OT2026 Round 1

C&C Ancient Open Tournament
Round 1
...

OT2026 Round 1

charlescab, please reach out to r_verlaque at hotmail dot com.

I've update the Round 1 draw to add the new enrollments. Any new enrollments are welcome to signup, still plenty of time.

I've been reminded that there is a problem with VASSAL sync issue into Russia, which can be mitigated by the Russian player using a VPN. I'm hoping this issue can be overcome in the near future, but I'm presuming it is something on the Russian end, at least that is what the VASSAL gurus say.

Also, can players check their profile to set their Hide Email status to
"Show Registered Users only".

Please email me if you are unsure how to contact your opponent

Round 1: Naissus, taliapharaoh (Travis) vs beckerdo (Dan)

Gm 1, 12 turns

Travis (Romans) 7
Dan (Goths) 6

As the Romans, I was lucky to have DTS in my initial hand, which allowed me to play it turn 1 and eliminate one of the HC. Things were looking good after I was able to bring cavalry to bear and take out the 2nd HC the next turn for a 2-0 lead. I was able to move my light troops throughout the game, and scored a ranged leader kill. Staying aggressive, I was ok trading blows in the center in preparation for a potential cavalry rush on the wagon laager, building a 6-2 lead. Dan very nearly stole victory from me, as my hot dice turned a bit cold, and he made me pay for not eliminating some one block units. His Gothic right crashed into my overextended Roman center, and Dan was twice within a single hit of a stunning victory, but didn't get the roll, and I was able to survive by finally getting a last hit on one of his units near the laager.

Gm 2, 5 turns

Travis (Goths) 7
Dan (Romans) 2

After some back and forth maneuvering to attempt to extricate my HC from their starting position, I found myself in a quick 2-1 deficit; we both had ample cards throughout the game to force the action in the center. The game hinged on a decision to attack on a MA roll, and those four hits opened a path for the Goths to press their advantage. Until then it was unclear what would happen, as my advances up to that point hadn't  been able to finish units off. This fortunate roll, combined with an unfortunate Sparty roll by my opponent, allowed me to close with the damaged Roman units on the maps edge and secure the necessary banners for victory..

Game 1

Mark McG(Goth) 7 Banners

Ram (Roman) 6 Banners

A very exciting game, and an unexpected win for me, since I feel like I started as a pin cushion and was trailing in the banner count almost the whole way through. First half of the game I seemed to have very limiting cards, but eventually they turned around a bit, and I squeezed the Romans in from the flanks.

Still surprised to get this win!

 

Game 1

FoxK (Rome) - 6 banners,
Gileforn (Goth) - 7 banners.

That was a really close game with total annihilation of the goth’s heavy cavalry. The most effective was the right flank.

Game 2

FoxK (Goth) - 4 banners,
Gileforn (Rome) - 7 banners.


Goths played in positional game, trying to save heavy cavalry. Then they made effective warriors rush in the center, but dice rolls were not lucky for all rounds and then they were defeated.

Games were played in reality, so just pictures without logs

Game 1

JawaNick (Rome) - 5 banners,
Kandras (Goth) - 7 banners.

The Goths enthusiastically piled into the Roman middle, but were successfully repelled. The Romans then launched an attack on the right flank. A decisive blow was looking imminent until the Goths, inspired by the injustices of Roman oppression (I Am Sparticus), proceeded to take out 5 blocks in a single turn across the battlefield.

Game 2

JawaNick (Goth) - 7 banners,
Kandras (Rome) - 4 banners

The battle opened with forces clashing on the Roman right. The Goths came out on top and then proceeded to surround the nervous Romans with their cavalry. Some strong generalship saw the Roman legions swiftly relocate (Double Time), trapping some of the Goths behind enemy lines. However, the fearsome barbarian infantry came to the rescue, driving the Romans from the field.

Thanks Andras for two close games!


 

Game 1
Craterus (Rome) - 7 banners
mk20336 (Goth) - 2 banners

Game started with unsuccessful archery from Romans, then Goths plunged into the enemy ranks, scattered them (without any hits on evade!) and then something broke in the Gothic machine. Maybe the double helmet, killing crucial Gothic leader was a source of it? Anyhow, Romans regrouped and stared piece by piece eliminate barbarians - in such a droves that it led to decisive victory by them
 

Game 2
mk20336 (Rome) - 7 banners
Craterus (Goth) - 2 banners

The beginning of the game was exactly the same as previously but this time Goths reformed to the right flank and only then charge. They were driven back and the final blow came from Aurelian and his cavalry on right wing where the battle fate was decided (after some feats of braver or stupidity of great general when he refused to evade).
 

Our two games definitely went historically; Aurelian was decisively victorious, assuring total annihilation of Goth heavy cavalry. Thanks to Dave for scheduling quickly the games and enjoyable play.

Game 1
Gonzo (Romans) - 7
Elitesim (Goths) - 5

The game started with the usual Roman archery against the Goth Heavy Cav in the center. The Goths responded with a charge on their right flank that wiped out the Roman left.

The Romans moved some infantry from the center to the left to contain that front while the Goths attacked in the center. The issue was in doubt for some time but the Goths were unable to retreat their reduced units before the Romans killed them.

Game 2
Elitesim (Romans) - 7
Gonzo (Goths) - 5

The Goths pulled most of their units into a massive central formation, several rows thick while the Romans peppered them with arrows but were not lucky enough to seriously weaken any units.

Then the Goths launched a series of charges from the central formation. The first was the most lucky with a couple of full strength Roman Light Cav units being destroyed while evading. Another couple were destroyed when they were caught between the Roman infantry and the charging Goths. Each charge broke on the Roman infantry line, which advanced forward to win the game.