Hail Caesar, Game Report

Well the first game has come and gone. I had hoped to get to examine a lot of the Special Rules and we put a good many to the test. Most of the players were only familiar with Blackpowder so this posed a bit of a learning curve for the first couple of turns. They caught on rapidly and things went very smoothly by the end. On the whole I can say that I like the rules, I may have a few quibbles but will reserve judgement until we have played a few more games. Now on to the action:

   Most readers will recall the stunning bit cartography that I created to show the game table, but (just to show off) I have posted it below. You will, of course, now note that it reflects the position of the troops at the beginning of play. The Galatians had concentrated the warbands into a dense block in the center with the lighter troops and cavalry assigned to cover the flanks. The Army General led the warbands while the lesser leaders were in charge of the left-flank force of chariots/cavalry/light infantry and the right-flank force of heavy cavalry and light infantry.

     The Greek players decided to spread the army across the field to leave the ferocious Galatians little chance at turning moves. Aware of the Phalanx, Long Spear and Uphill rules they cunningly placed the less-than-heroic Subject Hoplites on the hill on their right flank, supported on either side by the Spartans and cavalry. The Spartan General (who was also the Army commander) stood nearby to ensure they performed their duties as expected, he also commanded the Spartan phalanx, and the Thorikatoi. The Athenian General lead the two Athenian Phalanxs and the one unit of Subject Hoplites that were sandwiched between. The remaining general commanded the cavalry and the light troops (cleverly taking advantage of the Marauders rule).

     The first move went to the Greeks who moved forward slightly with the hoplites to establish a more coherent line. While this was going on the cavalry swept around the flank to pose a threat to the flank of any troops facing the hoplites while the Thorikatio advanced to prep for a spoiling attack against the chariots, the psiloi advanced (taking advantage of the Marauder rule that allowed their general to order them without penalty for distance) the javelins didn't get close enough to engage the enemy, the slingers in the center inflicted enough damage to cause one warband to become disordered (troops struck by slingers make their Morale saves at a  "-1").

     The Galatians responded by throwing the chariots at the Thorikatoi in a furious charge, which gained support from the Light Infantry emerging from the woods. Meanwhile three of the warbands advanced one move in the center (they had failed the command roll but they had charge orders and the Special Rule "Eager" which allowed them a free move if they had charge orders) this placed them close enough to engage the psiloi with short-range missle fire the result of which was the breaking of the psiloi slingers. On the right the light infantry managed one move forward toward the psiloi javelinmen but did not get in range. The heavy cavalry failed their command roll but also advanced one move behind the light infantry as they were Eager and had charge orders.

    The chariot charge showed the strength of the Long Spear Special Rule, charging chariots and cavalry must test to become disordered, which the chariots failed. Striking the Thorikatio they were only able to push them back after inflicting a couple of hits, the Greeks did almost as well in reply.  This gives us the situation in photo #1;