Sparta v Argos (Re-Run Take III): Done (Part 7)

Flying high with gods the Spartan left flank can be seen cruelly wheeling into the Argive right hoplites, harvesting them like ripe wheat. The Argives have one last hope, a third attempt to shatter the Spartan "youth hoplite stand" of spears that has twice thwarted them (see below):

The proverbial kitchen sink is thrown at the Spartans. Notice how the Argive General (myself) refrains from attacking the Spartan hoplites to the right hand side of the attacking Argives, because success is unlikely to kill and a push back would help out the the beleaguered Spartan stand. On the other hand it would have potentially interrupted the run of "bad Argive dice" in the vital sector, but statistics say that should not have mattered because you do not affect the future with past rolls of a d6 (see below, I as the Argive ruminate about this now):

A sacrifice is offered to the gods, harsh words of encouragement by the Argive Captains of War are given and the attack commences and the die is thrown. Stunned into silence, all pleasure of head banging gone (see previous posts) just the sad (from the Argive perspective) calculation is repeated. "No, unbelievable, these Spartans cannot be moved" (see below):

The Spartan run through the Argive hoplites like a hot knife through butter. Smoothly and without mistake two Argive hoplites fall upon the hill. The Argive army morale shatters and they flee (see below, Sparta 5 Argos 3 - Sparta remains supreme on the Peloponnese):

What a fantastic game! Incredible in that right up until the end the Argives thought they had it, but the Spartans played true. This young novice Spartan King is a man to watch in the world of DBA, he plays the period not the game system. Immense fun. Maybe I should look to introduce some new troop types. Perhaps from Persia or Thrace ;)

Sparta v Argos (Re-Run Take III): Time to Finish it (Part 6)

For the second time of asking the seemingly forgone conclusion of a forlorn stand of Spartan hoplites outnumbered 3:1 and with no possible room for retreat were drawn into a "do or die" combat (see below, "Spartans we salute you! You fought well but Argos needs to teach Sparta a lesson"): 

Instead the Spartans show Argos that today, here, on this piece of hallowed ground no more Spartans shall give way to Argos. Bang 8-6 - the massed ranks of the Argives bounce away again. Quite sportingly the Spartan King offers me a cushion so to not damage my head (see below, the unbelievable happens and to my shame I did not use the extra PiP I had to bring the extra Argive troops into "usefulness", hubris my friends, hubris): 

It is Sparta;s time to deal the death blow. The Spartan king watches as his mighty phalanx unfurls for a  Sparta [Spears 4 + 2 flanks] = 6 versus  3 Argos [Spears 4 - 2 overlapped flanks + 1 for being on a hill] basic attack - needing to double to kill (see below, all to play for at 3-3 and just one stand needed by both sides to win):

Ah! The Argives roll a 1, all seems lost but then Sparta also rolls a one: 7-4 Push Back! How on earth? Argos has yet another chance to pull it out of the fire! Will this game ever finish? Will this game not stop providing "crazy" dice rolls. The Spartan King is momentarily crestfallen but composes himself and moves on (see below): 

Apologies for the misdirection saying it was a "done thing" but we seem to be now playing on past the end of regulation time ;)

Next: Extra Time Sudden Death?

Sparta v Argos (Re-Run Take III): Don't Go Counting Chickens (Part 5)

And so it came to pass that a bunch of Spartans stood between myself and immortal glory. These should be second-stringers as they were a third of the way along from teh weaker (less prestigious end of the line of battle). As an Argive it was time to "seize the moment" (before the catchphrase of the Dead Poet's Society even existed). Again the Argive killer Psilio were the key, placed in the rear of the Spartan Phalanx (see below, left middle):

In went my solid Argive hoplites, supported on their left by the Argive General's personal cohort and assisted by the deadly Psilio in the rear. It was the same trap to be spring for a third 'killer' time. Except these Spartan milksops had not read the script, the fought the Argives to a standstill and then pushed them back (see below, a classic case of DBA 6-1 to the Spartans!):   

The groans and revulsion was acute. A twisted knot formed in my stomach as my bolt was shot and the initiative had been passed back to the unforgiving scarlet Spartans. The concerned Spartan (novice DBA'er) General asked it I was OK. To which I replied "Fine. Absolutely fine. Banging my forehead off the tabletop like this is quite usual in these circumstances. In fact it has a quite a therapeutic affect!" I said smiling inanely (see below, the Argive General is left pondering "How did that not work?"):

Simply stated the Spartan milksops had remembered what their Spartan mothers had said to them before they left for war. Presenting their sons with their shields, "With it or on it" and you don't cross your Spartan mother (see below): 

The Argives now faced a fight for their lives on the right of the battlefield, but a critical low PiP roll of "one" gave the Argives hope. Instead of an overwhelming "no retreat overlap battle" the Spartans merely hit the Argive hoplite (who had luckily recoiled away from the front-facing Spartans last go) in the flank. The Argives turned to face and the die were rolled (see below):

The Argives gasped in horror as they were on the receiving end of a 5 to 1 die result. Fevered calculations took place, Sparta 4 (+0 supports) +5 = 9 versus Argive 5 = 4 + 1, so it was a push back. Had we been playing DBA version 2.2 then the rear holpites woudl have supported +1 and it would have been 'curtains' for the Argives, game set and match! As it was it was "Game on!" (see below, "Would you Christmas Eve it?"): 

And from another even more dramatic perspective, hoplite to hoplite and the Argives bend but do not break. The Spartan General adopted a disbelieving maniacal laugh instead of my primitive trepanning. Welcome to DBA, you never forget moments like these. They seem to come with alarming regularlity defying the 'sane' Laws of Statistics. In DBA terms statistics is merely a suggestion thrown at the gods, who more often than not will just laugh back at you. I digress! (see below):

After the recoil (see below, the Argives were now technically backing up a gentle hill. Could good news come from the other side of the battlefield to save the day? (see below):

After that"topsy turvy" sequence of events, both King and General wondered what twisted fate still lay in store for these armies?

Next: The End of the Matter!

  

Sparta v Argos (Re-Run Take III): Go Tell it to The Spartans (Part 4)

The Argive General gasps as he sees the fruition of his planning come to pass. Dirty ragamuffin Argive Psiloi crest the hill and fall upon the cream of Sparta (the opposite flank to the General was the point of second honour). These Spartans now found themselves between a rock and a hard place (see below):

The die is cast: Sparta 6+2 (4 - 2 overlaps, flank and rear) = 8, versus 9, Agive 4+5 (4 + 1 flank support). The Spartans could not have fought better, not doubled but beaten with no place to run they died where they stood (see below, Argos 1 - Sparta 0):

The Spartan General's riposte is to advance his battle line and turn the Argive right flank (see below, "Here it comes!")

As expected the shattering of spear on shield spells disaster for the brave Argive hoplites on their "second point of honour" (Argos 1 - Sparta 1). The Spartan juggernaut is poised to roll up the Argive right flank. Then a shout of victory as the Spartan spears facing the Argive General are "doubled". Unexpectedly fate swings in the favour of the Agives (see below: Argos 2 - Sparta 1):

Carrying forth the initiative the Argive hoplites on the hill advance 'shoulder to shoulder' overlapping the remaining Spartan spear. To add insult to injury the ugly Psiloi again seal the rear. Sensing victory is near the Argive General calmly explains the situation to his Spartan opponent and the dice roll (see below):

With a whimper rather than a bang the third Spartan hoplite spear is removed. The Spartan Army has almost reached its breaking point (see below, incredulously it is now Argos 3 - Sparta 1. ):

Not phased in the slightest, the Spartan General responds in the only way he knows how, "Spartan's Advance!" The ranks of Spartan spears and cloaks of scarlet descend once more upon the Argive right (see below, the Argive spears have been placed in mortal peril by their callous Argive General, he intends to buy time with their death to win elsewhere):

Predictably the Argive spears fall. This must be the oldest trap in Ancient warfare to fall into. Get the Spartans looking as if they are beaten, and you are going to win but merely you make them annoyed. You think you have them beaten, on the ropes but they come back and give you double the fight you expected (see below, Argos 3 - Sparta 2):

Suddenly an unexpected rush of Spartan spears leads to another cry of victory as the Spartan King himself engaged in combat smashes yet another Argive spear in by "doubling" it. This battle looks as if it is going to be a short and brutal affair like a knife fight in a telephone box! (see below, split honours "even Stephens", Argos 3 - Sparta 3):

The Spartans certainly "did all the telling" at the end of this sequence. The Argives were given a lesson in war but have they learned anything from it? The initiative is with Argos, one more stand would spell doom for the Spartans! That small, insignificant Argive Psiloi still looks as if it holds the key to victory.

Next: Spartan remember, "With it" or "On it"! Argive, "Be sure to take fortunes offering when it comes your way"

Sparta v Argos (Re-Run Take III): The Sands of Time Start Slipping Through my Hands (Part 3)

The Argive General (aka me) can feel the sands of time slipping through his clenched fist. His problem? The Spartan right needs to be decisively defeated on this hill (apologies to scholars of ancient history, we got our lefts and rights mixed up on our deployment, so we are strong where we should be weak and weak where we should be strong, if you get my drift), but quickly. The Spartans can match us spear for spear as we expand but the Psilio in the rear is my "ace" card to play (see below, they are out of camera shot at the moment): 

On the Argive right things look grim as I could easily lose the isolated base of spears by being doubled (Spartans attack with 6 - Argives have 2)! As I am pinned the best I can hope for is to hold my ground and be flanked, the "door closed" and then rolled up (see below):

The "20,000 Foot General in the Sky" can see my Psilio scampering to position themselves in the rear of the Spartan Phalanx (see below, middle left. Alas my ingenious plans come unstuck as I roll a "1 PiP" (see below, middle bottom right). All I can do is expand by a base on my left and "hope for the best" with the combats I am forced to make via existing points of contact (see below, the circling whirlwind of rotating wings begins): 

The Argives only menace with a developing overlap and future rear attack but only provide a tickle to the Spartan salient of two bases (see below):

That pushes one spear back but leaves the other isolated but in a stand-off. These Spartans can expect help from their fellows next turn (see below):

Remarkably the Argive right-most spear wins and pushes the Spartans back, but this success rather weakens its future position ("Doomed" as Fazer from Dad's Army would say). The Spartans immediately to its right can "close the door" next turn (see below):

The Argives await the Spartan riposte!

Next: Go Tell it to the Spartans!

Sparta v Argos (Re-Run Take III): Clash of Spears (Part 2)

The Spartans rolled for their Command PiPs and got a ... (see below):

I strained hard not to smile but it is hard even for a veteran player like myself. Explaining the options [or rather 'option'] open to the Spartan Phalanx (stand still and expand one base width or go forward) he decided (see below):

"Spartans go forward" was the simple reply and he did straight into my face, a typical Spartan tactic, he must have been reading some background information (see below, a brave move as the Argives could cause the Spartans big trouble if they roll high PiPs):

They look pretty tough dudes these Spartans (see below):

My plan however was simple, to win on the hill on the left of the Argive line with the help of my Psiloi friends from behind the Spartan line of battle. I should also add, before I got crushed on my Argive right by superior Spartan numbers (see below):

All I had to do was .. not ...

Not throw a 1 .... "Arrrgh". I didn't hide that emotion very well either! All I could do (after my head had bounced off the table in despair) was expand out on my weaker right hand flank to cause the Spartans more PiPs before they destroy it (maybe I should have just bounced forwards in retrospect). I had thought it best to bring my Psiloi into play but I had grossly miscalculated the command radius . The Psiloi were over the crest of the hill (The command range dropped to four bases widths [160mm], halved from the normal eight [320mm] because of the LOS obstruction of the crest of the hill. The very hill that was so integral to my "cunning plan") and now required 2 PiPs that I didn't have to move. Curses. No combat was initiated by the Argives this turn but not so with the Spartans on their next turn as they came bowling over, in that same old Spartan fashion. I was feeling like the novice now. This was going to hurt, if not immediately then it would set up the Spartan attack on the Argive right flank where the Spartan numbers [of pointy spears] would decisively tell (see below):

The clash of bronze on bronze rung through the hills of Sparta. I worked through teh mechanics of combat with the "novice" and he picked them up very quickly, in fact almost intuitively he got teh hang of things rather well. No immediate deaths but what resulted was rather an uneven and ragged battle line. To my Argive horror I noticed I had a very vulnerable looking isolated hoplite stand on my right but on teh otehr hand I had bounced the Spartan middle back in a very interesting fashion. If I pushed forwards next turn there could be interesting results. However I was feeling very queasy about not having any of my Psilio to hand, or rather to the back of the Spartans (see below):

So with the opening maneuvering rounds over and the two hoplite lines "going at each other like rabbits" it was only a matter of time before something gave way in true DBA fashion.

Next: Your Best Friends are always at Your Enemies Back

Sparta v Argos (Re-Run Take III): Setting Up (Part 1)

I had a modern Chain of Command game lined up but "flu" called away the critical players so I had to rustle up something at the last second. So in my box of tricks I thought I heard my "Greeks" summoning me ;)

Call it a Greek tragedy if you like but I feel compelled to play and keep playing DBA Version 3.0 with various wargaming friends to inculcate the principle of a 'quick wargame' in an hour or so [or quicker is something goes terribly wrong/right]. DBA is the perfect vehicle for this, simple but offering elegant, emergent complexity and that sense of frustration when (not if, always when) you roll a "1" at a critical time. I also note that Phil Barker has produced a Marlburian+ DBA styled sort of game to take the concept through to the early 20th Century. Meanwhile in another field in Greece Argos has rolled to be the 'aggressor' and marches upon the city state of Sparta. Given the Version 3 rule changes the double ranks of spears [4Sp] are no longer needed so a long single line of hoplites is the order of the day. Sadly (or rather - unhistorical) they cannot line out in the DBA deployment zone so they start in a "U" shape to expand out at the flanks (see below, I am introducing the Spartan King to DBA, he possesses the 12x4ps [one of which is a General-King] v the Argive (myself) 10x4p [one of which is a General] and two Psilio, 2x2Ps):

As Sparta was the nominated  'defender', they chose the terrain. As Argos was the attacker they chose the base edge to come on from and I rotated the board as above. Top left a cluster of three terrain hexes that represent "ploughed fields" (aka rough going [meaning individual element moves]). There is a gentle hill middle left and another gentle hill bottom middle (same terrain just different styles of terrain pieces. From my innate "wargaming sense" I just knew we would end up with 4Sp sliding down these terrain pieces (and I was correct in this assumption [many time], as you will see later). Argos has the slight advantage in that its 2xPs can deploy outside the central deployment zone. Thus Argos has a deployment advantage in that it has a nine base width deployment against Sparta's seven bases. Trouble is Sparta by far has the advantage in heavy infantry, but the Argive General has a "cunning plan" and Argos has not yet lost a DBA Version 3 battle against Sparta! The Argive General views the deadly Spartans from the slopes of the gentle hill (see below, note the Argives are all from Irregular Miniatures, although some would say dated they paint up really well): 

The Spartan King looks on (see below, the normal hoplites are from Chariot, the most useful of which are the rear rank with raised spears which fit anywhere on a battlefield, whereas the front rank with leveled spears always seem to bounce awkwardly into the opposition figures. Also note in DBA Version 3 there is no real need to worry about two spears being used as a front and back unit giving a supporting +1. As a final point, the Spartan King/General was donated to me in naked metal form to paint up by Renko, so sadly I cannot remember the manufacturer. Any takers?):

My (Argive) "cunning plan" goes awry from the start. Reassuring as ever, no plan every remains intact after contact with the enemy! The "plan" is not the key but "planning is" [Patton]. The Spartan is the defender, so he can move first. Instead of taking several turns to disentangle themselves from the ploughed fields, the Spartans do it in one single bound. Call it 'beginners luck' or 'never ask your opponent to do what you want" the Spartan King rolled of the first of his many 6's on the night (he even had a spare PiP he couldn't or didn't need to use). I explained he could expand out an additional two bases and he did so (see below, "The Mighty Spartan Phalanx" approaches):

In response to this typical aggressive Spartan behaviour the Argive General revealed his cunning "first turn Psilio fast double move". Especially since he too rolled a 6 PiPs. Using 4 of these PiPs he scoots his two 2Ps Psilio over the hill and onto the flank of the Spartan flank. With the remaining two he advances the hoplite battle line and expands one base. The Spartans now have the advantage of a nine versus eight heavy infantry frontage. Looking at the pictures below I see that we [Argive and Sparta] got our lefts and rights mixed up - the Spartan King is on his left and my Argive General on his left .. my bad I probably confused things babbling on about ancient history and things (see below, the Argive right flank looks punt compared to the Spartans, while on the other side we are evenly matched in heavy infantry but I have those "cunning" Psilio):

"Eyes on the Prize!" The Argive Psilio try to look inconspicuous as they look lovingly on the rear portion of the Spartan Phalanx. "If" is a big word, pregnant with many haunting and hanging possibilities but if the Argive hoplite spears can pin the Spartans frontally then they could be in for a big surprise with Psilio in teh rear and nowhere to run (see below):

Critically the Argive General knows he cannot hang about. The Spartan left (unhistorical but again I think that was down to me getting my lefts and right mixed up) is far superior than his own right and hoplite stands will definitely will die, but the question is can the Spartan right be killed off first? The faster Psilio speed should be of great assistance assistance here, but you can certainly not expect the Spartans to do what you want!

Next: Clash of the Battle Lines!

DBA Version 3.0: Sparta v Argives (Part 3) The Replay

The Argives after their poor PiP point roll have but one attack that "bounces" back. There is an "air gap" between the two opposing armies. The Argive General braces himself for the Spartan counterattack (see below):

The Spartan King decides to launch his right but refuse the left (otherwise it would be "turned" dangerously the next turn, akin to the Argive position the previous turn). The Arives bounce back but as the dice fall  one Argive spear is cut down by being doubled (see below, Argive 2 Spartan 1):

While the Argives were nibbling away at one end (the Spartan left) the Spartans have broken the Argive middle as well as turning their end (the Argive left). This is a very dangerous development as it fragments the Argive line and creates three points of attack. The Spartans also have scope for extending their left by an additional hoplite Spear stand. The Argives need to respond quickly (see below):

Not being blessed with a great many PiPs the Argive General concentrated in sending in his own General (hoplite Spear) stand against the helot Hoard stand, flanked by a stand of Psiloi (2 PiPs). With odds of (5 to 1) the helots die bravely being doubled. The only other combats result in a stand-off in the middle (which looks ominous for the Argives next turn) and a favourable push-back (despite 3- 5 odds in the Spartans favour) on the Argive left helps to merely straighten the line up. As seemingly always in wargames the carefully placed terrain piece means that as a certain critical point the 'toy soldiers' cannot stand-up straight (see the bottom left of the picture and the two stands of Argive Spears falling back up the hill). Argives 3 Spartans 1 .. what can the Spartans do? (see below):

The Spartan King (again not blessed with great PiP dice, as in "what a time to roll a one") decides to crush the Argive centre by "closing the door". The result however is more a product of DBA 3 than DBA 2. The factors are Sparta 3 (Spear +4 - 1 for an overlap) and Argives 4 (Spear 4 -1 for overlap but +1 for flank support) but if the Argives lose they die. The result if  is "another stand-off" a good result to say the least for the Argive (see below): 

The Argives having seen the Spartans claw themselves back into the battle are at this point merely glad to have a chance to end it. Receiving three PiPs their options are limited but under further inspection only two PiP are required. The vital PiP is spent on the Argive General to close the door on another Spartan hoplite Spear and hopefully "end the battle". The battle line advances in support, which could also mean a dead Argive hoplite in the middle (gulp). The third PiP is used to move the left hand side Psiloi into the rear of the Spartan rear. If the battle lasts another turn it may yet come in useful.

The final round of combat .. the Argive General leads a successful attack and kills the Spartan hoplite Spear so thus winning the battle. In addition another Spartan hoplite Spear falls in most unusual circumstances [Argive Spear attacked to the front but flanked +4 but -1  for being outflanked yet +1 for friendly side support = +4 and +5 dice roll = +9 total versus the Spartan Spear +4 but - 1 for it too being flanked -1 = +3 and +1 dice roll =  +4]. The 5:1 dice roll sealed its fate and means the Spartans are doubled and killed. Final score: Argives 5 Spartans 2 (see below):

Rematch two ends. Two wins for the Argives. One match to the. 'master. and one match to his 'apprentice' or 'troubadour'. Another game is scheduled for the new year. Until then best wishes to one and all for the New Year.