The Roman Commanders each took control of a single Legion (and supporting troops) with Dexter Hughlius on the right and Sinister Gordonicius on the left. Billcingetorix Commanded the Gallic hordes alone in the absence of Grahamtorix who was unfortunately delayed with interrogation of some prisoners of war.
The main feature of Terrain comprise a Flank Boundary of Steep Hills on the Gallic Right Flank sector and an 'egg box' of Low Hills in the Gallic Left Centre and Left Flank Sector. 3 of these 'mounds' did combine into a potentially usable and defensible ridge but the Gauls' inherent impetuosity would tend to mitigate against occupation of a defensive position for any length of time.
The Roman Commanders Deployed in Acies Duplex with their 8 figure Cohorts in 2 ranks. One unit of16 Auxilia (Massed Light Infantry, FV 4-6 veterans) was Deployed on the left at the base of the range of Steep Hills but Dexter had control of the bulk of the Romans' supporting troops comprising the other unit of Auxilia, the 16 Legionary Heavy Cavalry (FV 5-6,veterans) and 3 2 of the 3 units of 8 Numidian Light Horse (FV 3-6. Veterans with Javelins). The 2 units of Hellenic and Balaearic Skirmishers were strung out in front of the Legions to protect the Cohorts from the relatively numerous Gallic Skirmishers.
The Roman battleplan therefore relied upon keeping the Cohorts on a narrow frontage in 2 ranks and entering combat with the Gauls in a relatively solid contiguous line to maximise their combat power in melee with multiple Cohorts engaging each individual Gallic Warband. This configuration would reduce the number of Pila that could be thrown but this was deemed an acceptable compromise.
Billcingetorix decided to deploy asymmetrically with the bulk of his 48 figure Warbands on the right extending from the Flank Boundary of Steep Hills. Additionally, he Deployed the Elite Soldurii actually in the Steep Hills with orders to attempt to outflank th Romans. His overall aimwas to concentrate maximum force against a single Legion (Sinister Gordonicius) whilst using his Cavalry and a couple of smaller Warbands on his left to delay Dexter and his Legion.
General consensus was that Deploying the Soldurii in the Steep Hills was probably a mistake in that it would keep them out of the game for a substantial period of time before they could get into action against Gordonicius' Legion. Such a delay, it was thought, would likely advantage the Romans.
However, this is not what happened!
Seeing the relative deployments of the armies of the two armies, both Roman Commanders began the game in confident mood. Their plan seemed likely to succeed in getting the legions into combat against a slightly diminished Gallic array (with the Soldurii stuck in the Steep Hills) with the likely consequence of eliminating sufficient numbers of the Gallic Warbands to achieve Victory in their typically efficient, Roman 'meatgrinder' approach.
However, the Gauls were 'Druidically inspired'. In other words, Billcingetorix's dice were very good; particularly against poor, Sinister Gordonicius. Beillcingetorix passed nearly every Impetus Control Test and so received 'double dice' as they smashed into the dense line of Roman Cohorts. Not only that but he then rolled extremely well in melee and so gained Impetus Inroad Bonus' in subsequent Turns.
This Gallic combat efficiency against Sinister's Legion delivered sufficient time for the Soldurii to stream out of the Steep Hills, annihilate the single unit of Auxilia supposedly protecting the end of the Roman line, in a single Turn and then smash into the Flank of the line of Cohorts committed by Gordonius in 2 ranks depth (to maximise their combat efficiency against the Gauls to their front). Inevitably, in keeping with the day's general tenet of Fortuna's favour, Gordonicius went on to fail every Disorder Control Test he was required to take as each Cohort was Broken from the Flank in turn. Thus, Gordonicius' Legion was destroyed with the only saving grace that Gordonicius' 'respectable' family name and reputation was preserved as he was himself killed whilst valiantly trying to rally his Routing Cohorts.
All this disaster on the Roman left might not have been fully decisive as Dexter Hughlius was progressing generally satisfactorily with his Legion on the right. However, after a couple of successful Fates Rolls by Billcingetorix, the relatively small number of casualties that the Gauls did manage to inflict on Dexter's Legion and its supporting troops was sufficient in combination with Gordonicius' disastrous losses, to bring the Roman Army as a whole to its Breakpoint and so a glorious Victory was declared for Gaul.
Whether or not the Roman Commanders' decision to adopt Acies Duplex with the Cohorts deployed in 2 ranks was the best option, it is hard to say because of Fortuna's decisive influence over the course of events. Perhaps next week, will tell a tale. But then again, perhaps not.
Melia Fortuna Iterum
Acknowledgements:
(including photos)
Billcingetorix (Bill Robertson)
Sinister Gordonicius (Gordon Crawford)
Dexter Huhlius (Hugh Cameron)
Apologies:
Grahamsterix (Graham Bryson)Gordicius Legion in action.jpegHughlius Legion in action.jpegSoldurii wandering the Steep Hills.jpegThe Roman Depoyment.jpeg
So it is not just DBA where the quirks of the gods have an impact?
David, that sounds heartfelt; the voice of bitter experience. But that's life. At least in wargaming there is always tomorrow.
Cheers, Simon :)
Melior fortuna iterum.
What would be an interesting exercise is for you to re-fight the battle (possibly a solo effort) using the same terrain, armies, order of battle and tactics, but just with different dice rolls and see if the outcome is any different.
David, we will re-fight the battle again twice in the next 2 weeks. We tend to do the same game in threes because clearing the table of and changing armies completely is quite demanding for me these days with my MS. I'll keep you posted.
Cheers
Simon
Caesar's Invasion of Gaul Part 2
Last night's Tactica 2 game was the second encounter between Caesarian Romans against Gauls. The armies were essentially the same as last week with the only change being to increase the size of the single Roman Heavy Cavalry unit from 16 to 18 figures with a reduction in Fighting Value from FV 5-6 to FV 4-6.
CAESARIAN ROMAN
Troop Type/Unit Size FV Sk-FV Quality Weapons Cost Pts
Mounted
Legionary HC 18 4-6 Veteran Javelins 8 108
Numidian LC 8 3-6 (5-6) Veteran Javelins 4 32
Numidian LC 8 3-6 (5-6) Veteran Javelins 4 32
Numidian LC 8 3-6 (5-6) Veteran Javelins 4 32
Foot
2 Legions Each (720pts)
1stCohort 16 5-6 Elite Pila/Swd 9 144
2ndCohort 8 5-6 Veteran Pila/Swd 8 64
3rdCohort 8 5-6 Veteran Pila/Swd 8 64
4thCohort 8 5-6 Veteran Pila/Swd 8 64
5thCohort 8 5-6 Veteran Pila/Swd 8 64
6thCohort 8 5-6 Veteran Pila/Swd 8 64
7thCohort 8 5-6 Veteran Pila/Swd 8 64
8thCohort 8 5-6 Veteran Pila/Swd 8 64
9thCohort 8 5-6 Veteran Pila/Swd 8 64
10thCohort 8 5-6 Veteran Pila/Swd 8 64
LI Auxilia 16 4-6 Veteran Javelins 4 64
LI Auxilia 16 4-6 Veteran Javelins 4 64
SI (Greek) 12 (5-6) Veteran Slings 3 36
SI (Balaearic) 16 8-24 (5-6) Veteran Slings 3 48
TOTAL POINTS 1856
Massed Figs 250
Breakpoint 125
Both Legions have their Legionary Breakpoints set at 7 Cohorts each after which ALL figures of the Legion (88) count to Army Breakpoint.
GAULS
Troop Type/Unit Size FV Sk-FV Quality Weapons Cost Pts
Mounted
HC 18 4-6 - Elite Various 7 116
LC 8 3-6 (5-6) Veteran Javelins 4 32
LC 8 3-6 (5-6) Veteran Javelins 4 32
LC 8 3-6 (5-6) Veteran Javelins 4 32
Foot
Soldurii WB (I) 24 4-6 - Elite Various 7.5 180
WB(I) (Warriors) 48 4-6 - Veteran Various 6.5 312 WB(I) (Warriors) 48 4-6 - Veteran Various 6.5 312
WB(I) (Warriors) 36 4-6 - Veteran Various 6.5 234
WB(I) (Warriors) 36 4-6 - Veteran Various 6.5 234
WB(I) (Warriors) 36 4-6 - Veteran Various 6.5 234
WB(I) (Warriors) 36 4-6 - Veteran Various 6.5 234
Skirmishers 16 - (5-6) Veteran Javelins 2 32
Skirmishers 16 - (5-6) Veteran Javelins 2 32
Skirmishers 10 - (5-6) Veteran Javelins 3 30
Skirmishers 10 - (5-6) Veteran Javelins 3 30
TOTAL POINTS2076
Massed Figs 306
Breakpoint 153
In Consul Hughlius Caesar's absence on a trade mission in far Cathay, Billius Gastro heroically assumed sole command of the Roman army. Gordoderix the Steady and Donimatrix Obelisko commanded the Gauls.
The main feature of Terrain comprised again (for the second game running and YES; I did roll for the Terrain) a Flank Boundary of Steep Hills on the Gallic Right Flank Sector, a Low Ridge in the Roman right centre and a couple of Low Hills in the Gallic left.
Billius Deployed the Romans in Acies Duplex with their 8 figure Cohorts in double ranks in the left and in single ranks in the right. The Roman Heavy Cavalry was on the Roman left supported by one unit of Auxilia (FV 4-6 Massed Light Infantry Veterans). The Romans' 3 units of Numidian Light Horse (Fv 3-6 with javelins) were posted on the Roman right with the other unit of Auxilia. The Roman Skirmishers were posted on the flanks with Billius placing his trust in the Roman armour to protect his Cohorts from the Gallic Skirmisher Missiles.
Gordoderix and Donimatrix Deployed their Gallic Warbands in a mix of 48 figure and 36 figure Warbands in 3 and 4 ranks depth respectively with the single unit of 36 Soldurii (Elite Warband, FV 4-6 (I)) placed in reserve behind the left end of their line as a precaution against the potential Deployment of the Roman Heavy Cavalry opposite. This presented a wide front with potential for overlap and/or outflanking manoeuvres in the Flank Sectors. Conversely though, it also meant that the Warbands would be unlikely to concentrate in depth against a single Legion as a main focus of attack but would tend to engage pretty much the whole frontage of both of the Roman Legions. As it worked out, the placement of the Soldurii as a reserve did prove to be a pretty sagacious measure as the 2 units of Gallic Light Horse (16 figures in total) were outnumbered on the Gallic left by Romans' 3 units of Numidian Light Horse (24 figures in total) with the potential for the left end of the Gallic line to be outflanked.
The numerous Gallic Skirmishers were posted in front of the Warbands and in the absence of any Roman Skirmishers in front of the Legions, this facilitated 'bathing' the legionary Cohorts in the centre in a 'deluge' of slingstones and javelins, with significant effect prior to the Charge of the Warbands.
On viewing the Deployments, Billius decided to reinforce his frontline Cohorts immediately to produce a solid and near-contiguous, 2 deep line of Legionaries to provide solidity and resistance to the onrush of the Gallic Warbands. He had faith in the melee power of the Legions in such a configuration to at least, outlast the Warbands in combat. His confidence was however, somewhat moderated when he observed the consequences of the Gallic skirmishing which resulted in few of the Cohorts entering combat with the Warbands without already being significantly weakened by missile casualties; their good armour protection notwithstanding.
On the Gallic left, Donimatrix's Warbands surged forward in a slight echelon and angle against Billius' right Legion. In the process the 'blew away' the single unit of Auxilia who had somewhat ambitiously decided to engage the Warbands directly. Furthermore, the 2 units of 8 Gallic Light Horse (FV 3-6 Veterans) proceeded to outfight the more numerous (3 units of 8) Numidian Light Horse posted in the Roman Right Flank Sector. In the absence of ant Roman Heavy Cavalry in his Flank sector, Donimatrix decided immediately to attempt and outflanking of the Roman right with his unit of Soldurii and although he didn't manage to actually get a true Flank Attack, their contribution to the melee power of the left end of the line of Gallic Warbands ultimately proved to be highly significant.
The Roman battleplan of relying at the outset on entering combat with the Gauls in a relatively solid contiguous line reinforced Cohorts in 2 ranks to maximise their powers of resistance in melee with the Gallic Warbands and so prevent the appearance of any 'gaps' in the line was unfortunately undone by below-par dice rolling by the Romans and above average dice rolling by the Gauls such that in combination with the Missile 'Kills' inflicted on the Cohorts by the Gallic Skirmishers, gaps did appear in the Roman line as even the reinforced Roman Cohorts began to Break, one by one.
It is not in the nature of the Roman Legions to rapidly collapse in the manner that Hellenistic armies can potentially because the Tactica 2 rules do NOT require Cohorts to have to take Routed Past Control Tests for fellow (non-Disordered) Cohorts. Rather, the Cohorts of a Legion resist until the Legion's Breakpoint is reached (7 out of 10 Cohorts) and a consequent Legion Fates Roll is failed (more likely than not given the requirement for rolling an 11 or 12 score on 2 dice). Although this gives the Legions unsurpassed resisting power, in this game, the Gallic effectiveness in combat (good dice rolling) combined with the Missile 'KILL'S INFLICTED BY THE Gallic Skirmishers duly combined to Break Billius' Right Legion and despite his left Legion performing a little better, its progress wasn't rapid enough nor strong enough to punch a hole in the line of Gallic Warbands.
All would not have been lost for the Romans however IF the Roman's Heavy cavalry had been able to intervene and outflank the rightmost Gallic Warbands under Gordoderix's control.
.This configuration would reduce the number of Pila that could be thrown but this was deemed an acceptable compromise. The Roman cavalry did mange to Rout the Gallic Heavy cavalry on the Gallic right but the presence of the single unit of Gallic Light cavalry on this flank provided a potential (flank) threat which prevented the victorious Roman Heavy cavalry from wheeling inwards to attack the rightmost Gallic Warbands in the flank and the Roman Auxiliary Light Infantry emerging from the Steep Hills were too late to drive the Gallic Light Horse off in time.
Considerations:
1. The Gauls again had the 'rub of the green' with respect to Missile and Melee Dice. In particular, Gordoderix's Melee Dice were well above what could normally be expected, even without Impetus.
2 This is the second game in which the Romans have sought to enter into combat with the Warbands, formed-up in, as far as possible, a cohesive, contiguous line. In the first game, this comprised single, 8 figure Cohorts in 2 ranks depth and in this game, reinforced Cohorts (i.e. 16 figures in 2 ranks of 8). In neither game has the Romans' ability to operate in multiple lines been fully utilised.
3. Billius did keep a couple of Cohorts behind the front line as reserves but these never saw combat other than the spectacle of their front line fellows being routed. Not being able to get the 'reserve' into action and so actively contribute to combat is 'unfortunate'.
4. It is suspected that the Roman Legions should perhaps attempt to see if operating in multiple lines with reinforcement procedures implemented only as and when the tactical situation demands, might be more successful.
5. The Romans might consider the use of Acies Triplex to both narrow their combat frontage and enable 2nd and/or 3rd line Cohorts to potentially Flank Attack any Warbands who have Broken through the Roman first line and rashly Pursue into the subsequent lines of Roman Cohorts.
6. Fighting with the Roman Cohorts is still a learning process.
Melia Fortuna Iterum
Acknowledgements:
Billius Gastro (Bill Robertson)
Gordoderix the Steady (Gordon Crawford)
Donimatrix Obelisko (Donald Linn)
Apologies:
Grahamlius Indispodius (Graham Bryson)7.jpeg6.jpeg8.jpeg11.jpeg