MT03

MT03 Round 5 - Taginae

Ostrogoths - Mike Stanley (scipio1zama) – won with 6 banners – lost 18 blocks

Byzantines - John Dietrich (EZPickins) – lost with 2 banners – lost 27 blocks

I (Ostrogoths) was fortunate to start the game with a Mounted Charge card, and attacked the Byzantine left with two MC and a HC.  In the ensuing fighting, I killed an MBC, the leader John, and an SHBC, while losing the two MC.  At this point, there were no engaged forces left on this flank, and I had a 1-block HC hiding out on the rearmost rank.

I had the cards to transfer my cavalry forces to the right side of the board (my left) AND to use a Leadership Left card/Inspired Action to launch another Mounted Charge on that flank.  I immediately killed an Auxilia that was in the woods.  We both agreed that the woods & broken ground are as much a hinderance as a help to the Byzantines.  In the ensuing fighting, I was also able to take out the other SHBC (in the woods) and finally an MI for the win.

Unlike the other games in this tournament, the Byzantines are less mobile than their opponents.  That, plus I had just the card I needed almost every time, made the difference.  Thanks to EZPickins for being a great opponent as always. 

Score update done today
Europeans are 3 matches from the end of the heats.. very keen

has anyone heard from jongautier?
Jon, if you are reading, please check the Personal Messages on the site

I have trade PMs with Jon over the past several days. We are to play today at 2 pm ET

John

Jongautier (Goths) 4 Banners Won, 28 blocks lost

John of York (Byzantines) 6 Banners won, 21 blocks lost

The battle action was in the center but my early CRY HAVOC managed to bag a MC near the Ostrogoth baseline. An Ostrogoth MOUNTED CHARGE hit my center but failed to take out a 1 block SHBC while I killed off a HC. I then took out another Ostrogoth MC on its baseline and a center HC to lead 4 to 0. It looked like a runaway Byzantine win but another MOUNTED CHARGE via ispired action came forward. It only had one HC along with two MC. I lost one of my SHBC. I then closed with a MC and HC but both evaded without loss. On my next turn I cutoff a 2 block HC and bagged it and came within 1 hit of ending the game. As it was I took a 5 to 1 lead. But fury was coming as I lost my other SHBC along with a MI and WI. Luckily all the leader checks (four at 2d) and the 3d leader evade all missed else a lose here was not out of the question. But the last attack saw the last loss - a 4d battle back which secured medal 6 for me.

What looked like a walk in the park turned tense in the end and if not for the subpar rolls early on for Jon, I think I may have been in trouble as the cards I had in held little promise. Well played Jon. Seeing the scenario, I did not hold high hopes of a win and just wished to score at least 2 medals with 3 to 4 being the outer limits it seems. 

  

The last game in the books and now I wait and see if my efforts are good enough.

I enjoyed this event. Thank you for organizing the tournament.

John

Round 4
Travis (Vandal) 1 banner, 26 blocks lost
Mark McG (Byzantine) 6 banners, 11 blocks lost

A tough scenario for the Vandals, and not helped by the dud Vandal cards. Both side have just cavalry, and only Medium & Heavy troops until the reinforcements arrive, so there are a number of near useless cards.

Here the Byzantines pressed across the stream to use their missile fire, and the Vandals withdrew into a pack. At this point the Byzantines charged, taking 2 banners and wearing down the Vandal units. The counter Mounted Charge managed to isolate and eliminate 1 MBC, but Belisaurius and his cataphracts manged 3 banners in the next activation, and Gelimer failed to make his retreat through an MBC, ending the match.

There is a chance that European league will start its semi finals soon. That's good!

Round 2 011 Decimum

Greg O Byzantine 6 banners 21 blocks lost
SCipio1zama  5 abnners 25 blocks lost

This was a very tight game, it went back and forth in the center, not going to try to give a blow by blow as it was close and back and forth the whole time.   

 

 Round 4 - 013 Tricamarum

gotigerssc (Vandals) 3 Banners 27 blocks lost

Greg O (Byzantine) 6 Banners 17 blocks lost

The Byzantines attempted to cross the creek on the right flank but were met by a Vandal HC mounted charge. Both sides took losses and the Byzantines were pushed back. A weak Byzantines Cry of Havoc broke up the Vandal HC line a bit, but not much else. A bit later a Byzantines Leadership card allowed four Heavy units to strike and they got the firs two kills of the battle, but took some damage in return and later two Byzantines Heavies with leaders hit again and pushed one Vandal heavy back and was then ambushed by the other Vandal and leader, but the ambush caused the Vandals to lose sight of the other Byzantine Heavy who finished off the Vandal and took the leader as well for a 4-0 lead. The Vandal rallied their heavy cav who were then on the backline and then the Byzantines tried the same and came up empty. The Byzantines then surges across the creek angling to the left and a stranded Byzantines Heavy cav with a single block fell to the Vandal MC but he was actually drawing them closer...The Vandals then launched their medium cav into the Byzantines line . Carnage ensued the the Vandals took two more banners but also another loss, leaving the score 5-3 and the Byzantines struck with mounted charge to surround and eliminate the sole remaining Vandal MC for the win.

Round 4 013 Tricarum

Gonzo (byzantine) 6 banners 14 blocks lost

Scipio1zama (Vandals) 3 banners 26 blocks lost

Interesting battle.  Byz man the river and push acroos on far right.  Vandals move to their right, then attack in the river.  Mounted charge from Byz on that side of river, responded to by Vandal MCharge leaves 2 dead Vandl HC, 1 dead Byz SHBC with some damage on both sides.  Byz fall back across river and Vandals push into river again, giving no respite for ranged attacks.  Their last attacking unit broke the river with 2 out of 2 hits and momentum.  Byz leader paused on edge of board.  Vandal HC now had to either attack a 3 pt SHBC wiht 4 dice or follow the ;leader and attack him with 4, leaving the HC exposed.  Aggressive as always, Mike goes for the leader with a bravery dice and missed the leader with 5 dice.  A Byz leader card and leadership token for  MCharge surrounded and killed HC.  Vandal leader survives running through Byz MC to a 1 pt MC that gets killed and then leader failed his roll.  Down 5-2, Mike charges the river again without much luck until lucky ldr 2 roll gets his 3rd banner.  Byz command cards finishes for the last banner.  Thanks to Mike for a good game and able to catch up on thins.