Well I've really gone and put my head in the lions jaws this time, challenging pantherboy to do an AAR battle report and he only goes and accepts!! We've decided to play an Immortal Fire 700pt game, using the Classical Sparta and Early Achaemenid Persia(c) lists. I'm playing Sparta and pantherboy has taken the Persians, below is the list I've chosen to use for this battle.
Spartan CinC - Field Commander, Spartan Perioikoi bodyguard. 35pts (First deliberate mistake forgot to upgrade CinC to Inspired... I console myself with the fact I am able to field more units!!)
Spartan Sub - Field Commander, Spartan Perioikoi bodygaurd. 35pts
Spartan Sub - Troop Commander, Spartan Perioikoi bodyguard. 25pts
Corinthian Ally - Field Commander, Corinthian Hoplite bodyguard. 30pts
3 Armoured Cavalry - Und, Arm, Lt Sp, Ave, Cav. 30pts
12 Spartan Subject Hoplites - Und, Arm, Off Sp, Ave, HF. 108pts
14 Spartan Citizens - Dri, Arm, Off Sp, Sup, HF. 182pts
7 Spartan Perioikoi - Dri, Arm, Off Sp, Ave, HF. 70pts
9 Javelinmen - Und, Unp, Jav/Lt Sp, Poor, LF. 18pts
3 Helots - Und, Unp, Poor, Mob. 6pts
4 Thracians - Und, Pro, Lt Sp/Sword, Ave, MF. 24pts
2 Corinthian Armoured Cavalry - Und, Arm, Lt Sp, Ave, Cav. 20pts
12 Corinthian Hoplites - Und, Arm, Off Sp, Ave, HF. 108pts
4 Corinthian Javelinmen - Und, Unp, Jav/Lt Sp, Poor, LF. 8pts
I took the Corinthian ally as I wanted a 4th commander to help deal with the inevitable missile barrage the Persians will bring to bear, not taking the IC is going to come back to haunt me here I fear. I know I'm going to be outshot by the Persians and also doubt I shall be able to compete in any rough terrain, with only the four MF Thracians. So I'm going to have to make the best use of any open terrain that I can, I also will not have the luxury of sitting back as every turn my troops aren't committed into an attack they are going to be getting shot up. So I will be aiming for a up and at them ploy to try and close with the Persians as quickly as possible, while covering my flanks as the new double move rule means the enemy can really capitalise on any exposed areas of the battle line.
Classical Sparta vs Early Achaemenid Persian(no pantherboy)
Moderators: Slitherine Core, FoG PC Moderator, NewRoSoft
Map and Deployment
The Spartans won the initiative and so the Persians will move first, the Map looks very good for the Persians to play defensively, with a line of hills and two forests to hold and a further set of rough hills behind, so fully expect pantherboy to just hold the hills and woods and let me come to him....
I don't think I have any choice but to try and force the open hill area directly across from the centre, where the Spartan Citizens are deployed as the Spearhead for this, the Corinthians on the right flank are mainly their to stop the Persians from flanking on this wing, they will not attack into the wooded area in front of them.
On the left flank I have some Spartan Perioikoi and subject hoplites backed up by the Spartan cavalry, they will test out attacking on the left flank if it seems lightly defended otherwise it's just to stop any flanking option the Persians might look at here. The small group of Thracians will look to take the Marsh area in front of them or at least to contest it with the Persians.
T1 Start
The Persians have taken up position pretty much as expected, holding the hill and woods / ditches, looks like pantherboy is going to make a strong push on the marsh area as well...
The Immortals and a couple of Median Cavalry have taken the central hill postion, flanked on both sides by a host of Median Foot, with Bactrian Foot / Indian Foot / Phoenician Marines and Arab Camelry holding the end of the lines.
A mix of Bactrian Cavalry, Kaspian Archers and Libyan Javelinmen are providing the skirmish screen. Behind the Immortals some Assyrian Foot and Lydian Hoplites are providing a reserve for the Persian frontline.
I can also see three Persian Troop Commanders behind the lines, with Elite Guard Cavalry and Median Cavalry bodyguards.
I'm going to make a general advance this turn making as much use of the double move as I can, but will be cautious with the Javelin skirmish screen, as I don't want to fritter them away carelessly to the better skirmishers of the Persians. The inevitable arrow barrage will no doubt start next turn, blotting out the sun in their profusion, at least the Spartans will be able to fight in the shade though....!!
The Persians have taken up position pretty much as expected, holding the hill and woods / ditches, looks like pantherboy is going to make a strong push on the marsh area as well...
The Immortals and a couple of Median Cavalry have taken the central hill postion, flanked on both sides by a host of Median Foot, with Bactrian Foot / Indian Foot / Phoenician Marines and Arab Camelry holding the end of the lines.
A mix of Bactrian Cavalry, Kaspian Archers and Libyan Javelinmen are providing the skirmish screen. Behind the Immortals some Assyrian Foot and Lydian Hoplites are providing a reserve for the Persian frontline.
I can also see three Persian Troop Commanders behind the lines, with Elite Guard Cavalry and Median Cavalry bodyguards.
I'm going to make a general advance this turn making as much use of the double move as I can, but will be cautious with the Javelin skirmish screen, as I don't want to fritter them away carelessly to the better skirmishers of the Persians. The inevitable arrow barrage will no doubt start next turn, blotting out the sun in their profusion, at least the Spartans will be able to fight in the shade though....!!
T1 End
Made double moves forward across the line, holding back slightly at either end of the main Phalanx to let stragglers form up into the line.
On the extreme left I have pushed up some of the Greek Armoured cavalry, they will probably take some missile attention this turn but I'm hoping they will help push out around the marsh here next turn, really don't want these units getting stuck fighting behind the marsh unable to break out if I can help it.
Made a couple of silly positioning errors, rear Spartan line is slightly out of supporting positions but can rectify this next turn, other error was moving a commander before a last unit had been moved leaving it out of command, so it's now straggling behind the main line.... I'm going to have to up my concentration levels if I'm going to give pantherboy a run for his money....
My main concern at the moment is do the Persians have more Cavalry hidden, they can certainly field more than I have seen so far. Expect they are either behind the MF on my left flank or hidden in the woods facing the Corinthians on my right, or possibly both...
Made double moves forward across the line, holding back slightly at either end of the main Phalanx to let stragglers form up into the line.
On the extreme left I have pushed up some of the Greek Armoured cavalry, they will probably take some missile attention this turn but I'm hoping they will help push out around the marsh here next turn, really don't want these units getting stuck fighting behind the marsh unable to break out if I can help it.
Made a couple of silly positioning errors, rear Spartan line is slightly out of supporting positions but can rectify this next turn, other error was moving a commander before a last unit had been moved leaving it out of command, so it's now straggling behind the main line.... I'm going to have to up my concentration levels if I'm going to give pantherboy a run for his money....
My main concern at the moment is do the Persians have more Cavalry hidden, they can certainly field more than I have seen so far. Expect they are either behind the MF on my left flank or hidden in the woods facing the Corinthians on my right, or possibly both...
T2 Start
The Persian missile deluge has started and knocked down two of the Javelinmen and one of the Spartan Citizen units to disrupted. Pantherboy concentrated a large part of the fire on the javelinmen which surprised me, if it wasn't a range issue it looks like pantherboy does not want the javelinmen sticking around long, maybe so that I can't try and use them to pin his faster moving troops to allow my HF to hit home....
The Persians are also moving a few units around behind the lines, three more Assyrian Foot have been pulled back from my left flank to the hill and two Indian Chariots have been sent back from the centre also to the hill position. I think the Persians will deploy their retreat and shoot tactics, especially in the centre with the drilled Immortals, keeping up a barrage of missiles until they have taken up a position at the hill, only then will they allow the Spartans to close. I'm just going to have to keep pressing forward and hope the Armoured Hoplites keep in pretty good shape for when the phalanx manages to close.
I'm tempted to throw the two Armoured Cavalry units forward on the left flank to try and put some pressure on, especially as pantherboy seems to be pulling units back from this wing but not being able to see what's behind the MF frontline makes this too risky I think, maybe next turn if they don't get shot up too badly...
The Persian missile deluge has started and knocked down two of the Javelinmen and one of the Spartan Citizen units to disrupted. Pantherboy concentrated a large part of the fire on the javelinmen which surprised me, if it wasn't a range issue it looks like pantherboy does not want the javelinmen sticking around long, maybe so that I can't try and use them to pin his faster moving troops to allow my HF to hit home....
The Persians are also moving a few units around behind the lines, three more Assyrian Foot have been pulled back from my left flank to the hill and two Indian Chariots have been sent back from the centre also to the hill position. I think the Persians will deploy their retreat and shoot tactics, especially in the centre with the drilled Immortals, keeping up a barrage of missiles until they have taken up a position at the hill, only then will they allow the Spartans to close. I'm just going to have to keep pressing forward and hope the Armoured Hoplites keep in pretty good shape for when the phalanx manages to close.
I'm tempted to throw the two Armoured Cavalry units forward on the left flank to try and put some pressure on, especially as pantherboy seems to be pulling units back from this wing but not being able to see what's behind the MF frontline makes this too risky I think, maybe next turn if they don't get shot up too badly...
T2 End
Another general advance to try and close the enemy, dressed the lines a bit to keep any disrupted units away from further missile attention, the Spartan phalanx is now in range to close but I'll be amazed if the Immortals hold where they are, makes too much sense to retreat and take advantage of the hill.
Managed to get off some shots with the Javelinmen and knocked one of the Barctian foot units on my left flank down to disrupted.
Hoping the cavalry on the left come through relatively unscathed this turn and I'll try and push through with them next turn, really don't want the units on the left flank to get bottled in next to the marsh...
Another general advance to try and close the enemy, dressed the lines a bit to keep any disrupted units away from further missile attention, the Spartan phalanx is now in range to close but I'll be amazed if the Immortals hold where they are, makes too much sense to retreat and take advantage of the hill.
Managed to get off some shots with the Javelinmen and knocked one of the Barctian foot units on my left flank down to disrupted.
Hoping the cavalry on the left come through relatively unscathed this turn and I'll try and push through with them next turn, really don't want the units on the left flank to get bottled in next to the marsh...
T3 Start
As suspected the Persians refused the offer of combat with the Spartiates, the Immortals did the two back one forward move so they could still get off shots whils't staying out of melee range, the MF on my left flank did a full retreat though, as being undrilled they couldn't move back and still fire as the Immortals did, pantherboy also pulled back slightly on my extreme right flank.
The Greeks fared better against the arrow storm this turn but then less shots were fired with the tactical withdrawal, one of the Corinthian Javelinmen went down to disrupted, but the disrupted Spartan Citizen and one of the Greek Javelinmen recovered to steady. I will keep the two disrupted skirmishers close to commanders this turn in the hope that they recover cohesion.
Theirs still a lot of movement going on behind the Persian frontline, looks like HF are being relocated to the central hill still, one each of the Indian Heavy Chariots seem to be deploying to either flank, probably to counter the Greek Cavalry.
I can also hear cavalry moving about either side of the central hill out of sight, which is making me much more cautious about being aggressive with the cavalry on my left flank, would like to throw them forward but it's too risky not knowing what pantherboy has hidden behind his frontline screen.
As suspected the Persians refused the offer of combat with the Spartiates, the Immortals did the two back one forward move so they could still get off shots whils't staying out of melee range, the MF on my left flank did a full retreat though, as being undrilled they couldn't move back and still fire as the Immortals did, pantherboy also pulled back slightly on my extreme right flank.
The Greeks fared better against the arrow storm this turn but then less shots were fired with the tactical withdrawal, one of the Corinthian Javelinmen went down to disrupted, but the disrupted Spartan Citizen and one of the Greek Javelinmen recovered to steady. I will keep the two disrupted skirmishers close to commanders this turn in the hope that they recover cohesion.
Theirs still a lot of movement going on behind the Persian frontline, looks like HF are being relocated to the central hill still, one each of the Indian Heavy Chariots seem to be deploying to either flank, probably to counter the Greek Cavalry.
I can also hear cavalry moving about either side of the central hill out of sight, which is making me much more cautious about being aggressive with the cavalry on my left flank, would like to throw them forward but it's too risky not knowing what pantherboy has hidden behind his frontline screen.
T3 End
The plucky Greek Javelinmen knocked a unit of Saka Cavalry and Median Foot down to disrupted this turn.
Spartiates continued to press forward in the centre against the Immortals, though I narrowed the frontage a bit to minimise the number of enemy units in rough that would be in anarchy charge range.
Pushed the cavalry on the left flank forward a bit this turn, hopefully will keep the Median Foot back pedalling here!!
Held back slightly with the phalanx either side of the Spartiates, again to keep any rough areas out of anarchy charge range.
The Immortals have again been offered battle but I see no reason for them to make a stand where they are, when they have a nice range of hills behind them to take advantage of...
The plucky Greek Javelinmen knocked a unit of Saka Cavalry and Median Foot down to disrupted this turn.
Spartiates continued to press forward in the centre against the Immortals, though I narrowed the frontage a bit to minimise the number of enemy units in rough that would be in anarchy charge range.
Pushed the cavalry on the left flank forward a bit this turn, hopefully will keep the Median Foot back pedalling here!!
Held back slightly with the phalanx either side of the Spartiates, again to keep any rough areas out of anarchy charge range.
The Immortals have again been offered battle but I see no reason for them to make a stand where they are, when they have a nice range of hills behind them to take advantage of...
Last edited by andersm73 on Wed Aug 18, 2010 2:20 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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batesmotel
- Field of Glory Moderator
- Posts: 3616
- Joined: Thu Mar 13, 2008 8:52 pm
With the 1.3.3 anarchy rules, your HF shouldn't anarchy charge any enemy in rough or other bad terrain. You can get sucked in if you anarchy charge skirmishers int he open that are adjacent to enemy in rough but other than that you shouldn't need to worry about the rough terrain for anarchy charges.
Chris
Chris
....where life is beautiful all the time
T4 Start
Another turn of general retreat by the Persians to the hills and woods, the Persian HF holding the foot of the hills is in range of the Spartans this turn however. I don't think I have any choice on this map but to try and force the hill, so the Spartans will move in this turn to try and force a breach, the impact odds look awful but if they can come through the impact phase realtively unscathed they may have the upper hand in the following melees.
On the left I may throw the cavalry forward this turn to try and stop the Median MF from forming up on the left side of the hill, this may be a trap from pantherboy if he has cav of his own behind the frontline here, but I think the gamble is worthwhile if it prevents some of the MF reaching the relative safety of the hill.
My MF Thracians got shot up badly last turn, with two of them going disrupted, will have to hope the FC their will be able to reform them, if they are in good order they could try and contest the woody area in front of them....
Another turn of general retreat by the Persians to the hills and woods, the Persian HF holding the foot of the hills is in range of the Spartans this turn however. I don't think I have any choice on this map but to try and force the hill, so the Spartans will move in this turn to try and force a breach, the impact odds look awful but if they can come through the impact phase realtively unscathed they may have the upper hand in the following melees.
On the left I may throw the cavalry forward this turn to try and stop the Median MF from forming up on the left side of the hill, this may be a trap from pantherboy if he has cav of his own behind the frontline here, but I think the gamble is worthwhile if it prevents some of the MF reaching the relative safety of the hill.
My MF Thracians got shot up badly last turn, with two of them going disrupted, will have to hope the FC their will be able to reform them, if they are in good order they could try and contest the woody area in front of them....
T4 End
The impact phase with the Spartans went pretty well, I moved up supporting units where I could to help out with cohesion tests, the Spartan phalanx remains steady and has disrupted one of the Lydian foot units holding the hill, if it doesn't recover cohesion this turn I hope I'll be able to exlpoit the weak point of the Persian defence here... Two of the Spartan units bear skulls now though as they are below 75% strength!!
Have pushed forward with the Greek cavalry on the left to try and catch some of the Median MF in the open, fingers crossed pantherboy doesn't have any nasty surprise in store here....
Elsewhere have moved up so support the centre, one of the Javelinmen knocked a disrupted Median Foot unit to fragmented, first blood to the Greeks!!
The impact phase with the Spartans went pretty well, I moved up supporting units where I could to help out with cohesion tests, the Spartan phalanx remains steady and has disrupted one of the Lydian foot units holding the hill, if it doesn't recover cohesion this turn I hope I'll be able to exlpoit the weak point of the Persian defence here... Two of the Spartan units bear skulls now though as they are below 75% strength!!
Have pushed forward with the Greek cavalry on the left to try and catch some of the Median MF in the open, fingers crossed pantherboy doesn't have any nasty surprise in store here....
Elsewhere have moved up so support the centre, one of the Javelinmen knocked a disrupted Median Foot unit to fragmented, first blood to the Greeks!!
T5 Start
Well it didn't take long for the attack on the hill to take a turn for the worse, one unit of the weakened Spartiates has turned tail and routed!! (Obviously they didn't listen to their mothers warning about returning with their shield or upon it...) The plus side is the routing unit didn't cause any further disruption to any adjacent units, unfortunately I only have an average Hoplite unit to fill the breach, so will be another weak point of the line pantherboy will try to capitalise on no doubt .
On the left pantherboy had some Saka Cavalry lurking behind his Median Foot, they are threatening to hit the flank of the Greek cavalry if I continue to press forward with them this turn... Another plus for the turn was the two disrupted Thracian units recovered to steady status thanks to the close attention of the FC, I'll look to try and use them to contest the small wood in front of them, hopefully putting some pressure on the Persian line at another point.
This turn I'm going to have to continue to press at the hill, need something here to go my way soon or it's rapidly going to turn into a forlorn hope, with Greeks dying by the droves. On the left I'm going to have to pull back the cavalry and prepare to try and assault the hill from a 2nd angle.... Every way you look at it the Persians seem to be holding the aces on this battlefield!!
Well it didn't take long for the attack on the hill to take a turn for the worse, one unit of the weakened Spartiates has turned tail and routed!! (Obviously they didn't listen to their mothers warning about returning with their shield or upon it...) The plus side is the routing unit didn't cause any further disruption to any adjacent units, unfortunately I only have an average Hoplite unit to fill the breach, so will be another weak point of the line pantherboy will try to capitalise on no doubt .
On the left pantherboy had some Saka Cavalry lurking behind his Median Foot, they are threatening to hit the flank of the Greek cavalry if I continue to press forward with them this turn... Another plus for the turn was the two disrupted Thracian units recovered to steady status thanks to the close attention of the FC, I'll look to try and use them to contest the small wood in front of them, hopefully putting some pressure on the Persian line at another point.
This turn I'm going to have to continue to press at the hill, need something here to go my way soon or it's rapidly going to turn into a forlorn hope, with Greeks dying by the droves. On the left I'm going to have to pull back the cavalry and prepare to try and assault the hill from a 2nd angle.... Every way you look at it the Persians seem to be holding the aces on this battlefield!!
T5 End
A better turn at the central hill position this time, two of the Persian HF have been disrupted and another is now below 75% strength, the average hoplite I sent in to fill the breach this turn went disrupted though and two other of the Spartiates are bearing skulls for being below 75% strength. Decided to hold the Spartan phalanx where it is rather than pushing more units forward to face uphill opponents, where I am I have some local advantages against the Persians and maintaining a good line is important I feel, without getting too stretched and not having reserves to fill any breaches in the line. Downside is the Persians can continue shooting up my some of my valuable Spartan units....
I moved a few units around on the left end of the Spartan phalanx to get the TC in a position to directly support the left end of the current melee, need every advantage I can muster here...
On the left I've withdrawn the disrupted Greek cavalry unit until it recovers cohesion, the other two units are facing off against the possible attack from the Saka cavalry supported by the Spartan Perioikoi. I think it's just a feint to allow the Median Foot to gain the hill though... Pushed up other units on the left to start forming up for a push on this side of the hill.
A better turn at the central hill position this time, two of the Persian HF have been disrupted and another is now below 75% strength, the average hoplite I sent in to fill the breach this turn went disrupted though and two other of the Spartiates are bearing skulls for being below 75% strength. Decided to hold the Spartan phalanx where it is rather than pushing more units forward to face uphill opponents, where I am I have some local advantages against the Persians and maintaining a good line is important I feel, without getting too stretched and not having reserves to fill any breaches in the line. Downside is the Persians can continue shooting up my some of my valuable Spartan units....
I moved a few units around on the left end of the Spartan phalanx to get the TC in a position to directly support the left end of the current melee, need every advantage I can muster here...
On the left I've withdrawn the disrupted Greek cavalry unit until it recovers cohesion, the other two units are facing off against the possible attack from the Saka cavalry supported by the Spartan Perioikoi. I think it's just a feint to allow the Median Foot to gain the hill though... Pushed up other units on the left to start forming up for a push on this side of the hill.
T6 Start
The attack on the hill is getting to a crucial moment now, if I can break one or two of the Persians and it causes a domino effect the Spartans have a chance to force a break on the hill, if the Spartans start to fold though then I think the assault is doomed to failure.
The Persian bow fire continues to take a heavy toll on the Greeks, one of the Spartan units is down to 60% or so strength and hasn't been involved in melee yet, will probably have to pull it out from the frontline as it's too weak to be of any offensive use...
The Javelinmen are also starting to waver from the damage they have taken so far, one has headed for the hills. I console myself with the fact that any damage the skirmishers have absorbed, hasn't been sent the way of the Hoplites.
On my left the Median foot have gained the hill now, pantherboy is threatening the flank of the Greek cavalry which will hold the left end of the line whils't the Perioikoi make an attempt at the other side of the hill from the Spartiates.
I'm also considering sending the Corinthians on the right forward, to threaten taking the Persian camp, will see how good the Persian defence looks here and at the least it will keep the Persian lines stretched so they can't easily reinforce the centre, if they need to.
The attack on the hill is getting to a crucial moment now, if I can break one or two of the Persians and it causes a domino effect the Spartans have a chance to force a break on the hill, if the Spartans start to fold though then I think the assault is doomed to failure.
The Persian bow fire continues to take a heavy toll on the Greeks, one of the Spartan units is down to 60% or so strength and hasn't been involved in melee yet, will probably have to pull it out from the frontline as it's too weak to be of any offensive use...
The Javelinmen are also starting to waver from the damage they have taken so far, one has headed for the hills. I console myself with the fact that any damage the skirmishers have absorbed, hasn't been sent the way of the Hoplites.
On my left the Median foot have gained the hill now, pantherboy is threatening the flank of the Greek cavalry which will hold the left end of the line whils't the Perioikoi make an attempt at the other side of the hill from the Spartiates.
I'm also considering sending the Corinthians on the right forward, to threaten taking the Persian camp, will see how good the Persian defence looks here and at the least it will keep the Persian lines stretched so they can't easily reinforce the centre, if they need to.
T6 End
Well that could have gone better.... I did break one of the Assyrian foot units holding the hill but the rest of the line stood firm yet again, knocking one of the Spartiate units to Fragmented in reply!!
Major blow though was whilst pulling a badly beaten up Spartiate unit out of the frontline, the replacement subject Hoplite unit decided it didn't like standing in line with everyone else and promptly decided to charge home against a solid line of Persians holding the hill instead... Needless to say the unit went straight under 75% strength and was lucky not to go disrupted, also leaving me scrabbling around for units to try and reform a half decent line, ended up sending in my CinC too which is not something I would have chosen to do. (Perhaps I got too clever here shifting units around but I think it was only a matter of time until the depleted Spartan unit broke)
On the left the Perioikoi are forming up for another attempt at forcing a hill position(at least their isn't any HF on this side), while the right end of the Corinthians have pushed on towards the Persian camp.
It's beginning to look ominous, need a good turn of combat to try and turn the tide on the Persians.
Well that could have gone better.... I did break one of the Assyrian foot units holding the hill but the rest of the line stood firm yet again, knocking one of the Spartiate units to Fragmented in reply!!
Major blow though was whilst pulling a badly beaten up Spartiate unit out of the frontline, the replacement subject Hoplite unit decided it didn't like standing in line with everyone else and promptly decided to charge home against a solid line of Persians holding the hill instead... Needless to say the unit went straight under 75% strength and was lucky not to go disrupted, also leaving me scrabbling around for units to try and reform a half decent line, ended up sending in my CinC too which is not something I would have chosen to do. (Perhaps I got too clever here shifting units around but I think it was only a matter of time until the depleted Spartan unit broke)
On the left the Perioikoi are forming up for another attempt at forcing a hill position(at least their isn't any HF on this side), while the right end of the Corinthians have pushed on towards the Persian camp.
It's beginning to look ominous, need a good turn of combat to try and turn the tide on the Persians.
T7 Start
It's starting to look like the writing is on the wall for the Spartan attack on the Persian hill defence, no more of the Spartans routed but another unit is now fragmented, need a decent breakthrough this turn or I feel it's all over for the the Greeks.
Two more units of the Greek javelinmen withered away under the Persian missile barrage. One of the Indian Chariots anarchy charged out into the open, so I may look at getting it trapped in combat, though the impact odds don't look good even for the HF...
pantherboy has moved some units around by his camp, presume he is taking the advance by the Corinthians on the right as a serious threat.
Definitely feels like it's a make or break turn for the Spartans coming up....
It's starting to look like the writing is on the wall for the Spartan attack on the Persian hill defence, no more of the Spartans routed but another unit is now fragmented, need a decent breakthrough this turn or I feel it's all over for the the Greeks.
Two more units of the Greek javelinmen withered away under the Persian missile barrage. One of the Indian Chariots anarchy charged out into the open, so I may look at getting it trapped in combat, though the impact odds don't look good even for the HF...
pantherboy has moved some units around by his camp, presume he is taking the advance by the Corinthians on the right as a serious threat.
Definitely feels like it's a make or break turn for the Spartans coming up....
T7 End
Well the Spartans finally managed to force a breakthrough on the hill but it feels that it may be a turn too late to capitalise on and the toll that forcing the breach has taken on the Spartiates has been very high!! Still at least now some of the Greeks will be fighting on a level playing field, hopefully they can start recouping some of their losses....
My rash charge on the Indian chariot proved costly, one HF disrupted and an MF fragmented... Not my greatest decision, can only put it down to finally having a target to charge in the open was too much temptation for me to resist...
The attack by the Perioikoi and Greek cavalry has started poorly, with the first contact resulting in a disrupted Perioikoi unit.
The push on the right towards the Persian camp continues, hopefully tying up units from reinforcing the centre.
On the whole a pretty good turn, apart from the Chariot incident....
Well the Spartans finally managed to force a breakthrough on the hill but it feels that it may be a turn too late to capitalise on and the toll that forcing the breach has taken on the Spartiates has been very high!! Still at least now some of the Greeks will be fighting on a level playing field, hopefully they can start recouping some of their losses....
My rash charge on the Indian chariot proved costly, one HF disrupted and an MF fragmented... Not my greatest decision, can only put it down to finally having a target to charge in the open was too much temptation for me to resist...
The attack by the Perioikoi and Greek cavalry has started poorly, with the first contact resulting in a disrupted Perioikoi unit.
The push on the right towards the Persian camp continues, hopefully tying up units from reinforcing the centre.
On the whole a pretty good turn, apart from the Chariot incident....
T8 Start
The Spartan attack on the hill looks like it's about to implode, as lots of units are now fragmented and disrupted especially on the left.
The attack by the perioikoi on the left wing has gotten off to a bad start with the only unit in contact being disrupted already.
Persian concentrated bow fire continues to take it's toll, routing yet another javelinman unit. The tactic of pumping shot after shot into the same unit until it breaks is very effective!!
My error charging the Indian Chariot has been soundly punished, the Thracians being routed and one of the subject citizen HF now being fragmented.... Only saving grace was the Chariot was unable to break off. Pantherboy's in game message was spot on, I'd already gotten the advantage from the chariot breaking out into the open, I would probably have been best just putting two of the Subject hoplites directly in front of the chariot, in the hope it anarchy charged the following turn, even if it had managed to turn round and seek safety again my Thracians would have been in range for a rear charge on it.... Lesson learned for the future hopefully....
The Spartan attack on the hill looks like it's about to implode, as lots of units are now fragmented and disrupted especially on the left.
The attack by the perioikoi on the left wing has gotten off to a bad start with the only unit in contact being disrupted already.
Persian concentrated bow fire continues to take it's toll, routing yet another javelinman unit. The tactic of pumping shot after shot into the same unit until it breaks is very effective!!
My error charging the Indian Chariot has been soundly punished, the Thracians being routed and one of the subject citizen HF now being fragmented.... Only saving grace was the Chariot was unable to break off. Pantherboy's in game message was spot on, I'd already gotten the advantage from the chariot breaking out into the open, I would probably have been best just putting two of the Subject hoplites directly in front of the chariot, in the hope it anarchy charged the following turn, even if it had managed to turn round and seek safety again my Thracians would have been in range for a rear charge on it.... Lesson learned for the future hopefully....
T8 End
I don't think the Greeks are going to be able to hold for much longer now, the Spartiate attack on the central hill has stalled badly and on the left suffered some serious reverses putting more Spartans to flight.
The attack by the Perioikoi on the left wing has been a disaster, with several units now being fragmented and disrupted, the impact phase really hurts the Greeks as the Persians get the benefit of shooting into the oncoming greeks, so it's not until the first round of melee that the Greeks really have a chance to do well, usually by that time they aren't in a nice steady state though... Perhaps it's the fighting uphill part that is really putting the hurt on though!!
The only glimmer of hope is the Corinthian cavalry on the right flank, destroying the Persian camp would be some consolation for the host of dead Greeks laying on the battlefield. I doubt the woody area in front of the camp that the Corinthians have to traverse will be uncontested though...
I don't think the Greeks are going to be able to hold for much longer now, the Spartiate attack on the central hill has stalled badly and on the left suffered some serious reverses putting more Spartans to flight.
The attack by the Perioikoi on the left wing has been a disaster, with several units now being fragmented and disrupted, the impact phase really hurts the Greeks as the Persians get the benefit of shooting into the oncoming greeks, so it's not until the first round of melee that the Greeks really have a chance to do well, usually by that time they aren't in a nice steady state though... Perhaps it's the fighting uphill part that is really putting the hurt on though!!
The only glimmer of hope is the Corinthian cavalry on the right flank, destroying the Persian camp would be some consolation for the host of dead Greeks laying on the battlefield. I doubt the woody area in front of the camp that the Corinthians have to traverse will be uncontested though...