MK03 EPIC Pharsalus (48 BC)

Historical BackgroundAfter Dyrrhachium, Julius Caesar pulled back to...

MK03 EPIC Pharsalus (48 BC)

Pompey's cavalry shredded Caesar's right but without leaders, his centre attack proved a disaster (nudged on by Caesar's second First Strike card of the game). Meanwhile, Caesar took back control of his right flank, eliminating Labienus and his cavalry force. The final denoument came with "I Am Spartacus" providing Caesar with 8 of 9 possible orders to sweep up the 3 final banners required to win the game.

Promising scenario for future games; thanks to Michal K!

A second game found the Caesarian side having a harder time of it. Pompeian cavalry held on longer, in better order and with fewer losses as it reduced Caesar's light troops, Caesar's cavalry counter-moves being dealt with by a First Strike and the luck of the dice. The Pompeian infantry likewise generally held formation and were able to repel Caesarian attacks favourably.

The game seemed to yield a preponderance of Army and Field-3 turns until the dying moments; both sides receiving the full quota on "Command" based cards; certainly the Pompeian side never lacked for cards for coherent manoeuvres, especially for their critical early cavalry turns. A hard slog for Caesar, as the game ground on to defeat in front of the Pompeian line.

Caesarian win 14-7

Caesar started with excellent cards, including Line Command and two Double times. Coupled witn some great Spartacus and Rally die rolls, the Caesarian side had the best of the game, even when Pompey's cavalry eventually got their act into gear.

However, Caesar himself had a very lack lastre game, requiring to tries to strike down a single evading Bowman. Calvinus was the most useful leader, punching through the centre and slaughtering his way to the right.

Another match, this time I played Pompey. Pompey lost no time in sending forward half his cavalry, and with a stretch of cards managed to eliminate all 6 Caesarean units in my left flank for the loss of 2 cavalry units. A useful victory, but hardly conclusive.

The serious fighting occurred on the Pompeiian right, with the Caesareans conducting a Line move, and then a Double time with Antony and legions into the flank units. Some very hard hitting here, with whole units lifted away on both sides.

The Centre was relatively calm until the end, primarily because Caesar took an arrow in the face early in the piece. There are few finer joys in life than watching two helmets come up on a 2d leader check on Caesar. 

Pompeiian win, 14-8

Sharing pretty detailed report from the final showdown between Caesar and Pompey at Pharsalus - that was really close call!
LINK: EPIC Ancients Battles – Pharsalus (48 BC)

This was my first game with this scenario. As Pompey I knew I was out gunned on heavies and cards. I hoped to use my advantage of cav units to destroy Caesar’s right flank, and try to roll up the line from there. However, I did not have a good card to lead with and so didn’t activate that area. This was a big turn in the games as Caesar respond with a mounted charge with his four cav units against my cavs. Rolling several rounds of double flags he killed three units of my Cavs. Thankfully due to the First strike card I took out a medium of Caesar’s Cav. But the damage was done. I lost three units and a fourth was degraded.

Meanwhile along the line we redeployed our lines and took potshots with ranged attacks. Lentulus made a move against Atony, but did not do enough damage. Caesar responded with three line commands in a row with an unbroken line. It was too much. Caesar took the advantage, and was one banner short. Pomey was five banners away and played I am Spartacus to try to win. He only got three, and lost on a battle back. Caesar had his legion killed from under him, but survived all leader checks. Final score was 14-12 for Caesar.