Newbie - Late Republican Roman

[lordmarc7]

I have just got my set of rules. I decided to go for Romans as I really enjoyed playing with them in DBM. I've always wanted to use Republican Roman, but they were pretty useless in DBM.

Here is my first attempt at a list. Let me know what you think. I also haven't worked out an Order of Battle. Any suggestions would be appreciated.

3 x TC
HF Armoured, Elite, Drilled, Impact Foot, Skilled Swordsmen 4
HF Armoured, Elite, Drilled, Impact Foot, Skilled Swordsmen 4
HF Armoured, Superior, Drilled, Impact Foot, Skilled Swordsmen 8
HF Armoured, Superior, Drilled, Impact Foot, Skilled Swordsmen 8
HF Armoured, Superior, Drilled, Impact Foot, Skilled Swordsmen 4
Cv Armoured, Superior, Drilled, Lancer,Swordsmen 4
LH Unprotected, Average, Undrilled, Javelins, Light Spear 6
MF Protected, Average, Undrilled, Heavy Weapon 8
LF Protected, Average, Drilled, Javelins 8
LF Unprotected, Average, Undrilled, Bow 8
LF Unprotected, Average, Undrilled Sling 8
Fortified Camp
799 points

[sagji]

The cavalry are light spear not lancer.
If you drop 2 LH then you will have only 8 cavalry + LH, which means you will get +0 on the pre-battle initiative, and a slightly higher chance of moving first.

If you replace the last legion with MF Gladiators, then you can still use it as rear support for the two big legions, or help the MF HW in terrain - this saves 20 points.

With these points you could add a BG of 6 LF Superior Bow.

[lordmarc7]

Thanks for the response.

Here is the abridged list:

3 x TC
HF Armoured, Elite, Drilled, Impact Foot, Skilled Swordsmen 4
HF Armoured, Elite, Drilled, Impact Foot, Skilled Swordsmen 4
HF Armoured, Superior, Drilled, Impact Foot, Skilled Swordsmen 8
HF Armoured, Superior, Drilled, Impact Foot, Skilled Swordsmen 8
Cv Armoured, Superior, Drilled, Light Spear, Swordsmen 4
LH Unprotected, Average, Undrilled, Javelins, Light Spear 4
MF Protected, Superior, Undrilled, Skilled Swordsmen 4
MF Protected, Average, Undrilled, Heavy Weapon 8
LF Protected, Average, Drilled, Javelins 8
LF Unprotected, Average, Undrilled, Bow 6
LF Unprotected, Average, Undrilled Sling 8
LF Unprotected, Superior, Drilled, Bow 6
Fortified Camp
791

Two questions:

First, is it necessary to have as much LF?

Second, what would you suggest the Order of Battle be?

[durrati]

Couple of thoughts having played against this army a few times now.

The Elite really are not neccesary, Superior are more than scary and hard enough and to be frank, if it can't be done with the Superior Legions then it probably wont work with Elite, the Elite status is just overkill, better to spend points elsewhere. Also, the real enemy of your small units are death throws and Elite is no advantage over superior in any way here.

MF are not really neccescary - your legions are better than most MF in the rough anyhow. If you have a plan to use the MF then go for your life - if your thinking is along the lines of 'take some MF in case I have to deal with rough terrain' then you may not want to bother. As the Legions can deal with rough terrain and if there isn't any then the MF are a bit of an embarrasment.

Final comment is on the 'gadiator' advice, not the first time I have seen it - Have you no shame sir? Supporting your legions with slaves? Pah.

Not really my period but as far as I can recall there is only 1 army that had gladiators - in 69AD. Is the small cheap but superior Gladiator supporting the legions putting in an early bid for the crown of 'list cheesemeister' 2008?

[lordmarc7]

durrati, would you then suggest that I downgrade the 2 elites and take the MF out in favour of more Legio?

[irondog068]

This is my list
1x6 Legion
6x4 Legion
1x4 Gallic Cav
2x4 Numidian Cav
1x8 Gallic Med Infantry (Protected Impact, swordsman)
1x6 Creten Archers
1x8 Slingers
2x FC
1x TC

I agree about Gladiators...Kind of gimiky havn't seen much writings on them being fielded. I took a big unit of barbarian Medium just for the speed aspect. If they get killed, well they were barbarians we will hire more! I alos like a good command and control that is why I have 2 FC.

Irondog

[durrati]

durrati, would you then suggest that I downgrade the 2 elites and take the MF out in favour of more Legio?

Probably....... Depends on a lot of things - not least what your plan is, then pick the right tools for the job. If it is the first time you are using this army / playing FOG would say that it is difficult to take to many legions - as they are rock hard and are at least decent against anything and good to very good against alot. Once you get a feel for the army you can then stat tailoring it to how it suits your play style - a wodge of hired barbarians are good for bulk and can flood rough, or maxing out on mounted - or any of the various allies, they can all work depends on how you want to play it.

The other thing you need to take into account is likely enemies. In period, Sup, Arm, Cav is pretty tough. If fighting out of period, against say knights, they become very expensive filler really.

So in summary - as you start out rely on your legions, then mess about with barbarians as you get more of an idea of what is needed.

Oh, one more thing, would drop a unit of LF and get another general - as it is possible to have to many LF but not possiblre to have to many generals........