120 Cynoscephalae (197 BC)

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A very interesting scenario. It seems rather well balanced. It demands skillful play with light infantry holding hills.

While the Macedonians pressed forward in all sections, the Romans drove hard into the center careful to avoid the heavy infantry. The Macedonians had trouble getting the left flank into the fight and the elephant played no role in the battle for the Romans.

The Roman LC unit streaked through the center and almost destroyed a Macedonian infantry unit that had retreated to the baseline. Only luck saved the bold Numidians from destruction.

The Romans won by focused attention in favorable hill battle in the center and left before the Roman left fell back. The Macedonian left was too late to avoid a 6-3 defeat.

I generally think that Expansion one has lots of good scenarios. I know I've played this, but cannot recall how it went. Will have to play it again, before I get my Napoleon pieces

6-0 Macedon. The Romans, played by yours truly, weren't patient enough to wait for good cards, and moved their light foot into the hills and their medium cav up while making one line with medium and heavy foot. The Macedonian largely hung back and took out the isolated light foot in the hills with his own, and decimated a Roman mounted charge (which almost killed Philip but destroyed both MC, one after a three flag nine hex retreat of which only six were possible). Things then went from bad to worse as the Romans could not get going, and a failed Elephant and LC attack resulted in the eventual death of the LC for the sixth banner. Never got the main line up, let alone engaged.

A game very close to the historical battle. And very balanced.

Fun scenario. A patient 6-4 Macedonian win followed by a 6-2 "seize the left flank hills" Roman win.

This scenario does a good representation of the nuances of this battle. Again, a fun scenario for an entertaining Friday evening gaming.