Help in handicapping: Gallic v. Carthage

I might be running a BBDBA game between Gauls and Later Carthaginians. In looking over these my first inclination is that the Carthos have an advantage with elephants and more Cv/LH.

How do others feel?

In setting up this game (for 2-4 players) do the Gauls need a little help to make it a close to even game?

The Carthos only have more LH/Cv than the Gauls if they don't take any elephants.

I would see it this way:

MOUNTED
Carthos 1 Cv, 1 LH VS. Gauls 3 Cv
Advantage - Gauls

ELEPHANTS
Carthos 2 El VS. Gauls 0
Big Advantage - Carthos

BAD GOING
Carthos 1 Ax, 1 Ps VS. Gauls 1 Ps
Advantage - Carthos

HEAVY FOOT
Carthos 3 Sp, 3 Wb VS. Gauls 8 Wb
Big Advantage - Gauls

It seems pretty even to me. I think the key will be who can get their favorable match-up first.

Carthos want to get their Elephants into pretty much anything but that 1 Ps. The El will completely chew up Wb or Cv. But, they can't go in unsupported.

Gauls want to primarily get their Wb into the Carthos Sp (very juicy), and secondarily take advantage of their superior Cv.

With the Wb double move, and the Elephants extra PIP cost -- I'd only give a slight edge to the Carthos. Maybe you could restrict them to 1 Elephant (as per Hannibal's army in Europe).

Mark

p.s. for BBDBA, just triple this analysis

[ May 07, 2003, 18:36: Message edited by: Pozanias ]

Originally posted by Pozanias:
The Carthos only have more LH/Cv than the Gauls if they don't take any elephants.

I would see it this way:

MOUNTED
Carthos 1 Cv, 1 LH VS. Gauls 3 Cv
Advantage - Gauls

Good analysis. My Gauls don't have chariots, so the General is a Wb, giving them 2 Cv and 9 Wb, reducing the Gallic advantage.

Your point about the Sp and Wb (Juicy) is apt, as I have learned a couple times to my peril. (Sir Galahad sez: "Just a little peril?")In general, I really like Sp as a troop type, but against Wb, they are just targets.

JFM

John,
The Gauls will have a tough time. They can win but only by using mounted on the flanks to bleed PIPs away from the Elephants. If the Elephants can be immobilized to a degree, then perhaps a set up for Wb to double move into the Sp can be accomplished. Also consider hiding Wb in terrain and launching the double moves from there. it will lure the Carthos into thinking the Wb will be easy meat [img]smile.gif[/img]

That is unless they send a lone Ps up to bugger the Wb [img]smile.gif[/img]

Wanax

If you want to handicap Hannibal's army even more make them take more Psiloi than Warbands.

Also if you want to use House Rules reduce the Bad going penalty for the Warbands to -1.

Carthage is really going to be hampered on PIPs.

I'd make the one low dice command very small (the minimum 6 elements) or Cv and LH.

Marty

Thanks for the thoughts. If the game comes off I'll post a report.

JFM