Saturday 24 September 2022

Roman Revenge as Pyrrhus procrastinates

 

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.  

The change of tactics were to prove significant.


Jeff’s Hoplites and lights on his left flank 

Massed pike in the centre. My artillery would concentrate on their ranks

I do like the look of Jeff’s troops

Mighty Roman lines of heavy infantry 

The right flank looks solid and steady and decided to not be too bold this time around

The artillery on the hill - couldn’t get a better position

Old Glory range of Polybian “Republican “ Roman’s - one of their great Ancient ranges

Hoplites advance and attempt to close quickly on the Roman lines

The terrain choice was to prove important as tough ground and a wood on the Roman left jade manoeuvres from Pyrrhus cavalry and Elephant’s difficult. Hence light troops from both sides fought ferociously for control of the woods and rough ground. Both would change hands several times.

Pyrrhus troops advance against the Roman right

With bolts swishing over their heads the Quincunux awaits the phalanx 

Rough ground defended by Velites

 Numidian allied cavalry

A view across the table shows the extent of the attack across the front

An opportunity presents as an overly zealous Hoplite unit finds itself isolated and alone

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.

Pyrrhus heavier troops lay back awaiting the opportunity to sneak through

Lovely troops

Keep on hitting those phalanxes lads

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?

12 comments:

  1. Great looking game!
    I've got Republican Roman and Caesarian Roman armies awaiting paint which are composed primarily of Old Glory figures for the legions.
    Was lucky enough to obtain them heavily discounted when a retailer was selling them off cheap on eBay. Very active looking figures.
    Neil

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    1. They really are fantastic figures . As you know sometime Old Glory can be a bit hit and miss but their ancients are tremendous. Always great to get a bargain.

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  2. I never like it when ancient artillery gets too good but what a game and so different from the previous encounter. These armies are the epitome of the classic match up. Did you follow Peter's Punic campaign on his 'Grid-based ... but not always' blog?

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    1. Me too Rob and thankfully even artillery in To the Strongest is limited in its effectiveness. Still tough to actually hit the enemy and the save is still pretty good for the enemy. I think the psychological deterrent is it’s main weapon and I certainly feel that played a part in this battle. The Romans got their deployment correct this time and were able to better utilise their strengths such as the manipulation swaps etc. no I haven’t heard of “Grid Based”. I’ll look it up now so thank you for the heads up.

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  3. Another great looking game with some beautiful figures. I am still waiting to have my first game of TtS, and every time I read an AAR like this it just makes me more eager to do so.

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    1. Lawrence don’t wait anymore, grab done figured, some cardboard squares or some blank counters and have it a crack. It really is tremendous fun.

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  4. Great looking game Carlo. Figures are wonderful.
    Good to get a win back to make the series 1 each. Will there be a decider?

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    1. Thank you very much Ben and yes, I’m sure Jeff and I will dust these jars off again within a week or so.

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  5. Glory to Rome and it’s leader. I’m sure they’re making a statue of you right now. 😀

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    1. Indeed they are Stew - bronze and a whopping twenty centremetres high to reflect the greatness of my deeds😅

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