Victory Results:
 75 %
Record a victory for BOTTOM ARMY  25 %
Total plays 129 - Last reported by Androcles on 2025-04-02 21:01:37

Historical Background
Rather than pursue Darius after the victory at Issus (333), Alexander turned south to neutralize the Persian fleet. In a two-year campaign he captured Tyre and Gaza, and conquered Egypt. In 331, Alexander marched into Mesopotamia, intent on attacking Babylon. Darius had raised another army, strong in cavalry but lacking in good infantry. The two armies met on the plain of Gaugamela. Darius posted cavalry on the right and the left, and occupied the center with his Greek mercenaries, guard cavalry, elephants and chariots. Alexander placed the Thessalian horse on the left, while taking charge of the phalanx in the center and the Companions on the right in person. The Persian line extended well beyond both flanks of the Macedonian formation. To counter, Alexander moved diagonally as he advanced, refusing his left. Darius ordered his mounted troops forward. The Macedonian right managed to hold their attackers just long enough for Alexander to charge with his Companions and heavy infantry straight for Darius. Again, Darius turned and fled the field, but the battle was not quite over. The Macedonian left was still hard pressed by the Persian cavalry. Alexander wheeled about and charged with the Companions into the Persians, forcing them back. Soon the entire Persian army was in retreat. Gaugamela is one of the truly decisive battles of history, and marked the beginning of Alexander’s great empire. This battle is also considered the classic example of penetration tactics.
The stage is set. The battle lines are drawn and you are in command. The rest is history.

Light Infantry   Light Bow Auxilia Medium Infantry Heavy Infantry Light Cavalry   Medium Cavalry       Leader
1   2 2 1 4 2   3       3
Light Infantry   Light Bow Auxilia Medium Infantry   Light Cavalry Light Bow Cavalry Medium Cavalry Heavy Cavalry Elephant Heavy Chariot Leader
2   2 3 2   2 1 3 1 1 2 3

War Council

Macedonian Army (Use Greek blocks)
• Leader: Alexander
• 6 Command Cards 
• Move First

Persian Army (Use Eastern Kingdom blocks)
• Leader: Darius III
• 4 Command Cards     

Victory
7 Banners

Special Rules
• When Alexander is attached to a unit, the unit will battle with 1 additional dice in Close Combat.

• The Greek Companion Cavalry is a special unit. Place a special unit block in the same hex as the Companion Cavalry unit to distinguish it from the other units. The Companion Cavalry will ignore 1 sword symbol in Close Comba and may ignore 1 flag.

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Androcles replied the topic:
1 week 6 days ago
Macedonians win 7-4 despite Alexander being shot to death in one round at start of the battle.
bigfriendben replied the topic:
2 months 2 weeks ago
Played as the Persians against a first time Ancients player who is familiar with Napoleonics. He made a couple of key mistakes that allowed me to win, but it was still a close affair: 7-5 Persian victory.

He had a move fire move that still left an avenue open for my elephants to get to his heavies, which allowed me to wipe one of his phalanxes and get some damage on a medium. At the same time, my light cavalry were able to take enough off of his wings while skirmishing to leave the Companions all alone. When he charged Darius, my heavy cavalry survived and sent Alexander hobbling back to his own lines.

Finally won the game on a fortuitous double time that allowed me to target his auxilia for the final banner. I always find this scenario fun to play as the Persians, as it's difficult to find enough targets to win! The Macedonians have a distinct advantage-- my friends and I refer to heavy chariots and elephants as "free victory banners" and if the Macedonian has the cards to choose his targets, they give him and almost unwinnable banner advantage.
Stanislav27 replied the topic:
5 years 9 months ago
Results from the third round of my group's tournament:
Macedonians won 8 battles
Persians won 2 battles
GF1954 replied the topic:
6 years 3 months ago
2 solitaire games with both sides winning by the score of 7 - 4. In the second game, the elephant for the Persians led a charmed life in that several times it escaped damage. It caused heavy damage to the Macedonian's heavies, and was a major contributor in the Persian victory.
mk20336 replied the topic:
7 years 3 months ago
That was devastating scenario for my Persians - Macedonians started with moves in center and Darken The Sky, which really pissed my elephants - they of course tramped two units behind them. Lack of cards to do anything, companions ignoring XSW and Alexander giving additional dice - that is receipt for disaster:) 7-0 to Alexander:
alecrespi replied the topic:
16 years 5 months ago
Eric S. Raymond wrote some comments about this scenario on his webpage. CLICK HERE to read full article.

This scenario depends on whether Darius can pull off an envelop-and-crush with the numerically superior Persians befor Alexander punches his heavies straight through, shattering the required number of units on the way.
This one is well balanced; Darius being 2 command cards down compensates nicely for his numbers advantage. The Macedonians better pray he doesn't get a couple of early Line Commands, though; that could seriously constrain Alexander's room to maneuver.
alecrespi replied the topic:
16 years 5 months ago
FAQs present for this scenario. CLICK HERE to read.