Hoplite 3: Delium

Back to the Great Battles of History! This time recreating the Battle of Delium. From reading, Delium saw a major innovation in tactics by the Boetian commander Pagondas. Instead of charging straight up the middle as usual, Pagondas moved his light cavalry and skirmishers around to flank the advancing Athenians. In this game I took the Boetian side, my usual opponent took the Athenians.

Per the scenario rules, the Boetians (red) had the initiative, and I chose to advance the hoplites straight up the middle in an attempt to gain the high ground first, even at the expense of some cohesion hits (it’s hard to maintain ranks when charging up a hile). Most of my line advanced at a Trot, with only one running unit, and the entire left flank at a Walk. The Athenians (lavender) responded the same way, hoplites right up the middle. However, in their exuberance, they failed to maintain good rank order.

Here’s the situation at the end of Turn 1. It’s likely Pagondas and the Boetians are going to get the high ground. Notes the slingers and light cavalry on each end of Pagondas line, they’re getting into position to flank in later turns.

As it played out, Pagondas did get most of the high ground, and while his left flank of skirmishers completely routed (cowardly pukes), the skirmishers on the right did their job, managing to sow just enough disorder into Athenian ranks to rout their already ragged phalanxes. The Boethians cavalry delivered several stinging blows to further erode the Athenians.

It proved too much for Athens. The line of counters at the bottom are the routed units, 28 for Beotia, over 70 for Athens. Pagondas takes the day (and apparently chased the Athenians all through the following night).

Mayday, a Traveller game

AS is a Traveller fan and player from decades back, and he’s located a set of the Traveller 120 games, including Mayday.

We played Scenario 2 where the Native (defender) force attempts to protect a planet from misslie fire from an Intruder (attacker) force.