Game Reports

Imperial Rome against The Gauls Tactica style

Posted by PaulRPetri on 20 Nov 2022, 18:26

I was able to host another Tactica game this time pitting my Imperial Romans, first time on the gaming table, against the Barbarian Horde. Some of the Barbarians have seen action in the Carthaginian army.

Since there was only going to be five of us gaming I kept the army sizes to the ones listed in the rules, I usually upscale my armies to 1 1/2 the rule suggested sizes, and played on a 8 foot wide by 6 foot deep gaming space. Not my usual ten and half foot by six foot table.

Those with a keen eye will notice new ground cover for this game. My buddy Sam bought 3 of these 6 foot by 4 foot matts made from mouse pad material. They are excellent!! Many thanks Sam!!

We will start with the armies prior to battle.

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Close up of the Roman army
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Barbarian host
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I actually took a fair amount of pictures. Here are the initial set up shots. The Barbarians were able to place six one foot square tree sections anywhere on the board. The Barbarian foot and light troops could move through the woods with no movement penalty while all of the Roman Cohorts moved at half speed. Only our skirmish and light infantry were uneffected.

The Imperial Romans lined up in their deployment columns.
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The Barbarians in their deployment columns.
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Barbarian skirmishers deploy into the woods.
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With a wave of his sword Paulus The Barbarian Slayer, (That's me!), orders his army forward!
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Lines of Roman light troops screen the advance.
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Confusion reigns in the Barbarian ranks as cavalry is blocked by Barbarian foot troops. Major traffic jam!
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Barbarian foot streams into the woods as a cavalry column is unsure of its next move.
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The Roman columns move ever forward to crush the Barbarian host!
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The Romans with precision snap into battle formations as only a Roman Army can achieve! A Barbarian player stairs on in amazement! I am really laying it on thick!
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Roman cavalry on the left flank readies itself as Barbarian skirmishers line the woods.
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Roman lights exchange missile fire with the Barbarian skirmish line.
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Barbarian forces continue to stream into the woods.
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No Petri battle report is complete without the "Giant Hand" of fate! Moving Barbarian light troops forward.
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A look down the line from the Roman right flank.
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In the center the stage is being set for a gigantic clash!
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On the Roman left light troops are doing harm to each other. On the very left of the image Barbarian horse readies itself for a charge.
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The empty space on the Roman left flank after my horse and the Barbarian horse wiped each other out!! The flank is open!
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The climax in the middle is nearing.
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The Barbarians on our right flank move out from the woods.
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On the Roman right the Barbarians have been tempted out of their wood hideout to engage the Roman Horse.
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Things in the center begin to heat up!
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My reserve Roman Cohort is about to move into the attack to tip the balance in my favor!
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Same situation from the Barbarian perspective.
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On the left the Barbarian appear ready to charge.
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The battle lines are fighting it out. Barbarian chariots are moving into open space to attack.
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A shot from behind the Barbarian lines showing the Roman Horse on our right flank engaging a Barbarian mass.
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I was able to take out a Barbarian formation on the left about to move in and engage the next mass. Barbarian chariots still on the move in the background.
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In the cenetr anothe barbarian units has been eliminated.
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Both sides are wearing down in the center.
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On the right our barve Roman horse have been driven off! Oh the humanity!
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At this point in the battle we were getting close to army break points. Now upon first reading this rule it seems unimportant but once game play starts its true importance really comes to the fore. The side that wins the initiative for the turn, competitive D6 roll determines the Melee Direction. The big red arrow in the next shot shows that Romans winning the toss selected to fight out the melees, one at a time, starting on the Roman right flank. The Barbarian units on our right and in the center were weakened while I had two Roman Cohorts on the left about to go.
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The deciding fight in the center. Second shot showing my combat roll with only 1 dice a miss! My dice rolling was on fire all night. Never happems for me!
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Romans in the center closing in for the kill.
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The Barbarian final unit is removed! A Roman victory!
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Of note the Barbarians have 6 main battle line units made up of 48 figures each. Only when 3 of those units are destroyed is their army beaten. Any Barbarian skirmishers, cavalry or chariots that are eliminated do not count towards the army break point. On the flip side the Romans have 8 Cohorts of 24 figures each and four of them have to be destroyed for a Barbarian win. On the turn that the Romans won the game I had two Cohorts that most assuradly would have been broken. Having the melee direction start at the other end of the board stopped the game the second the Barbarian 3rd unit was eliminated.

A great game with great friends. Thanks fellas.

Happy Thanksgiving everyone.

And as always thanks for looking!
PaulRPetri  United States of America
 
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Posted by Minuteman on 21 Nov 2022, 10:08

This all looks excellent, and the 'grand manner' that you employ to play your games is always very impressive. Thanks for all the photos and the comprehensive battle report. Great stuff! :yeah:
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Posted by Kekso on 21 Nov 2022, 12:04

Now, that is some battle report.
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Kekso  Croatia

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Posted by Michael Robert on 21 Nov 2022, 15:59

Roma vixit. Roma imperat

Lots to see
A pleasure
Michael
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Michael Robert  France

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Posted by PaulRPetri on 22 Nov 2022, 14:57

Thanks Minuteman, Kekso and Michael for your very kind comments.
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Posted by blacksmith on 22 Nov 2022, 18:54

You had tons of fun! How much I envy you :mrgreen:
Awesome armies.
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Posted by Rich W on 23 Nov 2022, 00:51

As always Paul, excellent work! You've got a great set up at home!
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Posted by PaulRPetri on 23 Nov 2022, 02:09

Thank you Rich I am very lucky. We have basements in this part of the USA and every house I have owned (Three to be exact) have had one and I have been able to turn them into my wargaming dungeons!!
PaulRPetri  United States of America
 
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Posted by Beano Boy on 23 Nov 2022, 17:57

Very impressive and excellent Paul. :thumbup:
Enjoy play in your basement :coffee: BB
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Posted by Konrad on 23 Nov 2022, 18:45

And in the end, the Romans always win. ;-)
Looks like you guys are having a lot of fun.
Great report. :yeah:
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Posted by Peter on 25 Nov 2022, 20:55

What a show! And even with commercials! ;-)

Great game report and pictures! Thanks for sharing! :thumbup:
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Peter  Belgium

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Posted by PaulRPetri on 26 Nov 2022, 00:14

Thanks Peter!!
PaulRPetri  United States of America
 
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Posted by Bill Slavin on 27 Nov 2022, 01:14

Great report, Paul, and your armies look fantastic.
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Bill Slavin  Canada

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Posted by PaulRPetri on 28 Nov 2022, 23:06

Thank you Bill. I really do appreciate it!
PaulRPetri  United States of America
 
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Posted by Peter on 28 Nov 2022, 23:41

Lots of posts here, so time for a commercial!

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:lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:

Couldn't resist Paul! ;-) 8)
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Posted by PaulRPetri on 29 Nov 2022, 16:34

:-D :yeah: Thanks Peter!!!
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