Romans vs. Italians

I've been doing more historical gaming with a local group of gamers and really enjoying a different aspect to miniature games as a result.  I've always worked on projects for a tournament or maybe with a couple of friends but due to gamer ADHD I never get much done and thus my dreams of some epic battle with tons of figures stays just a dream.

Not so with this group.  These guys have made the dream of an EPIC battle a reality by collecting a huge number of figures, usually for both sides of a conflict.  Playing in their games is great as I get to see huge armies on the field, push some figures around and have a great time with some great guys.  Best thing is, I don't have to bring a thing to participate as they have all the figures!

My most recent game with the group was an Ancients battle put on by our friend Mike.  He had his Republican Romans vs. various Italian Tribes.  Not only did it look great but I had the pleasure of seeing a LOT of our Gorgon Studios Etruscans on the field.  Really an inspiration for me and maybe someday I can get something half as large an army painted up.

Etruscan 1st Class Hoplites (Gorgon Studios)

Etruscan 2nd Class Spearmen (Gorgon Studios)

Etruscan Chariot and Cavalry (Gorgon Studios)

 

My count showed over 500 figures on the table which is something I've rarely had the pleasure of seeing in person.  We used the Impetus ruleset that the group (besides myself) are familiar with.  It appears to be a fairly "basic" ruleset which, although maybe not be as flexible in tactical variety, makes for a quick, easy game that anyone can play.  For me, I just want to see some cool models, roll some dice and have some laughs so simple is fine by me.

 

I rolled off and won the chance to play on the Italian side against the Romans.  The two armies lined up, our skirmishers scuffled in the middle and our cavalry forces clashed together on our right flank.  The chariots were quickly dispatched by the Roman cavalry but Wendel, our cavalry commander, managed to hold up the Roman's left flank nearly the entire game.  This bought the rest of us, commanding the infantry, time to advance on the Romans and hopefully finish off enough of their infantry that the cavalry clash wouldn't matter.



 

Although my slingers drove off the Roman skirmishers they failed to do much damage to the Hastati beyond and were quickly driven off as well.  So after several turns our infantry lines collided and although our rolls were good the Roman's were better.  I've never seen so many 6's rolled for pilum throws than I saw in the first couple of rounds of combats, which took a nasty toll on our Italians.

 

In the final round both forces were within one unit of breaking.  Wendel's cavalry had bought us enough time to finish them but sadly we came up just short and managed to fail the one leadership check that lost us the final unit and the game.  So, the Romans eked out a win but just barely.

 

It was a great game despite our loss and it left me inspired to finish my Republican Romans (the same minis from Crusader that Mike used in the game) and then work on an opposing force in the form of our Gorgon Studios Etruscans.  If I could get 100 figures in each force someday I'd be happy.  500+ will probably never happen for me, but one can dream.