I am a long time WAB player (though 99% solo) and this is my first crack at W&C. I first heard about it on TMP. I have never seen a game, let alone played one so I am about as fresh as one can get. Someone suggested I write something about my first time. I have been pouring over the rules and have my first game set up in my garage. Luckily, it is big enough for me to leave a game out for as long as it takes to finish it.
The two armies are a Macedonian and Amazon (a kind of combination of Persia & India) as Alexander marches beyond the known world. My armies are as much about what is fun to paint, as what makes sense on the gaming table. The Amazons are much more numerous, but I gave the Macedonians more generals. I think it is about 4500 points, as I like big battles. I also tend to give the non favored army more points to even things out. This game is on a 5'x9' with no terrain, as I wanted to learn the basics before I worried about terrain.
Left flank (Macedonian point of view):
Macedonians:
Parmenion
10 x Thessalonian cavalry
10 x Thracian heavy cavalry
10 x Allied light cavalry
15 x skirmishers w/ javelins
15 x skirmishers w/ bows
Center:
Craterus
32 x Macedonian phalanx
32 x Macedonian phalanx
32 x veteran Macedonian Phalanx
16 x Hypaspists
16 x Guard Hypaspists
30 x Greek Mercenary Hoplites in reserve
Right:
Alexander
10 x Prodromoi Lancers
10 x Royal Companions
10 x Companions
15 x Agrianian Javelins
15 x Cretan archers
Amazon Right:
3 elephants + 12 escorts
4 x 4 horse chariots
10 x Guard heavy cavalry
10 x medium cavalry
8 x elite horse archers
Center:
Great Queen & her standard
24 Heavy hoplites
24 medium pike
24 unarmored pike
24 combined archers/spearmen
24 combined archers/spearmen
24 combined archers/spearmen
36 levy infantry in reserve
24 guard infantry in reserve
12 slingers
Left:
4 x 2 horse chariots
12 medium cavalry
18 Levy cavalry
8 Levy horse archers
Turns 1-2:
The Macedonians approach. Their main tactic will be to attack the enemy left, while refusing their own left. Parmenion is worried about how he is going to deal with the enemy elephants, which are advancing towards him. A couple of the combined formations team up and get in some good shots vs the junior Hypaspists (3 KIA).
The Lancers charge the enemy (levy) horse archers who are favored by the gods (they rolled a 12 on the fire & flee to get out of the way, then a 6 to rally from their evade). They cause one casualty on the way out.
The Macedonians must be suffering from the "jitters" (68 shots: 1 kill). The Amazons aim is much more true and they cause about 10 casualties with fewer shots. Both sides push forward on their right, as the Macedonian center continues their slow deliberate advance.
Turn 3
The lancers charge the enemy horse archers; they are too close to the edge to do anything but stand & shoot. They cause one more casualty, but otherwise are swept away by the lancers. The right flank skirmishers (javs & bows) combine fire and take out the 4 x 2 horse chariots. The left flank skirmishers decide to combine fire on the 4x4 chariots (they javs had been trying to route an elephant, but had no luck with them) and wipe them out. The light horse skirmish with the enemy elephants without success. Parmenion and the line cavalry are worried about being trapped by the elephants, they may have to bug out.
Over on the Amazon left, the levy cavalry attack the 2nd companions, hoping for a miracle (better than just sitting there). Casualties were light, but the levy could not withstand the counter charge of the companions. To their right, the medium cav overran the Agrianians, but will almost assuredly get run down by the Royal Companions next turn.
Over on the Amazon right, One of the elephants chases off the allied cav, which don't seem the least bit interested in sticking around. The other two chase of the peltasts, who are unwilling to rally. The Greek hoplites are forming up to block their path hoping the last remaining skirmishers can panic at least one of the beasts. The left wing cavalry still don't know what to do about the elephants.
Turn 4
On the right, Alexander & the 2nd companions drive enemy light cavalry off the board, even though they only caused 1 KIA. Alex holds back his men so they don't pursue off the board. The Royal companions route off the enemy noble cav, but they escape (and then rally). The 2nd Hypaspists drift right as their formation is being decimated by archery, to make room for the Royal Hypaspists behind them. The Royals have horrid luck with strikes (9 D1or2 on 12 dice), but make up for it and drive off an enemy unit hoplites/archers. The veteran pikes have similar troubles (9 of 16D are 1-2) and just prevail against another combined formation, but they escape. The Macedonians are driving back the enemy left and have opened up a whole in the enemy left center, but their own left is in trouble. Parmenion tries to save his regular cavalry by galloping towards their center rear. The Cretans on the right start to double time to the left to help out with the elephants.
Turn 5
Both sides used an SIP to win advantage Amazons winning (I forgot this last turn). Amazons realize if they move first, their horse can withdraw enough to give themselves counter attack room (and buy some time).
The guard cavalry charge the merc archers, but they escape, covered by the Greek hoplites. The elite horse archers get in the game and wipe out the newly rallied Greek light cavalry as the elephants keep driving in the Macedonian left. The last combined formation destroys 2nd Hypaspists with archery – but they are now quite isolated. Thanks to the strategic advantage, the Nobles hit the Royal Companions flat-footed, but they fight to a standstill. Not wanting to wait any longer, the Amazon light pike attack the Macedonian 2nd pike, who hold but are being pushed back.
Parmenion and his regular cavalry continue to run for the center to escape the elephants & horse archers, covered by the hoplites. Meanwhile, the merc archers have rallied. The Royal Companions continue to push back and forth with the enemy cavalry – both units down to 5 figs. The 2nd pike are pushing back the enemy pike.
Turn 6
Macedonian advantage. The Royal Hypaspists chase the combine unit off the field. The 2nd Companions flank the reserve levy and route them, they almost escaped, but Alexander was able to get his men to redouble their efforts (used a SIP re-roll). The Prodromoi rode to the resuce of the hard pressed Royal Companions, and smashed the flank of the Amazon Nobles. There were no survivors, both units standing fast to avoid pursuit (Royal Companions down to the minimum). Meanwhile in the center, the veteran pikes were able to turn left and aid the second pike unit in the fight against the Amazon light pike. The latter held their nerve (passed test to avoid disorder) but were routed just the same. Again the Macedonians held back from pursuing (flank was threatened if they did).
While the Amazon heavy pike withdraw to parry the Macedonian vet pike and 2nd pike, the heavy hoplites charged the Mac.3rd Pike. The latter barely puts up a fight and routes, but manages to escape. They eventually rally to stabilize the flank somewhat. The Amazons continue to push back the Macedonian left, if slowly. One of the elephants finally gets in the fray and causes four casualties to the Greek Hoplites who barely hold on, thanks to the intervention of Parmenion (used SIP to re-roll) .
A strange battle so far. Both sides have turned the enemy right flank and the battle orientation has changed 90 degrees. Amazons are out of SIP, Macedonians have 2 left.
Turn 7
Things getting more interesting and my notes get worse. Amazon heavy hoplites charge the 3rd Pike and push them back. The 2nd Companions hit the sole surviving combined unit in the flank, and route them, but they escape. The elephants continue to pound of the Greek Hoplites, but they are hanging tough.
The 2nd Hypaspists smash into the Amazon Heavy pike's flank but they are steadied by the Great Queen. The elephant finally routes the Greek Hoplites they are overrun.
Turn 8
The elite horse archers and elephant escorts put heavy fire on the Thracians and they route. The Amazon Guards charge the depleted Thessalonians, they fight to a standstill. The 2nd Hypaspists continue to work on the heavy pike flank, but they hold.
The Macedonian veteran pike now hit the Amazon heavy pike to the front, they are taking heavy casualties now, but the Great Queen whips them up to suicidal courage though she takes a wound in the process. Thanks to a glancing attack by some Cretan archers, the Thessalonians are able to destroy the depleted Guard Cavalry. The 3rd Mac pike defeats and overruns the Amazon heavy hoplites.
Turn 9
The elephant charges the Thessalonians, who flee and survive (even with a 3" flee) because the elephant had to turn slightly to reach them. The Amazon Immortals charge the 2nd Pike and push them back. The Amazon heavy pike finally succumbs to the combined onslaught of the Macedonian veteran pikes and the 2nd Hypaspists. The Great Queen died fighting and her personal standard is captured by Craterus. As dusk settles, the Amazons withdraw, but the Macedonians are too exhausted to pursue.
The balance sheet (survivors in parins):
Macedonian Left:
Parmenion
10 x Thessalonian cavalry (6)
10 x Thracian heavy cavalry (7)
10 x Allied light cavalry – destroyed
15 x skirmishers w/ javelins – destroyed
15 x skirmishers w/ bows – destroyed
Center:
Craterus
32 x Macedonian phalanx (21)
32 x Macedonian phalanx (20)
32 x veteran Macedonian Phalanx (26)
16 x Hypaspists – Destroyed
16 x Guard Hypaspists (12)
30 x Greek Hoplites – destroyed
Right:
Alexander
10 x Prodromoi Lancers (5)
10 x Royal Companions (4)
10 x Companions (9)
15 x Agrianian Javelins – destroyed
15 x Cretan archers (10)
Amazons Right:
3 elephants + 12 escorts (all survived)
4 x 4 horse chariots – destroyed
10 x Guard heavy cavalry – destroyed
10 x medium cavalry (10)
8 x elite horse archers (8)
Center:
Great Queen – KIA
Queen's personal standard POW
24 Heavy hoplites – destroyed
24 medium pike – destroyed
24 unarmored pike – destroyed
24 combined archers/spearmen – destroy
24 combined archers/spearmen – destroy
24 combined archers/spearmen – destroy
36 levy infantry in reserve – destroyed
24 guard infantry in reserve (22)
12 slingers (12)
Left:
4 x 2 horse chariots – destroyed
12 medium cavalry – destroyed
18 Levy cavalry – destroyed
8 Levy horse archers destroyed
Macedonians: 195 points
Amazons:70 points
