Early Carthaginians vs the Early Achaemenids - posted by Barry Norris, 21 January 2024

Fascinating game on Saturday at Warlords against Paul Graham. My Early Carthaginians vs the Early Archaemenids - a potentially historic scrap somewhere in Libya.

More like a game of chess than a fight but great fun. I deployed first with the Kn(O) command on the left, the large infantry command in the centre and right, and a mixed command in reserve. Paul had his Skythian ally on his right and three commands of mixed troops (Cv, LH, Bw, Ax) stretching across to his left.

In the first bound I moved the chariots further left to better face off the Cv and LH, and moved the LH and Cv from my reserve to cover the left of the chariots (LH) and the gap created by the move (Cv).

Paul's first bound - and the Skythians sulked. The regular Bw including the Immortals marched to their right to help face the chariots.

Over the next few bounds Paul successfully activated his ally and slaughtered the LH(O) on my left with his LH(F) even though it was essentially 1 on 1. The joys of LH on LH. With the LH cover gone and the Bw pressing up, the chariots could not afford to charge.

In the centre I started to push up to try to create pressure but ran into 2 Kn(O) chariots and stalled. On my right the two commands stared at each other (Paul had his low die on the left).

We eventually called time with Paul 14-11 up.

Adding to the debate on averaging - I averaged but Paul did not. Paul had better PIPs but that was due to good dice than the choice of approach. That said the extra PIPs from the ally - who made up for their early sulk by throwing 5,6,6,5 in the next 4 bounds - proved quite decisive. If I continue with this army I may redesign it to include the Numdian ally. 

https://www.facebook.com/groups/824840264342234/posts/2513403175485926/

The Kn(O) chariots move left and the LH(O) come over to screen the flank.

BarrLH(F) from the Persian right command come up to screen. The Skythians sulk. Some Cv(O) come up beside them. You can see the Immortals and Chaldean Bw marching along behind the rough terrain.

The Carthaginian centre-right with the reserve Ax(S) behind.

The Persian left. Mostly we sat and looked at each other. The chariots and Cv moved to their right a little later.

BLate in the game. The chariots have pulled back to avoid being outflanked. The Carthaginian centre has gone in and some reserves are coming in just to the right of the chariots.

Fighting in the centre.

Vincent Cholewa

Admin

Group expert

+1

I remember your reserve moving to your left flank last weekend, Barry. A more decisive result that day!

How well did averaging the dice work?

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Barry Norris

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Vincent Cholewa Paul threw better PIPs so it's hard to compare. I got more or less exactly what I would have predicted. Whether it's the best approach for this particular army is open to debate. I'd be tempted to add the Numidian ally for a few more PIPs. Not sure how to re-organise otherwise. You need decent PIPs for the chariots because usually they are the strike force, the big infantry command needs some to create pressure and you can't afford to starve the reserve.

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Vincent Cholewa

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+1

Barry Norris that impossible balance of wanting my attack command to have five or six PIPS each bound and the one with the lowest dice to not repeatedly have one or two. Interesting choices and decisions