215 River Sabis (57 BC)

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8-6 Romans. A cavalry attack on the Roman left was initially successful, but countered by Roman horse and Legio X, and then petered out into a stalemate after Legio X lost half its force. Gauls formed line behind the river after one initial attempt to cross, and the Romans formed line also, while Labeienus moved towards the camp with what was left of Legio X, countered by warriors and auxilia. Caesar took an arrow in the eye, and it became clear the Romans were going nowhere near the water, so with a I am Spartacus, two line commands and a Clash of Shields in reserve, the Gaul line went into the water for the final showdown. Sadly, that was the turn that Labienus and his one weakened Legio X unit broke through the weakeneed Gaul right and were a turn away from entering the empty camp, while the Gauls lost one unit in the water allowing a Roman win before they got the opportunity to play a Clash of Shields. Closer than expected, and fun. Some other dude will have to start a civil war and create the Empire.

6-5 to the Gauls. The Roman right had the Celtic left on toast but just couldn't move to finish them off. The Roman left was largely destroyed and the centre overrun.

Played this one twice today. The first was an awful spanking for the Belgic Tribes (6-1). I was the Tribes and did the Mounted Charge against the Roman Auxilia on their left. My opponent's luck went berserk at that point, I scored 3 hits between my two Medium Cav and he scored 6 hits and killed my leader.

That continued with him playing a Move-Fire-Move card and scoring 6 more hits. I tried a few more things but got the same results and quit while I was behind.

Lesson from the game: You are highly unlikely to win when you opponent scores 3 hits for every hit you score.

We switched sides because I could not see how the game was balanced.

My opponent opened with the same move, killing my Auxilia in exchange for 2 hits on his Cav. I marched the 10th Legion into the ford and promptly lost one unit to another wild swing of luck. He had one more burst of luck and then the game evened out but I was down 4 flags to 1.

I drew something like 6 Activate Light cards and was able to wear down his barbarians while he organized for a charge across the river. Part of why I played those cards so quickly was that I did not have a single Activate Center card. I drew one just as he moved into the river.

The ensuing slaughter was rather impressive with Caesar doing quite well. At the end he had a single full strength Light unit with his main leader on my side of the river plus two damaged units in the river and the score was 7-7.

He moved the Light into the woods near my unfinished camp. I covered the camp with a full strength Auxilia and things were looking bad for him. He played a Double Time and marched an Auxilia adjacent to a 1 strength Light Bow. The Bow retreated but he scored the last hit he needed to win the game.

In spite of the history of the battle, the Tribes can do well if they spend a lot of time organizing.