DBMM Polybian Roman vs Selecuid

Another DBMM game today with Stephen :

I used 400pt Polybian Romans (post 210BC) with 2 Cmds ofLegions/Velites/Tirarii with a few Cretan bowmen. A 3rd Roman Cmd comprised the Cav (4 elements plus a Sub Gen and 1 LH) and 4th Cmd was Iberian Ally with (iAXs and iPsS). I took no baggage

They faced a Selecuid host of 3 Cmds and an Aitolian Ally. Antichous was present as a Bril Gen (never used his er Brilliance at all!) with several KnF wedges. 1 main Cmd was massed Pikes (A mix of PkS and PkO) backed up by AxS and 2 ElS. The other was KnX with CvO in support and couple of LhF.

The Aitolians were Ps and Lh.

Rome invaded and terrain comprised a small E on my right a RF on my left and on Selc side a large (2FE) GH and a (1FE) SH.

placed my Cav Cmd off-table as delayed Cmd, the Ibrians on my right and the 2 main Cmds in Centre/Left. Selcs had Pike to centre with line of KnX/CvO. Cic with KnF was to rear of Pike and the Aitolians were placed as Concealed Cmd behind the large GH (but they moved on their first turn so no real surprise).

Pikes rumbled forward and killed my 4 PsS Caetratii in one fell swoop :-(

The KnX engaged my Velites causing some losses.

The KnF moved towards the open flank of my Iberians but luckily my Delayed Cmd appeared and I moved them to counter the Agema threat...

My turn saw my Velites gloriously kill both Elephants and Iberians AxS QKd a couple of Pike.

But.......as always...........the Pike then preceedeed to roll over my Iberians causing them to break.

The KnX got in amongst my Legions and QKd several.

On my turn I could not inflict further significant losses on Pike and Legions could only recoil a couple of KnX.

So.........on next Selc turn the KnX trounced several Legionaries and Triari breaking my largest CiCs Cmd and the Army.

Lessons : Polybian Roman has a hard time vs Selecuid as the KnF, KnX, and ElQK just about everything in Roman OOB.

Also whilst Bd can QK Pk itis damn hard to achieve due to high Pike factors.

Delayed Cmd was nice option as it arrives on 5 or 6 and was able tobeing thrown in vs threat also Stephen my opponnent believed this Cmd was on a flank march so was leaving units and using Pips to counter this.

Main lesson.....I need to roll higher dice :-)

TripleA......Another day, another game, another defeat............

Dbmm 400pt game with Stephen today

My Avars vs Carolingians (a good historical match-up).

I used 4 Cmds with a CIC in cmd of 8 rCvS and 2 rLhS a SG with 5 rCvS and 2 rLhS the 3rd Avar SG had 2 rCvS and 6 rLhS (he was set to outflank) the 4th Cmd was a Bulgar Ally with 2 iCvS 4 iLhS 4 iAxO 7 2 iPsO. 6 ARmy baggage completed ensemble.

The Franks fielded 4 (on table Cmds) with 3 Reg General and a Breton Ally. Bulk of troops were KnF supported by a few CvO some SpI and BwI with couple of PsO.

Franks were invaders meaning very little in way of terrain to chose from, 2 large GHs were plonked on Franks table edge with large boggy area in centre. My side of table had a couple of smallish boggy areas. Weather turned out to be mud in spring.

Franks deployed first moved first and with 5 and 6 on Pips they were able to march right into 'face' of my Cic cmd on my left (SG was outflanking on this side). On my turn the Bulgars went unreliable (nice of them) and little I could do march wise as Frank right up upon my deployed troops. I charged into the Knights with CvS and my CIC. I managed to win 7 combats killing 4 knights (yee hah) but on Frank turn I lost 3 elements to QKs. This meant oppossing Cmds were tettering and indeed both broke in following turn. No sign of outflankers though..........I did manage to kill a few more Kn in other Cmds getting close to breaking another Cmd. This was high point of my enterprise as loss of my CIC and biggest cmd combined with non-appearence of flankers and non-participation of Bulgars left me with 1 Cmd to do battle with. They lasted another couple of turns but could not inflict enough losses on Franks to turn things around and of course (predictably) on the turn the flanking Cmd arrived they broke endeing the game (16-9 loss)

A fun and exciting game fighting KnF which are vulnerable to Cvs if charged but are nasty on their turn with QK vs Cav. The Bulgars being unreliable (I had no opportunity to expend 3 pips to force their hand) combined with belated appearence of flankers was ultimately my downfall. Hindsight suggests the flanking group would have been better deployed on table (at least in part). But its a risk you take.....................

Knights right in my face on turn 1 !!

Another day another DBMM game

Another DBMM game vs George using POlybian Roman vs his Commagene

I used list post 202BC with the Reg SGs and an Iberian Ally (AxS)

I had one large Cmd with CiC and 12 Legion/6 Velites/3 Triarii with support from couple of Cretans and 2 Spainsh AxS, one SH had 8 Legion/4 Velites/2 Triarii backed by more Cretans. The other SG commanded 4 Cavalry and one Tarentine Lh. The Cic took centre stage baxcked on his left by other foot Cmd and on his right by Iberians. The Cav Cmd was placed behind Cics right (ie hiding from KnX !)

George had 3 Cmds with Central massive Cmd of Pikes with massed Bow I on flank of Phalanx lined with PsI and supported by couple of Aux and LhO. Both SG Cmds (on flanks) had 4 Cataphracts plus 6 LhF Skythians.

Not must terrain placed other than I (as Invader) placed a large DH on my left with Orchard to anchor flank. Another DH placed by George was on my rear right with a GH. A RF ended up on Georges base edge.

Weather was in my favour with a strong wind reducing Bow range by 80p (this never changed)

Not much subtlety in moves to come to contact as both centre plodded forward engaging in indecisive Psiloi skimishing (my Velites failing to gain upper hand vs I opponents) On wings the Skythians engaged my Ps and Iberians. Both sides took losses in Light Troops.

I moved some Blade on my left against Bow to find myself losing an element and others being recoiled. On same flank the Skythians managed to kill some Velites (2nd rank factor helped). This Cmd was soon disheartened. On my right things were fairly even with my Cav Cmd moving in support of Iberians to drive off the Skythians. In Centre some Velites managed to kill a Pike (due to not counting rear ranks vs Ps) and when blade got into contact they killed 2 more Pike, however they also lost a blade to shooting.

By this time my left flank Cmd was broken and then shattered (ie flank collapsed) and I could gain no advantage elsewhere (George Bows consistantly threw 6s for both shooting and melee !!

Time ran out on us and we called an end with me losing 25-2 as I had not managed to dishearten any Cmds

DBMM Solo

DBMM solo 400pt (test an army) game using Maurikian Byzantine vs Central Asian Turkish

Used same Turk army as that defeated by Feudal French, with Ummayyad Arab Ally and outflanking Horse Archer Cmd the Byzantines had 4 Cmds with Reg Bagg(Pip dump Cmd) with a Nomad (Lh) Ally Cmd.

Byzantines used a BUA to protect baggage, but their compulsory road failed to appear. Only terrain of not was a 1FE wood which split the Turk deployment area in two. This caused the isolation of one Turk cmd (CICs).

Both allies were reliable. The Ummayyad spears used the wood to anchor their flank and the Lt Cav cmd outflanked on Turk left. The Byz Skutatoi deployed opposite the Ummyyads with Cics Cav heavy force on Right the other Cmd and Nomads were on left (effectively 2 cmds vs the Turk CIC). Initial marches brought repective LH into charge ranges and kudos were intially even. Poor Pips by Turk CIC saw his CvS/O hit by Byz CvS/LhS/KnF and suffering losses. The Nomads moved onto flanks of Turk LhS and the CIC was soon disheartened. The Cavlary battle on right was fairly even with the Byz becoming aware of impending arrival of outflanking Cmd. The Skuatoi charged into the Arab spears and lost 2 stands. Following turn the Turk CIC broke and the Turk Cav cmd also became disheartened. The arrival of the outflanking Lh helped very little as Byz Sg had managed to move himself and other Cv toward the threat (good Pips and niffty column moves helped) Arab Asiwira aided the wavering Turks and the Byzs saw one of their Cmds become disheartened. Things were in balance until a couple of key melees saw the Turks lose another Cmd and end the game. Worked out at a 21-4 win for Byzantines.

Dbmm 9th May 2007

Game tonight vs George

My Central Asian Turks vs Feudal French

I used Turk with Ummayyad Arab allies (circa 737AD) vs Feudal French (post 1150AD).

I had 4 Cmds . French had 3 large Cmds.

Terrain was open in middle with couple of low hills a river on my left (placed by George) and 2 large woods. I was invader on clear bright morning. I deployed my Arabs front and centre with two Turks Cmds on flanks of Arab Spears, a 4th small Lh Cmd outflanked on right. A mass of spear and bow was in French centre with on my left a Cmd of BdF/Bw/Sp and on my right a large mass of Knight (of Superior type).

After initial French advance my Arabs of course promptly went unreliable and just as promptly my outflank declared their arrival (not much suspense there !). GeoI advanced on either side of the reluctant Arabs. Awful Pips and mistakenly counting the CVs as Impt saw my Turks disjointedly engage the French Knights and some Psiloi. Then the Knights piled in and my losses started (Bows also caused some Lh kills) Good Pips by George saw him able to respond to my flankers in good order. I did manage to hit A general in the rear but no KO ! (bugger) and impetuous charge on other flank by another French Gen saw him die ! (huzza) however the Knights began to mince my Nobles and dishearten then break my Cic cmd. Losses to the French Spear/Bow saw them dishearten also. But dispite the intervention of the roused Arabs (Impt enemy awakened their martial ardour) my losses mounted faster than French. We had to call time and it turned out a 14 to 11 win for French. Despite a few mistakes with rules (counting my CvS as Impt main gaffe) it was a fun and intense game

Dbmm 8th May 2007

Another game with Stephen using my Sassanids vs Late Imperial Romans

Only managed about 3 turns, after long waffling session :-) so not much to report

Dbmm Game 3rd May 2007

Another Dbmm outing with my Galatians vs Stephens Alexandrian Imperial

I used Galatians with 3 Commands (forgot to use 4th Dummy dice)the CiC in a Lt Chariot commanded 2 Chariots and 46 bases of WbS2 SGs had identical Cmds of Sg in Lt Chariot with 2 Lt Chariots 4Cavalry and 3 PsI. 6 Baggage was placed as Army baggage.

The Galatians Invaded and terrain consisted of a Wood near my baselinetwo Open Fields 2 small Craggy Hills (placed by me but stuck on enemybase edge by dicing) an Orchard and 2 Gentle Hills.

The Warband cmd formed in centre with Sg Cmds on either flank.Using Ambush Strategm 3 PsI occuppied the wood edge (were neverrevealed or moved)Alexandrians had (dont know exact composistion) a massed Phalanx incentre flanked with Peltasts and Light Horse.

Two nasty Elephants also abbuted the pikes. Companions formed a Cmd (we counted these as Wedgesbut on 30mm bases as Stephen not rebasing as yet).

More Lt Horse andseveral Psiloi formed the Macedons left. 1 Bolt Shooter completed theensemble. The Macedons used a Reg Baggage Camp (probably not going tobe allowed in offical list but what the hey) as Pip dump.

As hostilities opened the Phalanx and Warbands approached each other.Poor Pips by Celt SGs slowed there supporting moves.

The Companions moved by column (the column forming in Dbmm is pretty slick) to theirleft to harry Celt Cavalry.As the two main bodies approached each other a possible stand-offlooked on the offing but a 1 roll for the Celts saw their first 2ranks advance into charge range of pikemen who duly obliged in theirturn. The Mbyb stuff came into effect in next couple of turns with Warband suffering losses as Pikes counted 4 ranks vs 1 and ElephantsQK their opponnents.

BUT as warband only lost 1 rank they in theirturn fed in supporting warband and now counting as aggressors severalPikes were destroyed (killing 2 ranks with Wb is BIG benefit as is theS Wb gaining +1 if scoring equal allowing a QK).As this was happening the Companions engaged a line of Celt cavalryand in 2 turns defeated them disheartening this cmd.

On other flank neither side had suffcient Pips to engage.The decisive battle in the centre saw losses mounting to and fro onboth sides with a one point a despondant Macedonian declaring 'GameOver Man Game over !!" as he thought losses had broken his large cmd however a quick recheck found 'only' disheartened as several lostelements were from adjoining Cmd.............The Peltasts had suffered early losses but managed to flank the edgeof warband block and killed several (including two attacks on rearedges (this is nice change from DBM wherein the defender does notautomatically turn to face).

Eventually the main Galatiam cmd accumulated 19 Wb destroyed enough tobreak the cmd (55ME) and end the game.

Toting up it worked out as a 16 to 9 win for Alexanders lot.

Key points/issues from game were :Xyston 15mm figs are GIANTS !!! the Companions looked like they wereon steroids :-) they are 20mm figs ImhoPikes 4-deep can just about stand up to Warband in Dbmm theirmain 'weakness' being the loss of 2 stands in a QK (which leaves alonely 2 stds for next combat)

Elephants are VERY good with so many QKs in their own and enemy bounds.

The Companion wedges are rather niffty with never counting overlapped.

Dbmm deployment,terrain placement are an improvement over Dbm.

The Mbyb stuff and gradings give many subtle nuances to combat (butboy are they hard to keep track of !!)