The last few weeks have seen a bit more boardgame playing... mainly Eclipse which is an excellent 4X space game. It reminded me a lot of the computer game Stellaris. We played it with 3 players and then with 6 which made for very different games but both really enjoyable (especially since I won!!)
This weeks game was a change with my friend Anthony's fantastic 54mm Roman and German figures and using the Portable Wargames Rules.
 |
| The German commander |
 |
| German cavalry in the wood |
The battlefield was an open plain (the Teutoburger forest was clearly suffering from over deforestation!) so no chance of my Germans skulking in the forest, and both sides ignored any attempts at subtlety and charged at each other. On one flank the cavalry spent several turns fighting ineffectively in the small wood on the flank. Eventually the Roman cavalry broke off and turned instead on a German infantry warband which was merrily slaughtering Roman archers, but this proved its undoing as the Germans pursued them and eventually wiped them out.
 |
| The cavalry clash in the forest |
 |
| The Roman commander |
In the centre it was more of a slog... the Romans had the advantage of being tougher (with an extra strength point) but the Germans were faster and had a bonus if they charged. The Germans were able to use this speed to their advantage, turning the Roman flank and rolling up the legions. There will be questions asked back in Rome!!
The rules are ideal for an evening game and remind me of a cross between Command and Colours and DBA. The figures (a variety of makes and conversions) were really lovely and looked great!
A most colourful post and splendid figures. I have Romans EIR in 28mm and my friend has Germans. I always feel it is an iconic encounter only rivalled by Romans v Ancient Britains, who take me back through time and space to Airfix games of my youth.
ReplyDeleteThe 54mm figures are full of character and l am glad they fought so well. Sounds like a terrific evening.
I have played 2 games with Anthony and one with my friend Ian using the rules and Romans vs Germans or Romans vs Ancient Brits. The Romans have lost each time! I am starting to wonder if the legions should be rated Elite to give them a fighting chance!
ReplyDeleteGlad you enjoyed the game Alastair-you didn't need forests to beat the Romans! Mike, I think your idea is a good one; at present the combo of barbarian charge bonus and extra square of movement makes tribal armies deadly. They are more maneuverable than Romans and better in melee, as well as costing less in points and therefore outnumbering the Romans.
ReplyDeleteThere definitely does seem to be little advantage for the Romans, even in an equal points game with open terrain
ReplyDeleteI forgot to add that your photos as always are excellent, Alastair!
ReplyDelete