I tried to name many of the major formations, but there are too many Persian units to hit them all!
At Start
Gaugamela, 331 BC
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Gaugamela, 331 BC
Gaugamela has gone through 4-5 versions, and been play tested pretty extensively. Although, the Persians seem to have the edge, having won three of the last four battles against the Greeks, the Greeks are still game for another try. As the turns come in I will post the battle's development and comments from the Greek perspective.
I tried to name many of the major formations, but there are too many Persian units to hit them all!
At Start
I tried to name many of the major formations, but there are too many Persian units to hit them all!
At Start
Last edited by Scarz on Sat Mar 20, 2010 2:18 am, edited 1 time in total.
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petergarnett
- Field of Glory Moderator
- Posts: 1029
- Joined: Sat Jan 09, 2010 7:01 pm
- Location: Gatwick, UK
Persian Turn 4
For the first three turns I advanced the Phalanx towards the Persian center, while trying to keep the Thracian Peltasts and Greek Mercenary inclined back to protect from encirclement from the Persian cavalry.
The Persian commander sent his cavalry forward on both flanks with the idea of a double envelopment.
The Persians also sent the Apple Bearer Footguards (Immortals) forward to engage the phalanx with arrows while compacting the heavier Greek mercenary hoplites in the center.
I will need to close quickly with the Persian center with the phalanx before my wings collapse or attrition from the Persian archers wears down my center.
The Persian commander sent his cavalry forward on both flanks with the idea of a double envelopment.
The Persians also sent the Apple Bearer Footguards (Immortals) forward to engage the phalanx with arrows while compacting the heavier Greek mercenary hoplites in the center.
I will need to close quickly with the Persian center with the phalanx before my wings collapse or attrition from the Persian archers wears down my center.
Last edited by Scarz on Sat Mar 20, 2010 2:20 am, edited 1 time in total.
End turn 4
What plan ever survives first contact with the enemy? I sent half of the the Agrianian peltasts to deal with the Scythed Chariots on my right, but a flank hit by one chariot, and a charge by a second chariot and some Satrap cavalry routed half of my forward Agrianian peltasts. The Royal Lancers were forced to fill in and complete the job of stopping the chariots, and it cost the Lancers serious losses.
In order to try and keep the Persians off of the now exposed Lancers, half of the Companion cavalry charged into the Persian archers that were supporting the chariots. The downside here is that I was forced to extend the line further to the right. As it looks now, the right may be required to push even further forward so I went ahead and advanced with the right side of the phalanx, while allowing the left to bend back for further support against the Persian cavalry on my left all in an effort not to allow a gap to form between the phalanx and the right wing.
Finally the aggressive use of the Persian Apple Bearers forced me to send Belacros' Javelins to the center to try and screen the phalanx from the massed Persian archers. I had planned on their use on the right. To make up for their loss, I brought forward the remainder of the Agrianian Peltasts from the right flank to the right wing.
In order to try and keep the Persians off of the now exposed Lancers, half of the Companion cavalry charged into the Persian archers that were supporting the chariots. The downside here is that I was forced to extend the line further to the right. As it looks now, the right may be required to push even further forward so I went ahead and advanced with the right side of the phalanx, while allowing the left to bend back for further support against the Persian cavalry on my left all in an effort not to allow a gap to form between the phalanx and the right wing.
Finally the aggressive use of the Persian Apple Bearers forced me to send Belacros' Javelins to the center to try and screen the phalanx from the massed Persian archers. I had planned on their use on the right. To make up for their loss, I brought forward the remainder of the Agrianian Peltasts from the right flank to the right wing.
Last edited by Scarz on Sat Mar 20, 2010 3:31 am, edited 1 time in total.
Turn 5
More bad news for the Greeks. Some poor placement of the Paeoian, Thracian and some mercenary light horse caused several of the peltast's to disrupt when they evaded through their ranks. Also, one of the Thracian peltast's was caught from behind by a charge from some satrap cavalry on the left, immeadiately routing them. Finally, the Royal Lancers routed, which is very painful, as other than the Companions and Thessalian cavalry, they are the only non-light horse unit on the field for the Greeks.
The Illyrian peltasts on the right wing tried to fill a gap, and were routed following a halfhearted attack.
Cleander's mercenaries had some initial success in pushing back the Persian cavalry, but they look to be barely holding on now. If the mercenaries don't hold for several turns at least, this battle could turn into a blood bath, with Persian cavalry hitting the phalanx from behind.
Finally, Parmenion and the Thessalian cavalry had to head down and help the Thracian foot, which took away much of the punch from the left wing. Had the left flank looked better, they might have been able to hit the Apple Bearers that have pushed forward on the Persian right.
The Illyrian peltasts on the right wing tried to fill a gap, and were routed following a halfhearted attack.
Cleander's mercenaries had some initial success in pushing back the Persian cavalry, but they look to be barely holding on now. If the mercenaries don't hold for several turns at least, this battle could turn into a blood bath, with Persian cavalry hitting the phalanx from behind.
Finally, Parmenion and the Thessalian cavalry had to head down and help the Thracian foot, which took away much of the punch from the left wing. Had the left flank looked better, they might have been able to hit the Apple Bearers that have pushed forward on the Persian right.
Newest Scenario
Its been a work in progress since it started with updates to unit makeup, initital starting locations and play balance for the last couple weeks. The latest version is about a week old.Tombstone wrote:What is the date of the newest scenario?
Latest version (4/11/2010):
http://cid-cf9c26a61c3ac0e9.skydrive.li ... MS%5E6.zip
Last edited by Scarz on Mon Apr 12, 2010 2:08 am, edited 3 times in total.
Turn 6
All I can say about turn six is that the Greek flanks held another turn, but just barely.
The phalanx advanced a bit more in the center, while the Companions have been relagated to merely guarding the right wing now... I had planned on using them against the Persian main line, but the Persians have sent not only their cavalry to the flanks, but also thinned their center down to mainly just the Greek Mercenaries. However, the Persians are densly packed across from the Companions, and are providing an inviting target. Once their foot start routing, there should be no stopping them!
The Thessalians pushed the Persian cavalry further back on the left flank and appear to have things under control on the far left, but the Thracian Peltasts are still questionable, and could route at any minute.
The far right flank is a total disaster. Half of Cleander's mercenary foot routed, and a company of Belacros' darters is holding their flank, which is not a good sign.
It is definately going to be a race to the finish, if the flanks can hold.
The phalanx advanced a bit more in the center, while the Companions have been relagated to merely guarding the right wing now... I had planned on using them against the Persian main line, but the Persians have sent not only their cavalry to the flanks, but also thinned their center down to mainly just the Greek Mercenaries. However, the Persians are densly packed across from the Companions, and are providing an inviting target. Once their foot start routing, there should be no stopping them!
The Thessalians pushed the Persian cavalry further back on the left flank and appear to have things under control on the far left, but the Thracian Peltasts are still questionable, and could route at any minute.
The far right flank is a total disaster. Half of Cleander's mercenary foot routed, and a company of Belacros' darters is holding their flank, which is not a good sign.
It is definately going to be a race to the finish, if the flanks can hold.
Turn 7
More bad news for the Greeks, as a huge hole has opened on the right flank, and I am out of troops to send to help. One of the Companion squadrons disengaged this turn, so I may be able to send it down to try and stem the tide. On the left flank, one of the Thessalian cavalry squadrons seperated during the last attack, and was being surrounded by Persian cavalry. I went ahead and sent in a couple of Thracian Peltasts to try and relieve the pressure, but it is probably only exposing the flank even further.
The only potential good news is in the center. Some of the phalanx finally clashed with the forward Apple Bearers on the Persian right. I hope the phalanx will work its magic on these lighter armed and armored troops, but the phalanx are very disjointed and it may prove just enough for the Persians to make a fight of it. The foot Agema has closed within striking distance of the Persian Greek Mercenaries on the Persian left, but the forward battalion's flank is exposed, so things could go wrong there too.
All in all a very wild fight so far, not at all what I expected, or how I had planned the battle to go.
The only potential good news is in the center. Some of the phalanx finally clashed with the forward Apple Bearers on the Persian right. I hope the phalanx will work its magic on these lighter armed and armored troops, but the phalanx are very disjointed and it may prove just enough for the Persians to make a fight of it. The foot Agema has closed within striking distance of the Persian Greek Mercenaries on the Persian left, but the forward battalion's flank is exposed, so things could go wrong there too.
All in all a very wild fight so far, not at all what I expected, or how I had planned the battle to go.
Last edited by Scarz on Tue Mar 23, 2010 3:49 am, edited 1 time in total.
Turn 8
Finally some real success as the phalanx tears into the Apple Bearers on the left, while the royal foot and the right brigades of the phalanx meet the Persian mercenary hoplites. These are the Persians best foot, or at least the only Persian infantry with a chance to stand up to the phalanx in a head on fight.
The first line of Apple Bearers routes, but a second line made up of Greek mercenaries takes their place, so the left center still has a lot of work to do. Right of center, the Greek mercenaries had a good initial attack, but most are disrupted now, and I hope the phalanx will do some real damage to them next turn.
On the downside, the Persian cavalry has rounded the left flank, and will soon be hitting my troops from behind. The right flank hole has also be exploited, but Cleander and some of his boys are still fighting, and one squadron of Companions is on the way to stabalize things.
The first line of Apple Bearers routes, but a second line made up of Greek mercenaries takes their place, so the left center still has a lot of work to do. Right of center, the Greek mercenaries had a good initial attack, but most are disrupted now, and I hope the phalanx will do some real damage to them next turn.
On the downside, the Persian cavalry has rounded the left flank, and will soon be hitting my troops from behind. The right flank hole has also be exploited, but Cleander and some of his boys are still fighting, and one squadron of Companions is on the way to stabalize things.
Turn 9
The Persian center collaped this turn, but it did not provide as many route points as I had figured. I had gambled with weak flanks to get the phalanx stuck into the Persian center, before the flanks gave way. The strategy worked, to an extent; however, Darius sent many of their center formations wide with the cavalry, and the phalanx did not catch them in the middle. The phalanx will now have to divide left and right, seeking the remainder of the Persian foot.
The Thessalian cavalry rush on the right flank has been blunted, so much of the help the Thracian foot was depending on will not come through. Further, much of the left flank light cavalry has been chased from the field or routed. Now the right flank looks bad, but the Companions should still hold things togather a bit longer. If they don't, the Greeks are finished.
Finally, the Persian heavy cavalry hit the Greek baggage camp, killing and routing the camp followers.
The Thessalian cavalry rush on the right flank has been blunted, so much of the help the Thracian foot was depending on will not come through. Further, much of the left flank light cavalry has been chased from the field or routed. Now the right flank looks bad, but the Companions should still hold things togather a bit longer. If they don't, the Greeks are finished.
Finally, the Persian heavy cavalry hit the Greek baggage camp, killing and routing the camp followers.
Last edited by Scarz on Mon Mar 22, 2010 4:27 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Final Turn
Alexander and the Greeks are defeated! Lots of fun, and many mistakes on the Greek side of things... My opponent played well and earned a nice win for Darius!
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petergarnett
- Field of Glory Moderator
- Posts: 1029
- Joined: Sat Jan 09, 2010 7:01 pm
- Location: Gatwick, UK
Screen shots
I use "snip" from windows. Just type that in a windows programs search and it should come up. Then once I have taken a photo, I used "paint" to mark it up.petergarnett wrote:What do you use to do these screenshots?
This is a great scenario. In fact I belive it's the best I've played so far.
Big(I like that), lots of different quite unique units and interresting tactical situation.
I've only played one game(multi) and managed to get a win with the greeks. Was very aggressive
in the center and on my right. More defensive on the left.
All went well but it felt like I had a very small margin for error. Slightest misstake and the Persian horde would slip through and attack my rear.
Look forward to try the Persians. Might be trickier then their number suggest.
Big(I like that), lots of different quite unique units and interresting tactical situation.
I've only played one game(multi) and managed to get a win with the greeks. Was very aggressive
in the center and on my right. More defensive on the left.
All went well but it felt like I had a very small margin for error. Slightest misstake and the Persian horde would slip through and attack my rear.
Look forward to try the Persians. Might be trickier then their number suggest.
Glad you liked it! I really enjoy it too, and have found several opponents that are fans! Probably because they keep thrashing me as the Greeks. I need your secret! There is a new, latest update as of today (3/30/10), so you can grab the latest if you like. The onyl changes were a graphic change to the satrap cavalry, a more 'eastern' looking cavalry icon, no change to any stats. Also, the Greeks still seem to be at a slight to moderate disadvantage. The Greek mercenary and allied LH are now "cavalry" and protected. This makes them a tad better than the satrap cavalry, as they have same weapons, but better armor. I hope this really evens things up some, although I have won games as Greek, and lost them as Persian, I want it to be pretty close to even.hidde wrote:This is a great scenario. In fact I belive it's the best I've played so far.
Big(I like that), lots of different quite unique units and interresting tactical situation.
I've only played one game(multi) and managed to get a win with the greeks. Was very aggressive
in the center and on my right. More defensive on the left.
All went well but it felt like I had a very small margin for error. Slightest misstake and the Persian horde would slip through and attack my rear.
Look forward to try the Persians. Might be trickier then their number suggest.
If you ever want a match, just let me know!
I have played this several times as The Macedonians and have yet to register a win. I have tried playing defensively (which failed miserably) and attacking from the centre but that did not get even close to winning. In the actual battle Alexander rolled up the Persian right flank and won fairly easily, obviously this would spoil the challenge somewhat and I personally feel that making a few more units (the Phalanx and the Hyspapists) "elite", would ensure a more realistic battle with the Macs having a better chance of victory.