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The lads looking a bit better organised this battle against Pyrrhus |
Well we didn’t have to wait long for Rome to act on their poor showing last time on the table to call for the second field army army under First Consul Carlo Terribulus to regain some honour.
In our last encounter Jeff had absolutely “rag dolled” my Romans with a show of force, intelligence and a ruthless tendency to draw just the right chits at just the right time.
Taking a lesson from the last encounter I decided to try and introduce some bite with the introduction of some artillery and a few more skirmishing light infantry. The cavalry contingent was reduced as I felt if I had to rely on my mounted to win the battle, it was all over.
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Pyrrhus troops advance against the Roman right |
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With bolts swishing over their heads the Quincunux awaits the phalanx |
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Rough ground defended by Velites |
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Numidian allied cavalry |
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A view across the table shows the extent of the attack across the front |
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An opportunity presents as an overly zealous Hoplite unit finds itself isolated and alone |
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Great view of the Roman right as the Quincunux - legio to the great unwashed such as I - wait back to determine the best point of counter attack. |
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Pyrrhus heavier troops lay back awaiting the opportunity to sneak through |
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Lovely troops |
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Keep on hitting those phalanxes lads |
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Though Jeff saved quite well, these artillery were worth every point they cost |
The excitement of the battle in the centre caught myself and Jeff up in the frenzy. The phalanx fought well and inflicted heavy casualties however the Roman ability to rally and remove disorder ensured they were winning the war of attrition.
In the end two of Pyrrhus’s phalanxes and a unit of Hoplites were destroyed and the army melted away. Pyrrhus viewed the destruction of his infantry, looked across at his unengaged elephants and bodyguard cavalry and probably thought their lack of incision into the action was a terminal error.
What a great game of To the Strongest as always. Well matched armies and a chance to play against a friend and gentleman like Jeff.
Now…where’s the media?