""Give Me Back My Legions"" Topic

I've been reading a cool book on Varus, Arminius and their cast of characters. It got me thinking about putting a cool scenario together of Teutonberger Wald. I'm sure y'all have done this battle years ago but I'm just slow in getting there! :)
Any pearls of wisdom, links, scenarios that work, ways not to stump my toe when building this scenario would be appreciated.
I'm thinking of using my full 24'x6 table lengthwise. I've got enough Romans but as usual will probably need to paint more barbarians as I only have 300+ (300 Barbarians? sounds familiar…nah). Will use Might of Arms with scenario based events, surprise and limited sight distances, variable movement for legionaries in the woods and multiple commanders for the auxillaries, legio, artillery and supply train and the equites ala.

Definitely check out the Wargames Factory Ancient Germans.

30 figures for $19.95 USD with all the options for spear, sword, club, bow, etc.

You can build some impressive barbarian hordes quite easily with these.

Regards,
Bill

Didnt Wargames Illustrated just do an article on doing this battle a couple issues ago? Or am I thinking of one of the general military history magazines I get?

I don't usually read wargamer's magazines anymore. Too old and ADHD. I paint better than 90% of the crap I see in Miniature Wargames anyway. :) I'd rather get the primary resources, do some general reading and build from there.

Here's my thoughts:

I'm considering doing the classic smak-down of the Teutoborger Wald after reading a novelette while in the hospital last week. I'm thinking of a 16x6 or 24x6 table, tons o' trees, my 3D terrain (no felt or stupid/crappy wedding cake hills or lump hills), tons o' barbarians and a stolid set of Romans. Here are the MoA rules questions/concepts I would like to toss around and see if they work. Any pearls o' wisdom (Bob?), experiences with heavily terrained tables, limited visibility, variable movement, hidden deployments (ambushes), etc. would be appreciated.
Here goes:
The Romans would be given a choice of three "paths" up the length of the table. They were on the way there anyway so the orders should not be in doubt. They can use any or all of them to get to their objective.
The Romans would be divided into three or more separate commands to accommodate multiple players. I'm thinking one player for:
Auxiliaries/Scouts (Germans and Gauls, locals)
Legio-Commanded by Varus and his flunkies
Legio and Axillary Cavalry (Gallic and Roman)
Train Commander-pack animals, civilians, arty (packed up), Legio detachment
The Germans would be divided into clan leadership roles:
Arminius
Segetus
I forgot the other guy's name…sorry

The Germans would have a number of poker chips with unit numbers on their backs corresponding with the OB. They would also have equal amounts of dummy markers. Their disposition would be mapped before the game without Roman knowledge. German movement would not be impaired since they knew their ground intimately.

The Romans would have significant movement issues due to weather (storms, mud and blowing wind) and an innate fear of the forest (for good reason). They would use a variable movement rate per unit or by command (probably cleaner system)and be subject to MoA difficult terrain restrictions

Visibility would be rolled (3D6) by the loser of the initiative roll each turn to simulate weather, fog, general malaise, and because I've never done this in MoA. Units not seen by other units may not be charged nor shot. Morale for unit routs would be affected the same way.

I'd use the Surprised Morale system for being charged and watch what happens. Morale for routs would be again within visibility range and by the command. Once a Roman command is wiped out or begins to rout, other commands would then check morale as per the rules. Hopefully the cascading melting away would start to happen. It could happen to both sides if the gods o' dice are not there that day.

Victory Objectives:
Germans: Kill Varus and as many Romans as you can
Romans: Get to the nearest fortified camp to the north (table end/exit)

Scale: 28mm

Rules: Might of Arms-our group's favorite-they work and aren't protractor ancients like FoG or Armati.

Estimated length of game: 3-6 hours-may be played in two settings.

Thoughts on this anyone? Am I crazy? Will it work? Have you done anything similar and how did it work for you? I'm thinking that this would be a great day after Thanksgiving game while the spouses waste funds on Black Friday or the day after Christmas so we can allow the swarthy Romans the pleasure of the Tannenbaum!

Steve Miller
DFW Irregulars

Thanks Bill…I don't build plastics anymore. I painted some Warlord ECW stuff and it just didn't have the heft (obviously) nor the depth I liked. I'd post a link to them here but the howl would be heard throughout the TMP boards. :)

I've got over 300+ Gripping Beast Germans and Gauls already. I think our group can muster up another 150 or so. That should be enough to get started. I've got another 200 or so boxed up. We definitely have the lead covered. If we need to, we'll use the ole' "recycle rule". Might of Arms is not forgiving when units become worn so units do get picked up when routed with regularity.

Again, thanks!

"I painted some Warlord ECW stuff and it just didn't have the heft (obviously) nor the depth I liked. I'd post a link to them here…"

You already did, Steve! It was a useful comparison--but your preference for good, solid, hefty metal figures is not an aberration.

Allen

I wouldn't turn up my nose at taking a look at wargamer's articles on how to refight the Teutoburg. After all, they can't be any worse than the "thoughts" you are solicting here!

One of our chaps is keen on doing this battle. He set up a first run trial, Armati 2 game at his house two weeks ago.

Basically he set a clear path 15" wide, with forest on either side. The Romans had 4 Cohorts, 4 stands of Light Heavy Infanty, 4 of Skirmisers, one of Heavy Cavalry and 2 wagons.
The Germans had 8 Warbands with 6 Light Infantry and 6 Skirmishers. Germans were recycled. The Germans come in on random rolls at random places.

The Romans lost most of their Light and Skirmishers as well as one Cohort.

After the column got the end of his table we played the fort action. Romans surrounded by Germans with the inevitable outcome.

We had to change some of the rules to accomodate the Germans being able to charge in then cut a run if they were pressed. The fort action had some rule glitches which needed to be addressed. Also Heavy Cavalry has two stands which operate side by side. He changed the rules to allow them in column.

His plan is to do a large battle with 3 Roman legions.
It was a good game.

I like it.I have 10 cohorts of 48/fig each.All painted and ready to go.Also have 6oo Britens/Gauls ,painted ,flocked and ready.
Maybe we can get together ay a Con?

John Parris
PS 28mm