2024 Final Match: 118 Beneventum 275 BC
Note: For clarity, Left and Right refer to the sides of the battlefield, not the commanders point of view.
Game 1
John S (Epirote) 4 banners 23 blocks lost
Marco (Roman) 7 banners 21 blocks lost
The battle began with Epirote maneuvering his Lights, while the Romans countered by advancing on the left. Arrows flew, but inflicted no significant damage. The Romans opened up fire lanes for their Heavy War Machines, but also did no damage. Suddenly the Roman Leader Dentatus, with his surrounding MI and HI, charged off the ramparts and DoubleTimed to pin a hapless LI against the Warriors in the center. Epirote pulled his units back, but on the next turn the Roman HWM took their toll, firing at the limit of their range and scoring a double hit on a WARS. Epirote then took the initiative and advanced his MC on the right, pinning the LI there against the Romans MC.
At one banner each, the battle had suddenly turned to a small corner in the lower right of the field. The Romans OrderedMediumTroops, bringing their MI and MC against the Epirote MC, destroying one unit and sending the other unit and LDR retreating with heavy damage. Epirote responded with an IAmSpartacus, and the Gods of Dice accepted his sacrifice and gave him five for five colors and helmets, which he put to use attacking with his battered WARS and MC in the center. Unfortunately the deceitful Gods had lured him into disaster, and when the dust settled Epirote was down one LDR and the score stood at 5-2 Romans. Epirote then brought forward his heavy units, followed by a MountedCharge with his Elephants and LC, cutting off a LI, attacking a damaged MI on the right, and ultimately taking two banners. The Romans then used their MC to cut off an LC, and moved a full-strength MI and LDR against the Elephants. The Gods smiled and awarded two banners, bringing the battle to a close.
Game 2
Marco (Epirote) 5 banners 15 blocks lost
John S (Roman) 2 banners 20 blocks lost
As in the first battle, Epirote began by maneuvering his LI on the left, and the Romans by opening up fire lanes for their HWM. The fire lanes worked, because in short order both Epirote WARS were reduced. Despite this, Epirote LineAdvanced forward and right. More missile fire from the HWM failed to stop the advance, and Epirote brought his MC and damaged WARS down the right side, pinning an LI there just as in the previous battle. The attack sputtered, the LI survived, and the Romans came back and destroyed the WARS. Epirote retreated his MC, and his remaining LC finished off the Roman LI with missile fire. The score was 1-1, a WARS for an LI, not a good start for Epirote. More HWM fire further reduced his remaining WARS, essentially removing it from battle. He the moved his LI from the left to screen the center, but the Romans advanced the MI there to push them back, and their HWM scored a two block hit on the LB remaining in the center, putting it in jeopardy. Epirote brought his Elephants a step closer, and fired from his Lights on the right, scoring hits on the Roman MI and AUX pinned up against the MC on the back row. Amazing missile fire these two turns. The Romans then used InspiredLeadership to bring their MI and HI forward in the center and right center. Epirote responded with a MountedCharge, bringing his ELE, MC, and even his LC, against the damaged Roman MI, AUX, and the MC in the back row. The ELE finished off the Aux, but was killed after a momentum advance in a battle back from an MC. A Epirote MC finished off the MI, then advanced and damaged an MC on the back row. The score was then 3-2 Epirote with a single ordered Light Cavalry, facing two Roman single block MC on the very last row. The Dice Gods smiled on Epirote, and two flags in a row sent the MC running and the score to 5-2. With no path to victory, the Romans retired, finishing the match. Thanks John S for your patience in postponing this final match until after my travels. I look forward to meeting you again in the future.
Marc DePaul
Raleigh, North Carolina
