Later Achaemenid Persians v Alexandrian Macedonians - TACTICA 2

[simonw]

The armies were about 2250pts each as follows:

Alexandrian Macedonian Late 4th Century BCE
Troop Type Unit Size FV Sk. FV Quality Weapons Pts Cost ea.Total
Companions HC(I) 18 5-6 Elite Lance 10 180
Thessalian HC 16 5-6 Elite Spear 8 128
Greek HC 12 5-6 Veteran Spear 7 84
Prodromoi LH(I)*** 12 4-6 5-6 Veteran Lance 5 60
Thessalian LC 12 3-6 5-6 Veteran Javelins 4 48
Thessalian LC 12 3-6 5-6 Veteran Javelins 4 48
PH Hypaspists 32 5-6 Elite Pike 8 256
PH Line (Katoikoi) 32 5-6 Veteran Pike 7 224
PH Line (Katoikoi) 32 5-6 Veteran Pike 7 224
PH Line (Katoikoi) 32 5-6 Veteran Pike 7 224
PH Line (Katoikoi) 32 5-6 Veteran Pike 7 224
PH Line (Katoikoi) 32 5-6 Veteran Pike 7 224
Thracian LI(I)*** 27 3-6 5-6 Veteran Javelins 4 108
LI Peltasts 27 3-6 5-6 Veteran Javelins 4 108
Slingers and Archers 16 4-6 Veteran Sling/Bow 3 48
Skirmishers 16 4-6 Veteran Javelins 2 32
Skirmishers 16 4-6 Veteran Javelins 2 32
*** Prodromoi and Thracian Impetus against opposing Light Troops only.
Total 2252pts.
Massed Figs. 328
Army Breakpoint 164

Later Achaemenid Persian Late 4th Century BCE
Troop Type Unit Size FV Sk. FV Quality Weapons Pts Cost ea. Total
Guard Hvy. Cav. 12 5-6 EL Spear/Javs. 8 96
Arm'd Noble Cav. 18 5-6 Veteran Spear/Javs. 7 126
Line Hvy. Cav. 18 4-6 Veteran Spear/Javs. 6 108
Line Hvy. Cav. 18 4-6 Veteran Spear/Javs. 6 108
Colonists Hvy Cav. 18 4-6 MG Spear/Javs. 5 90
Colonists Hvy Cav. 18 4-6 MG Spear/Javs. 5 90
Colonists Hvy Cav. 18 4-6 MG Spear/Javs. 5 90
Iranian Light Cav. 8 3-6 5-6 Veteran Javelins 4 32
Iranian Light Cav. 8 3-6 5-6 Veteran Javelins 4 32
Iranian Light Cav. 8 3-6 5-6 Veteran Javelins 4 32
Iranian Light Cav. 8 3-6 5-6 Veteran Javelins 4 32
Iranian Light Cav. 8 3-6 5-6 Veteran Javelins 4 32
Iranian Light Cav. 8 3-6 5-6 Veteran Javelins 4 32
Scyths Light Cav. 8 3-6 5-6 Veteran Bow 5 40
Scyths Light Cav. 8 3-6 5-6 Veteran Bow 5 40
Scyths Light Cav. 8 3-6 5-6 Veteran Bow 5 40
Merc. Hoplites PH 36 5-6 Veteran Spear 7 252
Merc. Hoplites PH 36 5-6 Veteran Spear 7 252
Kardakes HI 48 4-6 Veteran Spear 6 288
Kardakes HI 48 4-6 Veteran Spear 6 288
Hillmen MLI 27 3-6 Veteran Javelins 4 108
Skirmish Archers 12 3-6 Veteran Bow 3 36
Skirmish Archers 12 3-6 Veteran Bow 3 36
Total 2280pts.
Massed Figs. 387
Army Breakpoint 193

The Terrain comprised an open field primarily dotted with 4 Low Hills; one in the Persian Central Sector and the other 3 in the Flank Sectors. The Central Sector Low Hill became tactically significant as the game unfolded.

The Persian army consisted of loads of mediocre Colonist Cavalry of Militia Grade and FV4-6, lots of Light Horse and a few units of Nobles of FV5-6. It has an Infantry core comprising 2 units of 36 Mercenary Greek Hoplites (FV5-6, Veterans) in 3 ranks of 12 and 2 larger units of 48 Persian Kardakes (FV 4-6, Veterans) in 4 ranks of 12. Whilst providing the Persian army with reasonably solid core, all things being equal the Macedonian Phalanx was superior overall (5 units of 32 Pikemen FV5-6, Veterans and a single unit of Hypaspists FV5-6, Elite).

Aside from the Phalanx, the Key Unit in the Macedonian array was the unit of 18 Companion Heavy Cavalry Lancers in 3 ranks of 6 led by Alexander himself. In this configuration, not only could the unit operate independently as its own 'Division', but the unit fought with both of its front 2 ranks *12 figures), had Impetus (on a successful Control Test roll of 5 or more on 2d6) and an extra 2 Basic Melee Dice for Alexander; potentially 20 Basic Melee Dice in the first Turn of combat with a successful Impetus roll. On a frontage of 6 figures, this is extremely potent. It is a rules mechanism to account for the Macedonian Companions historical use of the 'Wedge' formation.

When and where to commit the Companions under Alexander is therefore an important consideration of the Macedonian players because despite being very powerful frontally, being 3 ranks deep, it is potentially vulnerable to being 'Flanked.

The Persian CinC Gordarius deployed his troops with the intention of defending the Low Hill in the Central Sector with his Kardakes with the Hoplites to the right of them. His right Wing was strong with most of his good quality Persian Noble Heavy Cavalry deployed there with several 8 figure strong Light Horse Units and some Colonist Heavy Cavalry (FV4-6 Militia Grade) deployed in deep formations out wide. Gordarius' Left Wing comprised a unit of 18 Takabara (Massed Light Infantry, Fv3-6 Veterans with Javelins) and several units of 18 Colonist Heavy Cavalry and units of 8 Light Horse.

Essentially, Gordarius' plan was to defend UNTIL an opportunity to counter attack presented itself. His numerous Light Horse were to 'tie-up' aggressive Macedonian Units with Missiles and attempted outflanking manoeuvres. His Colonist Cavalry units were Deployed in deep but narrow 6 figure frontages to increase manoeuvrabilty a well as durability.
The Macedonian battleplan was to defend their right Flank Sector with their 3 units of 27 Peltasts in 3 ranks of 9 supported by the Prodromoi (FV4-6, Veteran Light Horse with Lance) and to attack in their Left Flank Sector with their unit of 16 Thessalian Heavy Cavalry (FV5-6, Elite) and their 2 units of 12 Thessalian Light Horse (FV3-6, Veterans with Javelins) AND the Companions under Alexander with the Greek Heavy Cavalry (FV4-6, Veterans) with Hamippoi (Skirmish Infantry runners). The Phalanx was to advance steadily to engage and destroy the Persian Infantry centre.

So, how did the game actually pan out?

Well, the Macedonians were forced to incline their 32 figure Phalanx Battalions to the left in view of the Hoplites extending the right of the Persian Infantry centre and the obvious strength of the Persian Right Wing with its concentration of armoured Persian Nobles Heavy Cavalry. Alexander and the Companions advanced aggressively from the start alongside the Thessalian Heavy Cavalry to engage the numerous Persian cavalry opposite. The Thessalian Light Horse were deployed out wide on the left to try and nullify any attempted Persian outflanking manoeuvres.

Unfortunately, Alexander's somewhat 'bold' advance exposed the Companions to potentially significant amounts of Shooting from Persian Skirmishers and this, together with the risk of being outflanked by Persian Light Horse, he Alexander was faced by 2 units of Persian Noble Heavy cavalry (FV5-6 Elites) totalling around 30 figures; too numerous for even the Companions to reliably burst through quickly. Accordingly, the threat of the Companions was effectively stifled by the Persians as Alexander considered the risk of being outflanked if he Charged the Persian Nobles was too great. An uneasy stand-off therefore resulted which lasted for several Turns.

Still, the Macedonians were till confident that their Phalanx would overcome the Persian infantry and they advanced steadily to engage the, albeit with a shift to the left to concentrate on the Persian's Mercenary Greek Hoplites and prevent them form interfering further with Alexander and the Companions. Unfortunately for the Macedonians, the Persian Kardakes on the Low hill in the Centre were in a 'fighting mood' and roughly handled the Macedonian Phalanx Battalions that attacked them in their uphill position.
Additionally, the Macedonians committed their 'reserve' Greek Heavy Cavalry to support to their leftmost Phalanx Battalion against the Greek Hoplites in an attempt to ensure the Hoplite's defeat. Unfortunately, this meant that the Greeks were no longer present to block a unit of Persian Colonist Heavy cavalry which broke through the Thessalian Light Horse and which maintained disciple (didn't Pursue) so were able to Wheel Inwards to Flank Attack the Companions after Alexander was effectively forced into a desperate Charge against the masses of opposing Persian, Armoured Nobles facing them. The Companions could NOT break through and although, they and Alexander survived in Melee for 3 Turns, their fate was effectively sealed, should the battle last long enough.

On the Macedonian Right Flank, there was an effective stalemate with no decisive outcome on either side. The Persian numbers and the numbers of Peltasts were just too great for one side or the other to gain a decisive advantage, quickly enough. This was despite the Macedonians committing the Hypaspists in a vain attempt to intervene and expedite a decisive outcome; primarily due to poor dice throwing really.

So in the end, neither side reached Army Breakpoint BUT the Persians definitely had the upper hand with the Companions down to a single figure remaining to accompany Alexander and Persian Heavy and Light Cavalry units wheeling around from their Right Flank Sector behind the Macedonian Phalanx to attack it in the rear.

A 'winning' Persian draw was declared!
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Acknowledgements: photographs and gameplay.
Gordarius; Persian CinC
Alexander!!!!
Barmenion; (tactical mastermind).