Ideal Spanish Centre

[Blathergut]

Well...as ideal as any battle plan can be!



The TCs can scurry the slingers forward in the first turn and then return. I prefer the slings because of range. They can move to 4MU and shoot and will get a second round at the Roman HF as those move to within charge range. Once the slings evade, they will come back and do it again.

Third rank casualty figures are essential. If placed 5 ranks wide, one casualty loss also means further reduction in combat dice (and it will already be bad enough!).

The MF is essential to hang up and pursuers...otherwise...the broken Celtiberians just keep running, unable to move further than 6MU from pursuers/followers.

Ideas? Thoughts? Criticisms? Praise? Cash???!!??

Dan T.

[hammy]

Your supporting MF want to be at least 3MU behind the rear of the celtiberians. Other than that this is a sound formation but to me it smacks of reinforcing failure rather than trying to force an advantage.

[Blathergut]

The problem w being 3MU behind is that then, in 25mm, not all 6 bases of the reinforcing BG will be within 8MU of the Celtiberians...therefore no rear support.

Or am I misinterpreting that rule?

[petedalby]

Hi Dan - I read and enjoyed your recent AAR of the Spanish vs the Romans.

I haven't played with the army but I'd recommend trying something different to avoid the same outcome.

Here are some thoughts only:

If you go for the IC why not bring along the 8 Roman HF allowed?
Would the slingers be better deployed opposite the Roman cav? Better chance of hitting - and if they're within 6 MU of the edge more likley to fail their test.
The LF Jav could be deployed in 1 rank to slow the Roman HF - your chances of hurting them are minmal anyway.
HF Spanish vs Roman cav looks a better bet than MF.
The driled MF should run rings around the Roman MF / HF. Deploy them in 4's to get most flexibility.
Ally generals are good value but undermine the benefit of having an IC?
Buy more drilled MF.
Manouevre is the key.

Hope that helps - whilst acknowledging that hindsight is the only perfect science.

Cheers

Pete

[babyshark]

The problem w being 3MU behind is that then, in 25mm, not all 6 bases of the reinforcing BG will be within 8MU of the Celtiberians...therefore no rear support.

Or am I misinterpreting that rule?

You are correct: all the supporting bases must be within 8 MU of the supported BG. But they do not need to be all from the same BG. See p135. Your columns of Iberian MF should be able to get the job done without putting themselves in the 3 MU CT test danger zone.

Marc

[Blathergut]

Now never thought of that! Was always assuming it had to all be from the same BG! So instead of 3 columns of 6 wedged right up...make it 3 4paks of drilled...and ya, they reach fine to the 3rd base in the column (4th not needed since 3 in the other 4pak provide the necessary support)...cool...plus...frees up another 6pak to roam somewhere else ...if you make it to toronto/stratford i owe ya!!!

The problem w being 3MU behind is that then, in 25mm, not all 6 bases of the reinforcing BG will be within 8MU of the Celtiberians...therefore no rear support.

Or am I misinterpreting that rule?

You are correct: all the supporting bases must be within 8 MU of the supported BG. But they do not need to be all from the same BG. See p135. Your columns of Iberian MF should be able to get the job done without putting themselves in the 3 MU CT test danger zone.

Marc

[babyshark]

Now never thought of that! Was always assuming it had to all be from the same BG! So instead of 3 columns of 6 wedged right up...make it 3 4paks of drilled...and ya, they reach fine to the 3rd base in the column (4th not needed since 3 in the other 4pak provide the necessary support)...cool...plus...frees up another 6pak to roam somewhere else ...if you make it to toronto/stratford i owe ya!!!

I accept payment in beer.

I might make it to MIGSCON next year if there is a FoG tournament. Interest can accrue until then.

Marc

[Blathergut]

MigsCon is in Hamilton...about 3-3.5hrs from Detroit.

HotLead is a nicer con, more vendors and attendees (though sure not like MetroDetroitGamers use to put on at Cobo Hall for sure) and it is in Stratford (near London), about 3 hrs or a bit less from Detroit and it is in March usually.

The only tournaments have been 15mm DBM but I could offer a FoG one and see what interest there is. Can offer you either an 800pt Ancient Spanish or LR Roman for your beating pleasure.

http://hotlead.ca/

Ran a demo FoG game last March and had lots of eyes noticing but nobody had played. At Migs this time, a few souls had "read" the rules but not played, so maybe interest is growing.

Dan T.

[deadtorius]

If you go for the IC why not bring along the 8 Roman HF allowed?

Its a cost thing, but I agree they would be worth it since they are going to fight the legions on an even footing.

Would the slingers be better deployed opposite the Roman cav? Better chance of hitting - and if they're within 6 MU of the edge more likley to fail their test.

I have found that slings dont get any real advantage versus horse. the biggest problem is outrunning them during the inevitable cav charge.


The LF Jav could be deployed in 1 rank to slow the Roman HF - your chances of hurting them are minmal anyway.

Thats what I usually try to do. Doesnt really slow them down any better than the double deep line does, but I did manage to force some tests on the legions with double lines from the javelins. Javelins are also best against elephants, both at ranged and in melee. Need to get those boys in front of the elephants.
I usually do well on the flanks but the center wont hold once the legions impact and its munching time.
Perhaps one of these games I could actually roll decently too

[paulburton]

I have tried out Sertorius' Lusitanians. I use a front line of Celtiberians in 8s followed up by the drilled heavy caetrati and Legionaries in 4s. Generals accompany the front rank but don't fight. Keeps them in the game for longer and the attrition softens them up for the caetrati (Sertorius' commanders are Romans so fight in the Roman way).

Should beat a single line of Legionaries at about the same points (but haven't been able to try it against Romans).

Don't bother with the slings - max out the Light Horse as these are much more useful. LF don't seem to do much against heavy foot. Take the minimum LF with javelins because you have to. A spare unit or 2 of undrilled MF can then look after terrain.