Thoughts about Bibracte and TRIUMPH!

[HoaryCenturion]

Gentlemen,

Following, please find an excerpt from a recent “study” on Bibracte.


TRIUMPH!

> Looking over the respective army lists available for free at http://meshwesh.wgcwar.com, refighting Bibracte with this set of rules will be a simple and straightforward contest between Warriors and Elite Foot.
> Similar to the ARMATI rules, Elite Foot (i.e., Legionaries) are not able to throw their pila during the missile exchange phase of the game turn. Presumably, the pila volley impact is factored into the comparatively high ‘vs Foot’ melee factor of +5.
> Similar to the ARMATI thinking, it might be best to model each Roman legion with 10 units of Elite Foot. These could be arranged in a 4, 3, 3 formation, with the legate or tribune embedded with the second line.
> Caesar could serve as a replacement for one of these legates, I suppose, but that would limit his freedom to move around and assist or encourage the men, even though he was dismounted. Perhaps a ‘Caesar scenario special rule’ could be drafted and tested for this refight.
> The ability of the Warriors to ‘shatter’ Elite Foot with a higher melee score is lessened by the initial terrain advantage of the legionaries, but the risk is still there. Perhaps allowing the Elite Foot stands to roll 2d6 and take the better result would further reduce this risk without producing too much of an imbalance between the opposing forces.
> However it is decided to portray the four Roman legions, the Helvetii units should, again, match their frontage. To reflect the reported numbers involved, it would not be unreasonable to prepare a second line of Warriors, so that ‘rear support’ may be gained. Then again, perhaps the Helvetii should not be allowed to claim this tactical advantage.
> Along this same line of thinking, perhaps the ‘shatter’ result should not be applied when fighting against legionaries who have the advantage of higher ground.


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Thanks in advance for your time and consideration.

Cheers & good gaming,

Chris

[RogerCooper]

I don't think you need any special rules. The legions had a hilltop battleline, giving them a +1 bonus in Triumph terms. So the legions are +6 vs the warriors at +3. The legions have 1/4 chance of killing the warriors while the warriors have a 1/6 chance of killing the legions. Once the lines start getting ragged, things go even worse for the warriors.

I also question the idea of making the bulk of the Helvetii the "Warrior" unit type. This was a tribal migration, not a raid by the best fighters. I would classify the majority of the Helvetii as Light Foot.

Also, don't believe Caesar's propaganda on numbers. The battle narrative makes no mention of a second line or flanking (until the Boii & Tulingi arrived). The numbers should be comparable until the refinforcements arrive.

Don't forget that the Romans had some cavalry. So we have a mixed force of Warriors and Light Foot attacking uphill against Elite Foot with flanks covered by Javelin Cavalry. The Helvetii will lose. For better balance, have the Helvetii wait for the Boii & Tulingi to arrive.