Saturday, June 27, 2020
Hail Caesar Generals
I just added some new generals: Greek, Gaul and Spanish. These are from Warlord Games.
Another Hail Caesar Battle
I am still trying to reacquaint myself with the Hail Caesar rules, so I had another solo battle this morning. Three divisions squared off against one another.
In the first turn, the Carthaginians won the initiative, but got off to a sluggish start. The cavalry only advanced nine inches and the two infantry divisions rolled 10's and didn't advance at all! On the Roman's turn, the cavalry division charged their counterparts and the infantry moved up one bound.
The first round of the cavalry melee definitely went in the Carthaginian's favor. In the first of two engagements, the Carthaginian's won and the Romans rolled snake eyes on the break test and were picked up! The victorious horsemen used their victory move to turn and face the advancing Roman infantry's flank. The Romans did better in the other contest, driving the enemy back and then following up.
On the next turn, winning the initiative would be critical. The Romans lucked out. The cavalry continued it struggle and won decisively, breaking the Carthaginian horse in the follow up. The Roman triarii were able to turn to face the Carthaginian horse on their flank and charge, winning convincingly, breaking the cavalry.
In the middle, the Romans moved up and heaved their javelins and pila at the enemy skirmishers.
The legion on the right didn't move at all.
The next two turns saw the infantry on both sides come to grips. On the Roman right flank, the legion was able to steadily drive back the enemy and eventually broke an infantry unit and an elephant one.
In the center, a unit of hastatii moved to within striking distance of the Carthaginian elite division. On their initiative they charged downhill into the fatigued Roman unit and destroyed it.
On the next turn, however, the Romans once again won the initiative and were able to threaten the flank of the victorious Carthaginians and brought numbers to bear on the surviving Carthaginians on their right. This is where the battle ended.
 |
| The game set up |
In the first turn, the Carthaginians won the initiative, but got off to a sluggish start. The cavalry only advanced nine inches and the two infantry divisions rolled 10's and didn't advance at all! On the Roman's turn, the cavalry division charged their counterparts and the infantry moved up one bound.
The first round of the cavalry melee definitely went in the Carthaginian's favor. In the first of two engagements, the Carthaginian's won and the Romans rolled snake eyes on the break test and were picked up! The victorious horsemen used their victory move to turn and face the advancing Roman infantry's flank. The Romans did better in the other contest, driving the enemy back and then following up.
 |
| The Roman left flank after one turn |
In the middle, the Romans moved up and heaved their javelins and pila at the enemy skirmishers.
The legion on the right didn't move at all.
 |
| Roman advance |
 |
| Victorious triarii |
In the center, a unit of hastatii moved to within striking distance of the Carthaginian elite division. On their initiative they charged downhill into the fatigued Roman unit and destroyed it.
On the next turn, however, the Romans once again won the initiative and were able to threaten the flank of the victorious Carthaginians and brought numbers to bear on the surviving Carthaginians on their right. This is where the battle ended.
 |
| Romans grind down the Carthaginians |
 |
| Roman principes move to thwart a Carthaginian breakthrough |
 |
| The sole Roman cavalry unit, now shaken, retreats |
 |
| Roman velites move into cover to secure the flank |
 |
| Overview of the battle's end point |
Thursday, June 18, 2020
Hail Caesar in 28mm
Well, I am finally retired. It being summer, I can't really tell the difference yet because I have had an extended break for the last twenty years. I am sure, however, that come August when I should be going back to the classroom I will feel it much more so.
I finally had a chance to try out my 28mm Romans and Carthaginians in a small Hail Caesar game to try to refresh myself on the rules. I got through about three turns this afternoon, far enough that I wanted to go back and check some things in the rule book and then get back at it tomorrow.
The Romans had four divisions and the Carthaginians three; not even, but the Carthaginians had the high ground, and this was just to get back into the rules anyway.
On the first turn, the first Carthaginian division blundered, the other infantry division wanted to stay put on the high ground, but the cavalry division rolled low enough to get three moves and advanced towards the Roman cavalry.
On the Roman turn, two of the three infantry divisions rolled high and couldn't move. The third was able to just move once. The cavalry charged the Carthaginian horsemen who counter-charged, resulting in two combats. In one a Roman unit was supported by another against one Carthaginian unit, and in the second the division commander attached himself to the third unit to add three more dice to that attack. In both combats the Romans would be rolling 11 dice against 8. Despite the poor odds, the Carthaginians fought to a draw in one combat and actually won the other by a difference of three. The commander was not wounded, but the unit rolled low on the break test and broke!
In the next turn, the Carthaginians won the initiative. The two infantry divisions held their ground while the cavalry division was hoping to roll low enough to get two moves. No such luck. But with one move available, the victorious Carthaginian cavalry unit moved into position for a flank charge on the supporting Roman unit. The drawn combat continued, with the Romans winning by one. The Carthaginian horse unit was disordered, but remained locked in combat.
On the Roman half of the turn, the infantry continued to advance.
On turn three, the Carthaginians once again secured the initiative. The cavalry battle came to its climax with a second Roman unit breaking and the third locked in combat.
The Roman infantry advanced to within javelin range of the Carthaginian line and launched their weapons, scoring individual hits on three different units. Break tests were taken and all were passed.
This is where I decided to take my break.
I finally had a chance to try out my 28mm Romans and Carthaginians in a small Hail Caesar game to try to refresh myself on the rules. I got through about three turns this afternoon, far enough that I wanted to go back and check some things in the rule book and then get back at it tomorrow.
The Romans had four divisions and the Carthaginians three; not even, but the Carthaginians had the high ground, and this was just to get back into the rules anyway.
On the first turn, the first Carthaginian division blundered, the other infantry division wanted to stay put on the high ground, but the cavalry division rolled low enough to get three moves and advanced towards the Roman cavalry.
On the Roman turn, two of the three infantry divisions rolled high and couldn't move. The third was able to just move once. The cavalry charged the Carthaginian horsemen who counter-charged, resulting in two combats. In one a Roman unit was supported by another against one Carthaginian unit, and in the second the division commander attached himself to the third unit to add three more dice to that attack. In both combats the Romans would be rolling 11 dice against 8. Despite the poor odds, the Carthaginians fought to a draw in one combat and actually won the other by a difference of three. The commander was not wounded, but the unit rolled low on the break test and broke!
In the next turn, the Carthaginians won the initiative. The two infantry divisions held their ground while the cavalry division was hoping to roll low enough to get two moves. No such luck. But with one move available, the victorious Carthaginian cavalry unit moved into position for a flank charge on the supporting Roman unit. The drawn combat continued, with the Romans winning by one. The Carthaginian horse unit was disordered, but remained locked in combat.
On the Roman half of the turn, the infantry continued to advance.
On turn three, the Carthaginians once again secured the initiative. The cavalry battle came to its climax with a second Roman unit breaking and the third locked in combat.
The Roman infantry advanced to within javelin range of the Carthaginian line and launched their weapons, scoring individual hits on three different units. Break tests were taken and all were passed.
This is where I decided to take my break.
 |
| The conclusion of the cavalry battle |
 |
| A Roman division advances toward the Carthaginian left |
 |
| Another Roman division advances |
 |
| An overview of the battle |
 |
| From behind the Carthaginian line |
 |
| The Carthaginian heavy infantry |
 |
| The Roman army commander and his division |
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
