OT2019 Round 5

Game 1

Player 1 DigitalDick (Parthian): 5 banners

Player 2 asqwasqw (Persian): 6 banners

The Persians moved up incautiously, causing the loss of some light cavalry. They were able to slowly push the Parthians back however. A Parthian charge on the left flank caused the Persian right flank to collapse, and a charge with the Persian medium cavalry lead to them being cut off and routed. The Persian Army was on the verge of routing (5 banner losses to 1), but they were able to push the left flank, where the Parthians did not have room to manuever. The Parthians tried to keep attacking along the left flank, but the Persians retreated, leaving no avenue for attack. The Parthians attempted to make one final charge with their Heavy Cataphracts, but the Persians countered with a charge from their own cataphracts, managing to wipe out an enemy unit for the win.


Game 2

Player 1 DigitalDick (Persian): 6 banners

Player 2 asqwasqw (Parthian): 4 banners

The Parthians surged forward with their light cavalry, launching arrows with little effect. The Persians advanced, and the Parthians charged the left flank. They managed to wipe out nearly the entire left flank, forcing the leader to retreat alone. Then, disaster struck for the Parthians, as a mounted charge from the Persians killed all three of the heavy cataphract troops and a leader in a single turn. With no heavy cavalry, the Parthians tried to chase down a couple of wounded enemies, but was only able to catch one straggler before they were forced to flee the field.

Logfile for Mike scipio1zama as Persians vs. Viktor January31 as Parthians

Game 2

Mike (scipio1zama) played the Persians – 6 banners

Viktor (January 31) played the Parthians – 2 banners

The Parthians advanced 3 LBC in the center in turn 1, and 2 more LBC in the center in turn 2, and fired them all with a Light Troops card in turn 3. However, the Persians started the game with BOTH Mounted Charge cards in hand and used them in turn 3 and 4 to chew up, retreat, and eventually eradicate 2 Parthian LBC and 2 Parthian HCC, plus chase one leader off the board. The final turn saw two Persian heavies attack and eliminate two more Parthian LBC that were pinned against their board edge. 5 turns each, 10 altogether in a quick victory. I agree with some others who have noted that luck plays a bigger part in this scenario than most.

(This game was played on July 31)

(I neglected to make a log file for this game. My opponent sent me his, and I will try to attach it to this via the Discussion thread.)

Game 1
Player: Max Bogatov (Persians): #6 banners
Player: der_mandarin (Pathians): #5 banners

Timing: 6 turns
Real actions in the game began from 2 AUX and 2 HC advance in the center. It was unlucky - I lost 2 AUX, 2 HC and Leader in exchange of 1 HC (1-5). But then I attacked by 3 MC, killing LC, HC and Leader (4-5). The opponent tried to roll at least 1 banner on 4 dice to destroy my LC who coudn`t evade and retreat, but was unlucky. Then my second Medium Troops order and MC destroys two LBC on the edge of map (6-5). Luck.


Game 2
Player: Max Bogatov (Pathians): #6 banners
Player: der_mandarin (Persians): #4 banners

Timing: 7 turns
In this game "I`m Spartacus" was well played: two HC activated and destroyed two units. But Persians answer by MC in rear who killed two LBC on the edge of the field. All ended by again attack of HC who destroyed HC, Leader and LC. Luck.

I don`t like cavalry scenarious in Ancients. They are too lucky. Especially after I twice played Medieval already. It is really fun! Very small changes and cavalry scenarios are shining there!

I'm going to extend the deadline on this Round a few days to try and get matches completed. New Deadline is 4 August

This will be the last Round, and there is a very congested contest for the 7th & 8th positions in the Semi-Finals. I am assured that opponent strength can sort that out, but I believe that relies upon competed matches.

Game 1 Player 1 mk20336 (Persian) 5 - Player 2 Andygor (Parthians) 6
Game 2 Plaeyer 1 Andygor (Persian) 2 - Player 2 mk20336 (Parthians) 6

Game 1
Player: mk20336 (Persians): #5 banners
Player: Andygor (Pathians)): #6 banners

Interesting game - significant advantage on Persian side in first part of game and very bloody and successful Parthia finish.

Game 2
Player: mk20336 (Pathians): #6 banners
Player: Andygor (Persians)): #2 banners

This time range fire was a king and Parthia had all the assets needed for victory. No MC played.

Thanks to Andygor for playing the games and flexibility with the schedule!

Game 1
LeonardoAngelo (Parf)- Gileforn (persia) 1-6

Game 2
Gileforn (parf) - LeonardoAngelo (pers) 3-6

Carthage (Parthians) - Polonus100 (Persians) 5-6

Polonus100 (Parthians) - Carthage (Persians) 6-4

Two very tight games, where Fortuna waged to both sides, but finally was on the side of my catharphacts - Persians in first and Parthians in second game.

Timing wise, I'd prefer to stay with 5 rounds, but I was intending to see how tight the ratings are at the end of this round.
Ideally, if there is a clear top 8 by points, that would be it.

That's technically correct, Giulio. I think there are just over 32 players. It's difficult to plan at the beginning of such a long tournament what the final numbers are going to be because there were late additions and there are always dropouts. The 32 cutoff is a little arbitrary. The purpose of the Swiss system is to create a statistically fair ranking system by the end of the final preliminary round and that makes most sense at the mid-ranges of the player bands, not so much for numbers near the cutoff marks. There should be a clear ranking by the end of this round. Happy to go to a 6th but it shouldn't be necessary, unless Mark and everyone else is keen (depends on player fatigue.....well done, everyone, for so many going the distance so far! )

Game 1
Tomek (Parthia): 6
Viridovilas (Persia): 5

That was a long battle with lots of arrows flying both ways. Amazing how much ammunition was inside the quivers. The Parthians managed to hold the initiative for most of the game - shooting volleys and running back when hit, always supported. Then Persia moved more aggressively and the catharacts on both flanks got themselves into confrontation. Two leaders down and a stolen victory with two banners close combat attack by light cavalry.

Game 2
Tomek (Persia): 6
Viridovilas (Parthia): 1

Standard development. Persia moved in the infantry, Parthia killed some of it, then a Mounted Charge opened the center and a nice series of flank command cards managed to seal the victory.

Of course I am a bit biased but I liked playing this scenario and these gambling cavalry attacks. I had an excellent opponent and that multiplied the fun factor.

Mark-McG wrote: easy to see why the Ancients deck needed to be updated for Medieval

very true. In fact I'd be curious to see a re-edition of this scenario for Medieval. I suspect that it would play better with the new rules...

mk20336 wrote:

der_mandarin wrote: Is this the final round before playoffs?

Yes, exactly it is!

Given a large number of players this year, I think that according to the rules, we should have a sixth round.

Game 1

Armada01 (Persians): 6 banners
Giulio (Parthian): 5 banners

Game 2

Armada01 (Parthian: 4 banners
Giulio (Persian): 6 banners

I didn't particularly like this scenario and I think Tony shares my feeling. WIth such brittle cavalry units, everything is decided by a roll of dice: your charge eliminates the enemy cataphracts? You won. It doesn't? You lose. Also, the strategy is quite one-way: the first to be lucky enough to have a cavalry charge, charges the other, hoping that the other player cannot reply. This is basically it Apart a few random eliminations of unsupported light cavs units based on the ability to roll two banners. Said that the game is fast and I enjoyed playing with Tony.

der_mandarin wrote: Is this the final round before playoffs?

Yes, exactly it is!

logfiles


easy to see why the Ancients deck needed to be updated for Medieval

Game 1

Player 1 Mark Mcg (Persians): 6 banners

Player 2 Gonzo (Parthian): 2 banners

Parthian missile fire initially kept Persian inf from closing, but when moved closer was smashed by Persian series of 3 cards incl Cav Chrge and ran 5 LBC off board and killed a Parthian HCC. Parthians were able to pick off a MC and HCC of the Persians.

Game 2

Player Mark McG (Parthians): 0 banners

Player 2 Gonzo (Persians): 6 banners
Mirror image of first game. Parthian missile fire reduced 2 Persian MC to 1 point, but they hid while the rest of the cav Mounted Charged with strong follow cards. Final point was from despersation 3 pt LBC on 1 pt HCC which played a First Strike and got him.
We thought there were way too many inf cards in the deck for a Parthian to have much of a chance. I wonder if a "reverse" hoplite rule should be considered.

Round 5 - Hormuz

Game 2

BrentS (Persian) 6
taliapharoah (Parthia) 4

Having done a bit of Medieval recently I have to say this scenario was very reminiscent of the ones we've played from that game. Persia can't sit back and take the superior ranged attack and has to get forward and force the LBC to open their lines and back to their baseline. I was a bit over-aggressive, though, and it looked like it was all going to fall apart when I had a double helmet kill my right flank leader (in close combat against a LBC....the shame). I was down 4 banners to 1 but pulled out the Mounted Charge I'd been saving all game and trying to get into position to use. Ahuramazda finally showed me his favour and I took 5 banners in the one charge (lots of flags against unsupported LBC when I needed them). Love dramatic comebacks and big finales in Ancients.

Thanks Travis for two very strongly played and enjoyable matches and congratulations on your success across the tie.

Files for both matches attached.

Game 1

Travis (Persian): 6 banners

BrentS (Parthian): 2 banners

A game of maneuver and excellent Parthian ranged attacks turned when the dice went the way of the Persian Empire. Moving in on the Parthian right, a MC card and then order four left did most of the damage, surrounding and eliminating the HCC and then cornering some light units. The dice abandoned the Parthians on the counterattack, and the bold Persian advance was able to claim the 5th and 6th banners as a result.

Game 2 coming later this week.....

Game 1
RiverWanderer (Parthian): 2
Baloo (Persian): 6

Parthian light cavalry failed to stem a Persian onslaught. On the Parthian left, a counter-attack by their heavy cavalry was fatally weakened by a Persian First Strike and the Parthian light cavalry continued to be pushed back until the weakened units were finally destroyed to complete the Persian victory.



Game 2
Baloo (Parthian): 0
RiverWanderer (Persian): 6

A similar story to the first match. This time, a strong Persian cavalry formation swept the Parthian right flank before them, reaching the back-line to destroy the remainder, including Artabanus, and cutting into the rear of the Parthian centre to take the victory. Once again, Persian victory was helped by a timely First Strike.

Please see next post.

couple of comics
and the files I have...

Thanks to TTk for two enjoyable games. In the first one, I made a mistake of getting within range of a cataphracted Mounted Charge, which was absolutely devastating. Thought I could salvage something at the end, but the 2-helmet LC kill was a real blow to morale.

Second game (with me as Parthian), I had amazing cards at the beginning and rolled ranged fired like a man possessed! But then I started getting two Line Commands, one Order Medium etc. and nothing for my hard-pressed right flank. TTK blew a hole in my line expertly and the hope for 1.5 or even 2 points disappeared.

There was a slight problem with Vassal where one of TTK's forward moves of his HC was not registered on my screen. Proved pretty crucial at the very end, but that's how it goes (could easily have happened the other way around). C'est la guerre.

Thanks again to Mark for all the work arranging this spectacle. It has been a blast as usual

EDIT: Sorry, it seams that my second VASSAL logfile got corrupted when I re-synchronized with TTK to fix the problem with the misplaced unit. The only thing that was saved was the .vsav file before said re-synchronization. I am sorry about this.

Game 1

Player TTK (Parth.): # 6 banners & 12 blocks lost

Player Stanislav27 (Pers.): # 2 banners & 19 blocks lost

Short game. Parthian have Cavalry Carge and +4 banners on it. Last trophy was Ardashir (2 helms).


Game 2

Player TTK (Pers.): # 3 banners & 18 blocks lost

Player Stanislav27 (Parth.): # 6 banners & 11 blocks lost

Both sides have not good Orders at the end of game. For last banner 2 parthian's bowmen attack MC without support - and do it!
In start green Order = domination parthian... I was sinking into the ground BC, MC, CHC & Ardashir... But counterattack persian Left almost near ege fild

second log from Stanislav27 (thanks for the games)

and keep wargaming!