Battle of Argentoratum, 357 AD using Ancients Battlelines Clash

Introduction

This is game 75 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.  This current significant revision goes back to ABC version 2.5 from years ago (the one I played the most) and does away with disorder, so no markers on the table.  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 have played this version about 10 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 Argentoratum, 357 AD

Julian repels a Gothic barbarian invasion.

Scenario source: Bill Banks Ancients, Peter Sides Ancient Historical Battles Volume 1.

Link(s):

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

Troops

Julian (Rome)

*p

1 LDR, 1 KN (Cataphracts), 1 LC, 2 HI (Legions) with one elite, 2 MI (Auxilia) with 1 elite.

Breakpoint: 2.5

Chnodomar, Chief of the Allemani

1 LDR, 6WB (Warbands)

Breakpoint: 3

Scenario

Map: Open with a wood in Chnodomar right flank deployment zone (1/3 in from deployment edge) and 2BW wide.

Special rules: None.

Deployment

Julian (Rome): MI MI+ (1BW gap) HI+ HI (1BW gap) KN* LC

Chnodomar, Chief of the Allemani: WB (1BW gap) WB WB* WB WB (1BW gap) WB (in the woods).

BW=basewidth or 1 square

Game

The warbands advance, except the unit in the woods that was going a bit slow.  Julian responds by advancing centre and right flank.  The Auxilia at the woods also is being a bit slow (i.e. failed to activate).

First moves

The warbands continue to advance, except the unit in the woods that is still finding it slow going.  The Auxilia move right to protect the centre.  The Cataphracts charge the warband while the light cavalry also advances for support if required.  The Cataphracts, unsurprisingly, rout the warbands and advance.

The Cataphracts making short work of that flank

The warbands advance into the legions. One routs, the other is still in melee.  In the subsequent melee (in the Roman turn) the remaining Legions unit routs.

Warbands Vs Legions

Julian and his Cataphracts move to assist in the now collapsed centre.

Some warbands charge the Auxilia but they stand fast.

Warbands Vs Auxilia with the Cataphracts closing in

An Auxilia is subsequently destroyed and the Cataphracts hit the warbands, the latter routing

Cataphracts Vs a warband

The Romans have reached their breakpoint and flee the battle.  It was a close game.  Could have easily see defeat for the Goths.

End

Verdict

A short simple, straightforward game.  Fairly equal sides could easily see one or the other win.  In this case, history was not repeated.  I did play one more turn that saw another Roman unit routed, definitely a Goth win this time.  It took me a week to get around to playing this after setting it up (other things got priority).  It was fairly quick, I should have just played it earlier!  And no changes to the rules.