Indians v Seleukids Tactica 2

[simonw]

Seleukids v Mauryan Indians, 4th Century BCE   

Last night's game was the first of 3 TACTICA 2 games between Mauryan Indians and Seleukids.
The armies were as follows:   

SELEUKIDS          
               
 Companions HC(I)   FV5-6      Elite      18   9pts   162
Agema HC(I)      FV5-6      Veteran   16   8pts   128
Agema HC(I)      FV5-6      Veteran   16   8pts   128
Satrapal HCw/Bow   FV4-6      Veteran   18   8pts   144
Skyths LC      FV3-6      Veteran   8   5pts   40
Skyths LC      FV3-6      Veteran   8   5pts   40
Elephants      FV5-6      Veteran   4   42pts   168
               
Argyraspides      FV5-6      Elite      48   8pts   384
Pikes         FV5-6      Veteran   48   7pts   336
Pikes         FV5-6      Veteran   48   7pts   336
Pikes         FV5-6      Veteran   48   7pts   336
Iranian Pike      FV5-6      Veteran   48   7pts   336
Pikes         FV5-6      Veteran   48   7pts   336
Takabara      FV3-6      Veteran   18   4pts   72
Takabara      FV3-6      Veteran   18   4pts   72
               
Asiatic Bow      (FV4-6)   Miltia Grade   20   2pts   40
Javelin Skirmishers   (FV4-6)   Veteran   16   2pts   32
Javelin Skirmishers   (FV4-6)   Veteran   16   2pts   32
               
               3122pts
      Massed Figs:   432      
      Breakpoint:   200      
               
               
      INDIANS         
               
Elephants      FV5-6      Veteran   16   42pts   672
Cavalry      FV4-6      Veteran   54   6pts   324
4CH w/ Bow      FV4-6      Veteran   10   33pts   330
               
Foot Archers      FV4-6      Veteran   48   7pts   336
Foot Archers      FV4-6      Veteran   48   7pts   336
Foot Archers      FV4-6      Veteran   48   7pts   336
Foot Archers      FV4-6      Veteran   48   7pts   336
Foot Archers      FV4-6      Veteran   48   7pts   336
               
Javelineers      (FV5-6)   Veteran   32   2pts   64
Skirmish Archers   (FV4-6)   Veteran   24   3pts   72

               3142pts
      Massed Figs:   450      
      Breakpoint:   220   

The Mauryans were under the command of Hughshoka and Billdragupta and the Seleukids were commanded by Gordontiochus alone; as Grahamtigonus was indisposed.   

The Seleukids plan was to attack all along the line with the Phalanx, in consideration that it was both more numerous than the Indian infantry centre (288 figures v 240 figures) and of a higher Fighting Value in Melee (FV 5-6  versus the Indians' FV 4-6). The rapidity of the attack, it was hoped, would minimise the danger of suffering Missile Halts from the Indian Bowfire.

It was considered that the Seleukid Cavalry, although eminently superior to the Indian's Cavalry and Chariots, would likely be diminished in potency by the numerous Elephants available to the Indians and therefore that Victory was more likely to be achieved by the Phalanx.

To counter the Seleukid Phalanx, the Indians adopted a largely conventional Deployment and Plan with a large Screen of 7 Elephants in the centre to Deploy well inadvance of the Indian Infantry line to try and delay and disrupt the cohesion of the Seleukid Phalanx and so enable the Indian Infantry to 'shoot it up' before it could contact the Indian infantry in Melee.

The Indians also Deployed 2 small (3 Elephant) Screens in the Flank sectors and a single Massed Unit of 3 Elephants out wide on the right Flank.

Although terrain was minimal with only 3 Low Hills, apart from the potential for the Indians to occupy one in the Left Centre and so gain a Melee advantage over any (uphill) attack by the Phalanx, there weren't really any major Terrain concerns. In the end, none of the Terrain pieces had any significant impact on the course of the battle.

So, the battle began with the Seleukids advancing rapidly with the Phalanx in the centre anchored by the Argyraspides on the right end of the line. Opposing them, the Indians also advance their central Elephant Screen rapidly to engage the Phalanx and so the centres were partly engaged 'early on'.

On the Seleukid right, the Satrapal Noble Heavy Cavalry also advanced aggressively with a view to Shooting at the Indian Chariots opposite them. Unfortunately, they were significantly 'out-shot' and then beaten in Melee by the Indian Chariots such that the Argyraspides on the right end of the Seleukid Phalanx became Disordered when it Failed its Routed Past Control Test; despite being Elite! This encouraged the Indian Foot to Charge into the Aryraspides to try and get an 'early win'whilst they were reduced to zero ranks depth whilst Disordered. And indeed, despite clinging on for a couple of Turns, the Argyraspided did indeed eventually succumb when they failed an 'outscored in Melee when Disordered' Control Test and were Routed.

This was realy the 'clincher' for the Indians as elsewhere in the Central Sector, the Phalanx did manage to Break through the Indian Elephant Screen and engage the Indian Foot in Melee and were slowly gaining an advantage there despite the casualties inflicted by the Elephants and the Indian Bowfire.

In the Seleukid Right Flank Sector, the Seleukid Elephant Screen engaged the opposing Indian Elephant Screen and as is somewhat usual in such clashes, resolution was somewhat slow to arrive.

On the Seleukid Left, the attack of the powerful Seleukid Cavalry there (including Cataphracts and Companion Lancers) was defused by Hughshoka using his combination of Elephants in Screen and Massed units. The Seleukid Commander Gordontiochus was again most unfortunate in this centre in that the leftmost Phalanx Battallion was 'shot up' by Indian Foor Bowmen and Failed sequential Missile Halt Tests wwhich prevented them from engaging any Indian units until it was too late.
So in sum, the Seleukids were defeated mainly by a Failure of Morale in that Gordontiochus rolled poorly in a sequence of Control Tests which resulted in rather  disastrous Disorder and Missile Halt delays of several of the Phalanx Battalions; most notably the Argyraspides who were actually Routed by being engaged in Melee by the Indian Infantry when Disordered.

The Indian tactics worked a treat with the Central Sector Elephant Screen having the desired disruptive effect on the Seleukid Phalanx and the Flank Sector Screens and Chariots defusing the Seleukid attempts to Breakthrough and/or outflank the Indians using their powerful Cavalry forces. Cavalry.

Victory for the Indians!

Next week, will the Seleukids gain revenge? That'll be 12th Night's entertainment.

Acknowledgements:
Billdragupta
Hughshoka
Gordontiochus

Apologies:
Grahamtigonus.
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[Imperial Dave]

Festive jumper spotted!

[Jon Freitag]

Festive jumper spotted!

Spotted?  I say, featured!