MT58 Roman-Persian Wars

Yes, I played my game vs. Sharpe08. But he never reported it. I did horribly, though. So, if it doesn't count, I won't cry or anything. But in fairness, I can report it if you would like.

just checking that you and Sharpe08 played 406 Anthony's Siege Train (36 BC).

this might yet work..

Please use the update schedule for 10 players

Round 3: Nisibis (217 AD)

Giulio (Persian)
Banners won: 8
Blocks lost: 10

Toganalper (Roman)
Banners won: 2
Blocks lost: 38

The difference in medals is explained by my extremely lucky initial hand of cards: I started the game with two Mounted Charge. I waited until the Romans were near enough and then I unleashed my cataphracts. Very basic strategy. Two consecutive charges by these guys are devastating. I felt sorry for Togan, not because of the lost game, as we know in this game lady luck often crowns the winner, but because my charges basically voided any kind of strategy and he had to play the sitting duck the most of the time. I wish him the best luck for the rest of the tournament.... it should even out. Or, at least, this is what the statisticians keep repeating.

Round 4: 406 Anthony's Siege Train (36 BC)

sharpe08 (Parthian)
Banners won: 6
Blocks lost: 1

Plainscape (Roman)
Banners won: 0
Blocks lost: 20.

Tough scenario for the Romans here. The Parthian's were able to move their HCC up and hit the Roman left flank hard with some fortunate rolls including a 1d hit on a Statianus.

Round 2: Edessa (259AD)

Sharpe08: (Persian)
Banners won:
6
Blocks lost:
20

Gonzo: (Romans)
Banners won:
4
Blocks lost:
21

Another challenging scenario for the Roman side. The Persian’s rolled well on their range rolls and were able to nick the Roman units before the cavalry closed for combat on both flanks. The Romans consolidated their infantry forces in the middle and were able to advance in the center as the Persian LB and E fell back. Both sides were tied 4-4 on banners but the Persian HCC was able to get a banner in the middle and a banner on the Romans right flank to end things. Gonzo played quite well and was able to make this rather close.

Round 5: Misiche (244 AD)
Tony (Alpha - Persian)
6 Banners won
31 Blocks lost

plainscape (Beta - Imperial Romans)
7 Banners won
33 Blocks lost

This was a super tight and bloody battle. If the dice went a little differently, I would not have been the one reporting this engagement.

As the Romans, I figured I had little choice but to make a good formation and wait for an opening. In order to do this, I first shored up my right flank to prevent a flanking manoeuvre from the Persian Cav. But, for the greater good of the army, I had to leave my Light Cav hanging. The next problem was the incessant long range attack from the hills in front of mine. So, I moved my whole line of infantry to meet this attack to hopefully close in on the enemy. This is crazy since the bowmen were standing on hills and I mostly had medium and heavy infantry. But I figured a short death was better than a long one. The Persians then bursted through my left side with an Heavy Cav attack. Luckily, I was able to close the gap with my own Cav and take some casualties. I then moved my infantry in closer, taking hits the whole way, just to unleash a Clash of Shields the next turn. I wasn't able to hold the hills, but I did manage to fend off my attackers. This whole time, we were pretty even in scoring. He tried to attack my formation, I managed to counter attack. He'd attack again and so on. But when he was on his 6th banner and I just had 5, I decided to let my two heavy infantry ascend the hill to try to take out something, pretty much anything, while I sent my Heavy Cav with leader to take on Sharpur himself. It was said that Julius Caesar spent weeks to find the best possible ground to wage a battle. Julius Caesar was probably rolling in his grave at this sight. Since the infantry attacks just caused more grief to the Romans than causing the enemy casualties. Meanwhile, my Heavy Cav was able to attack out Sharpur's unit and then advance to take out a lone bowman. That was apparently enough to cause the Persians to rout. The Romans went to sleep very thankful that evening.

Thanks for the great game.

On a completely different note, Tony and I couldn't find the starting file for this scenario. So, we spent some time to put the file together ourselves. In order to save others time, here is the file we came up with. (I added some labels and scenario notes. So, it doesn't quite match the file in my game.) Hope you find this helpful.

thanks for making the VASSAL file, I neglected it wasn't part of the fan extension

Round 1: 402 Carrhae (53 BC)

Giulio (Parthians)
7 Banners won
8 Blocks lost

MichalK (Romans)
1 Banner won
31 Blocks lost

I think this scenario has two modes. In Mode 1, the Parthian player starts with a number of irrelevant cards, like line command, and relies on archery fire hoping in better draws. In Mode 2 he has a strong initial hand and starts on the offensive. I was lucky enough to play in Mode 2. Specifically, I had mounted charge and I'm spartacus plus a nice collection of section cards. The game was fast: a Parthian central assault with mounted charge, an infantry counter attack by Romans driven by a line command, followed by a Parthian I'm spartacus to eliminate previously damaged Roman units. At this point Michal made a nice attack on his right flank, but dice were against him. Then my Out Flanked ended the game.