| Temporary like Achilles | 16 Jul 2013 9:12 a.m. PST |
Have just concluded a solo game of Cannae if anyone is interested. It was slow going with the first Ashes test on, but sped up as I (and the test) progressed … Part 1) link Part 2) link Part 3) link Part 4) link It was a tight game, and Lost Battles produced – again – a result that was, for my money, pretty believable. Cheers,
Aaron |
Bolingar  | 16 Jul 2013 10:19 a.m. PST |
Very nice report. I suspect that if you left that unit of Triarii with the rest of the legions things would have gone comfortably Hannibal's way, as was the case with the original. My impression is that Hannibal was counting on Varro's complete lack of imagination when making his plans. |
| Mapleleaf | 16 Jul 2013 12:40 p.m. PST |
First thank you for sharing. You have a very good blog and your pictures are great The Victory points seem funny. The Carthaginians shatter 5 units have none themselves and force the Romans to leave the field yet win by 2 points ? In an actual battle the retreating or routing Romans would have lost a lot more to an active pursuit. |
| Temporary like Achilles | 16 Jul 2013 5:25 p.m. PST |
Thanks, gents. Bolingar – yes, but when you see the armies lined up it is hard to believe that Rome will not be able to break through the centre, so I can understand Varro's confidence to a certain extent! Mapleleaf – thanks for your kind words! The VP count is an artificial leveller that allows inferior armies to lose on the field (as they did historically) while still making a game of it for the players, who can hope to inflict/minimise damage and pull off a points victory on the back of that. It also provides an incentive to use your army carefully and with a nod to historical usage rather than just giving up/going suicidal because it's going to be impossible to win the field. You're right though – the VPs don't take into account casualties inflicted after the battle, so it takes a little getting used to. IMHO the VP system is very good: it solves the perennial problem of how to recreate an historical battle without making it boring / hopeless / academic for the inferior side. Mileage will vary on this though, of course! Cheers, and thanks again for taking the time to look and then to post comments. Much appreciated! Aaron |
| Demosthenes Of Athens | 17 Jul 2013 2:47 a.m. PST |
You are right Temporary like Achilles – the first Ashes Test was a tight game. |
| Temporary like Achilles | 17 Jul 2013 3:46 a.m. PST |
Sure was Demosthenes. I don't trust hotspot though – don't reckon it's consistent. There were some problems with it in the NZ series before this too, but as it was only us no one kicked up a stink ;-) Australia a bit unlucky after tremendous fight backs in all four innings. Still, nine more to go, so we'll see! Cheers,
Aaron |
| Parfitts Tele | 17 Jul 2013 3:55 a.m. PST |
"Australia a bit unlucky "
No, we don't have a top order at the moment, but we will get there.
Looks like a great game, I wish you well
Will the Romans get another crack at Hannibal? |
| Temporary like Achilles | 17 Jul 2013 4:51 a.m. PST |
Thanks, Parfitts. They will get another crack, but not for a while. There are a few other things I must get on the go… |
| mikeygees | 17 Jul 2013 7:34 a.m. PST |
You have one of the best 15mm collections on the net….. |
| Temporary like Achilles | 17 Jul 2013 9:24 p.m. PST |
Very kind of you to say so Mikeygees, but I'm afraid I'm mostly conscious of the gaps in it! |
| Demosthenes Of Athens | 18 Jul 2013 3:34 a.m. PST |
As I write it is 3 for 42 in the second test. And hotspot used to determine a LBW result after lots of deliberation. (BTW I enjoyed your Cannae write up) |
| Temporary like Achilles | 19 Jul 2013 6:11 a.m. PST |
I think you were more correct in your observations about the Aussie top order than either of us imagined… |
finds his bluff is called!