Today, Phil was in Ayton, but we had Rhod and a new player, Dave. Lawrence took Rhod for a 1:1 game of 6mm mini Midgard, while I played with Tony and Dave.
We played a learning game, trying to show Dave the ropes rather than crush his Macedonians! - He had them for impetus, so were on 8cm frontage bases, perfect for matching my Hoplites. We let Dave work out his own lists, which were different from the ones I produce. It was an interesting chance to see how his Macedonians would perform! (I had to lend him my Alexander and the other Heroes as he hadn't any of his own yet!)
I was the defender, so got choice of table edge, the Macedonians deployed second.
My left, some Thracian Peltasts and slingers, supporting 4 units of Hoplites.
In my centre, I had 3 more Hoplite units.
My right had 3 more Hoplite units as well as my Cavalry, some archers and more Thracian peltasts.
Yay, my first time out using these!
On the Macedonian left, Dave had Alexander (L4 Hero!!!) 2 units of Hetairoi (Companions) and one of Prodromoi.
He had 4 units of Pezhetairoi (Pikemen) in the centre, fronted with Agrainians and other Thracian javelinmen.
On his right he had Light cavalry (Thracians) and his Thessalian cavalry under Tony.
The game began as the Companions advanced slowly towards my Phalanx.
His centre also advanced, Dave had made all his army Drilled, so they were nippy!
Tony was more circumspect, letting his Greek Peltasts go ahead to take the wood.
I advanced my left to match him, my slingers annoyed him, supported by my Thracians.
I kept my centre back.
I managed to get my light cavalry on the flank of the Hetairoi, to slow and break up their attack if possible.
Unfortunately EVERY other unit trying to move up in support of my hoplites failed their second move rolls, so I had one unit facing the Companion cavalry!
The offending dice were sent to the sin bin!!!
As expected, Alexander joined the other unit and charged my 'forlorn hope'
My men damaged the Hetairoi, but Dave's great number of dice (twice mine) managed to destroy my Hoplites in one turn!
I tried to fence in the victorious Macedonians, but my skirmishers failed to damage them.
I managed to get one Hoplite unit to second move and charged a Phalanx Taxis.
I managed to get my light infantry forward and forced the Peltasts back.
Unfortunately, my dice let me down and my hoplites were driven back.
My archers were run down by a unit of Companions, which they failed to hurt!
However, my Thracians beat Alexander's Hetairoi! I don't know how!!!
The Prodromoi had charged my Light cavalry, who evaded out of the way.
Another of my Hoplite units charged in support of my brave Thracians, and drove back a Phalanx Taxis.
On the left my Hoplite line was pushing Tony back.
It couldn't last, my Thracians disintegrated in front of Alexander!
I swung my Heavy cavalry right and charged the Prodromoi, but were beaten back as my dice failed again!
Alexander joined the battle, but chose to challenge Aristides, my C-in-C to a single combat, it lasted 3 turns before Alexander slew my leader, fortunately I lost less rep due to my 'Hero death chart' roll!
The other Hetairoi wheeled round behind my hoplites, in time to see them break the Pikemen opposite.
The next hoplite unit finally succumbed to the Macedonian Taxis.
my support rolls were very poor today, except when it didn't affect the combat outcome!!!
The pikes behind them broke though!
My light cavalry failed to get a second move and charge the flank of Alexander's Hetairoi, so my Heavy Cavalry broke!
One of my Hoplite units on the left charged and destroyed the Thessalians!
In the centre, I had 2 damaged Hoplite units take on a full Pike unit, which had been reinforced by a 'Hold Fast' success. I failed again and one unit broke.
The other Hetairoi had charged the rear of my hoplites, but failed to break them, and my Hoplites drove a Pike block into them, which broke the Pikes!
On my left my Thracians got round the flank of the Greek Peltasts and beat them.
They were soon in flight!
I lost one of my central Hoplite units as it was outflanked.
But another Hoplite unit charged the rear of the Hetairoi attacking the rear of the other one, breaking them.
Alexander was galloping over to help, as well!
At this end of my phase, we totted up Reputation, I had 1, the Macedonians -9!
I had been losing 2 per hoplite unit, the Macedonians 3 or more, and it really added up.
Fortunately, Dave is learning the system well, and did well! I think we have a new enthusiast for this excellent game!!!
