So here's part 2 (of 3) of our refight of Chaeronea 86BC.
Above is the situation at the end of the first Pontic turn. I was worried that the Romans would try to rout my own Scythed chariots back through my lines (using an optional rule we play), and decided to play a "mounted charge" in order to get them a safe distance from my phalanx! This same card also enabled me to use my cavalry to attack the Chaeronean Roman allies who had appeared, behind my light troops, on Mount Thibron (more anon). The mounted charge also gave my troops a +1 in combat. One of the chariots was destroyed, and the other routed, but they did manage to inflict heavy casualties on the units on the end of the Roman line.
Above is the charge of my cavalry against the plucky but isolated Chaeronean patriots. My charge killed two stands, and the remainer were killed when they unsuccessfully counter-attacked my cavalry in the next Roman turn. I was delighted with this success (since uphill mounted charges are generally a poor bet!). On the downside, my cavalry were somewhat out of position (too far over to the right) and Archelaus, my general, played little part in the rest of the battle.
Above is the second and final charge of my surviving scythed chariot; it almost managed to wipe out a unit of Romans before it was destroyed.
Ian and Barry decided to ignore my cavalry wing and pressed forward in the centre. They played a second Line Command to move their entire centre forward; against which I played "Counter-attack", which enabled me to retreat my entire line one hex; right against the table edge. I was playing for time...
And here, in the final shot in today's post; the Romans have doubled forward using (I think) an Inspired General card, and the Marius' legion rule which enables them to move 2 hexes. My light infantry are looking very uncomfortable as they have no retreat path...
I'll post the conclusion of the battle, tomorrow.
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