Can the Tlaxcallans ever beat the Aztecs?

Has anyone discovered a good strategy for the Tlaxcallans(IV 19 ) to beat the the Aztecs(IV63) in DBA? I'm just starting out with them.

Thanks for any advice-besides praying and rolling 6's [img]smile.gif[/img]

Don Ray

You could probably get by with just rolling 5's


With an Agression of 1 and terrain type of Hilly I would expect that the Tlaxcallans should be able to set themselves up in a good defensive position with Ps supported Bd or massed bowfire to take on the Aztec Wb. So long as you don't venture into the open, his Bd are not going to cut through your Bw, and his Wb are not going to get rear rank bonus and a massive double move charge.

In fact I'd be wondering how the Aztecs could beat a competently generalled Tlaxcallan in this matchup.

Cheers

I've played this one a few times. It's pretty easy to be dismayed by the prospect of trying to shoot up the Aztec Blades before they grind your archers into sausage. Their warband are definitely a better target if you have to engage them in the open. Shooting and fighting down the slope of a steep hill is probably the most hopeful prospect. If the only bad going available to you is woods, occupy it anyway -- you're better off engaging the blades in melee combat in the woods than trying to shoot them in the open.

Andy Hooper
Bacteria Valley, Seattle

The Aztecs don't get many blades, and the Tlaxies get as many. Even in the open, Tlaxie bow is an even match for Aztec warband if you are careful -- there is no rear-rank bonus for Warband against bow. So the only crucial thing is this -- don't let him get his Blade into your Bow; get Bd against Bd and Bw against Wb. The steep hill advice is very good, if you've got one.

Two nice foot armies. I have played Tlaxcallans in DBM and have not lost vs Aztecs. Not many DBA in the battle record of Aztecs vs Tlax.

No flanking Cavalry to worry about. As with most DBA battles the initial setup will be key. Use the basic Nine principles of War and KOCOA concepts.

DK and I playerd Aztecs versus Tlaxies in the Armies of the Americas theme a couple years ago at Cold Wars. It was a close fought and intense game that ended up being called for going over the time limit. I was playing Tlaxies, and made preventing his Aztec blade from getting into my bow my #1 priority. I also managed to get myself a nice long steep hill [img]smile.gif[/img]

DS

Hey Don we sure proved that one on Monday night! LOL!!! It can be done TWICE IN A ROW!!!

"...a competent generalled...' -Yes, well this may well be the problem, Macbeth [img]smile.gif[/img]

Thanks everyone for the very helpful advice.

I still remain somewhat doubtful about the Tlaxcallan chances against the Aztecs.For example, as Mike notes in our last DBA session, the Tlaxcallans won both battles,but how typical were these? In the first battle,on bound 1, as the Tlaxcallans I made a lightening thrust up the road to the Aztec(actuallyTlaxcallan) temple/BUA, close combat killed the Aztec bow defenders and captured the BUA. The Aztecs then attacked the BUA with their Wb, lost the dice roll and recoiled into the flanks of their own elements- at this point it was Tlaxcallans 4, Aztec s 0. This was a Tlaxcallan victory,but perhaps a one-off ? In the second battle, Mike perfomed his "infamous hinged line of death" , adopting the advice of Macbeth, Andy,David K.(outstanding Aztec temple that you built !),Rudyand David S.(Great advice on A&T' in BBDBA!) before he had even read their advice!The Tlaxcallans won that one.

However, the previous DBA session I and Mike each lost a game playing the Tlaxcallans, hence my question on the possibilities for the Bw-heavy 2's of Tlaxcallan to defeat consistently the Aztec Wb 3's.

Dare I say it ?-On to the Rose Bowl of the 1400's

Don Ray

Rudy, I'm not familiar with the Nine principles of War or the KOCOA concepts. Would you please send the references for them to me at < ray@ucalgary.ca > ?

Thanks,

Don Ray

I'm not familiar with them either.