Hail Caesar Pyrrhic Wars Game

Co-hosted a Hail Caesar Pyrrhic Wars game last evening at my buddies place (only 10 minutes away). It was a fictional scenario pitting his Antigonid forces against my Epirote army. We didn't use all our forces as a few of the players had to cancel out at the last minute. We ended up having 3 players per side - one of which ran 2 divisions. We have 3 elephants, and 5 pike units per side, with various support units and cavalry.

Above, on the left are my buddies Antigonid army with a unit of my merc hoplites on loan. We plan to re-fight this game at my place on a bigger table with more troops next time. My Epirote force on the right, with Galatian warbands and Samnite light infantry on the left flank division.

Epirote right flank division which I ran, consisting of Greek light cavalry, Galatian medium cavalry, and a unit of Agema with kontos. The Antigonid left flank division with horse archer skirmishers, and 3 units of Agema cavalry with long spears. I made the first activation roll of the game, intending to charge my light cavalry into the opposing cavalry. However, the this first roll ended up with a Blunder roll! The blundering unit ended up in front of my Agema cavalry. 

Pictured above is the Antigonid Agema and Scythed chariot (which made their mandatory proximity charge) into my Greek light cavalry unit. As you may suspect, the light cavalry was soon destroyed by overwhelming numbers. The one positive thing from this engagement was the Scythed chariot is a one-hit-wonder, and removed after this charge, and sparing my remaining units its attack.

My Agema cavalry having defeated the enemy with my kontos counter charge after their follow up from destroying my light cavalry. I chose to remain in place to make a charge in our next turn.

The center division consisting of the pike and elephants - Epirotes on the left, and Antigonids on the right. They had many back and forth clashes throughout the game.

Initial engagement of the pikes and elephants. The Antigonid Rhodian slingers successfully attacked the Epirote elephant, making it retreat soon after.

The other division of pikes and elephants in the distance.

Epirote pike and elephant right center division in combat.

Above, the Epirote left center pike and elephant division with a unit of merc hoplites on their left next to the elephant. A unit of Samnite light infantry from the Epirote left division makes it way around cover on the far left.

Epirote Galatian warbands finally able to charge into Antigonid merc hoplites at the end of the game. Both the Epirote left division and Antigonid right division continually failed to successfully activate units. The Antigonid merc hoplites being drilled were allowed to make free moves after each failure.

Being the last turn of the game, and both players engaged for the first time, we allowed the Galatians to both attack the one unit of merc hoplites. This was later determined to be incorrect, as only one of the Galatian units should've attacked, and the other used as support. Of course, the hoplites were destroyed as Galatian warbands get 9 dice each in the first round of combat, and get to re-roll one missed attack dice in the round being Wild Fighters. Oh well, at least the Galatian player (who normally doesn't like Hail Caesar or Black Powder), left happy.

All in all a nice refresher game for me as I haven't played Hail Caesar in a very long time. Waiting for a date from him to confirm with the players for the re-fight, but I'll be sure to make a blog post when it happens. Until next time, hope you liked this post, and best wishes to all!