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Post by paddy649 on Oct 11, 2023 14:15:20 GMT
My experience with Alex or Philip vs any Greek army is very similar.
Mostly his only hope is a headlong charge into the spear line with the Companions and then exploit the hole. More often then not Alex dies.
Against II/5b Athenians the Littoral terrain gives the Greeks an edge. Against II/5c Theban, the deep spear out phalanx the pike. Against II/5d Thessalian the extra Cavalry unit wins the mounted battle for the Greeks and the extra length of the Spear line wins out. Against II/5e Aitolian he doesn’t loose as quickly IF he wins terrain but mostly this is just a game of both sides playing “keep away.” It’s amazing that the Macedonians ever won regional hegemony.
However, Alex also struggles to defeat II/7 Later Archemenid Persian if the Persian player uses his Cavalry correctly.
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Post by paddy649 on Oct 4, 2023 12:58:12 GMT
A variable evade move might work. If an enemy unit contacts a LH element it may elect to evade and move straight back 1 d6 BW (minus 1 BW for reaction). The charging unit then completes its full move or as a minimum pursues a further BW. If it contacts the LH then combat ensues. If no contact is made and the charging unit ends within 2 BW of the they may shoot with CF 2 if the LH are Horse Archers. You’d need to address the LH interpenetration rules as well though. Plus I wouldn’t want to combine this with a 1/2 PIP move.
My only problem with an evade rule is - who in their right minds would ever charge LH if it evades 100% of the time. A variable evade at least adds some jeopardy.
BUT - what is the aim here? If it is to add LH survivability then “no corner-to-corner overlaps” probably does a better job.I suppose it does add extra (rearward) mobility. However, I think the shooting will cause issues with whether it can be supported or not plus if it is a group contacting a group is the evade done in a group or by single elements?
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Post by paddy649 on Oct 2, 2023 6:20:27 GMT
Agree. Taking the Aux plus replacing Bd & Cav for Numidians pulled those Polybians down to Carthaginian levels.
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Post by paddy649 on Oct 1, 2023 18:13:59 GMT
Just choose Taureg and carpet bomb the terrain with Dunes and an Oasis. Happiness is Dunes with a Camel!
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Post by paddy649 on Oct 1, 2023 18:06:10 GMT
So apart from “ruthless efficiency and an almost fanatical dedication to Phil Barker” what put the Myers Brothers in gold and silver on the podium?
I can see how Aztecs vs Spanish/Tlaxcallan could create problems in knowing how to deal with massed horde plus Paddy is a top tier gamer. However, Hannibal vs Rome? Why wasn’t just a case of “pick Polybian and win?” What did they do special with those armies?
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Post by paddy649 on Oct 1, 2023 15:39:33 GMT
I did a load of LBM stickers on my CB figs, as soon as I realised they stuck on rather than being water slde things went much better. Did have to cut out the boss shape to fit em on though. #Paddy649 happy to post you a few to try if you want. Thanks mate. I’ll PM you!
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Post by paddy649 on Oct 1, 2023 15:39:04 GMT
I never found that the clear plastic clung on. However, I’m forever finding the discarded bits for weeks after a shielding session! I found that sharp nail scissors work best and then a fresh 10A scalpel to make any detailed holes. However, one tip for Hoplite shields is to draw pencil lines on the paper bit so you know which way is up!
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Post by paddy649 on Oct 1, 2023 10:04:34 GMT
…did that stop you from trying?
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Post by paddy649 on Oct 1, 2023 8:26:03 GMT
I recently had the good fortune of picking up some of Khurasan’s excellent Early Imperial Romans - enough to make 2 DBA armies, which is always nice so I can fight Roman Civil Wars etc. khurasanminiatures.tripod.com/heroic15mm-trajanic-inf-vexellation.jpgWhen it comes to painting then I’d like to use LBMS shield decals but unlike all my Xyston figures that wonderful LBMS man Stephen Hales doesn’t yet make the decals for them. Anyone know if Corvus Belli or Essex decals would fit? Not sure I want to hand paint over 100 Roman Scuta!
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Post by paddy649 on Sept 27, 2023 15:22:04 GMT
I’m always amused how Alexander went 3-0 against the Persians in set piece battles but under DBA the LAP have a far better army list.
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Post by paddy649 on Sept 27, 2023 14:51:18 GMT
'while LH armies were fast moving, less reliant on cohesion between units and had far more scope for initiative' Which I get, but can I have a +2 to pip rolls for my Alexandrian Macedonian please to make up for the fact they had a better command and control system Well you sort of got that anyways. The Macedonian pike blocks move together and with push of pike keep themselves moving forward once in contact and then with the 1/2 PIP rule you’ll get to move the Prodromi twice for a single PIP so they’ll always be on the Companions flank maximising their effectiveness. IMHO Hypaspists should be 3Bd also. …..but honestly if you came up with a House Rule to that effect with the appropriate historical justification and play testing then I’d listen carefully. Alexander is much like the Mongols - conquered the largest empire ever known but near useless under DBA and there are after all several of Alexander’s real world battles that cannot be replicated on the table top with DBA even if you cherry pick the die rolls.
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Post by paddy649 on Sept 27, 2023 13:29:19 GMT
Because most armies are full of slow moving troops trying to hold cohesion against the backdrop of a poor command structure and nearly zero initiative while LH armies were fast moving, less reliant on cohesion between units and had far more scope for initiative.
There is no problem making Artillery, Elephants and Horde pay double because they are unwieldy. What is the problem with 1/2 PIP move for Agile units.
Finally - if you actually try the 1/2 PIP rule you’ll find that durability is not a problem as the LH have the PIPs to tie troops down with TZ and then melt away when threatened or strike hard with double overlaps. However, your forces are still spread out and vulnerable so a 1 or 2 for PIPs remains a problem. It is just that unlike the current situation a roll of 3 or 4 for PIPs isn’t also a problem.
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Post by paddy649 on Sept 27, 2023 12:54:07 GMT
sbk777 - all I can say is try the 1/2 PIP rule and see what you think. It is no where near as scary as you fear. With it LH are still rubbish, they are just faster rubbish that can get out of TZ traps and redeploy more rapidly. You still use the slower heavier troops to make the harder hits! The group move thing isn’t an issue as they are still limited to 3 moves and outside 1BW of an enemy. However, using it the Skythians feel more Skythianie and the Mongols feel more Mongolie. It doesn’t make LH supermen it just makes them less like pariahs under DBA.
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Post by paddy649 on Sept 27, 2023 11:42:10 GMT
Yet to hand in any play test reports paulisper but the DBF Light Mounted zero PIPs on first move rule isn’t that significant in practice. I think they need more……but I would say that wouldn’t I!
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Post by paddy649 on Sept 27, 2023 10:18:21 GMT
But then that is screening outside the range of enemy bow fire. You can already do that in DBA but only if you have the PIPs - which you don’t unless you have something like the 1/2 PIP rule!
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