This
feels to us like a trip to the past... Right after the initial byzantium vs
egypt campaign, and quite some time before the upgraded vikings vs scots bout,
we played a more classic confrontation: alexander's greece (Alexandrian
Macedonian) against darius' persian empire (Later Achaemenid Persian). We were
both looking forward to reenacting such a famous conflict. In fact the campaign
itself turned to be as interesting as the battles. This was our first attempt
to develop complex mechanics and damn, it worked! We adopted some custom
campaign suggestions of members of the fanaticus site, perhaps the best
source for such material. The main feature is a map with particular regions (in
red, we eventually changed to separate colours) belonging to the two factions
and neutral ones (yellow). The lines show the connectivity between the regions
and the green ellipses represent 'capitals' which have additional benefits (you
can ignore the box on the top right).
The
time-frame of the campaign was in years and seasons (4 per year) starting in
spring. We begin with two armies each (24 units) and every season we could move
any of our units one time (from one region to another connected region). In one
season, we could also spend currency ('talents') which was gained once a year
in the beginning of the winter season. We gained one talent per controlled region
(2 per capital) (equal to 10 in the start of the game). We could spend these
for recruiting new units (1 talent/unit, max units=12*controlled capitals), but
only 'light' units in normal regions. Only capitals allowed any unit to be
recruited. In the winter season we had to spend 1 talent for each 4
units we had, representing army upkeep. We could also improve our regions by
building walls (2 talents, takes 2 seasons), barracks (3 tlnts, 2 sns) and
markets (3 tlnts, 3 sns). The walls made sieges harder and defending a region
easier. The barracks allowed for any unit to be recruited in non-capitals. Each
market gave an extra talent per year. If a region got all three improvements,
it became a capital (important for the final campaign scoring).
I will leave it at that for now to move to the first battle. More details on
the campaign's mechanics will follow. A central point is that such a game needs
lots of miniatures given that the armies can become very mixed if one moves, say, the pikes and the cavalry of the macedonian army to
different regions, leading perhaps to a battle with a 12-pike army. Paper armies are very efficient in
this case for obvious reasons. Nonetheless, what is most important is
flexibility and collective decision-making between the players. For example we are playing
a similar campaign with plastic figures, having much less flexibility, but we
still manage with some concessions and compromises.
After marching our armies forward to take over neutral regions (one needs to
leave at least 2 units for a season in an area to become theirs), we met close
to (Armenian) Armavir (top yellow region of the map above). Due to the
strategic moves, the macedonian army bears 13 units while the persians have the
usual 12. Darius is the attacker on a completely open field, with a forested
area close to Alexander's right and a hilly area on the persian left.
The armies are deployed across
each other in two long lines. Several units of phalangites are arrayed in the
front line of the macedonians while their flanks are protected by cavalry. The
persian army comprises all its cavalry on the right flank and most of the
infantry on the left. Darius and his bodyguards are at the center of the line,
with the formidable scythed chariots on his left.
Darius'
view of the battlefield. Having left his wealth at his camp behind him, he now
watches the macedonian pikes glinting in the sun while he prepares his tactical
plan. His soldiers are ready and feel confident with their general-king next to
them.
Darius
is boldly moving his cavalry forward while his foot soldiers are close behind.
His lines seem unstoppable with his bactrian and median horsemen, scythed
chariots and light cavalry marching inexorably. Alexander is slowly moving his
army forth with only a unit of javelinmen redeploying to screen the macedonian right
flank.
The
lines are drawing close! The persian army has consolidated its two lines of
cavalry and infantry and is ready for the charge.
The
horses all around Darius are neighing, agitated and eager to spring forth. The
persian flanks are protected by two light foot units, farther behind to close
in on any flanking attempt by the macedonians. Alexander has been slowly moving
his companions to the right of his army but otherwise he doesn't seem willing
to change formation.
Sound
the charge! screams Alexander and his right rushes forward to attack the
persian infantry. The persian light horse moved quickly from the right flank to
protect the outermost left but now faces Alexander and his companions. In the
meantime a unit of prodromoi (greek Lh) has rushed to attack Darius' camp. A
couple of phalanxes and two units of Alexander's best cavalry try to steal
victory from the persian king by breaking the defending persian infantry.
And
they do! Before Darius gets the chance to unleash his horsemen and chariots,
the macedonian right routs the light horsemen and two units of cardaces. The
battle is over and Darius withdraws his troops to fight another day. The war
for Asia has just begun...
This
was one of our shortest battles, sort of an appetizer for what was coming.
Often our first bouts are tests of how the armies will play out against each
other. The persian cavalry was looming dangerously but didn't get the chance it
needed, especially with that scythed chariot in the center being an
unpredictable factor. As usual the author was luckier in the die rolls,
considering that three kills in one go is uncommon to say the least... Until
next time.
