posted August 15, 2000 19:11               

Jumbo crushed the camp followers and that was that.

posted August 15, 2000 10:28               

Devastating bow fire (with overlaps) in the village dominated early play on the right flank. One blade was killed in that manner; another was recoiled out of the village where a Knight ran it over, then a third blade was shot down.

A desperate Marian assault on the left flank bore early results, as a Bactrian Knight was killed by a blade (with two overlaps), and a pair of blades with Cav support hit and destroyed an Elephant. The Bactrian general (El) scotched the breakout, first recoiling a blade (at +5:+2), then killing the Cav that did for the other jumbo (at +6:+2, with a LH overlap assistance).

Final score: 4-2 win for Bactria. Good luck with massed bowfire was the main ingredient in my success.

posted August 15, 2000 09:58               

In more current news, the Ancient British had Mastadon's Later Seleucids over for a spot of tea and cucumber sandwiches. But I have to admit that the boys were rather rude hosts, beating our guests 4-0 (taking advantage of some very fortunate die rolls). Hopefully the Seleucids will be kinder to us on their home turf.

El' Jocko's Ancient British defeat Mastadon's Later Seleucids 4-0, on British ground.

- Jack

posted August 13, 2000 23:06               

A particularly satisfying victory for me as this is the first time I have even come close to beating David.

The battle lines rapidly became disordered on both sides in the effort to avoid poor match ups.

The bactrians gained first blood. An attack by Ptolemaic pikes against Bactrian Bw was only one rank deep. The bows withdrew and the Bactrian Gen led double ranked Pike in their place. The Ptolemaic Pikes collapsed and things were not off to a good start.

The Ptolemaics then decided good match ups were overrated and attacked a unit of Knights with blades (admittedly double overlap bolstered their courage. The Knights were killed after a couple of attempts and from then on the Ptolemaic morale seemed to be buoyed (pretty good combat and PIP rolls).

The other unit of Bactrian Knights tried to restore their honour by riding down a unit of single ranked Pikes, but the Pikes prevailed.

It was then the turn of the Bactrian Elephants. One unit died to Aux the other was trampled by the Ptolemaic El with his Knight General shouting encouragement from the sidelines (overlap support).

Futsukayoi

posted August 13, 2000 12:32               

Caesar has defeated the armies of Pontus, 4-1.

HRH RIII

posted August 13, 2000 12:15               

quote:

---

Originally posted by Slipper:
Thanks for the game Mastadon. I really enjoyed it, even though I admit I had little to do with the outcome.

---

posted August 13, 2000 05:22               

quote:

---

Originally posted by David Kuijt:
Who can stop these Han? Who? Where? When?

Me, that's who! (at least once, anyway)

Thanks for the game, Slipper! You outplayed me, I think.

---

No David, it's only the result that counts when you decide who was outplayed But any game is a good game when you learn something new, as I did in that game. The Han is turning into one of my favourite armies, which is rather remarkable considering that I have never bothered to field them before.

However they managed to salvage their reputation with another win, this time in a tough battle against Futsukayoi's Later Ptolemaic army in his choice of the Pass.

As usually occurs on this map, all of the fighting centred around possession of the pass. The Han set up with their crossbowmen positioned to take the rough hill on one side of the pass, with a strong force (Cv(G), Cv, 2 x LH, Ps) on the left flank and one Cv and the Sp elements guarding the right flank and the pass itself.

The Greeks positioned their phalanx, two ranks deep, to assault the hill held by the crossbowmen, with an El and Ps guarding their right and Kn(G), Bd, Wb and LH guarding the left.

The battle opened with the Han LH conducting a forced march from left flank to right flank, to take possession of the gentle hill on the other side of the pass. This caused the Greeks to move their Kn(G), supported by Wb and LH over to their left flank to oppose them and effectively denying their use as reserves on the Greek right. The Han LH withdrew and left the Greeks in possession of the hill.

The Greeks advanced their formidable phalanx, still with flanks secured by El and Bd, against the Han Cb on the hill. Massed bowfire from the Cb's was able to recoil and fragment part of the phalanx and destroy one Pk element. The Han left flank Cv redeployed to try to take the El and Ps in flank. (Losses: Han 0, Greek 1)

Here the server crash intervened and may have disadvantaged the Greeks. Apparently one favourable Greek bound was lost and the Han were given a double bound. No elements were moved and careful shot selection ensured that there was no apparent change, but the next Greek turn had less MP than the Greeks got in their "disappeared" bound.

The Greeks were able to move into close combat with the bowmen and the Elephant trampled an Cb under foot, but this left the Greek main force dangerously flanked by the Han Cv and Ps, and a Greek Ps was destroyed by the Han Cv attack. (Losses Han 1, Greek 2)

The Greek phalanx rumbled forward, destroying another Bw and recoiling the remaining 2, and the Greek left flank forces moved up into range to attack the LH screening the Han right flank. (Losses: Han 2, Greek 2)

In a courageous move, the Han Ps charged forward against the Greek El, supported only by an equally courageous Han Cb to take away the overlap provided by Pk. Result: Elephant steaks for dinner tonight Unfortunately, the Han Cb did not live to enjoy them. (Losses: Han 3: Greek 3)

In what should have been the final bound the Greek Kn(G) charged to the attack agaisnt a Han LH, with a Greek LH providing an overlap. And double ranked Pk advanced against the lone remaining Cb holding the hill. result ... Han LH recoiled but survived (followed up by the Kn(G) and the Cb pushed the phalanx back! (Pk fight in one rank against Bw in the first contact).

The chance of victory now lay with the Han, and they were not going to let it slip. Cv and LH provided overlaps against the Greek general and the gallant Ps advanced to attack a Pk, at the same time, the Han Cv(G) pinned the Pk to prevent a recoil. Both attacks were successful ending a tough and very tense game where both sides had their opportunities.

Final result: Slipper's Han defeated Futsukayoi's Later Ptolemaic's 5G:3 on Futsukayoi's choice of the Pass.

This was an epic battle between two well matched armies and two well matched generals in terrain that made the battle interesting without determining the result.

Thanks for the great game Futsukayoi.

posted August 12, 2000 23:22               

Me, that's who! (at least once, anyway)

My glorious Bacterium (errr... I mean Bactrians) have beaten the Han 4-2 (as scored by the game) as follows.

The Han chose Mesopotamia as their battlefield, a truly poopy place for Bacterians. (errr... Bactrians, I mean). My early possession of Little Round Top in the center was shattered by devastating enfilade fire, where four Han crossbows were firing at two Bactrian bow. Didn't last long, and quickly I was down 2-0. The situation was hopeless.

Not quite! Summoning up his ju-ju, my Pike leader grabbed a supporting pike and ran towards the road. Then down the road, and down, and down, way past the whole Han army. Then he pushed his way through the woods (over several turns) and attacked the Han camp. A Han spear ran to intercept; a Han Light Horse likewise tried to ZOC the two valiant Bacterium. After some bloody fighting the Han LH was routed off the map, and some slow heavy-foot maneuvering later the Han spear's ZOC was blocked by the (sacrificial) Pike so the General could throw himself at the fortifications. Repeatedly.

Other battles elsewhere came to naught, and the Han spear couldn't kill the Bactrian pike (in spite of bad going) at +2:+1 in two attacks. My desperate General, fighting (in bad going) at +2:+3 against the camp was thrown back several times (there's nothing quite as scary as throwing your General into the wrong side of a low-factor attack), but managed to win out in the end.

Final score: I killed two elements and held the camp, Slipper killed two elements: 4-2 for me.

They say necessity is the mother of invention. In this case, that might be better phrased as "desperation is the mother of ... well, more desperation". But the desperate plan worked.

Thanks for the game, Slipper! You outplayed me, I think.

posted August 12, 2000 08:40               

We met on the Autumn board - Mastadon's choice of terrain.

First, a Seleucid Ax disintegrated in the face of the combined bowfire of two Han Cb elements and a 1:6 dice roll.

Next, a LH died valiantly defending the Seleucid left flank in an even fight against a Han LH, dice roll 1:4.

Then, an overlapped Kn evaporated in an even fight against a Han Cv, dice roll 1:5.

A Ps decided to do the same thing in an even fight against a Han Ps, dice roll 1:5.

And as the final coup-de-gras, another Seleucid Kn in a one-on-one fight against a Han LH must have tripped over their own feet to roll 2:6 and die.

Final result Han defeated the Seleucids 5:0.

Napoleon would have promoted the Han General to Marshal of France on the spot! He always valued luck over ability.

posted August 11, 2000 02:46               

3:3 and the Han had been driven back the length of the cliff, their backs to the edge of the world - when all of a sudden, 2 pips! and the slippery Han cavalry managed to sneak around behind the Greeks, pin and destroy DK's Pk(G).

Final result: Han emerged victorious 4G:3.

posted August 07, 2000 15:59               

Final score: Bactrian victory, 4-2, on Bactrian choice of terrain.

The other battle is going solidly Don's way, though; aggressive flanking movement on his part and poor response to it on mine have put me in a 3-0 hole.

posted August 07, 2000 15:32               

quote:

---

Originally posted by Lord Jeff:

The battle initially went poorly for Pontus, with the Seleucids driving back their left wing and destroying a light horse with their scythed chariot and the Pontic scythed chariot with a knight. The Seleucid light horse general attempted to charge down the extreme right of the battlefield but was caught and engaged by a Pontic cavalry unit.

---

Well, not quite right. I wasn't trying to charge down the right only to get caught. When your Cav killed my SCh, one of your Knights had engaged one of my Knights. Due to the angles I couldn't engage your Kn with my LHG, and I'd rather not have engaged your Cav with my LHG. But I couldn't leave your Cav free to flank my Kn, so I moved locked your Cav in my ZOC w/o engaging. That way there would be one less turn of combat and you would have to move into combaat with your MPs.

Unfortunately, you moved in and killed him right away, which was decisive. Had it taken a couple of turns, things would have been different.

posted August 07, 2000 15:11               

The battle initially went poorly for Pontus, with the Seleucids driving back their left wing and destroying a light horse with their scythed chariot and the Pontic scythed chariot with a knight. The Seleucid light horse general attempted to charge down the extreme right of the battlefield but was caught and engaged by a Pontic cavalry unit.

At this point things started to go bad for Seleucidon. The Seleucid knight that had destroyed the chariots was engaged and steadily driven back by the Pontic knights. The big turning point then came when the Pontic cavalry scored a 6-1 and slew the Seleucid general. The battle still hung in the balance as the Seleucids managed to flank and destroy a Pontic phalanx bringing the score to 3-1G.

At this point the Pontic light troops entered the battle with decisive effect. The Seleucid knight that had flanked the phalanx was itself flanked and destroyed by the Pontic general and a psiloi, while a Seleucid phalanx was flanked by Pontic auxila but managed to hold for a turn. The battle ended when the Pontic general managed to destroy a lone pike unit with Psiloi support while on the far side of the field the Pontic Sarmatian mercenary knight managed to drive their opponent off the edge of the battlefield after holding them there for a bout 5 turns.

Final score: Lord Jeff's Pontics defeat Mastadon's Later Seleucids 4G-3 on Mastadons choice of terrain.

posted August 07, 2000 14:45               

The critical fighting was in the village itself, where a good early barrage of bowfire (with overlap) slaughtered the Pontic auxilia, and after some significant effort fighting through the houses the G-B bowmen managed to shoot down one Pontic psiloi as well. Dominance of the village gave the G-B army a firing platform that allowed it to push the Pontics back, back, back, in the face of overwhelming pike blocks with archery support. The final element to die was a front-rank Pontic pikeman, hit with overlap by a G-B phalanx block, when massed archery fire into the second rank of the Pontics forced a recoil, leaving the front-rank guy without support at +5:+2.

Thanks for the game, Jeff!

posted August 06, 2000 00:09               

And the lesson was this: it is better to be lucky than good!

Jeff and I played a very tight game, with dominance flipping from side to side, and gradually mounting casualties. Finally he got an advantage, fighting his way back up to 2-2 and getting his pike to "stick" in combat with my bow. Next bound I got only 1 pip, and couldn't save the bloody thing; now that the back rank counted as well the bow was slain at +5:+2 and Jeff was up 3-2. Jeff got lots of pips, and mounted a brilliant and massive assault. Double pike hit my single pike, and Jeff's Cav General hit the flank! Surely victory would be his! He was going to be rolling with +6:+2 factors. Even if I managed to luck out with a 6-1 roll, it would only delay the end, as my center was in chaos.

So what happens? My longbow rolls a 6-1 to kill his supporting pike at +2:+3. Now my pike recoils his single-rank pike at +2:+3, and his General is recoiled into the back of another pike of his and dies. Game over. On a turn where my defeat was next-thing-to certain, and it seemed impossible for me to kill anything, by a miracle of the random number generator and the tactical situation bang-bang two of Jeff's dudes die and I win.

Sorry, Jeff!

Result: my G-Bs defeat Jeff's Pontics, 4G-3 (ignoring the Scythed Chariot as always; it died somewhere in there) on G-B home turf.

Thomo, you're the most unlucky fellow I've seen. But even you've never shown me a feat of probability management as staggering as Jeff just did.

posted August 04, 2000 11:15               

Caesar has defeated the Pontics of Lord Jeff, 4-2.

posted August 04, 2000 08:56               

David Schlanger versus Bill
55b. Bosphoran versus 59. Marian Roman
Green Hill
Bosphorans win 3G-2

posted August 02, 2000 08:52               

David Schlanger vs. Thomo the Lost
55b. Bosphoran vs. 45. Galatian
Need to Drain that Swamp
Bosphorans win 4-1.

David Schlanger vs. Thomo the Lost
55b. Bosphoran vs. 45. Galatian
Lowland
Bosphorans win 4-2G in an extremely close battle.

posted August 02, 2000 08:50               

Thanks. Yes, let's finish it anyway. It was the DBAOL server moving at a sluggish pace that was the problem - not sure what was going on with it.

Thomo,

Thanks for the note, our games just finished - so I will post them here. The Galatians are really cool. David Kuijt and I are currently working on a Gallic, Ancient Brit, Galatian morph. We're still looking for a good representation of the Galatian scythed chariot though. We're using a mix of figures, with quite a few coming from POTN.

posted August 02, 2000 06:14               

quote:

---

Originally posted by David Schlanger:
Hey Bill and Thomo,

I know it's my fault our games (Bosphoran vs. Marians and Bosphoran vs. Galatians) have been slow to develop, but let's try to get them done by the deadline tonight. I should be around my computer most of the day and evening. So, if you get a chance - let's try to get it done. If not, so be it

David S.

[This message has been edited by David Schlanger (edited July 31, 2000).]

---

I don't know what the problems have been but getting stuff down from the DBAOL server has been difficult over the last 48 hours.

At the moment, it has taken 15 minutes to send one game update (not one of ours, I am still trying to get that down from the server).

We'll finish them anyways, if you like, as I am starting to enjoy the Galatians so much that I have been tempted to get some actual figures

posted August 01, 2000 18:58               

I am having technical difficulties from home with my ability to restore the game individually or my alias as a whole - which is what I do when I have made bounds from my computer at work. I'm sorry if I kept you hanging. We were so close to finishing too!

posted August 01, 2000 18:39               

The History of the World (so far):

The years 100-50 BC were turbulent ones for the world as the various powers vied for dominance in their own areas before further expansion.

The Far East

The rise of the evil Fu Slipper Chu, Emperor of the Han, was the dominant story in the east. The combination of a well balanced army and inscrutably devilish tactics enabled the Han to conquer all who dared oppose them. Only the Indo-Greek remnants of Alexander's empire under their leader Davidios Kuijtios were able to maintain independence (and that only a leperous existance as hill bandits) after two defeats at the hands of the Han. The ancient empires of India and Parthia were subjugated and the Skythian horsemen driven deep into their endless steppes as the Han marched relentlessly westward.

Asia Minor

In Asia Minor the Pontic Army under the courageous Jeffridates Eupator was able to conquer the fierce Galatians, in spite of the terrifying sight of their colorfully woaded leader Thomolostix frothing fearsomely in his chariot and tossing what appeared to be chicken drumsticks at all who ventured too close. Pontus also managed to fight the rapacious Roman and ambitious Armenians to a standstill to maintain a tenuous control of the region. Putting in an appearance late in the round were the Bophorans. Thought to be a mythical non-existant people early in the period, the Bophorans proved to be all too real, with only the gallant army of Pontus able to fight them to a draw.

The Middle East and Africa

The Selucid empire, all but destroyed by the Parthians, reasserted itself in this period under the leadership of the fiendish Seleucidon VII. The Seleucid elephants drove all before them and established an empire that covered the middle east and extended into North Africa. The arch rivals of the Seleucids were the Egyptains led by Ptolekayoi. Though defeated by Selucidon, they maintained an independent kingdom on the Upper Nile and await their opportunity for revenge. The Numidians and Blemye fought bravely but futilely against the two Alexandrian successor states, but in the end their bids for power failed and they faded back into their desert lands to await better times. Roman intervention in ther region was unsuccessful, though the seasoned legions of the west may soon turn to the east.

Europe

An ambitous Roman general named Richarius Caesar was the dominant factor in Europe, adding Spain, Thrace, and Ireland as new Roman provinces. Only in Britain did he meet with defeat, where the fierce warbands and chariots were able to turn back the Roman invasion and even successfully raid the Roman provinces. Though undefeated in battle, the British might have achieved more in this period had they left their islands. The opportunity now awaits them for world dominance in the second half of the century.

The Next 50 Years?

Thanks to everyone for playing and congratulations to all those who made it into the world domination round! The eight contestants for world domination are:

Slipper - Han Chinese
David Kuijt - Bactrian and Indo-Greek
Lord Jeff - Pontic
David Schlanger - Bosphoran
Mastadon - Later Seleucid
Futsukayoi - Later Ptolmeic
Richard III - Marian Roman
El'Jocko - Ancient British

The rules are the same as for the first round. Everybody plays each other twice, with each side getting to win the terrain roll once. Round 2 will end midnight eastern time on September 4 (which gives us a couple of extra days and the Labor Day weekend to finish all the games).

You may send your challenges starting now. I will have the web page up shortly with the tables for the World Domination round. The winner will get the prize of being able to boast insufferably about his victory.

posted August 01, 2000 14:06               

quote:

---

Originally posted by David Kuijt:
Hi Jeff,

My game with Nightmare is nearly finished -- I'm up 3-1, and his flank has collapsed after the slaughter of his second elephant. Unless something disastrous happens to even the scales it will be over quickly -- I've got two double-deep files of pikes with a Knight and Elephant in support marching against his camp, with only a HCh and a pair of cav (all separate, no groups, and the HCh in ZOC) to block. In two turns I'll very likely have killed the HCh or hit the camp with a double file of pikes.

Although Pete might get lucky on the other flank with his longbow, it's going to be very difficult for him to kill three elements before I get a fourth. So either way, the game will be over very soon -- likely in two or three bounds at most.

---

OK. That result won't likely change the standings then, since you were ahead going into the game. Hopefully you'll finish it up tonight.

I'll be writing up the History of World (so far) around 7 or 8 tonight. We'll see who is added to the ranks of the evil Fu Slipper Chu, Seleucidon, and Richarius Caesar as the contenders in the World Domination round, with only the honorable and mighty Jeffridates Eupator to stop them and prevent a new dark age.....

posted August 01, 2000 13:20               

My game with Nightmare is nearly finished -- I'm up 3-1, and his flank has collapsed after the slaughter of his second elephant. Unless something disastrous happens to even the scales it will be over quickly -- I've got two double-deep files of pikes with a Knight and Elephant in support marching against his camp, with only a HCh and a pair of cav (all separate, no groups, and the HCh in ZOC) to block. In two turns I'll very likely have killed the HCh or hit the camp with a double file of pikes.

Although Pete might get lucky on the other flank with his longbow, it's going to be very difficult for him to kill three elements before I get a fourth. So either way, the game will be over very soon -- likely in two or three bounds at most.

posted August 01, 2000 08:47               

Unfortunately, I still have three unfinished games. Both games against Thomo are close to finishing. The one against Bill, not quite as close. Maybe something will happen before 7PM tonight.

posted July 31, 2000 15:28               

El'Jocko's Ancient British defeated Young Stan's Scots-Irish, 4-0, on the Scots-Irish home board.

posted July 31, 2000 09:56               

I know it's my fault our games (Bosphoran vs. Marians and Bosphoran vs. Galatians) have been slow to develop, but let's try to get them done by the deadline tonight. I should be around my computer most of the day and evening. So, if you get a chance - let's try to get it done. If not, so be it

David S.

posted July 30, 2000 22:57               

Outside the village, a Roman battle group ran into strong Pontic forces led by Jeffridates himself. Seizing the opportunity, the Romans charged. The Pontic scythe chariot was quickly destroyed along with its blade escort.

On the opposite side of the village, Pontic cavalry lured Roman cavalry into an engagement. At the moment of contact, Pontic Psloi leaped from the sheltering woods onto the Roman flank. The Roman horse died gallantly.

In the village, Roman blades were gradually gaining the upper hand and another Pontic Auxilia died. At the same time Jeffridates own situation was grim. Battle surged back and forth as Jeffridates struggled for advantage. At last, a Roman blade assaulted the front of Jeffridates own Pontic Kn. while Bill's bodyguard attacked their flank.
Jeffridates tried to recoil away but was pulled down from his horse and killed.

Marian Romans defeat Pontus 2-4G.

posted July 30, 2000 22:20               

It helped that the heat wave in Cyprus thawed all of Thomo's chickem legs while Bill's duck drumsticks made pleasing sacrifices to the dice gods. Marian Romans defeat Galatians 0-4.

The Marian Roman/Galatian rematch was a long (39 bounds), tough struggle on the Hidden Crossroads map that worked out to be a battle on the river line with a Roman left hook.

Thomo deployed his warbands on his left with his mobile troops including the dreaded scythe chariot around the road over the stream. The Romans drew up along the stream to meet them.

Movement was slow for both sides with Bill and Thomo following their low, low, very low movement roll tradition. Eventually, the Romans got across the river on their left and engaged Thomo's mobile troops. The scythe chariot died, a light chariot died, and two cavalry died, the last on a combat roll of six by Bill! (Many ducks gave up their legs to aid that roll.) The Romans lost a Psloi and a Cv in return.

All of this noise woke the slumbering (perhaps drunken?) Galatian warbands who threw caution to the winds and surged across the river and into the waiting Roman blades. (Thomo finally threw a movement roll larger than two!)The battle ended with this rush as two Roman blades disappeared under the weight of the Galatians. Of special note is the fact that Thomo rolled a five and a six on these combats against Bill's one and one.
Galatians defeat Romans 3-4.

Thomo and I have gotten used to some truely pathetic die rolls. When fives and sixes appear, the howls disturb the neighbors and the excitement is tremendous.

posted July 29, 2000 00:13               

David Schlanger vs. Stelzone
55b. Bosphoran vs. 44. Early Armenian
Afganistan
5G-0

David Schlanger vs. Stelzone
55b. Bosphoran vs. 44. Early Armenian
Green Hell
3G-2