TACTICA 2 Game Summaries

[simonw]

Happy New Year everybody. Last night was the first Monday night Tactica 2 game of 2025 (delayed a week by illness. The battle was between Seleukids and Mauryan Indians with the armies around 3000pts each (in Tactyica 2 terms), A breif analysis of ho the game went from Gordoleukos' viewpoint si as follows (supplemented by a few observations from myself). Gordoleukos' analysis of the game was as follows:
1. The huge Indian Massed Elephant units (4 Models in 2 ranks) did not work. One was out of the game on the extreme right flank and the other one on that side of the table should have missed the Seleucid HI altogether. It was an error to move the WB to confront it rather than drawing it forward using LC and our spare HC unit. The other unit fought a PH by itself and even if it had not been fortuitously disordered it would lose as it with impetus would be on even dice with a much lower breakpoint. Massing the elephants deprived the Indians of the advantage of the screen
2. The low hill on the Indian Left Centre was a trap as it drew the Indian flank HI forward into an exposed position where it was outflanked as Hughshoka was somewhat reticent in moving forward with the Indian Left Wing forces deployed in multiple lines of Cavalry (rear), Chariots (second) and 3 Elephant Screen and Skirmishes in front. This reticence allowed the Seleucid cavalry a large degree of freedom of manoeuvre.
3. There was a dangerous gap on the Indian left flank between the HI centre and the Cav/El/Ch. There was nothing to cover this even if the Indian flank forces pushed forward. Control of this gap allowed the Seleucid Agema to flank the end HI unit.
4. The Indian flank should have advanced rapidly to force the Seleucid right wing forces to fight behind the Seleucid Phalanx line of battle battle line and so deny them the manoeuvre room to flank. This is where the Elephant Screen's can be a real advantage.
The Indians were a little unlucky with the Rout Direction of some of their Elephants which resulted in 'sideways' moves and compulsory Disorder in adjacent units BUT this wouldn't have happened IF they had been Deployed in a Screen.
My main comment would be that the Indian Commanders were overly complex in their Elephant deployments and somewhat too passive during the game. The Indians are a relatively simple army, powerful but ponderous. It is most effective used aggressively with the Elephants in the front (as a Screen usually) and KEEPING the enemy to its front.
SELEUCIDS
Agema HC(I) FV5-6 Elite 12 9pts
Agema HC(I) FV5-6 Elite 12 9pts
Line HC(I) FV5-6 Veteran 12 8pts
Line HC(I) FV5-6 Veteran 12 8pts
Line HC(I) FV5-6 Veteran 12 8pts
Skyths LC FV3-6 Veteran 12 5pts
Bactrians LC FV3-6 Veteran 12 5pts
Elephants FV5-6 Veteran 3 42pts
Argyraspides FV5-6 Elite 48 8pts 384
Pikes FV5-6 Veteran 48 7pts 336
Pikes FV5-6 Veteran 48 7pts 336
Pikes FV5-6 Veteran 48 7pts 336
Bactrian Pike FV5-6 Veteran 48 7pts
Galatians(I) FV4-6 Veteran 48 6.5pts
Thracians FV3-6 Veteran 18 4pts
Peltasts FV3-6 Veteran 18 4pts
Thureophoroi FV4-6 Veteran 16 6pts
Cretans (FV4-6)Veteran 12 3pts
Asiatic Bow (FV4-6)Veteran 12 3pts
Javelineers (FV5-6)Veteran 12 2pts
3222 Points
Massed Figs: 442
Breakpoint: 221
INDIANS
Elephants FV5-6 Veteran 15 42pts
Cavalry FV4-6 Veteran 18 6pts
Cavalry FV4-6 Militia Grade 36 5pts
4CH w/ Bow FV4-6 Veteran 6 33pts
Foot Archers FV4-6 Veteran 48 7pts
Foot Archers FV4-6 Veteran 48 7pts
Foot Archers FV4-6 Veteran 48 7pts
Foot Archers FV4-6 Veteran 48 7pts
Foot Archers FV4-6 Veteran 48 7pts
Foot Archers FV4-6 Veteran 48 7pts
Javelineers (FV5-6)Militia Grade 40 1pt
Bowmen (Fv4-6)Militia Grade 20 2pts
3212 Points
Massed Figs: 468
Breakpoint: 234
Next week; REVENGE!You cannot view this attachment.You cannot view this attachment.You cannot view this attachment.You cannot view this attachment.