The game is easy to play, but is tough to win at!
I had a go at the Sulla vs Marius vs Mithridates, most because Sulla has all the letters of Saul, a forerunner to Paul, and Marius sounds a bit like Python, if you say it quick. (Well, not really, but the regular reader will see the connection.) I also liked the historical period as the Roman army was transforming into a permanent, professional force and the power of the generals finally overwhelmed the power of the Senate.
Well, the game appears quite even from the broad strategic map. Marius owns Africa, bits of Spain and bits of Italy, Sulla owns bits if Italy and Greece, and Mithridates owns Asia Minor and bits of Greece. However, Sulla has a large veteran army. Once he gets rid of Mithridates, Marius had better watch out! In the meantime, Marius has four under-strength legions in Italy and a bit of time.
It did not start well for me on my first turn. I decided to clear some pirates from Sicily (as simple as dragging my fleet in Africa on top of them). This taught me the importance of planning - I discovered most of my fleet was transports. Doh! (Oh, in the graphics below, Marius leads the Populares - the assembly of the people should rule - and Sulla the Optimates - the best qualified should rule, where only rich landowners need apply.)
So, next turn I looked before I leaped, and sent Cinna into Rome with a large force of Italian Auxiliaries. Hurrah, I thought, the Eternal City is now mine!
Alas, not so. The following turn I moved off only to notice the Optimates flag was still flying. I only won a skirmish outside the walls. I had to fight my way into the city. Then I discover that the Italian allies are not so good at siege; Legions are the best. So I raised a legion in Pisae (as simple as clicking on the Eagle on the bottom left temple icon and dragging the legion 0n to my city). All good, except the legion needs to be trained, so really has to be left untouched for five turns. (You can move it after one, but it won't be very effective.) By the time it was ready, Cinna's army had run out of supplies (the green bars above your impedimenta units all turn red), and had to return to Capua. (I did take Rome the following year by co-ordinating the legion and the allies.)
So I had learned that siege was important. As a result, I sent Marius and his lieutenants off on a siege tour of Italy - one legion a piece. However, it is not a good idea to leave your legion out in the open without an impedimenta in winter time. Not only did I take some nasty attrition but....
Historically correct! Marius and Sulla never fought a battle because Marius died before Sulla returned to Italy. My foolishness just brought it forward. Anyway, Cinna accepted the acclamation of the legions, so I could play on.
Annoyingly, I completely underestimated what the Lusitanians (Spanish) were capable of. I had planned to just respond to deep incursions only, but then they destroyed my legion there and began to overrun the country.
With most of Italy conquered, I had the horrid surprise to see Sulla arrive having marched through Illyricum. I knew I was in trouble. I raised two new legions and collected the rest of my forces around Cinna - seven legions plus auxiliaries against four of Sulla's. No joy. Sulla was just too good. I wore his forces down somewhat, but then he reinforced (over the sea I think) and I found myself besieged in Roma. At this point the game crashed. (Annoying, but unlikely to impact a PBEM, and when I restarted, it was is the same position before the crash.)
Annoyingly, Sulla had left the back door in Greece wide open, so Mithridates was probably going to win the war.
Conclusions: Turns are quick and mobile. There are lots of opportunities to surprise your opponent. You do have to check before you attack that you will succeed- the army size is not a perfect predictor. There are lots of turns - 12 a year - so it will take a while to finish a game. Easy to make a move. Lots of interesting options to finesse the game. (I ignored economic growth this time was everything was too urgent.
Anyway, I surrender and will try again employing the lessons learned. Over to you, Paul and Thygs: throw the die if you dare!
Roman: Fair enough. All is lost. I surrender. The die is cast.
Asterix: Let this be a lesson for you. Now, return our bard and don't try anything like this again.
It looks good. I still haven't got through the tutorial!
Posted by: Paul | Monday, 21 March 2016 at 08:19 AM