Saturday 13 October 2012

The Empire Campaign Resumes

I was hoping to start things moving again before now, but a series of very large games held us back. That, and the fact that everyone in Scotland has had a cold for the last six weeks.  Finally, we played a Successors game on Tuesday evening.

The rampantly successful Ptolemaics decide to try to remove their Seleucid rivals entirely from the map, invading what's left of the Seleucid "Empire" in Mesopotamia.  They encounter the defenders in an area of rolling hills.  All of the following photos are taken from behind the Seleucid army, which I ran all by myself for a change:
The right wing of the invading force, as seen from my left flank perspective.  They have plenty of skirmishers, along with some medium cavalry, a couple of elephants, and two units of Light Infantry.
Moving along towards their centre, the photo above shows a unit of elite phalangites and the start of their central phalanx proper, with more skirmishers in front.  Simon was in command of this entire half of the army.
Next is the start of Gordon's half of the army, a very large phalanx, along with more elephants, Light Infantry and skirmishers.
The fourth picture shows their left wing, comprising a large unit of light horse with javelins, and a nasty looking column of elite heavy lancers.  Plus even more skirmishers.
I had no idea what to do, so I rolled for it on a D6: 1-2 left hook, 3-4 sort of symmetrical, 5-6 right hook.  The dice gods settled for symmetrical, and this was the left flank: a unit of 8 light horse with javelins; a large unit of 18 Galatian medium cavalry; and 2 elephants escorted by a dozen light infantry.  I don't have so many skirmishers in my force, so there is a forlorn hope of eight skirmish archers as well.
The shot above shows my Argyraspides: 24 elite pikemen in three ranks, and then three of my 32-figure pike units, with a dozen javelinmen out front.
My right centre is another couple of phalanxes, with a dozen light infantry and two elephants to their right.
My right flank has a dozen cataphracts, a dozen heavy cavalry, 8 light horse with javelins, and another forlorn hope, this time of 8 slingers.  Overall, the battle lines look pretty much even right across the field - neither army has much superiority in any particular location.
The action begins.  My left advances, as does the opposition.  They feel slightly worried by my large Galatian cavalry unit here, so they keep their own smaller cavalry contingent back, hoping to use their skirmish superiority to wear down my lot.
Both armies advance in the centre.
And the same again.  At the top right of this shot, you can see that Gordon has decided to move out his flank command at an angle.  He has more light infantry here, so I'll need to try to keep my elephants covered.
I keep things cagey on my own right flank.  Overall, I feel that I have a bit of an advantage at my left, the centres are evenly matched, and I will have to see what happens at the right.
Accordingly, my left continues its advance.
I have a bit of an overlap at my left centre with my Argyraspides .  Just to their right my first phalanx attacks the enemy elites.
In the centre, the phalanxes close.
Things are developing on my right.  I found it difficult to take decent photos of this part of the field, because the light in the centre of the hall isn't great.
Back on my left, the Galatians go in with their superior numbers and get hammered.  I'm going to need to get my light horse around the far left, assuming they aren't shot to bits.
Things are going well for my guys just to the right, though, as the Argyraspides start to crunch their way through the enemy light infantry.  I'm hoping to turn the end of their infantry line and roll up their phalanx, but I'll need my own central infantry to hold out long enough.
Continuing here for a moment, the Argyraspides are about to take the enemy elites from behind.
A shot of the pike clash in the hills.  My lot aren't doing very well...
My left wing is victorious.  My light horse managed to avoid most of the enemy shooting and helped the Galatians to see off the enemy cavalry.  My elephants are winning here too.
A gratuituous close-up of the enemy elites about to find out what it's like to be a phalanx with no flank protection...
My centre is barely holding, though.
My left wing continues its progress.
The enemy elites have been destroyed, and my Argyraspides advance upon the rear of their phalanx.  One of my own centre units has been destroyed, and the one you can see on the hill in this photo has been disordered on morale.  I'm hoping the rear attack will save them, and this is indeed what happens.
To finish, here's the only photo of my right that worked out.  The opposition performed really badly here, and you can see my lot heading off in pursuit.

Overall, it went in my favour.  My left worked well, and the right exceeded all expectations.  The centre held just long enough for the Argyraspides to come in and destroy the enemy phalanx.  Quite a comprehensive win in the end.  Next up: the Seleucids have to turn around and face an invasion from the other direction as the Bactrian Greeks decide to try their hand.

1 comment:

  1. Looks like a great way to spend and evening...big game of Tactica and a pint! Great looking troops and game.

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