek centre Hoplites receives missiles first from the opposing Sparabara. The Greek Hoplites routs the Sparabara. Persian Light archers from the right flank replaces the centre.
The Persian right flank Light archers outflanks with missiles the centre Hoplites. No result, still in combat.
The Greek centre Hoplites receives missiles first from the opposing Sparabara. The Greek Hoplites routs the Sparabara. Persian Light archers from the right flank replaces the centre.
 |
| Greek Vs Persian |
The Persian right flank Light archers outflanks with missiles the centre Hoplites. No result, still in combat.
Turn 5
The Greek centre Hoplites receives missiles first from the opposing Light archers. The Greek Hoplites destroys the Light archers. No Persians in reserve.
The Persian right flank Light archers outflanks with missiles the centre Hoplites. Neither force the other to give ground.
The Greek centre Hoplites receives missiles first from the opposing Light archers. The Greek Hoplites destroys the Light archers. No Persians in reserve.
 |
| Greek Vs Persian |
The Persian right flank Light archers outflanks with missiles the centre Hoplites. Neither force the other to give ground.
Turn 6
The Greek centre Hoplites outflanks the left flank Light archers. Neither inflict significant damage and are locked in combat.
The Persian right flank Light archers outflanks with missiles the centre Hoplites. Neither inflict significant damage and are locked in combat.
The Greek centre Hoplites outflanks the left flank Light archers. Neither inflict significant damage and are locked in combat.
The Persian right flank Light archers outflanks with missiles the centre Hoplites. Neither inflict significant damage and are locked in combat.
Turn 7
The Greek centre Hoplites outflanks the left flank Light archers. The Greek Hoplites forces to flee the Light archers. No Persians in reserve.
Greeks (attacker) wins!
Another close Marathon game with again, all bows Vs all spears. The majority of this scenario I play (this is
about attempt 7) sees the Persians win with first fire bowfire being a bit of
an advantage. So good to see the Greeks
bring the games closer to an average 50/50.
This game took 7 turns. The
shortest I have had is 2 and seems the average is 3-4. 7 is very much an outlier.
Battle of Plataea 479 BC
Persian attacker, commanded by Xerxes I. Medium Cavalry (left), Sparabara (centre), Mercenary Hoplites (right); in reserve Bowmen (left) Immortals (centre).
Greek defender. Spartan hoplites (right), Hoplites (centre), Hoplites (left); in reserve Spearmen (centre).
Turn 1
The Persian right flank Mercenary Hoplites attacks the opposing Hoplites.
The Greek centre Hoplites outflanks the left flank Light archers. The Greek Hoplites forces to flee the Light archers. No Persians in reserve.
 |
| Greek Vs Persian |
Greeks (attacker) wins!
Persian attacker, commanded by Xerxes I. Medium Cavalry (left), Sparabara (centre), Mercenary Hoplites (right); in reserve Bowmen (left) Immortals (centre).
Greek defender. Spartan hoplites (right), Hoplites (centre), Hoplites (left); in reserve Spearmen (centre).
 |
| Persian Vs Greek |
The Persian right flank Mercenary Hoplites attacks the opposing Hoplites.
Neither inflict significant damage and are locked in combat.
The Greek right flank Spartan hoplites attacks the opposing Medium Cavalry. Both leave the field of battle! The Cavalry break the hoplites and then pursue them as they rout. Greek Spearmen from the centre advances to fill the gap in the right flank. Persian Bowmen advances to the left flank.
The Greek right flank Spartan hoplites attacks the opposing Medium Cavalry. Both leave the field of battle! The Cavalry break the hoplites and then pursue them as they rout. Greek Spearmen from the centre advances to fill the gap in the right flank. Persian Bowmen advances to the left flank.
Turn 2
The Persian right flank Mercenary Hoplites attacks the opposing Hoplites. Neither force the other to give ground.
The Greek centre Hoplites receives missiles first from the opposing Sparabara. The Greek Hoplites routs the Sparabara. Persian Immortals is directed to the centre.
 |
| Persian Vs Greek |
The Persian right flank Mercenary Hoplites attacks the opposing Hoplites. Neither force the other to give ground.
The Greek centre Hoplites receives missiles first from the opposing Sparabara. The Greek Hoplites routs the Sparabara. Persian Immortals is directed to the centre.
Turn 3
The Persian right flank Mercenary Hoplites attacks the opposing Hoplites.
 |
| Persian Vs Greek |
The Persian right flank Mercenary Hoplites attacks the opposing Hoplites.
The attacking right flank are destroyed. No Persians in reserve.
The Greek left flank Hoplites outflanks the centre Immortals. The Greek Hoplites routs the Immortals. No Persians in reserve.
Greeks (defender) defeats the enemy.
This was a great battle to play out – lots of action every dice roll.
Battle of Gaugamela (Arbela) 331 BC
Persian attacker, commanded by Darius III. Medium Cavalry (left), Scythed Chariots (centre), Horse Archers (right); in reserve Medium Cavalry (left) Bowmen (centre) Medium Cavalry (right).
Macedonian defender, commanded by Alexander. Thessalian (right), Phalanx (centre), Companions (left); in reserve Peltasts (centre).
Turn 1
The Persian left flank Medium Cavalry attacks the opposing Thessalian. No effective result and remain in combat.
The Macedonian left flank Companions receives missiles first from the opposing Horse Archers. No result, still in combat.
 |
| Persian Vs Greek |
The Greek left flank Hoplites outflanks the centre Immortals. The Greek Hoplites routs the Immortals. No Persians in reserve.
 |
| Persian Vs Greek |
Greeks (defender) defeats the enemy.
Persian attacker, commanded by Darius III. Medium Cavalry (left), Scythed Chariots (centre), Horse Archers (right); in reserve Medium Cavalry (left) Bowmen (centre) Medium Cavalry (right).
Macedonian defender, commanded by Alexander. Thessalian (right), Phalanx (centre), Companions (left); in reserve Peltasts (centre).
 |
| Persian Vs Macedonian |
The Persian left flank Medium Cavalry attacks the opposing Thessalian. No effective result and remain in combat.
The Macedonian left flank Companions receives missiles first from the opposing Horse Archers. No result, still in combat.
Turn 2
The Persian left flank Medium Cavalry attacks the opposing Thessalian. The Persian Medium Cavalry destroys the Thessalian. Macedonian Peltasts from the centre is directed to the right flank.
 |
| Persian Vs Macedonian |
The Macedonian left flank Companions receives missiles first from the opposing Horse Archers. The Macedonian Companions routs the Horse Archers. Persian Medium Cavalry replaces the right flank.
Turn 3
The Persian left flank Medium Cavalry attacks the opposing Peltasts. The attacking left flank are routed. Persian Medium Cavalry replaces the left flank.
The Macedonian centre Phalanx receives missiles first from the opposing Scythed Chariots. No effective result and remain in combat.
 |
| Persian Vs Macedonian |
The Persian left flank Medium Cavalry attacks the opposing Peltasts. The attacking left flank are routed. Persian Medium Cavalry replaces the left flank.
 |
| Persian Vs Macedonian |
The Macedonian centre Phalanx receives missiles first from the opposing Scythed Chariots. No effective result and remain in combat.
Turn 4
The Persian left flank Medium Cavalry attacks the opposing Peltasts. Both are destroyed! Persian Bowmen from the centre advances to the left flank. No Macedonians in reserve.
 |
| Persian Vs Macedonian |
The Macedonian centre Phalanx receives missiles first from the opposing
Scythed Chariots. The attacking Phalanx are routed. No Macedonians in reserve.
Persians (attacker) is victorious!
A close game.
Battle of Ipsus 301 BC (The Battle of Five
Kings)
Antigonid attacker, commanded by Antigonus. Medium Cavalry (left), Pike Phalanx (centre), Medium Cavalry (right); in reserve Horse Archers (left) Elephants (centre).
Seleucid defender, commanded by Seleucus. Medium Cavalry (right), Pike Phalanx (centre), Shock Cavalry (left); in reserve Spearmen (centre) Elephants (left).
Turn 1
The Antigonid left flank Medium Cavalry attacks the opposing Medium Cavalry. No effective result and remain in combat.
The Seleucid left flank Shock Cavalry attacks the opposing Medium Cavalry.
 |
| Persian Vs Macedonian |
Persians (attacker) is victorious!
Antigonid attacker, commanded by Antigonus. Medium Cavalry (left), Pike Phalanx (centre), Medium Cavalry (right); in reserve Horse Archers (left) Elephants (centre).
Seleucid defender, commanded by Seleucus. Medium Cavalry (right), Pike Phalanx (centre), Shock Cavalry (left); in reserve Spearmen (centre) Elephants (left).
 |
| Antigonid Vs Seleucid |
The Antigonid left flank Medium Cavalry attacks the opposing Medium Cavalry. No effective result and remain in combat.
The Seleucid left flank Shock Cavalry attacks the opposing Medium Cavalry.
Turn 2
The Antigonid right flank Elephants attacks the opposing Elephants. The Antigonid Elephants breaks the Elephants. Seleucid Spearmen from the centre replaces the left flank.
The Seleucid right flank Medium Cavalry attacks the opposing Medium Cavalry. No result.
 |
| Antigonid Vs Seleucid |
The Antigonid right flank Elephants attacks the opposing Elephants. The Antigonid Elephants breaks the Elephants. Seleucid Spearmen from the centre replaces the left flank.
 |
| Antigonid Vs Seleucid |
The Seleucid right flank Medium Cavalry attacks the opposing Medium Cavalry. No result.
Turn 3
The Antigonid right flank Elephants attacks the opposing Spearmen. The attacking right flank are routed. No Antigonids in reserve.
The Seleucid left flank Spearmen outflanks the centre Pike Phalanx. The Seleucid Spearmen routs the Pike Phalanx. Antigonid Horse Archers from the left flank replaces the centre.
The Antigonid right flank Elephants attacks the opposing Spearmen. The attacking right flank are routed. No Antigonids in reserve.
 |
| Antigonid Vs Seleucid |
The Seleucid left flank Spearmen outflanks the centre Pike Phalanx. The Seleucid Spearmen routs the Pike Phalanx. Antigonid Horse Archers from the left flank replaces the centre.
Turn 4
 |
| Antigonid Vs Seleucid |
The Antigonid centre Horse Archers fires missiles first at the opposing Pike Phalanx. No result.
The Seleucid left flank Spearmen outflanks the centre Horse Archers. Neither inflict significant damage and are locked in combat.
Turn 5
The Antigonid centre Horse Archers fires missiles first at the opposing Pike Phalanx. The Antigonid Horse Archers destroys the Pike Phalanx. No Seleucids in reserve.
 |
| Antigonid Vs Seleucid |
The Seleucid left flank Spearmen outflanks the centre Horse Archers. The Seleucid Spearmen destroys the Horse Archers. No Antigonids in reserve.
 |
| Antigonid Vs Seleucid |
Seleucids (defender) drives the enemy from the field.
Not in the scenario book, but I play this one a lot so here for completeness.
Roman defender, commanded by Valerius Laevinus. Roman cavalry (right), Legion (centre), Light Cavalry (left); in reserve Italian Cavalry (right) Italian Allies (centre).
 |
| Epirote Vs Roman |
The Epirote left flank Agema attacks the opposing Roman cavalry.
 |
| Epirote Vs Roman |
The Roman left flank Light Cavalry exchange missiles with the opposing Tarantine cavalry. The Roman Light Cavalry forces to flee the Tarantine cavalry. No Epirotes in reserve.
Turn 2
The Epirote left flank Elephants attacks the opposing Italian Cavalry. The Epirote Elephants routs the Italian Cavalry. Roman Italian Allies from the centre is directed to the right flank.
The Roman left flank Light Cavalry outflanks with missiles the centre Pike Phalanx.
 |
| Epirote Vs Roman |
The Epirote left flank Elephants attacks the opposing Italian Cavalry. The Epirote Elephants routs the Italian Cavalry. Roman Italian Allies from the centre is directed to the right flank.
 |
| Epirote Vs Roman |
The Roman left flank Light Cavalry outflanks with missiles the centre Pike Phalanx.
The Roman Light Cavalry breaks the Pike Phalanx. No Epirotes in
reserve.
Romans (defender) drives the enemy from the field.
A reversal of history. While it
does seem one-sided it could have easily gone the other way. The joy of
Dominion of the Spear!
Verdict so far
This has taken 5 weeks to put together so no idea when I may get to the remaining 32 battle reports! I have all the images and most of the words but need to edit the images and upload everything.
 |
| Epirote Vs Roman |
Romans (defender) drives the enemy from the field.
This has taken 5 weeks to put together so no idea when I may get to the remaining 32 battle reports! I have all the images and most of the words but need to edit the images and upload everything.
It was fun playing through
the 42 battles. I really want to play
them again using a 6x6 grid but finding the time will
be hard. I can see I will continue to
use these rules for quick campaign games but playing these rules has inspired
me to relook at some 3x3 (and 6x6 and 8x8 lol) rules for ancients based on my
ww2 3x4 grid rules.
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An impressive amount of gaming and reporting Shaun! I'm sure it took much longer to record the battles than play them. I'm very much looking forward to reading more when you have the time to write them up.
ReplyDeletelol, as you would l know, often the post takes more time than the actual game. And in this case the battles are all over in minutes and th blog took hours. The good news is I have all the photos and most of the text for the remaining battles, so halfway there.
DeleteThat was a mega post! Iv done Marathon and Platea a few times now, and that was an interesting variation on the Marathon scenario. Poor Alexander at Gaugamela! Like your additional Heraclea game, I've added Granicus and Issus as Alexander the Great scenarios, which I've played a lot. I do like asymmetries of the Macedons and Persians.
ReplyDeleteDominion of the Spear is great for this stuff. I see I'd completely misunderstood your fixed reserve rule, thanks for explaining it here (Id thought all reserves could move diagonally).
Thanks Martin, maybe a bit too huge :-)
ReplyDeleteI have done Marathon about a dozen times and find it hard for the Greeks to win (at least with my alternative setup). They won in the above game though!
I resisted adding too many games to the list. I do have a lot of battles I could have used and resisted turning the 36 battles into 100 :-)
Reserves can move diagonally but only to fill a gap in an adjacent sector (like in Megiddo above). I also have the rule that when you activate a sector and there is a reserve allocated there, you can move the reserve to be a reserve in an adjacent sector. But I did not use it in these games as I was too lazy to bother with an extra rule.
I like reserves allocated to a sector (and can fill an adjacent one if needed) as I feel reserves were usually allocated to a flank or the centre rather than across the whole line (often kilometres in length).
I quite agree about the positioning of the reserves, and I really like the look of the battle lines deployed in depth.
DeleteI think Marathon is always going to be tough for the Persians with basically lightly armoured archers against heavily armoured hoplites. Now if the Persian cavalry had been present, they might have had a few more options!
DeleteSteve
How dare you!?
ReplyDeleteV/R,
Jack
My next post (within the week maybe?) will be 20mm WW2 action. Hoping that will redeem me somewhat. lol.
DeleteAbsolutely!
DeleteAnd my apologies, I don't mean to detract from what is clearly quite a wargaming endeavor, or to aggravate the folks that are enjoying it.
But we both know where you're time is best spent ;)
V/R,
Jack
That was a whole lotta battle reports Shaun ⚔️⚔️ Well done.
ReplyDeleteI see the Persian scythed chariots at Gaugamela were given missile fire - I would’ve thought these would have been melee mounted (relying on the initial charge at the enemy formations to deal a heavy blow with all those whirling scythe blades). TBH what little I know of scythed chariots comes from those of the Seleucids, so I may be incorrect in respect of the late Persians.
Cheers,
Geoff
Unless Shaun has changed them, I am pretty certain that they should be Melee Mounted and not Missile Mounted. They are written as 1x Chariots (Scythed) which is Melee Mounted. If they were classed as Missile Mounted they would be written as 1x Chariot Archers (Scythed).
ReplyDeleteSteve
I made them Missile Mounted as they were chariots. I missed the nuance in the army list between Chariot and Chariot archers :-( Mainly as by default I assume all Chariots are missile-armed so went with that in the rush of it all! They should be Melee Mounted. I have my own house rules for Scythed Chariots that I sometimes use but not for these ancient replays (Scythed Chariots are Melee Mounted, 1 point, go first against other Melee units, are destroyed themselves if do not destroy the enemy)
DeleteThat sounds about right. Scythed chariots will either charge home successfully (inflicting serious losses upon the enemy) or will be repulsed (say, the enemy presents a solid wall of spears, or short range missile fire which causes the chariot horses to swerve or breaks their cohesion). Either way I regard the scythed chariots as being a “one shot” weapon 😉
DeleteIs 'Marathon Wargaming' a term? If not, it seems like you made it one. How long time approx do you use to fight a battle?
ReplyDeleteThat is a good question Roger. It takes about 5 minutes a game, excluding setup (maybe 5 minutes to find the figures and set them up) and put away (about 2 minutes). There is about 6-10 2d6 rolls in a game meaning having to make that many decisions and add mods to the dice rolls (and about 15-30 seconds for each turn). Some games stretch out to 14 die rolls and I have had a game with 20 die rolls! If it was not a scenario, the games would be a few minutes longer as you need to think about what sector to place units.
DeleteThe shortest part of the whole thing is actually playing the game itself :-)