OT2019 Round 1

Round 1 - Mycale

Match 1
BrentS (Greek) 5
alecrespi (Persian) 2

The main action was a strong Greek advance across the river and into the hills on their left flank. One Spartan hoplite and the Greek Auxilia died and Leotychidas' hoplites were reduced to 1 block but great dice and the staying power of the Spartan 5-blockers resulted in 4 Persian units eliminated and Mardontes leaving the field of battle to check out what was happening in his tent. The Persians caused terrible carnage with a Darken the Sky but momentum was with the Greeks. With a hand full of right orders and needing one more kill for the win, they forced the river crossing on their right flank, meaning that the Persians never had breathing space to attack the vulnerable Leotychidas on the left, and the battle ended in front of the Persian camps with Xanthippus and friend eliminating Artayntes' Medium Infantry. I was very fortunate with dice but this was also an exercise in using a superior hand tp apply sustained pressure.....doesn't always work, but this time it did. I ended the battle with a couple of 1 block units and it could have gone much closer in the unit count.

Match 2
BrentS (Persian) 5
alecrespi (Greek) 4

A close and tense one. All the action started on the Greek left again where a very bloody crossing of the river by the Spartan hoplites resulted in 3 eliminated units on each side and Leotychidas retreating alone back to his army's baseline where he he spent the rest of the battle in shame for his phalanx being killed by an archer unit in close combat. That meant the battle was going to be decided in the centre or right and the right it was. The Greeks advanced onto the river, the Persians responded with a Double Time and then the Greeks sprung a surprise Clash of Shields, eliminating a Persian Medium and edging toward victory at 4-3.....but Xanthippus was overconfident and advanced out of the river. The Persians played a Spartacus and an excellent roll ordered 4 units to cut off Xanthippus and force him to make a leader escape, which he survived but only as far as a 1 block hoplite unit, which was eliminated from under him in close combat by an archer unit to end the battle (more shame for the Spartans).

I was fortunate with dice and cards. Thanks for some very enjoyable and strongly contested games, Alessandro, and thanks Mark for the choice of interesting scenario. No Persian camps were harmed in the making of these logs and gratifyingly there were no leader deaths.

Brent.

Had a moment and don't seem to be able to edit my post. The logs are attached here.

Brent.

Brent you have uploaded the same log file twice.

Had a couple great and tense games with Brent.
Thank you for playing and for your detailed "battle report" posted here.

Also posting my 2 logs (if needed).

Ale

Game #1:

Stanislav (Persian): 5 banners
Михаил (Greek): 1 banner

The Greeks attempted a courageous charge across the Gaison River, concentrating on the right side of the battlefield. The Persians, meanwhile, employed their superior ranged power to shoot and withdraw, drawing the Greeks closer without committing to close combat. The Persian archers were accurate (good dice!) and the Greeks suffered considerable losses before melee ensued. The weakened units were dispatched and only one Persian auxilia unit was dispersed from the field.

The Greeks tried to regain the initiative by pushing in the right as well as on the left, but the Persians withstood the pressure. Perilaus perished in his valiant charge and Tigranes ended the battle by destroying the fourth hoplite unit.

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Game #2:

Михаил (Persian): 3 banners
Stanislav (Greek): 5 banners

The Greeks started with good Line Command and Order Medium Cards. But the intiative was snuffed out by a demoralizing Darken The Sky on the first Persian round. There were remarkably few casualties, but the Greeks were pushed back - especially on the left side of the Athenian formation. The Greeks regained their composure and pushed on - focusing on the coastside part of the Persian army. The projectiles kept raining on the Greek warriors, however, and a well-timed First Strike from the Persians halted the Greek assault.

The Spartans sought to aid their beleaguered comrades and made some progress. However, the Persian commander cleverly shifted Mardontes and his infantry over to the right, ensuring a relatively even battle for the hills.

In the meantime, Xanthippus and his men pushed their way all the way to the Persian camp, killed a depleted auxilia unit and sought to destroy Artayntes' 1-block unit. The latter, however, were behind the safety of their fortified camp, disregarded the Greek sword roll and dispersed the phalanx on the battle-back. Xanthippus barely escaped the debaccle.

The Greeks now concentrated on their left, seeking to roll up the Persian flank before the Athenian formation was obliterated by firm resistance on the far bank of the river. The Spartans distinguished themselves, crushing both units of Ionian levies before dispatching Mardontes' Persian infantry. One of the Spartan units perished, and the Persians were chasing both Xanthippus and a depleted Athenian phalanx on the far right of the battlefield. Leotychides saw his chance to rout the Persian army and took it. With a lonely Double Time, the Spartan unit and their commander closed in on the fleeing Mardontes and finished him off. This was the final blow for the Persian army.

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Thanks to Михаил for two very tense and challenging battles. Especially in the second battle, I felt hard-pressed and felt that I didn't take full advantage of my good cards, with my right-side charge halted in its tracks. The Spartans proved their worth however.

Overall, a very interesting scenario, with the terrain allowing the Persians to fight a very even battle with the hoplite-heavy Greek force.

Game 1

giulio (Persian): 4 banners
mr_mandarin (Greek): 5 banners

Despite very good cards, three line command, two of whom in the initial hand, the Persians were not able to stop the advance of the Greek hoplites, helped by a timely Cavalry Charge. The action developed along the Gaison river in the center and left Greek sections.

Game 2

mr_mandarin (Persian): 3 banners
giulio (Greek): 5 banners

Again the action was mainly in the Greek center and left sections. The Greek initially managed to cross the river exploiting the staying power of the 5 blocks units but the Persian defense was more than adequate and the game was decided by just a couple of rolls.

Mark may be new to the tournament but it is definitely not new to the game. This tournament hosts an increasing number of good players. It will be tough (and fun)!

I forgot to save the second log file. I think Mark will post it. @Stanislav: great idea of coloring the factions in the report. I copied it shamelessly!

Thanks for that, Alessandro. Two very enjoyable games. I made a meal of the logs. Not enough sleep .

Brent.

Haha only happy to inspire I see that you also found the proper colour for the Persians. I'll follow your improvement.

As giulio already said, we had two fiercely fought battles that could have gone both ways each time. Thanks again for the amazing games!

I have indeed saved the second game as well:

And +1 for the Stanislavs idea of coloring the results!

Looking forward to the next round

-- Mark

Game 1/

TTK (Persian) #5 & lost 24 blocks
Mark (Greek) #2 & lost 27 bloks

The Greeks moved to the river. Dubble time/
But the Persians joined the center and the flank.
Throws on 2 dices very depend on luck... and concentration strikes.
The Persians withdrew their wounded units all the time (good set of orders), and the Greeks had no massive orders for attack continue.

One of the Spartan units went through the hills. But was surrounded, however, the leader broke through the Persians.

With the score 4:2 the Greeks went to the last attack on the left flank of the Persians. Were again stopped in the river and gave the last banner.

And yeh... I was lucky with the dices in game.

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TTK