Round 5 - Battle of Taginae 552 AD
gnduke (Goth) 4 banners won, 30 blocks lost
John of York (Byzantine) 6 banners won, 25 blocks lost
George scores the first kill and sadly it is my left SHBC. If only a banner had been rolled in the first two attacks, this unit would have been saved. I struck back with MOUNTED CHARGE and take out two MC. A few turns later ranged fire on my right scores a lucky kill on a WI. Most of the action takes place on the flanks for the next several turns. I bump my lead to 4 to 1 when one of my HI ordered by FOOT ONSLAUGHT kills off a weak WI. Two attacks in the center by my infantry vs a MC with no evade path do not do any damage and results in the loss of a WI in the next Goth turn. I then focus on a lone AI in the broken ground on my left and manage to kill it when a banner would have saved that unit. Then the Goth cavalry hit my center infantry killing a MI and Narses. Things look gloomy in my center with no leader and a 2 block WI there for the taking. The Goths still have a potent cavalry force (4 HC and 2 MC). My only hope is an attack by my right SHBC lead by Dagisteus. He closes with a center HC lead by Totila. I get the needed 3 hits and it is over.
George played very well and did the best he could considering his lack of center cards. A few combats with a bit better dice could have very well resulted in a win for him. Also, my ranged fire was a huge factor and I benefitted from several good cards.
