Game 1

KenW-Licinius (8 Banners)
Javelinthrower - Constantine (5 Banners)

A grinding war of attrition, mostly settled via projectile fire. I was able to keep my flanks intact until and consitently firing into the Roman flanks until Ivan tried to break out through the center, which meant advancing through a corridor of fire. A timely line command allowed me to meet and blunt the charge, leaving Licinius holding the field. 

Thanks for the game, Ivan!

Rnd 2 Cibalae 

Game 1: Viridovilas (Constantine) - Alister (Licinius) 8 - 2

Game 2: Viridovilas (Licinius) - Alister (Constantine) 8 - 6 

For the sake of quickness with no comment this time. Only thanks to Alister for the nice game!

NOTE: We played sides in the opposite order as listed in the above chart. But I retained the same player ID numbers in the report below. Sorry for any confusion about that.

Game 1

Player 1 / John S (Constantine) # banners 8

Player 2 / EZPickens (Licinius) # banners 6

Ranged fire was the early order of the day as both sides took potshots at each other. EZ gets the first kill with a lucky 2 banner roll on a supported LC in the center. I then use MOUNTED CHARGE to hit Lininius's left and center.  I weaken two evading LC while my HC trades two hits with a center AI. EZ then picks off two 1 block units including my HC to lead 0 to 3. I hit the LC with two MC and two LC but can only bag a 1 block LC. EZ then uses MOUNTED CHARGE and we trade LC units. I then settle matters on that flank with COUNTER ATTACK and kill off the last three cavalry there to lead 5 to 4. A close-runbattle that could have turned the other way. After ranged fire picks off on of my 1 block MC the battle shifts to the center. I kill off two AI in exchange for a HI. A turn later I close in for the win but whiff on a 3d attack with leader on a 1 block AI on the baseline. But it is ended the turn after that with the elimination of a cutoff LB.

Game 2

Player 2 / EZPickens (Constantine) # 6

Player 1 / John S (Licinius) # 8

The action once again opens on Licinicu's left as early on EZ plays MOUNTED CHARGE but 16 dice against my evading LC do not score a hit. I do no damage to him with ranged fore from my LC on my left after using LIGHT TROOPS. EZ hits my left again after ordering 4 cavalries. Once again, I evade but this time loss a few blocks. My left is in trouble as I have no orders for my LC on my baseline and if ZEZ has any orders for his right then that LC line of mine can fall like dominos. Lucky for me that is not the case but i do lose a MC on my left. I am able to get my LC off my basleine and eliminate a LC to tie the game. EZ continues his center advance but loses his HC in an attack on my left MI. Then my ranged fire gets a kill on a LC in the center with the dreaded double banner. EZ keeps advancing his HI supported by a MI in the center and I evade again. But now I have no choice to come forward with what I can to try and stem his advance. Our HI clash and he loses his while I lose an AI. After losing a LBC my I AM SPARTACUS orders four units. Two of my LC cutoff a LC and bag it and my HI take care of the 1 block MI in the center. I have a nice 6 to 3 lead. DARKEN THE SKY accounts for one of my LC with that 2 banner roll. I hit the flanks and ranged fire kills off a weak MC while two LC get 2 hits on the LB near its own baseline and pinned up against the impassable hills. But one of my LC retreats which allows the other to be cutoff and killed. Another HI advance into the center and I cannot kill it off as it falls back three hexes. But in the next turn its 1d ranged attack kils a MI. I try MOUNTED CHARGE and have there good chances to end it. My right LC go after the 2 block LB but cannot get a flag which would have killed it. But my next attack on a 1 block LC on the baseline works and ends it. 

Two close games and the MOUNTED CHARGES by EZ could have decided each game in his favor if not for the very poor rolls. He still manages to make game 2 closer than I thought he could. Well played.

   

 

RobS vs scrum4you

Game 1: RobS (Constantine) 8
               scrum4you (Licinius) 6

Game 2: RobS (Licinius) 7
               scrum4you (Constantine) 8

Two very hard fought games.

Game2

Gonzo (Licinius) - 5
Gileforn (Constantine) - 8

That was a nice game with a lots of shooting and manoeuvring. Constantine was more lucky.
Log file could be downloaded later.

PS: in the first game, Forrest (winner) lost 36 blocks and I lost 28. No leader was lost by either side.

ROUND 3

Forrest (Constantine) 8 banners, XX blocks lost, 0 leader lost

vs

Renaud (Licinius) 5 banners, XX blocks lost, 0 leader lost

After some shooting that favored my side, Constantine's successive mounted charges pretty much destroyed Licinius' crowded cavalry (despite delaying the outcome with a counter-attack on my part), bringing the score to 5-1 in Forrest's favor. But I then unexpectedly turned the tide with a DT attack on his cavalry, pinning and destroying 1 unit and forcing the others to evade. Then I moved carefully forward, especially on my left. Forrest then attacked with double-time in the center and I pretty much turned that back too, starting to catch up in VPs (5-7). On my final turn, I decided to attack on the left again. My full-strength commander-led HI going against his full-strength commander-led MI. My 3-block AUX is there in support to deliver the coup de grace, and lots of juicy 1-block and 2-block units behind the MI. I score 3 hits with the HI, but his commander survives. He rolls 4 dice back ands scores... 4 hits. Game over.

***********

Renaud (Constantine) 8 banners, 22 blocks lost, 0 leader lost

vs

Forrest (Licinius) 4 banners, 31 blocks lost, 0 leader lost

Return match at Cibalae. It started almost like the first game, with Constantine's cavalry moving against Licinus' light cavalry screen on the right, although with a Leadership card rather than the slightly more potent Mounted Charge played yesterday. That said, I did get a MC card soon afterwards, and while I lost an MC and an HC due to a lack of follow-up cards and a well-time DT (like yesterday!), I came out slightly ahead. Then the game moved to a shooting phase that turned to my advantage despite being slightly less resourced. Finally, Forrest DT'ed in the center, but he only claimed one Auxilia. That broke my line in two halves, rendering my Line Command card less effective, but I still was able to use it with a full-strength MI, a 3-block HI (with a leader) and a full-strength Auxilia, and score my last 2 banners by destroying his HI with my MI (despite a First Strike) and my HI, and then his AUX with the bonus attack by my HI (4 hits in one attack, just like yesterday when his battle back scored his last VP). 8-4 final score, 13-12 on both games, giving me 2 out of 3 possible points.

Game 2   
mk20336 (Constantine) 8
azcat (Licinius) 2

Very fast and bloody scenario; Constantine quickly regrouped in center, hit with Double Time and then brought cavalry. There were some very lucky and very unlucky rolls on both sides but future emperor prevailed in the end!

 

Cap vs Polonus 100

Game 1
Cap (Constantine) 8
Polonus100 (Licinius) 7

I had all the ultra-strong cards during the entire game (including 4 Line Commands) while Polonus100 had nothing but section 2 cards. One of those games that I wouldn't brag about.

I made mistake in last Turn not withdrawing to safe distance my small little alone block of Light Cavalry Archers. This let Cap to gain last of the two banners from the  6-7 result for Licinius. Red units attack gave Contantine two banners. When not, Light Licinius units could easily destroy last Blue Constantine cavalry block on Licinius' Left in following turn 

Cap vs Polonus 100 

Game 2
Cap (Licinius) 3
Polonus100 (Constantine) 8

 

Battle begun with Constantine cavalry moving on the Right. But Licinius Light's delayed with small losses. In answer Constantine center moved and Licinius opposite too. In bloody clash losses were even and result was 3-3. But the gap in the Licinius Left appeared and Cavalry Charge lead by Contantine broke Licinius Light cavalry ranks giving 4 more banners. Last banner was gain in succesfull range attack.

Game 1   
mk20336 (Licinius) 8
azcat (Constantine) 3

A long, bloody battle which ended with Leader Check. Many 1 block units on the map which - should game continue despite leader check - could significantly change the game result.

 

deadline coming up on 15th June. Please get those outstanding matches played and reports sent in

Cap vs Polonus 100

Game 1
Cap (Constantine) 8
Polonus100 (Licinius) 7

I had all the ultra-strong cards during the entire game (including 4 Line Commands) while Polonus100 had nothing but section 2 cards. One of those games that I wouldn't brag about.

Rvjonline,

Please e-mail me at PCScipio42@yahoo.com to set up our match.

Thanks
Forrest

Game 1
soul1st (Licinius) 7 banners
gotigerssc (Constantine) 8 banners

A lot of fighting on the flanks and Constantine fell about half way through the battle. Going into my final turn I was down 7-4 and played out flanked where my HC and MC on the right claimed three light cavalry units. On my left I was able to corner another LC unit and lucked into a 3 hit on 4 dice roll to end the game and claim the win. 

Game 2
gotigerssc (Licinius) 7 banners
soul1st (Constantine) 8 banners

Game 2 was also really tight and both of us had a chance to win at the end. Most of the early fighting was on Constantine's right and the match finished on the left. As expected, there was a lot of evading and maneuvering until going for it near the end and I came up just short. Constantine fell in this battle as well.

Good luck to Twan the rest of the way!

   

R3G1 Cibalae
Steve T Licinus 5 Banners, 32 blocks lost
Togan Constantine 8 Banners, 28 blocks lost
Battle began with an exchange of missile fire between light cavalry on the flanks, followed by Constantine’s medium and heavy cavalry attacking on the right flank, and then his infantry attacking in the centre; Licinus’ flank and centre give way and the score was 1-5. Licinus replied at last with Darken the Sky and 32 rolls, destroying two one block units and a full strength Medium Cavalry, as well as a double roll leader kill: 5-5. But Constantine continued forward with his infantry on the left centre with Licinus’ forces retreating in disorder: 5-8. A fitting defeat with my Licinians never being in the game.

R3G2 Cibalae
Togan Licinus 4 Banners, 32 blocks lost
Steve T Constantine 8 Banners, 18 blocks lost
Constantine’s centre positioned themselves and then charged forward with double time against Licinius’ auxilia. The resulting melee in the centre resulted in the loss of 2 x HI and 1 x MI for 3 auxilia – not a good trade-off! 3-3. Constantine launched a mounted charge on the right, sweeping away Licinius’ cavalry for the battle, 8-4
Thanks to Togan for a tough pair of games, I was very lucky to win a close match!

 Game 1

Travis (Licinius) - 8
gheintze (Constantine) - 7

After gaining an early 3-1 advantage by pressing the flank cavalry, the lines stabilized yet the forces of Licinius maintained a solid 5-2 advantage.  Constantine's skillful use of Darken the Sky, MFM, and Line Command, followed by a complete whiff on a Sparty roll, tilted the battle in his favor 7-5.  It was through sheer luck that one of my archer units was able to pick off a one block HI, and take out  the attached leader which opened the door for a thrilling 8-7 win for Licinius.

Game 2

gheintze  (Licinius) - 5
Travis (Constantine) - 8

Once again, my opponent's ranged fire and maneuvering was superior to my own in the early stages, as I struggled to grapple with his mobile light cavalry and infantry.  Fortunately, the tides were turned by a good Sparty roll, and then I was able to isolate some weaker units to mop up for the victory.  A very hard fought set of games against a fun and worthy opponent.

Game 1   
Rams (Licinius) 4
Mark McG (Constantine) 8

A cavalry battle, and ranged fire. All the losses bar 1 AUX were cavalry. Constantine pressed his luck on the Right, and didn't do well, whereas the Left generally outperformed the opposing cavalry in ranged fire. Many of the losses came from retreat at board edge rather than hits. 
Well pleased with this scenario! 

Game 1   
RiverWanderer (Licinius) 5
Andygor (Constantine) 8
Game 2
Andygor (Licinius) 8
RiverWanderer (Constantine) 6       

Round 3: 424 Cibalae (314 AD)
Game 1
GomJabbar (Licinius) 8 banners (21 blocks lost)
Boredbeyondbelief (Constantine) 3 banners (27 blocks lost)

Eric's Constantine LC advanced on the flanks with little effect. My Licinius light troops attacked back eliminating 2 LC on the first turn. An ominous portent of things to come. Both sides then started to move their heavier troops up the center. Licinius used his flanking units to whittle down Constantine's heavy infantry. Constantine then darkened the sky with arrows taking out 1 LC but little else. Licinius then counterattacked with the same and whittled down the heavies even more. Constantine then charged forward with the heavies but was rebuffed by Auxilias no less and lost a heavy infantry. The dice were heavily in Licinius' favour. Constantine then sent the Heavy infantry forward again with limited effect. Licinius then moved his heavies forward and eliminated the heavy plus the leader. The pivotal moment was when Constantine himself with his full strength MC charged Licinius with a 1 figure heavy infantry unit and failed to get any hits and Constantine was killed along with his MC unit in the battle back. A devastating loss for Constantine and miraculous luck for Licinius.

Game 2
Boredbeyondbelief (Licinius) 7 banners (33 blocks lost)
GomJabbar (Constantine) 8 banners (22 blocks lost)

This time Constantine did not attack on the flanks but had good cards for moving his leaders and heavier units up the middle. Licinius used a couple of mounted charges and cavalry to cut off isolated units and take 3 banners but then those flanking units themselves got isolated and hammered by Constantine's heavies. Licinius had some poor cards and had to regroup to get units in the center moving forward. In the meantime, Constantine with plenty of center cards moved up 3 heavy and 1 medium infantry to tackle Licinius' Auxilia. The game was tied 4-4 when Constantine played Clash of Shields which took out 2 units and reduced another to 1 block. Licinius then countered with a MC that took out 2 units and a leader. Then Constantine himself joined the battle and took out the MC and then a Constantine heavy unit with leader that made it all the way across the board to Licinius' baseline took out a 1 figure Auxilia with Licinius for the win. This game was a much closer one. Could have gone either way.

Thank you Eric for the games. That was a lot of fun.

Round 3: 424 CIBALAE 314 AD 

Game 1 
BrentS (Licinius)  Banners 8
TTK (Constantine)  Banners 1 

Game 2 

BrentS (Constantine) Banners 8
TTK (Licinius)  Banners 3 

Game 1 

Constantine started with a strong Medium Cav advance on his right to force the enemy LBC back but a Darken the Sky knocked both Medium Cav to 1 block and forced them to retreat. Licinius was able to reform his firing line and get its flanks supported. To break it, Constantine Double Timed into Licinius’ left, where there was only light cavalry which were forced to evade and pushed them back  toward their baseline, attempting to pin them. A good plan but the gods (god?) weren’t having it. Licinius’ auxilia Line Commanded into position and poured fire into his flank, killing a Roman leader on a double helmet and decimating the foremost Constantine heavy. He tried to move further from Licinius’ line but too slow and they Double Timed in themselves to mop up the depleted infantry. From there Licinius’ infantry marched inexorably down the centre, trapping the previously depleted Medium Cav on their baseline and finishing the rout. 

Game 2 

Constantine copied the tactic from the first game of hitting the Licinian left with his medium cavalry but this time it worked, thanks to some fortuitous dice rolls. The Licinain light cav were dispersed and in disarray and their medium cav and a trapped LBC were killed. Constantine lost his supporting medium cav but was able to pull back relatively unscathed himself. A good opening. He followed up by Double Timing into the Licinian centre before it could get its heavies and leaders up and gradually ground it down. Licinius attempted to reform his firing lines but Constantine kept the pressure on. On his right he advanced his skirmishers and whittled away the scattered and unsupported enemy light cavalry, taking more banners. Down 7 banners to 2, Licinius made one last desperate attempt to turn it around, Double Timing against the Constantinian vanguard but the dice were brutally lopsided and the armies exchanged units for a win for Constantine. 

This is a tricky and tense scenario. Yell played very well and the banner counts were not reflective of the course of the battles. The first was particularly cruel…..a double helmet kill is never fair (particularly when it happens to me . Stalled his advance and changed the whole course of the battle. 

Thanks for some very enjoyable games.

Brent.

hard day for my banners
meet with Brent Stivgurdsson...

...report soon...

Game 1

Gileforn (Licinius) 0 banners

Gonzo (Constantine) 8 banners

Licinius' lieutenant jumped on the HCC and headed straight ahead. With a Cav charge he was able to get next to the left flank enemy leader on a 3 pt heavy which if kill, would have at least run the leader off the board off the board and that flank would have been crushed. Instead only one hit and the BB and next turn killed the HCC and leader. Constantine takes range attrition but is able to screen crippled units. Hvy and Med Cav charge clear out Aux in middle, then Constantine and Cav go on rampage on right flank with several Move Med. Andrey just couldn't get the last hit on 5 different units. His range strikers let him down, must have been wet bowstrings. Second game coming

Cap, send me your e-mail to contact, please.

Michał Wasil