I came, I saw, I got stabbed

[Marathon]

I deployed four legions on the front line and did not have enough room for my cavalry. The are in reserve along with Legio IX. My first move will be to move the cavalry out to the flanks.

[e_barkmann]

I would be interested to see your results when you try a 1.1 campaign on 'normal' AI.

I have found it difficult even getting a minor victory in 1.1 campaign games on 'normal' so far.

Cheers Chris

[Marathon]

ORIGINAL: Chris Merchant


I would be interested to see your results when you try a 1.1 campaign on 'normal' AI.

I have found it difficult even getting a minor victory in 1.1 campaign games on 'normal' so far.

Cheers Chris

Me too. Sounds like it got a lot tougher.

[Marathon]

Blame Rome:Total War for my lack of posting.

My cavalry heads for the flanks while my reserve, Legio IX, heads towards the objective I have to defend.

[Marathon]

Still moving. At the end of the turn, enemy Allied Cavalry appears on my right heading towards the objective.

[Marathon]

Five against one? That is not fair. Need reserve to hustle and Legio X, at the end of the infantry wall, needs to prepared to support the defense. Now up to eight enemy cavalry units.

[Marathon]

All I can do is hold my ground and await the charges. My men inflict 800 loses while losing 400.

[Marathon]

Ten enemy units going for the first objective with Legio IX in the way. The entire Legio X is involved now. Everyone, including my cavalry is defending waiting for the right opportunity. Saving pilums since I know I will need them later to take the other two objectives. Again, I win this round as I lose 900 men while Pompey loses 2900. Titus Papellius (enemy) is killed and eliminated.

While this is happening, my other troops are slowly moving East.

[Marathon]

I am content to allow them to fruitlessly bash against my shields. Then enemy loses 1900 more cavalrymen will my casualties are minimal. Another unit is eliminated while charging my legions.

[Marathon]

The infanty continues to defend while my cavalry awaits the opportune moment to counter-charge. Caesar's unit loses the first stand of the battle.

[Marathon]

Rest of my army waits while the battle continues on the right. I lose 600 more men and another stand, but the enemy loses three times that in fruitless frontal assaults. Gaius Calidius is eliminated.

[Marathon]

Smart counter-attacks break the enemy advance. Marcus Gellius, Russuanus, Joelius and Radamesius are all destroyed and anther units is routed. Objective one has been achieved. All this is good news but there are only 15 turns left and the res of the enemy army is still out there.

[Marathon]

I can return Legio X back to the main line as then enemy cavalry is almost finished.

[Marathon]

All my infantry moves to rejoin the main line as my cavalry kills eliminates Publius Sennius.

[Marathon]

The plan is to move Legio IX to a reserve position behind my main line. I make contact with the enemy defense; Legio I, Legio II and Legio III. Opposition pilums kill 200 of my troops.

[Marathon]

Pilums, rocks and arrows fill the air. There are almost 10,000 casualites this round. One of units routs after losing three stands.

[Marathon]

I am weak on the left as my cavalry is facing an entire legion alone. Attacking in the center where I can get between the enemy legions. Once again, a lot of troops fall on both sides as I lose 2600 while the enemy loses 4100. Two more of units rout so I have to rush my reserve to the front.

[Marathon]

The enemy Scorpions, catapults and archers are in sight. Barely holding the left, the right is till moving up while I am pushing back the enemy center. I try the fear card but it does not work. I play a rally card on Gaius Volusenu to steady his troops. More carnage as my men kill 4100 while losing 2600. Several enemy units rout but I lose Gaius Arpineius' cavalry unit.

[Marathon]

Still holding the flanks while I press the center with nothing but brute force. I lose 1700 more men, mostly to ranged fire, but the enemy loses double that. A catapult is destroyed and another leader is killed. My men move closer to the two objectives and the enemy has two more legions, Legio IV and Legio V, guarding the objectives.

[Marathon]

More death but again, Pompey loses twice as many men as I do. The right flank is starting to press forward but the main gains are still in the center.