To the Strongest - no Phalangites in these games Simon!

Last weekend I traveled down to Basingstoke to take part in Simon Miller's To the Strongest weekend hosted at the Wargames Holiday Centre by Mark Freeth. Five games were available to play over the weekend and two of these were very large. The rules that Mark has developed remain the perfect blend of simplicity and clever fine tuning that provides plenty to think about as the game progresses. I think the key is that you spend time focused on command decisions for the troops and not on working out actions via tables etc. When I first started playing these rules I was not sure that I would take to a grid table system and the use of cards rather than dice. After several games I have really taken to using cards. The speed at which the cards can be played and the removal at the end of the term helps to keep the table tidy. I also have found that I forget the grid is actually there and this takes away any discussion about flexible views about the how far 100mm actually is! The first set of pictures are from the game based on the Roman Civil War of 69 AD. This was a clash between the forces of Otho and Vitellian. The battle was not actually Cremona but rather a fictitious clash between the forces of both sides. Lots of interesting troops in use such as this Gladiator Cohort on the Othonian side.

The XXI Rapax Legion toils up hill to face some Legionaries of the XIII Gemina and some veterans from XIV Gemina Victrix

What for the order to charge

Flank attack by the Legion Adiutrix

More legionaries advancing 

Not a lot of pictures for that first game. I was focused on reminding myself of the rules! I also lost the game so the less said about that the better. The next game I was involved in was given the title "Barbarians" and was set after the battle of Chalons 424 AD. The object of the game was for a force of Huns with their Gothic allies to escape through the central section of the table. I played this game twice. Once as the Huns and Once as the Romans. This was a great game with lots of interesting aspects. I would be happy to play it again as I think I could do better as the Romans and could also be more successful as the Huns despite winning that clash.

Gothic cavalry advancing

Deep unit of a Gothic Warband. This was to prove to be a tough nut to crack in all the games. 

The Roman Watchtower can be seen on the hill before the Huns. Hunic light archers can be seen scouting ahead of the rest of their forces. 

Roman troops holding the hill line under fire from Hunic horse archers. 

Light Cavalry advancing 

Rapid movement brought both sides into conflict almost from the start of the game. 

Superb figures from Simon's collection

General view of the action showing the Roman line still in tacked. 

Horse Archers in action again. We played both games with the Huns unable to resupply themselves with arrows so it was necessary to use them wisely.

Attilla can be seen at the head of his lance armed bodyguard

The Romans have lit the beacon to warn other stations of the Huns. Or it may just have been to celebrate the Queen's 90th Birthday! (Contemporary reference)

Roman Light troops keeping watch 

Auxiliaries supporting them

Mobs of disgruntled citizens erupt from the town to protest over high taxes! These were to also prove to be remarkable tough 

Final stage of the game as the Huns, Goths and towns folk deal with the last of the Romans.

I missed photographing the Gothic Warband being attacked in both flanks and the rear and still being able to fight on! I won this game as the Huns but lost it as the Romans. But as I said I would be happy to play it again as there was a lot to think about. The next post will cover the Raphia game. This was so spectacular that it needs a whole post to itself!