In preparation for my summer gaming session with my brother next month I just finished 4 solitaire games of this battle by Greg Blanchett. The 1st, 2nd and 4th games were standard stuff with Carthage winning 6-5 and 6-4 and Syracuse winninig 6-5.
The third game was the most different with Syracuse winning 6-2 after only 5 card plays (3 Syracusan and 2 Carthaginian) and only using Pyrrhus and the 3 mounted units on the Syracusan right flank (Hvy cav, Med cav and EL). This game shows how lady luck and those random elephants can really effect any game.
The Syracusans started with a mounted charge, mainly to get their unsupported cavalry on both flanks safe, but the right flank advanced and the hvy cav got a 5 dice attack on some Carthaginian slingers. 3 retreat symbols took them out (they couldn't evade) and this set the tone of the game. It culminated in a very clever Carthaginian attack by two full strength light inf units, assisted by a leader, against the elaphant.
1st attack - lt inf misses on 2 dice (no ldrs, squares or retreats). Elephants battle back and both dice are crossed swords with both re-rolls green circles, ouch!
2nd attack - Lt inf misses on both dice again. Elephants roll a miss and a crossed sword. Re-roll is a crossed sword, then re-roll is a crossed sword and then re-roll is obviously another crossed sword.
Both lt inf units are gone and Pyrrhus mops up the victory on his next turn. I really enjoyed the games, but particularly the 3rd one!
Sometines you play a game like this where the dice scupper everything you try, or make everything work perfectly.
This is quite a large game unit wise and I wonder if it could do with being 7 victory banners as Greg did with his 2nd edition of Tunis?
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