To the Gates of Rome - a Hannibal:Rome&Carthage AAR

[gwgardner]

And so it shall be done.

To make Hannibal's entry into Italy possible, Hasdrubal has been ordered to cross Gaul and storm the city of Placentia, open a way south. The battle goes well, but 2 Spanish infantry are lost.

[gwgardner]

Next Hasdrubal heads west to take over the siege of Genoa. The Roman army there will have a choice - try to break the siege, or hold on. Or perhaps even they will pull a Scipio, and flee by sea to Etruria. Once Hasdrubal is in place, Hannibal will march.

[gwgardner]

Hannibal's troops are thirsting not so much for battle, but for booty. The general senses their mood, and sets them loose to ravage the rich estates of the Romans that litter the Etrurian countryside.

Once they are sated, Hannibal will direct his forces to storm Perusia. He declines to storm Scipio in Pisa - the city is too strong, its defenses would shatter Hannibal's army if assaulted head on. Let Scipio, or some other Roman general, lead an army into the field to take on the Carthagenian army.

[gwgardner]

I could be playing this too cautiously, but I refrain from besieging Pisa. I don't want to face those four extra city militia, if a Roman general brings an army up from Rome and breaks the siege. I'm going to trust to Hannibal's superior battle tactics in the open field.

I brought the Carthagenian fleet north. Hopefully that will keep the Romans in Genoa from sneaking out by sea.

Note the ravaged Roman estates.

[gwgardner]

The Romans surprised me. Instead of assaulting Hannibal's position, they made various moves to reinforce Umbria, across the Appenines. We'll have to see what they're up to.

[gwgardner]

Year 5 in the war was eventful, with an overall plus for Rome, I think.

It all started with Hannibal trying to send Mago down to Africa to stage reinforcements. Couldn't do it, because I had no port in Etruria. So like a dummy, Mago (not me!) went off to dine in Perusia, guarded by the city militia.

Hannibal, not knowing about Mago's ineptitude, set his army to plundering the rich Roman country side in both Etruria and Latium (see the Xs in the screenshot). Hannibal was still hoping to lure some Roman general into battle, so he settled down to besiege Capua and wait.

Meantime, Hamilcar sailed north with 6 divisions of elephants, cavalry, and infantry to reinforce Hannibal. I mistimed the move, and since Hannibal had already moved, I couldn't combine Hamilcar's forces with him. So Hamilcar settles down to besiege Neapolis. Dumb move.

One big success, the Carthagenian fleet sailed south and completely destroyed the Roman fleet.

[gwgardner]

The Roman plans revealed themselves when Scipio proceeded to gather together all the forces in Umbria and Samnium, and from Rome itself, and then headed into Latium to attack Hamilcar. He completely shattered that smaller Carthagenian army, with the loss of only two legions. Then he turned on Hannibal.

Hannibal was eager to break the siege and meet Scipio on the plains of Latium, but not before the wily Roman used subterfuge to get two Latin units in Hannibal's army to flee the battle. That put Hannibal into the leadership of the smaller army. 16 legions against 13 African, Spanish, and Latin troop divisions.

Hannibal played the 'inspired troops' tactic again, which allowed him to whittle Scipio's force down by 8 legions in two rounds of battle. Scipio retreated back to the walls of Rome itself.

One bright spot in the turn: Genoa finally surrendered to siege.

One less bright event: the Romans sent their 5 legions at Pisa over to slaughter Mago.

[Obsolete]

LOL, reading this AAR keeps making me think of Civ IV.

[gwgardner]

ORIGINAL: Obsolete

LOL, reading this AAR keeps making me think of Civ IV.

Is that a good thing or bad?

I liked Civ 4. This game has a much different feel, actually. First the battle tactics and battle play is much better, and second it's much less ponderous than playing Civ4.

[Obsolete]

Well, since it is one of the most popular games out there, I guess it's good.  Though I'm sure you'd have a big problem trying to convince the fans this one is better

[gwgardner]

Funny. I'm not about to compare this game to Civ4! My only suggestion was that the battles are better. More detailed, involved.

[lancer]

G'dye,

Are you able to talk about how the battles actually work?

Cheers,
Lancer

[gwgardner]

ORIGINAL: lancer

G'dye,

Are you able to talk about how the battles actually work?

Cheers,
Lancer

Sure. Take a look at the screenshots of battles in this and Fletcher's AAR.

You have leader strengths, which effect each side. Hannibal has special battle tactics (cards).

You choose up to 8 units to man the front line of each round of battle. Cavalry is useful in the frontline in case the enemy tries to retreat, in which case your cavalry can pursue (their cavalry can screen the pursuit).

There are elephants, calvalry, archers, infantry, etc., all with unique attack and defense strengths, and some with attack bonuses.

Each round the sides have a chance to inflict hits and routs. Some routed units can be returned to battle, at the expense of leader strength. Others, like Gallic units can not return after being routed, except if Hannibal plays some tactics.

There are field battles, sieges, storming of cities, attacks against enemy encampments, naval battles.

[lancer]

G'day,

O.K, thanks for the info.

Could you elaborate on how much decision-making impact the player has on the battle?

I gather from your comments above that the initial battle line composition is important plus the play of a ''tactics' card but does the player's involvement extend beyond this?

Cheers,
Lancer

[gwgardner]

The player decides on which units are eliminated and routed during the battle.

Example, an African infantry unit can absorb two hits. It's important, very important, to include them in any line of battle. One has to judge when to use those Gallic units, because they are strong but normally impossible to rally. The player has to decide on rallying routed units, and this can have a major impact on future rounds of battle. And then the player has to weigh factors involved in retreating and pursuing.

[gwgardner]

Years 6 and 7 of this war with Rome have witnessed no major battles. Instead, Hannibal and Hamilcar combined their armies, and Hannibal marched on Rome itself, laying siege.

The perennial Roman leading general, meanwhile, has marched across the top of Italy and retaken every one of the cities that the Carthagenians had taken in earlier years.

I was expecting the Romans to gather everything to break the siege of Rome, but it appears they are playing a waiting game, knowing that the city will last for years under siege. Slowly building up their strength, I think they will surely attack soon.

[gwgardner]

Year 8 the Carthagenian Senate authorized reinforcement of Rome. Hamilco crossed the Pyrennes to bring Spanish cavalry and infantry, but has to fight his way across the Alps. He won't be able to get to Hannibal till year 9.

The Romans under Consul Nero decided to challenge Hannibal, bringing 13 legions to break the siege. He hoped that Hannibal would maintain the siege, thereby adding the 12 legions inside the city to the Roman army. Hannibal immediately broke his siege and took up a strong position in Latium, awaiting Nero attack.

Nero went into his own defensive position.

13 legions againt 17 Carthagenian divisions, in year 9, because Hannibal is certain that Nero just made his biggest mistake ever. He should have crept into the capitol. Instead he's a sitting duck for what could be the climactic battle of the war.

[lancer]

G'day,

This is a fun AAR.

Does Hannibal have to worry about feeding his army or is he assumed to be happily living of the land?

Cheers,
Lancer

[gwgardner]

Living off the land. Supply is 'volunteered' from the locals.

[gwgardner]

Year 9 opening situation: not good.

I forgot to mention that the entire Carthagenian fleet was lost at sea, to storms. That leaves Hannibal pretty much cut off from reinforcements.

He sits south of Rome with 17 divisions of troops. Nero is encamped nearby inside stout fortifications with 13 legions. 12 more legions sit guarding Rome itself, with 8 militia cohorts.

It is probable that Hannibal could inflict a drubbing on Nero, but not decisively. That would leave his army sitting in Latium or Ertruria at the mercy of combined Roman armies, but ... he dares the Fates ...