Romans Ambushed

[acl]

Has anyone won as a Roman in the basic game scenario - Caesar in Gaul 54 BC - 1 The Eburones? And, if so, how?

It's a fascinating scenario. The Romans usually have the edge against warband in Fog. In this one, though, they start off outnumbered three-to-one, surrounded, in fairly dense terrain. The Gallic AI seems designed to give the Romans a chance, but the best I've managed with them is a losing draw.

The action starts with the Romans ambushed after leaving a marching camp. I wonder if there are scenario-specific rules that I have missed. Eg do the Romans get points for getting their baggage safely off table? I wondered also if they got points for getting back to their camp and saving the baggage there? I managed this in the losing draw, but it did not seem to help greatly.

Any ideas?

This isn't meant as criticism. It's an unusually interesting scenario, if a tough one.

Alan

[maximvs]

I'm afraid it's a bit too realistic, this scenario. Even against the AI, it's a tough call.

History tells us that the Romans were all wiped out, so I wanted it to be pretty well impossible for them to win.

In fact I did manage a win with them in playtesting (which even surprised me). [Spoiler: Head along the road, keeping as much of the force together as you can, and try to keep to the clear ground, also try not to get drawn into the scrub, etc. Concentrate on fighting along the road towards the right hand edge of the map - yes, I know eventually you will be in the rough. Be prepared to sacrifice units to protect your rear. If lucky, you may then be able to about face and defend from near the map edge as the Gauls come at you in dribs and drabs.]

The game has been revised (and the rules tweaked) a number of times since the scenario was created so I can't really say if success is still possible.

If you'd like I'll post you a challenge (with me as the Romans) so you can have the satisfaction of beating me as punishment for creating such an impossible battle
I'll send you the password in a Private Message