"Practice fight for Fall In. Scythians v Bedouins" Topic

Just one preparation battle for Fall In's "Ancient Classical"* Theme Event
I conjured up a Scythian list to face against Dennis's Ancient Bedouins
link
enjoy

I think camels are overpowered in ADLG. A lot of discussion has gone on in wargamer circles about the effectiveness of camels and their effect on horses. The old WRG rules had camels causing disorder within a certain radius (picked up by ADLG) and DBx reinterpreted that as camels having a high factor vs mounted. This is based on a couple of incidents in the historical record, the most significant being Cyrus mounting troops on his baggage camels as an improvised response to the better quality Lydian cavalry. There is another incident that springs to mind – the Byzantines dismounting to fight Vandals in Africa who were sheltered behind camels.

I don't know about DBA3 but my own preferred set, DBMM, has swung so far the other way that Cm(S) are close to useless and Cm(O) are completely worthless, but overpriced in an AP based game.

But how effective were camels. I can't think of any other incident beyond these two, where camel mounted troops actually defeated horse cavalry. Often, these troops, such as the Bedouin in this game, were probably mounted infantry. The illustrations from Assyrian sources certainly indicate that – they're either sheltering behind kneeling camels or fleeing, taking a comrade with them. Later Arabs used them for mobility but if they could afford it, swapped to a horse before battle. Owning a horse may be a social status issue, but choosing to ride it when their lives might depend on riding the best quality mount suggests they were a better choice.

I don't know if any rule set really has camels right, which is a shame because I like them and have a few Tuaregs painted up . . .

Cheers,
John

I agree with all your points. I suspect the Camel advantage is just inherited from WRG rules.

But I also cannot say I am an authority on the history either. Your comments on Lydians and Byzantine encounters are all mentioned in the gaming materials I have read. I have not actually read any real history in that regard.

In WRG, camels were at a discount, I believe because they were slower. In ADLG, they have an additional cost. So they pay for that "panic" ability. But I agree, it's not enough.

I like the fact that in ADLG a cataphract camel is treated differently to a 'fierce', aggressive unarmoured Tuareg. In DBMM they're conflated as Cm(S). In fact I think Tuaregs and Hatrene cataphract camels may be the only Cm(S) left in the lists.

I always enjoy reading your accounts by the way. And I wish I got to play even half the games you do . . .
Cheers,
John

I do get in a lot of games, mostly because of tournaments, 3x a year that allow for 18 or more. Then there are practice games leading into the tournaments.
Then the odd challenge with some who just want to see their name in print.
Now, after a decade with a local game group of just about every game. They are investing in ADLG armies. One just bought a set of Norman figures, another with Carthaginian.
My dance card is about full.