Graeco-Bactrians ca. 210 BC @ 800 points

Mithras · Post by **Mithras** » Wed Jun 24, 2009 7:39 pm

Another possibility here. An army that has always fascinated me.

4 x TC @ 35 points each
2 x 4 Iranian Lancer Cataphracts (Heavily Armored Superior Drilled, Lancer Swordsmen) @ 80 points each
2 x 6 Bactrian Light Cavalry (Unprotected Average Undrilled, Bow) @ 48 points each
2 x 12 Pikemen (Protected Average Drilled, Pikemen) @ 72 points each (could also deploy these as 3 x 8, but not sure which is better?)
1 x 6 Euzoni (Protected Average Drilled, Javelin Light Spear) @ 30 points
1 x 6 Mountain Indian Archers (Unprotected Average Undrilled, Bow) @ 30 points
1 x 6 Cretan Archers (Unprotected Superior Drilled, Bow) @ 36 points
2 x 6 Mountain Indian Spearmen (Protected Average Undrilled, Light Spear) @ 30 points each
2 x 2 Indian Elephants @ 25 points each

796 points

On the face of it, this looks to be a well diversified army with decent support options and some interesting, exotic elements, but I may of course be wrong. Again, not sure whether the Pike are best in three blocks of eight or two blocks of twelve, and unfortunately the list can't take more than twenty-four of them.

As you might be able to tell, I'm still experimenting to see what army list "fits" me, but it may help you to know that my two "announced" opponents so far include Later Carthaginians and Republican Romans (I suspect he's going with LRR, which is a bit out of period, but I'm not one hundred percent certain). I expect I might well see some Iberians as well.

-Mithras

philqw78 · Post by **philqw78** » Wed Jun 24, 2009 9:35 pm

I used Bactrian at Warfare in against both these enemies. No foot or Nellies, just Cav and cataphract lancers and LH.

willb · Post by **willb** » Thu Jun 25, 2009 5:34 am

One of the other members of the group I belong to and I have used this army. Usually we deploy the pikes as three groups of 8. The Bactrian light cavalry may also be better in three groups of 4 instead of two of 6.

sergiomonteleone · Post by **sergiomonteleone** » Thu Jun 25, 2009 10:53 am

philqw78 wrote:I used Bactrian at Warfare in against both these enemies. No foot or Nellies, just Cav and cataphract lancers and LH.

Me too, in ancient tournaments It's a very good army but only with mounted troops (and SAKA ALLY), so no infantry.
Sergio

DaiSho · Post by **DaiSho** » Fri Jun 26, 2009 4:17 am

Mithras wrote:2 x 12 Pikemen (Protected Average Drilled, Pikemen) @ 72 points each (could also deploy these as 3 x 8, but not sure which is better?)

I'd go with the 3x8's for multiple reasons:

Gives you an extra break point;

narrows your frontage of each BG; and

aids manouverability (try to wheel a 3 element wide BG vs a 2 element wide BG. Big difference).

Ian

philqw78 · Post by **philqw78** » Fri Jun 26, 2009 5:57 am

sergiomonteleone wrote:
philqw78 wrote:I used Bactrian at Warfare in against both these enemies. No foot or Nellies, just Cav and cataphract lancers and LH.
Me too, in ancient tournaments It's a very good army but only with mounted troops (and SAKA ALLY), so no infantry.
Sergio

Bactrian is the only army I have used twice in competition. At 800pts all mounted it was very good. At 1000pts it was average at best. Too few gaps in the opposition at that size.

bobm · Post by **bobm** » Fri Jun 26, 2009 9:14 am

You've underpriced your Bactrian LH, they're 9pts (because they're bow light spear)...and the nellies should have towers; Greek style.

I like it (which is a good job because I've got almost the full list + Saka allies!) because you can be all cavalry or foot heavy or a mix of both so opponent is in a quandary pre-game.

Mithras · Post by **Mithras** » Fri Jun 26, 2009 9:39 am

Thanks much for the help, guys. I appreciate it.

bobm wrote:You've underpriced your Bactrian LH, they're 9pts (because they're bow light spear)...and the nellies should have towers; Greek style.

I like it (which is a good job because I've got almost the full list + Saka allies!) because you can be all cavalry or foot heavy or a mix of both so opponent is in a quandary pre-game.

D'oh! Good catch there, Bob, with the cost.

I did assume the elephants with towers based upon my sources, but just called them "Indian Elephants" as a species description rather than in the fighting style you refer to. Glad to know I wasn't off base there, though!

On a slightly related note, I understand the general look of such an army, but I've had no luck getting information about any colors/shield insignia common to the Bactrian kingdom(s). Any suggestions, or would I be best served with the standard Macedonian star for most of the shields?

A modified list based upon the suggestions/corrections given:

4 x TC @ 35 points
2 x 4 Cataphracts (Heavily Armored Superior Drilled, Lancer Swordsmen) @ 80 points each
3 x 4 Bactrian Light Horse (Unprotected Average Undrilled, Light Spear Bowmen) @ 36 points each
3 x 8 Bactrian Phalangites (Protected Average Drilled, Pikemen) @ 48 points each
1 x 6 Euzoni (Protected Average Drilled, Javelin/Light Spear) @ 30 points
2 x 6 Mountain Indian Spearmen (Protected Average Undrilled, Light Spear) @ 30 points each
1 x 6 Mountain Indian Archers (Unprotected Average Undrilled, Bow) @ 30 points
1 x 4 Cretan Archers (Unprotected Superior Drilled, Bow) @ 24 points
2 x 2 Elephants @ 50 points each

796 points.

-M.

willb · Post by **willb** » Fri Jun 26, 2009 6:48 pm

As far as colors/emblems, there is very little other than coins. Some show the ruler wearing a helmet/crown shaped like an elephants head with tusks and trunk. Hercules is shown on the back of some coins or Zeus. Maybe an elephant on the shield.

footslogger · Post by **footslogger** » Fri Jun 26, 2009 10:01 pm

I haven't used it but have been eyeing it. I'm thinking it about the same way phil thinks about it though, all mounted.

I hope someone does some nice distinctive figures for it in 25s.

deadtorius · Post by **deadtorius** » Sun Jun 28, 2009 3:21 pm

Foot Slogger
A company Called Rafm does a range of Indians/ Bactrians in 25mm. They are older molds so are closer to true 25mm but fit well with Foundry stuff, just a little skinnier. They are multiparts, seperate heads, weapons shields. I had an army of them once but when I gave up on ancients years ago I sold them off, now that I am back into it again I regret that decision........ one never knows what we will end up playing in the future. I might rebuild it once I am done with the Selucids

http://www.rafm.com/Merchant2/merchant. ... ry_Code=IB

Not all pictured but you can mail order them and they are nice figs

footslogger · Post by **footslogger** » Sun Jun 28, 2009 5:59 pm

Thanks for the link. I've seen those figures and they are quite nice. I'm kind of committed to Gripping Beast/Crusader now so will be looking for something that fits in with that I'm afraid. There's another mfrr doing successors that seem to fit in with them, but I forget the name. I believe they have stated they would like to do some bactrians.

Graeco-Bactrians ca. 210 BC @ 800 points

Graeco-Bactrians ca. 210 BC @ 800 points

Re: Graeco-Bactrians ca. 210 BC @ 800 points