Indeed, that was very nice game, with all what you would like to see in final: emotions, twist in how game progressed, big charges and being on verge of victory just to be on verge on defeat in a moment. Good scenario for such game!

Thanks to Michael for great game and Mark for organizing!

Finals Part 2: 414 Hormuz (226 AD)
MichalK (Parthians)
Banners won: 4
Blocks lost: 20

Sharpe08 (Persians)
Banner won: 6
Blocks lost: 16

Well this was it, part of 2 of the finals. Michal had won the first game by a score of 6-4 so I knew I was going to have my work cutout for me to try and emerge victorious. The game opened with Michal consolidating his lines on his R flank while I started to move my 4 foot units up in the middle so they could try to apply some pressure through range fire. Michal had a ton of rolls where he was shooting at me but not hitting any of my units which allowed me to advance in the center.

After a number of turns that were mostly range fire/movement of units I was in a position to start hammering on the Parthinans LBC. Michal however (and I think correctly) decided it was time to try and seize the initiative. He played Mounted Charge and by the time the dust had settled he had eliminated 3 of my 4 foot units as well as 1 of my HCC for a total of 4 banners. I had zero banners at this point and thought that game might be over since the only way I could win at this point was to have less blocks lost overall between the two games plus I needed to get 6 banners immediately before he could get 1 more.

I had been holding my own copy of Mounted Charge that had been in my opening hand and figured I might as well play it now. Fortunately, there were 5, 1 block units that I could go after and I went all in since there was nothing to lose. Ultimately my rolls ended up being perfect and I was able to eliminate 5 units as well as a leader for a total of 6 banners.

When the final count of losses was totaled I was able to squeak by 36-42 since we had both tied at 10 banners for the two games. Really a crazy final two turns to wrap up the tournament since it seemed like we were each on the ropes at different points in the final sequence. Michal played quite well (as usual!) and was an excellent opponent.

Thanks to Mark for organizing as always and making sure everything runs smoothly!

I'm not participating in the open tourney but I'll see if I can perhaps jump back in again when another mini tourney shows up. Hopefully I'll see you all on the battlefield again soon!

For all interested, we are playing second game on Saturday, March 18th, 06:30 GMT.

Finals Part 1: 414 Hormuz (226 AD)
MichalK (Persians)
Banners won: 6
Blocks lost: 22

Sharpe08 (Parthians)
Banner won: 4
Blocks lost: 20

I must admit Mark have chosen nice scenario for a final! It was very tense, close and gave us a lot of fun!
Game started with very good shooting by Michael (4 rolls, 3 hits) which prevented my LB from harassing him. Fortunately, that LB survived till the end of game (as another 2-3 one block's).

I have tried to close with Parthian lines, but was under constant range fire. When I did, Michael marvelously (I will not use other word) played Mounted Charge and game started to turn towards Parthians. I was preparing my attack so my front HC and HCC were able to respond - I managed to set-up couple of traps for LBS, which even if they managed to evade first attack, they were cut in second.

What was astonishing is that Michael was couple of times in situation when many of his units were at the board game, ready to be swept by my HC and HCC, but he managed to move them and fight on.

The game finished after - always tricky - roll of Spartacus and my LBC pushing Michael's LBC out of map.

The score is very close and everything can happen in our second game...

Sorry for late notice but it was not confirmed till last moment.
We are just starting our first game of final with Michael - feel free to join us on Vassal.

Guys,

just to inform you - we are still trying to find some suitable time for game with Michael. Once we have something we will let you know when final will be played - all spectators are of course welcome!

Finals: Alpha winner vs. Beta winner
Final Match sharpe08 vs MichalK
Scenario: 414 Hormuz (226 AD)
www.commandsandcolors.net/ancients/maps/...4-hormuz-226-ad.html

Semi-Finals Part 2: Cilician Gates (39BC)
Sharpe08 (Romans)
Banners won: 6
Blocks lost: NA

Giulio (Parthians)
Banner won: 2
Blocks lost: NA

The Parthians started the battle by moving their infantry up and attacking the Roman right flank. Some effective range fire early on weakened the Roman medium infantry on that side. The Parthian’s then followed up with some close combat which destroyed a Roman medium infantry and allowed them to gain a foothold on the hills. The Romans then counterattacked and thorough a series of extremely fortunate rolls were able to destroy several Parthian auxilia. The Romans moved down off the hills on their right flank and were attacked by the heavy cavalry. Fortunately I had a first strike card in hand and a 1 block roman medium infantry unit was able to force the HCC to retreat. The final turn was crazy as I decided to attack a full strength HCC which evaded but I ended up rolling 3 hits to eliminate it. I then was able to mop up a 1 block auxilia to clinch the victory. My rolls were extremely good over the last several turns otherwise this would have been a much closer outcome.

Hi guys. Sorry for the delay. My second battle with Michael is planned for next Saturday. It was difficult to find a spot the past we. Our respective time zones do not help. Just to keep you informed.

Semi-Finals Part 1: Cilician Gates (39 BC)
Sharpe08 (Parthians)
Banners won: 6
Blocks lost: 18

Giulio (Roman)
Banner won: 4
Blocks lost: 21

The battle opened with the Parthians moving their infantry up over a few turns to start range firing on the Roman right flank. The Parthians range fire was rather ineffective in the opening turns while the Romans were able to wipe out a LBC. For most of the game the battle was centered on the Roman R flank as the Parthian’s simply kept firing away with their range units in an attempt to whittle the Roman units down on that side. Due to some fortunate dice rolls this finally happened and I was able to even get a double helmet roll on Ventidius. The battle finally ended when I was able to play a mounted charge and get the last two banners I needed for the win.

Semi-final: 405 Cilician Gates (39 BC)
Sharpe08 (Parthians)
Banners won: 6
Blocks lost: 18

Giulio (Roman)
Banners won: 4
Blocks lost: 21

We played this past Saturday. I'm reporting it just to make you aware that things are going on. Presumably, we will play the second match during the next week end.

In terms of battle report, Michael wisely reduced my strength with archery fire finally forcing me to a "sortie" down the hill that, as expected, proved quite costly. I think this is the best (and safer) strategy the Parthian player may possibly adopt. I made a couple of mistakes that Michael was ready to exploits so I would say a well deserved victory.

g1ul10 wrote: Michal, I'd love to see the log file! I wrote to Sharpe08 and I hope to have our semi-final soon.

Sorry, forgot it! Now it is added!

Michal, I'd love to see the log file! I wrote to Sharpe08 and I hope to have our semi-final soon.

Semi-final 2: 405 Cilician Gates (39 BC)
Plainscape (Parthians)
Banners won: 1
Blocks lost: 22

MichalK (Roman)
Banner won: 6
Blocks lost: 11

Game started with very accurate Roman slings/arrows volleys. Enough to discourage Parthians from quick closing on hills.
But having choice of slow death from range fire or attacking, Todd rightly chosen to play Mounted Charge. MI was dispatched, but LB luckily survived. Unfortunately, I managed to cut the catarphacts from retreat and at the end of my counterattack turn half heavy cavalry was down. Then my immortal MI survived 3 attacks and managed to dispatch LBC. Last turn saw LBC being attacked by 4 units from all sides and easily dispatched.

I have a feeling the game was played very historically (in opposition to our first game). You can feel Partian's frustration with every charge uphill...

Again, thanks to Todd for good game!

Semi-final 1: 405 Cilician Gates (39 BC)
MichalK (Parthians)
Banners won: 6
Blocks lost: 8

Plainscape (Roman)
Banner won: 0
Blocks lost: 23

That was interesting game. I played MFM card as opening move thanks to which my 3 AUX - which normally do not take part in battle - were at the front. Then timely played MC card dispatched two MI. Gradually Persian advantage rose - sometimes by range fire, sometimes by precision hits. Todd had really bad luck with dice today - for example MC attack on 1 block HC with no result...

Game ended after another MC Roman cavalry - ready to try another attack on 1 block HC - was cut from retreat and eliminated.

Thanks to Todd for the game!

So that was the last preliminary match, with a very tight ending for the Alpha group with 3 players on the same (maximum) score.

Semi finals are
Persian Match Guilio vs. sharpe08
Roman Match MichalK vs. plainscape

Scenario: 405 Cilician Gates (39 BC)

Round 1: Carrhae (53 BC)
Sharpe08 (Parthians)
Banners won: 7
Blocks lost: 14

Stormwalker (Roman)
Banner won: 2
Blocks lost: 30
My opening hand as the Parthians was excellent with darken the sky, order light troops, and move-fire-move among some of my cards. The Persians simply started firing at the Romans as the Romans formed up their lines and started advancing in the center. A darken the sky allowed 28 range rolls for the Parthians but only ended up with a few hits. As the Romans advanced in the center the Parthians started to move on the Roman right flank and apply a bit of pressure. The Romans continued to press the middle but the majority of the Parthians cavalry was able to slip away to the flanks and a later timely mounted charge allowed the Parthians to weaken/kill several Roman units and I was able to finish mopping things up a few turns later. Stormwalker played well and I could have been in a lot more trouble if my cards weren’t so strong.

For the final part of the tournament I would suggest to use the last module, version 3.3. This version include an auto-replacement feature for the attacker/target marker, which is very convenient. I've updated all the extensions including the official scenarios to use the new features. You can find the files in the usual VASSAL page.

I DID not update the extensions including the fan made scenarios. They are still compatible BUT without the specific features of the new module.

Just as an FYI Stormwalker and I are looking to try and finish our game this upcoming weekend. He ended up having family staying with him last weekend so we had to push our match off.

It will be interesting to see the C&C Medieval deck, and how it modifies the Ancients deck.

An interesting example is from Samurai Battles, where Line Command becomes Serpentine Command, that includes ANY units
www.commandsandcolors.net/samuraibattles.../serpent_command.jpg

In fact as a model Medieval Deck, Samurai Battles is pretty nice.

I agree. The Command Deck contains a number of cards which are useful only for infantry. This means that a cavalry only army can suffer an initial phase of semi-paralysis, in which only a single unit can be moved. Some bad luck in drawing and the paralysis can actually last several turns. Thus, in my experience, a Roman victory at Carrae or Nisibis is well possible if the Roman player is able to read the situation and press the opponent. But then maybe the opponent is bluffing and waiting for the Roman to expose his troops... the beauty of the C&C system.

Edessa, in addition, suffers, or enjoys, the random nature of Elephants warfare. In this scenario the Elephants are more powerful than normal, but they can still fail miserably and at that point it's difficult for the Persian to bring a victory home.

Misiche is the only scenario that features some significant terrain. It's a nice scenario with an unexpected, for me, tactical twist: the battle is won or lost on the Roman right flank, despite the fact that the strongest units are on the other flank. It took me a couple of games to realize this fact. Let me laugh at all those who consider C&C:Ancients a shallow game! (I know, maybe it's my brain that is shallow!)

Edit: I added my consideration on Misiche because I realized all games for the tournement have been already played.

Edit2: Grammar, please!

mk20336 wrote: Although it is long ago set-up (I mean semfinals and finals scenarios) would be nice to see also KP01 scenario played as it also seems well balanced...

KP01 Rhesaina balance is 4-0 Parthian way, and I played it in September and it was tough on the Romans, and quite similar to Nisibis in setup, which seemed better balanced.

However, I'd play KP01 Rhesaina again, particularly as we wait on the final result.
www.commandsandcolors.net/ancients/maps/...view=article&id=1040

On the whole, it seems the mixed infantry/cavalry scenarios had more even results than the all cavalry (or mostly cavalry) scenarios. A reflection of the Command Card deck I suspect.

Mark-McG wrote: I must say I think the Round 5 scenario has been the best balanced and most interesting.

I definitely agree!

Although it is long ago set-up (I mean semfinals and finals scenarios) would be nice to see also KP01 scenario played as it also seems well balanced...

I must say I think the Round 5 scenario has been the best balanced and most interesting.

Round 5, Travis (Persians) vs. Stormwalker (Romans)

Travis 7 banners won, 25 blocks lost
Stormwalker 5 banners won, 32 blocks lost

A very interesting battle, well fought by the Romans. A massive turn netted the Romans four of their banners, as they put the Persians on the brink of defeat with a well planned advance in the middle. However, superior Persian cards and dice were the difference, as the Persians were able to blunt Roman advances, hit from range, and then organize a thrust against the remaining Persian units in the center to secure victory. A very fun scenario and worthy opponent.