Slitherine

As a new player I'm just trying to get to grips with the relative use of troops. In the rulebook on p102-103 there is "An example of close combat" where the Gauls attack the Romans. However, it looks like this would be a foolish thing for the Gauls to do.

The Gauls are medium foot, protected, average, undrilled, impact foot, swordsmen.
The Romans are heavy foot, armoured, superior, drilled, impact foot, skilled swordsmen.

A battle line of 6 x 2 Gauls attack 4 x 2 Romans. During the Impact phase only those bases in base to base contact count. Thus its 8 dice for the Gauls vs 8 dice for the Romans. There's no nett POA as both are Impact Foot. However, the Romans have re-rolls of 1's because they are superior. Therefore we would expect 4 hits from the Gauls and 4.67 hits from the Romans. Thus, on average the Gauls should lose the Impact Phase.

Lets say that the Impact phase was a draw, which is about the best that the Gauls could plan on. In this case there would be no cohesion test required. If each side had inflicted 4 hits then they would each need a 2+ on the death roll.

So then the melee phase would see the 12 Gaul bases vs the 8 Roman bases, but the Romans have a net ++. The Romans would average nearly 6 hits (after re-rolls) and the Gauls would average 4 hits. The Gauls will have to take the cohesion test and are likely to lose a model from the death roll (needing a 6) while the Romans are likely to make the 2+ they need.

From here, it just gets worse for the Gauls.

Have I understood it correctly? Ofcourse, each base of Romans cost twice as many points as a base of Gallic warriors so its fair enough that the Gauls would be expected to lose.

Thanks

Mark C

But they are cheaper/more numerous,
and the they could win the Impact Phase
and the legions could lose a base
and the legions could fail the CT

and based on my luck pigs could fly

But I keep on trying to occupy the Legions frontally while exploiting the flanks

you are correct in your reading of things. The Gauls are really no match for Romans apart from at impact.

The key when using gauls against Romans is to make sure that you keep as many of the legions as possible focussed on a frontal warband threat and then to take advantage of your greater numbers on the flanks. If the Romans split their lines then you can fight from the front with overlaps and not lose too quickly. If the Romans stay in a solid formation then you have a lot of spare troops somewhere.

Another important factor is rear support. If you have more troops you can keep a BG in reserve to give rear support to your first line BGs. If you plan to attack with infantry, you can make also another use of your numeric advantage: to keep your BG with more lines (but it's not advisable more than 3). If you keep your BGs of 6 bases in 3 lines (a formation 2x3) you get 2 advantages:
1. you have some bases to replace casualties in the first 2 lines involved in melee;
2. you suffer less hits on BG basis.
I explain better the second points. If you deploy a line of BGs, so your BG don't fight isolated and are not exposed to overlap, with a front of 2 bases instead of 3 (I suppose you use BGs of 6 bases, if you instead use BG of 8 bases you can deploy some BGs with first 2 lines of 3 bases and last of 2) each of your BG can suffer no more than 4 dice instead of 6 (6 dice with POA ++ against one BG are too much also for the bold Gallic warriors). Remember that a base of Roman superman cost 14 points, while a base of Gallic warrior only 7 points, so you can have double bases than your opponents. If you combine rear support with deep BGs you can survive enough turns to surround Roman legio.

Pretty much most of what the Romans run into will be at a disadvantage in melee after impact. You really have to hope for some lucky rolls on your part and like it has been said, get some overlaps for extra dice and if possible (really hard with undrilled dummies needing to roll CMT's) get in on their flanks. It can be done I have managed once or twice to best the Romans with ancient Spanish, which is the same impact foot protected swords. Happens rarely but when it does you are definitely due for bragging rights.