Game 1
taliapharaoh (Palmyrene) 6 banners
EZPickins (Roman) 3 banners
A considerable imbalance in dice results from the beginning stacked the odds against the Roman invaders in a game that lasted only 6 turns. After a tepid turn 1 for the hosts, the Romans aggressively sent their MC against the Palmyrene cavalry lines, but were blasted in the battle-back. After surrounding an exposed unit for a 2-0 lead, the valiant Romans pushed forward again, eliminating an HCC and threatening Zabadas, but in the process leaving another unit exposed an eliminated by a MC card. It was Zabadas' turn to advance, and after a heated exchange the score was 4-2 with all action in the center. After some maneuvering, the Palmyrene army went all in after a full strength HI, eliminating it with fortunate rolls and taking out the leader as well for the victory.
Game 2
EZPickins (Palmyrene) 4 banners
taliapharaoh (Roman) 6 banners
EZ came on strong again in turn 1, forcing me to evade or facing certain annihilation. This would become the pattern for the Romans, in an attempt to parry the aggressive moves of Zabadas and his cavalry. My strategy was to blunt these moves, and holding not one but TWO MC cards in my hands from the draw, I felt confident I would find a time where my opponent would leave himself exposed to a counter move. To his credit, he left no such opening, and the cards were never used (in a cav-heavy scenario, no less!) The pivotal turn was turn 3, when his HCC vaporized my MC with a FS card, but I was fortunate enough to get a ranged hit and the last two hits on that unit to open a hole in the center. With the game knotted at 1-1, his remaining HCC advanced and were unable to crack the lines, and one was eliminated the next turn. EZ sent in two LC to take out two 1-block cavalry units, but they were able to be surrounded an eliminated for a 4-3 Roman lead. EZ was then the recipient of a zero-activation Sparty roll, which turned the initiative back to me. Several turns of ranged combat evened the match at 4-4, before I was able to advance on his center/right and take the last two banners. Well fought by my opponent despite another bout of bad luck.