Seven Rejects got together for a game last weekend. Postie put on an Ancient Greek game!! Can't remember when we last played a game with these, its got to be at least 5 years!!!!
Look out for the Spartan side of the story on Fran's blog soon.....
As normal in Ancient Greece, peace never lasted long. Sparta has accused Athens of breaking the Thirty Years Peace Pact, that was agreed in 445BC. Both sides have gathered their forces and various allies looking for glory and plunder. The armies have met on the plains just outside of the town of Megara on the Corinthian peninsular.
The Game
Both sides can deploy a maximum of 20 inches on the table and will only have 10 minutes to deploy and discuss tactics.....The Oracle will be consulted before battle commences???
The Sides
Sparta - Richard
Boatons - Fran
Tegeons & Corinthians -Dave
Athenians - John
Phocians - Surgit
Thebans - Ray
The Initial setup
After a very quick 10 minutes we, the Athenians and allies had our battle plan. it was quite a simple plan. Surg on our left would pull left and envelope the dreaded Spartans, John would smash the centre, while I would attack on the right and try and get my skirmishers and cavalry around the flank......simple!!
Sparta, Boatia and the Tegeons & Corinthian Alliance
It!
The Athenian Alliance's Hoplites
The Boatians
All was going swimmingly until just before the first move.........
We all had to throw 2 D6, to see if the Gods were on our side?
Guess what dick through a double 1??
Yeh me!!
I was abandoned by the Gods, therefore my morale was a tad off??
While everyone else was either favoured by the Gods giving them bonuses, I was condemned to a slow and painful living death in Hades....oh goodie what a great start to the game!
My punishment was for the first 2 turns of the game I was unable to move any troops, if any of my command were charged they would flee from the battlefield. On turn 3 I could, If I was still there throw once again for favour of the Gods.
So?? Our battle plan was well and truly up the swany!!
A quick change of plan, we decided to hold in the centre and hope that Dave, couldn't get to my troops very quickly. As expected he threw all of his light troops forward in a mad dash to get to me.
John moved his archers on the hill, it was more of a sacrifice, to stop Dave's archers
and slingers battering me to a pulp!
My two cavalry units, enjoying the weather, blissfully unaware of the
oncoming onslaught!!
The Athenians stand firm while the Phocians move forward, the Spartans and allies advance.
The Corinthian archers on the hill take a pounding, but our Athenian archers destroyed
but a hail of arrows and shot.
Surg continues to move around the Spartan flank.
The Spartans themselves!!
The line holds steady...
It was time for me to re-throw my luck of the Gods dice.....
Phew!!! I threw well this time a 10!
So well infact that the Gods now favoured me. I could add a plus 1 to any 1 of my melee's
Just in time as well, me and Dave charged each other...
The Corinthians
Lots more firing knocks casualties from my Horse archers and Dave's slingers
Dave won the melee by 1 and knocked me back 2 inches.
Nearly there!!!
Our right, Surg looks to double team a unit of Spartan Hoplites.
Richard's Spartans are the first to lose one of many Generals to die this day!!!
Come on Surg!!!!!
I'm getting battered on the right, I'm throwing well but Dave's taking the pi$$!!!
It's gonna be one of them days!!
And they meet!!
Rich's unmatched Spartan unit marches straight through the gap
The words mullered spring to mind!
Out of 9 melees we only won 3
The cream of Boatia smash through the ranks of Athens...
My Thebans, one of our only three wins this turn.
Surg's Phocian's our only other win
Apart of course of the double teamed Spartan unit, who flee
Two shots of the victorious Spartan's and their allies.
The next turn got even worse for us.....
The Spartans and allies smashed back into our retreating units.
Destroying and routing units with ease!!!
The dice Gods were definitely on their side, we couldn't do a thing?
It's a bit confusing but most of the units in the pic are theirs, my beaten Thebans can be
seen retreating at the bottom of the picture surrounded by the enemy!!
Most of John's Athenian's are dead....
While on our left there is still a little life left, but its all far too late...
As only a mere third in command, I begged my Commanders to sound the retreat, but they refused!
So I, for fear of my beloved Thebes left the field of battle with my remaining men, much
to the scorn of my side, but with honour, from my foe.
I, for one would live to fight another day......
It was a great days gaming, Dave's dice throwing (and I'm sure his side, Fran included will admit), were bloody ridiculous!!! But me throwing a double 1 for the Omens......what can I say???
So, how was Hades?
ReplyDeleteYou need to rename your blog. Or listen to it. One of the two.
A lot to keep track of in that battle, but at least you will face another one.
A tad too warm for my liking!!!
DeleteThis looks fantastic. I've got a soft spot for the era as well.
ReplyDeleteFMB
I've always loved Ancient Greek games, but we don't seem to play them that often.
DeleteThat's right - blame the dice!
ReplyDeleteNice batrep and great pics
Bloody right I will and the buggers who were throwing then of course!!!!
Deletenow, what an epic battle that was! It's lovely seeing more ancient figurines than usual
ReplyDeleteIndeed!
DeleteNice photos and a good batrep. Some nice models on display too.
ReplyDeleteCheers Bob!!
DeleteCracking stuff folks. Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteGlad you enjoyed the game!!
DeleteI can only imagine the opposition's commisserations (especially Fran's) at the sight of your double ones and presumably they were graciously subdued in their vicory.
ReplyDeleteSoundslike a great day's gaming (sort of).
They all rallied round and commiserated with me, patting me on the back saying they wish it was them who threw the double 1!!!!
Delete"Don't throw 1s, don't throw 1s, don't throw... aaargh!" Story of my life too! Great report! Cheers, Aaron
ReplyDeleteThing is I knew I was going to throw bad....I just had that dreaded feeling!
DeleteThe battlefield was full of valiant warriors that day. The mouth of Sheol opened wide to swallow the defeated. Rayius laughed at Sheol and lived to eat another camel steak with boiled onions, and drink a bladder of sour wine. Hail, Rayius!
ReplyDeleteGreat words Jay!!
DeleteSuper impressive!
ReplyDeleteCheers Nate!!!
DeleteThose look so good on the table when they clash in the middle. All those beautiful shields really pop out. Nice to see all you boys got together for a game.
ReplyDeleteGreat to have you back on the blogosphere Ray!
Its been a while Anne!! Fran's job has been a right pain in the butt!!
DeleteGreat Batrep- you should have consulted the Oracle first!
ReplyDeleteI did and they kicked me right in the.......
DeleteExcellent BatRep but terrible dice. Your byline rings true! That is really a terrific looking collection. What rules were used in resolution?
ReplyDeleteThe dice were a right pain in the arse to be honest!! The rules were written by Mein Fuhrer himself, Postie. They lean heavily on WAB, but we use a D20 instead of a D6.
DeleteYa see! You Anglos do it all wrong! You are supossed to thank the goat for providing you meat for nourishment and sinew and bones for tools and weapons, as well as a skin for clothing! Your general was probably just confused over what omen the goat entrails meant! My ancestor's way is much better and you get a full belly and useful stuff! ;)
ReplyDeleteThose Greek minis are wonderfull! Your Thebian troops looked really sharp before the lads started to drop! ;)
The next time it'll be the goat!!
Deletebad luck, Ray.....my kind of luck, but bad.
ReplyDeleteOr was it, Good luck for the other side????
DeleteWhat a massive game with huge amounts of Hoplites! Inspiring!
ReplyDeleteCheers Dean, glad you liked it!!
DeleteWell the double 1 was an omen in itself. Have you thought about changing the name of your blog!
ReplyDeleteGlad you seem to have sorted the computer. Nice one mate. See you at BROADSIDE.
The computer is still playing up a little, but at least I can get online again!!!
DeleteAbandonned by the Gods, what a terrible start...and what a beautiful report, these armies are stunning!
ReplyDeleteWasn't the best start....was it???
DeleteI really enjoyed that - great stuff, and excellent pics. I used to do a bit of "yer Ancients" once, using early WRG rules, and the games always looked better than they felt - stodgy. Interested to know what rules you use, because this sounds like fun!
ReplyDeleteAncient games can be a little boring sometimes, after all, all you do is set up and charge forward??? You do need something like the Omens rule just to throw the "norm" out of the game.
DeleteThe rules are Posties own, they lean a lot on WAB, with all the dodgy parts taken out and we use a D20 instead of a D6, this way you can add more plus' and minus' and gives a more balanced feel.
A fabulous game Ray, even if the Gods had deserted you - there is always next time.
ReplyDeleteCheers Sir M, the Gods definitely deserted me and my side!!
DeleteGreat game report it look fantastic. Well what can say your name is for the blog is ONE lover hmmmm I wonder if its connected. What you need is a set of rules where rolling 1's are classed as successes
ReplyDeleteCould be....could be???? I'll have to search for them rules!!
DeleteDouble ones!!! Ouch. Looks like a great game, yet another I have missed... :(
ReplyDeleteI'll make an effort to get to the next game, providing SWMBO lets me of course...
Seems I'm taking a leaf out of your book Mr H!!! You're having that bloody leaf back when I see you next!!
DeleteAh, that looks grand! Always had a soft spot for hoplites.
ReplyDeleteThey do look pretty cool, don't they???
DeleteNice batrep there R. Better luck with the dice though.
ReplyDeleteApart from the double 1 my dice rolling was pretty good, not as good as the enemy though!! Grrrr!
Deletegreat report Ray, shame about the dice
ReplyDeleteIndeed!!!
DeleteYou seem to have left out your traitorous shenanigans!
ReplyDeletePostie did not mention this on the phone! So now who do I believe!!!!
DeleteMe and Postie?
DeleteJohn and Surj would've had you playing for another hour, there was no point! You'd one! So I decided in true Greek style to think of my City State and bugger off!!! Then Rich offered me to join your band of merry men.....how could I refuse???
DeleteVery true but they were quiet upset!
DeleteMaybe you should change to don't throw snake eyes...that was unlucky... But do tell about this treachery that Fran mentions!
ReplyDeleteNo treachery, I wanted a cuppa! John and Surj wouldn't give in, they wanted to die to the last man!!
DeleteWow, great looking armies. Wonderful write and pics as always Ray! Thanks
ReplyDeleteCheers Jason!!
DeleteCracking game Ray - hard to beat a big hoplite bash,
ReplyDeleteIt was a great game to play!!!!
DeleteAwesome looking game Ray!
ReplyDeleteThanks Rodger!!!!
DeleteGreat action. I really love the pics.
ReplyDeleteAsk the Oracle?? Nooo ask Madame Olga it is better then throwing dice.
I'll ask her next time!!!
DeleteEntertaining report as ever Ray but the gods were not on your side that day.
ReplyDeleteNo they weren't!!!! Buggers!
DeleteReally great Ancient battle! The first one I have seen and read about in a long time. Really nice game!!!
ReplyDeleteYeh, we haven't played Greeks for a long time, we'll have to have them out again soon!!
DeleteGreat AAR :-)
ReplyDeleteJason.
Cheers me Lud!
DeleteOne day.......one day.....
ReplyDeleteI'm just glad they didn't lynch you when you turned your coat...
ReplyDeleteMe too!!
DeleteSnake eyes on the oracle roll? Uh-oh. I think you need to change your blog title to "Don't throw a double 1"
ReplyDelete;)
Truly the dice gods were against you there. But great report!
Great looking game! Ancients games should look ridiculously massive just like that game!
ReplyDeleteSounds like a fun game despite your ending!
ReplyDeletegreat report Ray great pics as well looked fun
ReplyDeleteReally does all look wonderful, on the table.
ReplyDelete