Onomarchos versus Philip of Macedon

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 Warhammer Ancient Battles (WAB) - Phocian Greek versus Rise of Macedon Army - September 2021

View from the Macedonian right flank.  Note the sacrificing priest.

So...time for the return match. Philip of Macedon and his young, upstart son, Prince Alexander, were out to teach those impious, temple-robbing Phocians and their over-paid mercenaries a lesson!

I've always liked the idea of a Phocian army (that, or a Syracusan) since my WRG 6th Edition days.  Here was a chance to actually use one (using the list from the Alexander the Great WAB supplement).

Again, we opted for no scenery - just an open plain so that we could focus on learning the rules.

DISASTER STRIKES!
However, the night before I did something really, really stupid.  Doing production-line varnishing, I put a tray of freshly sprayed Phocian Epilektoi onto the top of the washing machine.  It hadn't clicked with me that the machine was on.  I left them there while it went through a spin cycle! I heard the crash and found the Epilektoi had re-enacted what the victorious Philip had done to them historically - off the cliff into the sea!  I don't think he'd used washing machines though. It was a very late night spent putting it all right again!  Were the gods already against me for using Phocians?

Anyway, next day we deployed after Macedonian bacon butties (thanks, Phil!).

Hoping to have an elephant to shoot at, the dastardly Phokians turned up with 3 stone-throwers.
"See that one in the hat?"

Not sure how much I like the stone-thrower rule in WAB.  You pick a visible target, then estimate the range, measure to the point that you have estimated (it may be way beyond the nominal target), then throw the scatter/artillery dice.  So you can have a hit (on the estimated point of aim), a misfire (varying degrees of severity) or off target in a random direction between 2-10 inches.  All well and good (I like the jeopardy of the 'misfire' rule), however, technically, when firing at a close-ish target in front, you could end up flinging a 10 mina (12-13kg) stone projectile over your shoulder, to the consternation of any officer standing behind you!  There's always a chance that you can hit your own troops in front of the stone-thrower anyway. That's what makes them fun!  It reminds me of their use in Warhammer Fantasy many years ago.

More significantly, a devious player (I hope that there are none out there!) could declare that they are shooting at the 'visible' skirmishing unit ahead.  Knowing full well that there is a juicy target of some 'non-visible' close order spearmen just behind them, they could deliberately overestimate the range so that with a 'hit' roll it landed plumb in the middle of the rear unit.  Better to choose the visible point-of-aim and then roll the scatter dice, to my mind.

Anyway, Philip (not the army general) took the appearance of the artillery in his stride; even disappearing into his garden to get some real rocks when they eventually found the range of his pike phalanxes!
"Anyone seen Kevin?"

So, keeping my hoplites well back (the 2 centres never did meet), the stone-throwers pounded the pikes (?!!) whilst the rough stuff took place on the flanks.
The general course of the battle.

The Phocian deployment as seen from their left flank.

Re-based and re-armed Essex hoplites on the right (originally painted around 25 years ago), and newly-painted Foundry hoplites on the left with the lovely Athenian-supplied shields from Footsore Miniatures.

More squished phalangites.

On the Phocian left flank, Alexander is about to fight for his survival as the Companions are hit by Thessalians and light cavalry.  We never did manage to finish him off though!

Depleted Macedonian phalanx in the centre.

Phokian Epilektoi see off Thessalian heavy cavalry on their right flank.

Veteran mercenary hoplites - with 2 Phocians photo-bombing at the back!

The Phocian centre.

Not everything went in the artillery's favour.  2 misfires in the last turn.  One fatal!

The Macedonian Army in full array.

Phil graciously conceded a losing draw (for him).  So the honours are even.  Another enjoyable game - as much time spent chatting as playing!

Phil's account is available at his excellent Phil's War Cabinet blog.

Copyright

Please note: 
All images and text are copyright Andrew Moran and must not be reproduced in any form without the author's express permission. Thank you.



Comments

  1. Neil Patterson8 October 2021 at 04:21

    That disaster with the Phocians looks heartbreaking!
    However impious they may have been in real life, that's still a blow....

    Not much of a fan of WAB; these days there are lots of ancient rules to choose from (unlike the days of WRG 6th)- Simon Miller's "To the Strongest" are worth a look as are Commands & Colors Ancients .....
    Neil

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Andy M8 October 2021 at 09:09

      Hi Neil! Yes it was. I invented some new swear words for the occasion!
      I know WAB isn't to everyone's taste, and I was very much into WRG 6th in the past (who doesn't love army lists?). However, I have to admit that I'm really enjoying them so far.

      Delete
  2. Graham C8 October 2021 at 08:54

    Nice to see the report from the other side 🤪 I’m still not convinced about the stone thrower rules in WAB ( I always thought of tweaking them or giving them a smaller template) I have tried other rules which I’ve ended up using for my 15’s but somehow the 28’s and WAB go together although I have promised my son a WRG 6th edition so he can see how it was 😁.
    So you and Phil have dragged me back to 28mm Ancients. A Greek army is started as well as a couple of Biblical forces!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Andy M8 October 2021 at 09:15

      Yes, mine's the accurate account, Graham!! Well...maybe!
      Glad to hear about your return to Ancients. What figures are you using for your Greeks? With Partizan this weekend, Phil and I have discussed the possibility of new armies. But which to choose? Not easy, eh?

      Delete
    2. Graham C8 October 2021 at 12:20

      Andy I’m afraid in the main Victrix but I have some Footsore pieces and more recently some of the Lucid Eye Greeks which are expensive but very nice

      Delete
    3. Andy M9 October 2021 at 03:23

      I like the Victrix range a lot. I hadn't seen the Lucid Eye Greeks before. Just had a look now and...WOW! They look to be impressive figures. Expensive, as you say, but may just have to get some as characters.

      Delete
  3. Mark, Man of TIN8 October 2021 at 23:54

    A very stylish blog from the title font to the battle reports and maps. A pleasure to read, even if Ancients aren't really my thing ...

    ReplyDelete
  4. Andy M9 October 2021 at 03:19

    Many thanks for your comment, Mark. Much appreciated.

    ReplyDelete
  5. John Kersey31 October 2021 at 11:26

    Thanks for the link and a really enjoyable read. Commiserations on the unfortunate accident - it happens. Yes the artillery rules were a bit random and subject to certain "game practices" to determine the range.
    I'm so glad you're enjoying the magic of WAB - fast, clear fun games.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Andy M31 October 2021 at 11:36

    Cheers, John. Re: artillery. I can imagine. Shame the bolt-shooters didn't get to skewer one of your chariots yesterday! Although your spearmen weren't so keen. I'll try to get our game written up and published this week.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. John Kersey1 November 2021 at 15:24

      The bolt shooters work best on deep formed infantry blocks. If you want random try the original rocket launcher from Armies of Antiquity!

      Delete
    2. Andy M2 November 2021 at 05:22

      Yes. Light blue touchpaper and duck!

      Delete

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