Antigonids v Eumenids Tactica 2

[simonw]

Last night's Tactica 2 game pitted an Antigonid force versus a Eumenid opponent of around 320BCE. The Army Lists were as follows:

             Successor Lists ca. 320BCE                     
            Antigonids                     
Troop Type      FV   Sk. FV`   Quality`Weapons   Figs   Cost   
                        
Companions HC(I)    5-6         Elite   Lance      18   162   
Agema * HC(I)   5-6         Elite   Lance      18   162   
Asiatic Cavalry HC   4-6                           Vet.   Spr/Bow   12   84   
Thessalian LC               3-6   (5-6)               Vet.   Javelins   12   48   
Thessalian LC               3-6   (5-6)               Vet.   Javelins   12   48   
Tarantines       4-6   (5-6)      Vet.   Javelins   8   40   
Elephants (I)      5-6         Vet.   Itself      4   168   
                        
PH Foot Companions   5-6         Elite   Pike      32   256   
PH Line (Katoikoi)   5-6         Vet.   Pike      48   336   
PH Line (Katoikoi)   5-6         Vet.   Pike      48   336   
PH Line (Katoikoi)   5-6         Vet.   Pike      48   336   
Levy Asiatics      4-6         MG   Spr/Bow   48   240   
Levy Asiatics      4-6         MG   Spr/Bow   48   240   
LI Peltasts      3-6         Vet.   Javelins   18   72   
LI Peltasts      3-6         Vet.   Javelins   18   72
Skirmishers         (5-6)      Vet.   Javelins   16   32   
Skirmishers         (5-6)      Vet.   Javelins16   16   32   
Slingers and Archers      (4-6)      Vet.   Sling/Bow   16   48   
                     Total Points   2712   
                     Massed Figs     412   
                     Army Breakpoint 206   
               Eumenids                     
Troop Type      FV   Sk. FV`   Quality`Weapons   Figs   Cost            
                        
Guard  Cavalry(I)   5-6         Elite      Lance   18   162   
Satrapal Guards   5-6         Elite     Spr/Bow   18   144   
Indian Cavalry   4-6         Vet.     Spr      18   90   
Asiatic LC      3-6   (5-6)      Vet.     Javelins   16   64   
Asiatic LC      3-6   (5-6)      Vet.     Javelins   16   64   
Skyth LC      3-6   (5-6)      Vet.     Bow      16   80   
Elephants(I)      5-6         Vet.     Beast      6   252   
                        
PH Argyraspides   5-6         Elite   Pike      48   384   
PH Katoikoi      5-6         Vet.   Pike      48   336   
PH Katoikoi      5-6         Vet.   Pike      48   336   
PH Iranian Phalanx   4-6         Vet.   Pike      48   288   
FT Indians      5-6         MG   Spear/Bow   48   336   
LI  Takabara      3-6   (5-6)      Vet.   Javelins   18   72   
LI  Takabara      3-6   (5-6)      Vet.   Javelins   18   72   
Levy Skirmishers      (5-6)      MG   Bow      20   40   
                     Total Points   2720   
                     Massed Figs     414   
                     Army Breakpoint 207      
N.B. Levy Deny Depth Bonus but do NOT receive.                        
The Commanders were Gordomenes the Greek and Grahakestes for the Eumenids and Billtigonas Duopthalmus and Highleukos (Satrap of Babylon) for the Antigonids.

Terrain was pretty innocuous with a small, open Wood on the Eumenid extreme left and acouple of Low Hills in the Eumenid left centre and Antigonid right centre, respectively.

Billtigonas and Hughleukos retired to the kitchen to draft their plan of battle and Gordomenes and Grahakestes Deployed. The Antigonid plan was to attack with the Phalanx whilst using the Levy (archer) to rest on the Low Hill in their right centre to offer 'fire support'.  Additionally, they aimed to attack in both Flank Sectors using their Elite Lancers on the left behind Peltasts and Light Horse) and with their Elephants in two 2 Model Massed Units in their Right Flank Sector with Peltasts, Light Horse and their 18 Bow-armed Satrapal Heavy Cavalry (FV 4-6).

By contrast, the Eumenids adopted a more defensive plan looking to Hold their Right Wing with their 6 Elephants Deployed in 2 Massed Units of 3 to the right and rear of their Phalanx and so to guard against any Antigonid outflanking manoeuvres from the Antigonid left. The actual Eumenid Right Wing comprised their 2 units of 18 Takabara (Massed Light Infantry FV 3-6)  supported by a couple of units of Light Horse and their unit of 18 Bactrian Heavy Cavalry with Bows (FV 4-6, veterans). It was apparent from the initial Deployment that the Eumenid Right Wing was somewhat overmatched by the Antigonid forces opposite which included 2 units of 18 Elite Lancers with Impetus. Therefore, the Eumenid Elephants would be critical in trying to hold these Lancers.

On their left, the 48 Indian Foot (Militia Grade Foot Bowmen, FV 4-6) provided an anchor using the Low Hill  near to the small Wood with the 18 Indian Cavalry (FV 4-6, Veteran) minding the gap. A unit of 12 Light Cavalry were positioned far out on the left to block any Antigonid moves through the Wood and the 18 Elite Agema Heavy Cavalry Lancers (FV 5-6 with Impetus) and the 18 Indian Cavalry (FV 4-6 Veterans) were held in Reserve. By comparison with the situation in their Right Flank Sector, the Eumenid Commanders considered that the 96 Antigonid Levy on the Low Hill in the Antigonid Right Centre provided a weak point which could be defeated by their Phalanx, the 'attacking uphill' decrement and archery casualties notwithstanding.

And so the game began and a hard-fought exercise it was indeed!

In short, The Eumenid Elephants were successful in holding up the Antigonid Left Wing attack such that it couldn't outflank the Eumenid Phalanx. This was extremely important because the performance of the Argyraspides was abysmal!

On the Antgonid right, their 2 Elephant Units were very effective and surged forward  to engage the Eumenid's Cavalry reserve in Melee. Additionally, te Antigonid Light Horse advanced through the small patch of Open Woodland and defeated the opposing Eumenid Light Horse to eventually position themselves in an outflanking position of the Eumenid Agema which struggled badly to cope with the Antigonid Elephants.

Despite being pretty continuously out-rolled in Melee by Billtigonus Duopthalmus, the Eumenid Phalanx supported by the Indian Foot eventually managed to Break the Antigonid Levy and tis success was the core of the Eumenids being closer to achieving the Antigonid Army Breakpoint (falling only 8 figures short) than the Antigonids (36 figures short) when nightfall ended the battle.

Additionally, the Antigonids 8 figure strong unit of Tarentines (Light Cavalry, FV 4-6 Veterans) were actually past their Unit Breakpoint but had won a 'roll off' to end a Melee with a larger (12 figure strong) but lower FV 3-6, Eumenid Light Horse unit after which they had also wisely 'chosen' (i.e. Failed their Pursuit Control Test) to surge towards the Eumenid baseline; well out of any further trouble.

 At the end, although it appeared that   were in actually in a better tactical position with a couple of the Eumenid Phalanx Battalions 'teetering' perilously close to their Unit Breakpoints,  the Antigonids had been pretty fortunate to get there. I won't even mention Grahakestes'  truly abysmal Melee Dice rolling against the Antigonid Elephants (Oops! I just did), Billtigonus Monopthalmus survived 2 Melee attempts to kill him and also survived a unit Break.

I think that Gordomenes and Grahakestes better sacrifice to Tyche over the weekend before next Monday's rematch!  Billtigonus and Huhgleukos performed well and had a solid plan but their Left Wing attack with the Companions and Agema was foiled by the superior numbers of Eumenid Elephants on that flank which prevented any exploitation of their initial successes.

Good tough battle. A draw in the end but a very, very, close-run thing.

Acknowledgements:

Gordomenes (Gordon Crawford)
Grahakestes (Graham Bryson)
Billtigonus Duopthalmus (Bill Robertson)
Hughleukos Satrap of Babylon (Hugh Cameron)

You cannot view this attachment.You cannot view this attachment.You cannot view this attachment.You cannot view this attachment.

[CarlL]

Lovely massed battle! Photos inspiring.

Looks like your attempt to present the two army lists in 'table' format was de-railed by the hosting software?

Look forward to hearing (and seeing) the re-fight.

CarlL

[Imperial Dave]

You always put on a great spread Simon 

[simonw]

Thanks chaps.

[simonw]

Last night's Tactica 2 game pitted an Antigonid force versus a Eumenid opponent of around 320BCE. The Army Lists were as follows:

Successor Lists ca. 320BCE

Antigonids
Troop Type FV Sk. FV` Quality`Weapons Figs Cost
Companions HC(I) 5-6 Elite Lance 18 162
Agema * HC(I) 5-6 Elite Lance 18 162
Asiatic Cavalry HC 4-6 Vet. Spr/Bow 12 84
Thessalian LC 3-6 (5-6) Vet. Javelins 12 48
Thessalian LC 3-6 (5-6) Vet. Javelins 12 48
Tarantines 4-6 (5-6) Vet. Javelins 8 40
Elephants (I) 5-6 Vet. Itself 4 168
PH Foot Companions 5-6 Elite Pike 32 256
PH Line (Katoikoi) 5-6 Vet. Pike 48 336
PH Line (Katoikoi) 5-6 Vet. Pike 48 336
PH Line (Katoikoi) 5-6 Vet. Pike 48 336
Levy Asiatics 4-6 MG Spr/Bow 48 240
Levy Asiatics 4-6 MG Spr/Bow 48 240
LI Peltasts 3-6 Vet. Javelins 18 72
LI Peltasts 3-6 Vet. Javelins 18 72
Skirmishers (5-6) Vet. Javelins 16 32
Skirmishers (5-6) Vet. Javelins16 16 32
Slingers and Archers (4-6) Vet. Sling/Bow 16 48

Total Points 2712
Massed Figs 412
Army Breakpoint 206

Eumenids

Troop Type FV Sk. FV` Quality`Weapons Figs Cost
Guard Cavalry(I) 5-6 Elite Lance 18 162
Satrapal Guards 5-6 Elite Spr/Bow 18 144
Indian Cavalry 4-6 Vet. Spr 18 90
Asiatic LC 3-6 (5-6) Vet. Javelins 16 64
Asiatic LC 3-6 (5-6) Vet. Javelins 16 64
Skyth LC 3-6 (5-6) Vet. Bow 16 80
Elephants(I) 5-6 Vet. Beast 6 252
PH Argyraspides 5-6 Elite Pike 48 384
PH Katoikoi 5-6 Vet. Pike 48 336
PH Katoikoi 5-6 Vet. Pike 48 336
PH Iranian Phalanx 4-6 Vet. Pike 48 288
FT Indians 5-6 MG Spear/Bow 48 336
LI Takabara 3-6 (5-6) Vet. Javelins 18 72
LI Takabara 3-6 (5-6) Vet. Javelins 18 72
Levy Skirmishers (5-6) MG Bow 20 40

Total Points 2720
Massed Figs 414
Army Breakpoint 207

N.B. Levy Deny Depth Bonus but do NOT receive.

The Commanders were Gordotigonas Duopthalmus for the Antigonids and for the Eumenids,  Hughmenes of Cardia and Billteutomas; Commander of the Argyraspides (and chief plotter)

Terrain was pretty innocuous with a Low Ridge in the Antigonids Left Centre and Left Flank Zone. Gordotigonas retired to the kitchen to draft his plan of battle and as the Eumenids Deployed.
The Antigonid plan was to attack with the Phalanx with fire-support from the 2 48 figure Levy Units (FV 4-6 Militia Grade with Bow) slightly refused. The Elite Foot Companions (32 figures of FV 5-6 Elite Pike) were positioned on the Levy's inside for moral support and the unit of 18 Mounted Companions (FV 5-6, Elite lancers with Impetus were positioned on the Levy's right to hopefully gain fire-support for their potentially, ferocious Charge against any suitable (i.e. non-Pike) opponents. The Antigonids second unit of Elite Hellenistic Lancers (FV 5-6 with Impetus) were positioned on the right of the Companions. Out wide in the Antigonid Right Flank sector, Gordotigonas positioned a unit of 12 Greek Light Horse (FV 3-6 with Javelins) to protect the flank of the lancers on their inside. This configuration of units posed quite a potentially powerful, hard-charging force, particularly with fire-support from the Levy and the Skirmish Slingers also positioned in the Antigonid Right.

On the Antigonid left, Gordotigonas positioned his 4 Elephants in a Screen supported by his 2 units of 18 Peltasts (Massed Light Infantry, FV 3-6 Veterans with Javelins) and Skirmish Javelinmen. The Satrapal Guard Heavy Cavalry (18 figures strong, FV 4- 6 Veterans with Bow) were positioned out wide to the left of the Elephants to attempt to exploit any outflanking opportunities and the small unit of 8 tarentines (Light Cavalry, FV 4-6with javelins) were positioned to the rearof the Peltasts as a final defense line or alternatively, to exploit any gap in the hinge area between the Eumenid Centre Pikes and their Right Wing..
Along with the 96 Levy and 32 Foot Companions, the Antigonid Centre comprised the remaining 3 48 figure Pike Units (FV 5-6 Veterans).

With this Deployment, the Antigonid plan was to engage the Eumenid Centre with his Pike Phalanx whilst attempting to exploit any outflanking opportunities in either Flank Sector but particularly on the right with the powerful Hellenistic Lancer units. The Elephant Screen on the left was a primarily defensive measure to beef-up the Peltasts and single Heavy Cavalry Unit on that Wing and prevent any Eumenid outflanking attempts.

The Eumenids had a slight advantage in the numbers of Pikemen in the Central Phalanx (4 units of 48 as opposed to the 3 units of 48 and the 32 figure Foot Companions of the Antigonid array). They hoped to take advantage of what they perceived as the relatively weaker Antigonid Centre given its significant Militia Grade  Levy component. Accodingly, Hughmenes the Cardina and Billteutamos were happy to implement a rapid attack in the centre with their entire Pike Phalanx, led by the 48 Elite Argyraspides on the right end of the line. Furthermore, they deployed the numerically superior Elephants (6 as opposed to the Antigonid's 4) in Massed Units of 2 to further strengthen their central attack. " units of 2 were positioned to the right of the Argyraspides. The other unit of 2 Elephants were posted out wide in the Eumenid's Left Flank Sector with a single unit of 12 Light Horse outside of them but supported by the Eumenid's 2 units of 18 Takabara (veteran Massed Light Infantry, FV 3-6 with Javelins) . The Eumenid's single unt of 48 Indian Foot Archers (FV 4-6, Militia Grade) were posted on the left end of their infantry line in a refused position to intervene and oppose any Antigonid attempts to outflank the Eumenid Pike Phalanx.

Billteutamos and Hughmenes decided on a strong right flank also and positioned ALL of their Heavy Cavalry in their right Flank Sector. This comprised their single unit of 18 Elite Lancers there (FV 5-6 with Impetus) together with their 18 Bactrian Heavy Cavalry (FV 4-6 with Bow), their single unit of 18 Indian Heavy cavalry (FV 4-6 veterans with S[ear) and their 2 units of 8 Skyths (FV 3-6 Light Horse with Bow).

They had aimed to attack in this Right Flank Sector but unfortunately for them, they found, after Deployment, that their Heavy Cavalry was faced by the Antigonids 4 Elephant Screen. Flank suported by 2units of massd Light Infantry positioned atop the Low Ridge and the Tarentines as a third line 'reserve'. Sectors using their Elite Lancers on the left behind Peltasts and Light Horse) and with their Elephants in two 2 Model Massed Units in their Right Flank Sector with Peltasts, Light Horse and their 18 Bow-armed Satrapal Heavy Cavalry (FV 4-6) and their unit of 18 Indian Heavy Cavalry (FV 4-6, Veterans) furthest out wide on the right. Any hopes of turning this flank were therefore somewhat  diminished.

Gordotigonas actually faced a similar problem on in his Right Flank Sector where his 2 strong Lancer Units were faced by the Eumenid's 48 Indian Foot Archers on the left of the Eumenid's Infantry Line together with 36 Takabara, a Massed Unit of 2 Elephants and a 12 figure strong unit of Iranian Light Horse (FV 3-6, Veterans with Javelins).
 
Nevertheless, Gordotigonas decided to attack immediately with his Lancers and Charged the outer unit directly into the Indian Foot Archers. The inner unit of Companions were however, badly 'shot-up' at the very outset and Halted (i.e. they failed their Missile Halt Test despite needing only a 5. Tis left them vulnerable to further , significant missile casualties from the Eumenid's Skirmish Archers ion this area of the battlefield.. A somewhat frustrating interlude therefore followed for Gordotigonas until he could et his Companions 'motoring' forward.
Thus, it appeared at this stage that both armies had had their 'right hook' attack plans frustrated and that a likely central stalemate could ensue; unless there was some exceptional dice-rolling by somebody.

As it happens, there was some exceptional dice-rolling; by Gordotigonas.
On the one hand, his unit of 32 Foot Companions engaged in melee with with an opposing Eumenid Pikemen for 3 Turns before they inflicted a single 'Kill'!  24 dice were rolled to get a single 5 or 6!

This was bad BUT the Eumenids couldn't take advantage of it and rolled quite poorly themselves such that the Foot Companions, being Elite, managed to hold on.
Conversely,  the Eumenid's Argyraspides were annihilated 'quicktime' as Gordotigonas rolled exceptional Melee Dice against them with 1 and a half units against the single unit of Argyraspides. When they Broke, the adjacent Eumenid Pike Unit failed its Disorder Control test for seeing the Rout and so was itself Routed quickly thereafter,

These losses were problematical for the Eumenids BUT would not have proved 'fatal' for their cause if it hadn't been for the Antigonid's Lancers also rolling exceptionally well as they crashed, with Impetus into the Eumenid's 48 Militia Grade Foot archers such that, despite eventually fighting the Lancers off, the Militia rade Indian Foot somewhat rashly pursued and were themselves 'finished off' by the Antigonid's Companion lancers who also gained Impetus against them despite having been sadly diminished by Missile 'Kills'. Gordontigonas himself joined in this combat with distinction! That was another 48 figure strong unit Routed. Eumenid casualties were beginning to mount to dangerous levels.

Indeed, the 'Coup de Grace' was delivered when the Antigonid Pike unt which had defeated the Argyraspides was able to Wheel into a Eumenid Pike block already fully engaged in Melee to its front. Despite not actually counting as a Flank attack, the resulting 2 v 1 combat was too much for the Antigonids to resist and a 4th 48 figure strong unit was Routed.
These casualties, combined with Eumenid Cavalry, Peltast and Elephant casualties to cause their Army Breakpoint to be exceeded and Victory was delivered to Gordotigonas.

Despite the seemingly convincing Victory, (the Eumenid Army Breakpoint of over 200 was exceeded with the Antigonids still around only 100). the result was actually much closer than it seemed. Much of the Antigonid Infantry centre was itself badly mauled, albeit unbroken and the single unit of 2 massed Elephants on the Eumenid right had fallen, literally an inch short of hitting the Antigonid Levy in the Flank; with entirely predictable consequences.

So in sum,whilst both sides had competent battleplans, Gordotigonas rolled the better dice in the lovcations where and when it was needed and thatreally was the story of the game.
These 2 armies are well-matched and it was a good, fun game.

A final rematch is scheduled for next week with Dave visiting up from York.
I look forward to it.

Thanks to:

Gordotigonas (Gordon Crawford) who manfully took on the task of Command by himself due to Grahametrius' absence (work commitments).
Hughmenes (Hugh Cameron) for remaining good-tempered throughout in spite of a major tactical error being made by persons unknown during a short toilet break
Billteutamos (Bill Robertson) for surviving the demise of the Argyraspides and some hilarious Missile Dice at times!
https://soa.org.uk/

You cannot view this attachment.You cannot view this attachment.You cannot view this attachment.You cannot view this attachment.