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Regular Vassal users will know that Sam and I are renowned as much for our bitterly fought battles as our vituperative conversation during. Recently we fought a 7-battle Servile War campaign with he as Rome and I the Slaves, ultimately resulting in a glorious victory to moi. Well, I promised him (and you, my friends) that we would rematch with opposing sides and below you can read the results.
You can find our previous campaign here and I highly recommend you read it if you haven't yet as it was bloody good. Anyway, as a quick refresher, here are the unique rules that we created in order to achieve balance throughout the campaign:
In each battle the player with the least cards would receive bonus banners for each card he found himself short in comparison with his opponent. So, for example, in the first battle, where the Slaves have 6 Command Cards and Rome 4, the Romans would receive an extra 2 bonus points at the end, regardless of the result. This would not change the victor in each given battle but it does mean that, in theory, a player could lose a battle and walk away with a slight advantage overall. Much like real warfare...
So, without further ado, Friends, Romans, Countrymen, lend me your ears - as the glorious legions of mother Rome put the rebellious slave dogs to the sword...
Mount Vesuvius - 73 BC
The greatest slave revolt against Rome was led by a gladiator named Spartacus. He was a Thracian slave, trained as a gladiator by his owner, Lentulus Batiatus, at a gladiatorial school near Capua. Spartacus escaped with 78 fellow gladiators...
The battle began sub-optimately for the Slaves as they were only able to assault the lone leader in the form of Glaber. It appears that they hadn't bothered to sharpen their swords prior to battle, though, as only a sole auxiliary fell to the warriors and, in turn, they were weakened. Nonetheless, the inability to bring reinforcements to bear left one camp undefended and this was soon pillaged and razed to the ground, taking the Slaves into a clear lead.
Then the cat-and-mouse game began and a lack of robust leadership by both forces saw tit-for-tat skirmishes with little benefit for either side. The Roman auxiliary were weakened but they in turn managed to fend off assaults by Warrior hordes and even take down a couple. All the while Rome was able to manoeuvre its light units in order to defend the remaining camps and bolster their position.
The pivotal moment came when Glaber found himself isolated from the remaining Roman forces and surrounded on all sides by Slave infantry. Unfortunately Spartacus was to make a blunder as he charged in critically weakened Warrior hordes and in the battle backs 2 units fell to Roman swords while not a single Roman fell in combat. The battle then ended with a strike at the remaining Medium infantry and, unlike to ignominious cowardice of the last round, this time Glaber was the hero of the hour...
Final score: 5-3 to Rome. With the handicap bonus, this was revised to 7-3 and the Romans took away a 2 banner advantage.
Campaign score: 7-3 to the Slaves.
Previous Campaign: Last time the Slaves won 5-1, revised to 5-3, so this was a dramatic turn around to a battle that traditionally goes to Spartacus.
Mount Garganus - 73 BC
Spartacus was an able strategist, and he knew that his rag-tag army could not expect to defy Rome indefinitely. Spartacus planned to escape from Roman territory over the Alps, and headed north through Apulia. He divided his ever-growing army and placed his lieutenant, Crixus, a Gaul, in charge of 30,000 German and Gallic slaves...
Crixus seemed to know what he was about this time around and immediately led his warrior hordes into battle in the first turn, splitting the Roman line, routing the war machine and destroying an Auxiliary. The Romans then immediately copied and countered this assault and they in turn wiped out a Warrior horde and weakened others.
Then began a near interminable game of manoeuvre and counter-manoeuvre, with both sides seeking to gain and press an advantage. Although the Romans reached Mt. Garganus and looked to turn the Slave flank they were quickly repulsed by a Double Time charge and only by the grace of the gods did Gellius survive unscathed.
Bloodied, but enraged, the Romans struck back and the game was left teetering in the balance with both armies within a whisker of victory. Advantage went to the Slaves, though, when their Auxiliary repulsed the Mounted Charge of a leader led Roman Cavalry and, in turn, their Warriors wiped out Gellius' Auxiliary, despite the desperate use of a 1st Strike...
This time we played the battle correctly and, much to my chagrin, Sam managed to not only win but significantly reduce the enviable advantage I had secured at Mt. Vesuvius.
Final score: 6-4 to the Slaves. With the handicap this was revised to 7-4 to the Slaves.
Campaign score: 11-10 to Rome.
Previous Campaign: Last time Rome won 6-5, revised to 6-6, so this was a solid performance by the Slaves, although Rome still carried the narrowest margin of superiority as the armies prepared for battle at Picenum (and I prepared to get whomped in what is invariably the one-sided battle that follows)...
Picenum - 72 BC
Following the defeat of his lieutenant Crixus, Spartacus continued north for the Alps, passing through Picenum. Two Roman armies moved against him...
Foolishly, Consuls Gellius and Lentulus were arrogant and vain men with little military wit, and they appeared to learn nothing from their previous battles. Intent on securing glory for themselves they chose to split their forces and quickly found themselves faced by Slave host occupying the heights with their secret weapon.
Spartacus chose to be bold and decisive in this battle and quickly launched an attack on the Roman left. Although Lentulus quickly identified the danger and issued orders to counter the threat his troops proved to be inadequate for the task and were quickly ripped apart as the Slave Warriors revelled in blood lust. Seeing his legions cut down about him Lentulus chose to lead from the front and valiantly charged into battle. The shock of the cavalry charge at first dented the Slaves’ line but quickly their forces re-adjusted and difficulty turned to defeat as Lentulus was cut down and the Romans quickly began to flee the battlefield...
Final score: 8-3 to the slaves. With the handicap this was revised to 8-4 and a crushing victory to Spartacus.
Campaign score: 18-15 to the slaves.
Previous Campaign: Last time the Slaves won by the same score line so this was another solid performance by the Slaves. They had managed to overturn the early Roman advantage and for the first time the campaign had swung in their favour.
Mummius’ Defeat - 72 BC
In the autumn of 72 BC, Marcus Licinius Crassus was chosen by the Senate to lead the war against Spartacus’ slave army. Crassus assigned two of his legions to his deputy, Mummius, and gave him the task of harassing the flank of the slave army
The battle started with the Roman right peppering the Warriors lurking in the wood line and, impressively, inflicting casualties on both. Inspired by the example, the Slaves in turn advanced their lights in the centre and peppered the Roman line with ranged weaponry. They lacked the Roman training, though, and despite darkening the skies with their missile fire casualties were light.
Deciding to ignore the threat of Spartacus on the left Mummius advanced his infantry on the right, seeking to engage the Warriors in the forest. Lacking discipline the Warriors chose to burst from their sanctuary and both sides clashed, inflicting minimal casualties. Both sides postured, seeking an advantage, and that came when one group of Warriors cut down the legionnaires guarding their leader and Mummius’ fellow commander found himself wiped out along with his cavalry.
Sensing the momentum had swung in their favour the Slaves continued to press and battled to pierce the Roman lines. The loss of their leader had shaken their resolve, though, and they chose to hide behind their shields, reluctant to fight back. Desperate for a breakthrough before superior forces joined the fray Mummius’ assaulted the centre, seeking to raze the Slave camps. As the Slave lights fought to defend their base Spartacus chose his moment to emerge from hiding and wipe out all remaining resistance. Mummius survived the battle but his troops had proven pitifully inadequate...
Final score: 5-3 to the Slaves, revised to 5-5.
Campaign score: 23-20 to the Slaves who were unable to increase the advantage any further.
Previous Campaign: Last time the Slaves won 5-0 so although the Romans found themselves sorely disappointed in their inability to press for a win this was ultimately an acceptable result for them, albeit begrudgingly; the Slaves' disappointment in failing to win more comfortably was palpable.
Bruttium - 71 BC
Spartacus retreated through Lucania into Bruttium and toward the sea. He encamped at Rhegium where he attempted to gain passage to Sicily with the help of some Cilician pirate ships...
Tragically, Spartacus was to be betrayed by the treacherous pirates and as they sailed into the sunset he found his army pinned him against the coast by the vanguard of Crassus’ forces. Intent upon starving the Slaves into submission, they erected a 30km wall and ditch and repelled two Slave attempts to break though. Spartacus, though, was not to be undone in his moment of glory and, with food and morale running low, he sought one last time to save his valiant men.
Spartacus once again chose a bold and aggressive posture and his infantry quickly advanced towards the ramparts. Despite the advantage of position the Romans proved woefully inadequate at first, failing to spot the danger to their position and reinforcing their defences. As the Warrior vanguard burst over the wall the Romans sought to flee their lights from the threat and trust to their training to absorb the initial charge. The Auxiliary guard who had first raised the alarm of the advance fought valiantly against overwhelming odds but was quickly defeated with few casualties to the Slaves.
It appeared that morale was ebbing across the Roman army and the Commander began to fear, for the first time, that the legions were simply not up to the task. Fate is a fickle mistress, though, and as they trusted to their aggression to overwhelm their foes the Romans found that they were not yet done and the tactical situation shifted in their favour. The Slaves continued to advance, desperate to break the blockade and escape to freedom but the Romans were not now to be undone and as both sides wearied the brave Slave warriors were cut down to a man. Not to be undone, the Light Bowmen who had valiantly blocked the left flank, preventing the slaves from sneaking past, managed to wipe out his Light Cavalry foe in hand-to-hand combat and the Romans had secured themselves a notable victory.
Final score: 6-1 to Rome, revised to 7-1 after the handicap.
Campaign score: 27-24 to Rome who had once again managed to create a slight advantage.
Previous Campaign: Last time the Slaves won 6-4, revised to 6-5 and so this battle enabled Rome to re-establish an advantage after three defeats.
Camalatrum - 71 BC
After Spartacus escaped the Roman siege in Bruttium, the Gallic section of his slave army moved separately under the command of Cannicus and Castus. Marcus Licinius Crassus was now in a race, not only with the enemy, but also with his rival, Gnaeus Pompey. The Senate had recalled Pompey and his army from Spain to reinforce Crassus. However, Crassus felt he had nearly won this war, and now wanted to complete it before Pompey could arrive and steal any of his glory...
The battle started cagily with both armies jockeying for an advantageous position. The moment seemed to come when with a great cry Spartacus bellowed orders across his armies with a well-timed Counter Attack and his units advanced to assault with fire in their bellies. Confident that the charge could be repelled Marcius awaited the Slaves, ready to mete out pain and death. Then, in a moment of inspiration, the Slaves auxiliary wiped out the Roman auxiliary in a single attack and with that Marcius’ position turned from strong to desperate. Despite a well-timed shift of momentum to chop down the Slave light cavalry with a First Strike the Roman left was quickly eradicated, culminating in the death of Marcius.
Finding his once strong position to be tenuous, Crassus sough to lure the Slaves forward by occupying the Slave camp. Identifying the threat Cannicus led his infantry into the fray, grievously wounding many of the lights and leaving them on the verge of rout. With the battle all but lost the lights valiantly sallied forth in an effort destroy the equally weakened Slave lights, but to no avail. The Slaves warriors quickly descended upon them and the battle was over...
Final score: 6-3 to the Slaves. No adjustment for handicap.
Campaign score: 30-30 and the campaign was tied leading to the ultimate battle.
Previous Campaign: Last time Rome won 6-3, with no revision, so Sam had won both times as both sides with the same score (this is not a battle I traditionally perform well in, having never won against several different opponents).
Silarus - 71 BC
Spartacus found his army trapped between the armies of Marcus Licinius Crassus to his front and Gnaeus Pompey, approaching from the rear...
Crassus, wary after defeat at Camalatrum, feared to advance his legions on the Slaves occupying the bluffs and instead sought to pierce the weak enemy flanks. An early assault on the forces defending the ramparts was rebuffed and in turn the Romans advanced laterally, seeking to out-manoeuvre their foes. Despite much success with their missile weapons the Roman lights were unable to pierce the Slave defences and the Warrior hordes proved the Roman match as they mirrored each movement. Realising that success would only lay in luring them from the heights, Crassus offered a slightly weakened line in the hopes of a Warrior charge.
The temptation proved strong to the Slaves and with a cry the charged from their positions, intent on slating their bloodlust. After many hours of waiting the first unit fell, a weakened Warrior who, bloodied and weary from an early combat, fell beneath a Roman first strike. In turn, they were cut down yet Crassus smiled, confident in his forces ability to counterattack to victory. Then, disaster - a largely ineffectual attack on the Roman horse, light on casualties, resulted in the death of the Roman commander and suddenly the momentum of the battle had shifted.
Rallying his troops, Crassus exhorted them on and with a mighty cry they clashed their shields and cut down the Warriors, their leader included. The battle was on a tightrope and, with courage in their hearts, a single unit of Warriors continued the Slave attack, wiping out a Roman legion and their cavalry support. With that the Slaves seemed assured of victory but, as light faded on the battlefield, Crassus, in the ultimate compliment to his foe, ordered forward his remaining cavalry to cut down the weakened Slave flank.
Victory on the field on battle went to Rome but, as night fell, the remaining Slaves fled the field, never to be caught by the pursuing Roman forces. Spartacus, too, escaped the field, never again to challenge the bloodied but unbeaten Rome...
Final score: 6-5 to Rome - revised to 6-6 with the handicap. In a sporting gesture, Sam offered the 1d Leader Check against the Slave leader, as he had been offered the roll against Spartacus previously, although this time the Commander was to escape with his life.
Campaign score: 36-36 and a stalemate; the 2d LC proving, in my opinion, the key banner in the final battle that allowed the Slaves to claim the 5 they needed for a draw.
Previous Campaign: Last time Rome won 6-4, revised to 6-5, so this was almost identical in both campaigns. Once again, the obvious difficulty in assaulting Warriors on hills resulted in a Roman player reluctant to advance with purpose, preferring instead to tempt the Slaves down.
The final score was 38-32 and a win to the Slaves under my command, although wins for Sam in the final 2 battles pegged back a lead that was into double figures at one point.
Conclusion:
The lead changed 4 times during this campaign, with the early Roman led pegged back and then overturned by the Slaves, with the Romans once again moving clear after the midway point. At the end, though, both sides entered the battle even, although in reality this gave the Slaves a one-banner advantage.
Playing through for a second time I am inclined to suggest that this campaign is as close to balanced as it is ever likely to, with the Slaves perhaps having the advantage in their ability to win several battles by significant margins. Nonetheless, the largest win went to the Romans at Bruttium, and the pivotal battles in the campaign proved to be the closely-balanced ones as the failure of both sides to win any comfortably ultimately prevented a clear victory.
Again, I hope you enjoyed this and I leave you with another affectionate compliment to my favourite C&C gaming companion...
Sam - you are still crap!
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Sam Wallis
United States
San Pedro
California
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CJ, a finely written summation of the battles, slanted as they are by Roman patricians eager to cover up their blunders while they oppressed the unwashed masses yearning to be free.
Mount Vesuvius was a disaster for the slaves from poor cards and poor rolls which couldn't quite be mitigated by my tactical genius. Enjoy your hollow victory. Enjoy the heady feeling of victory. Gather your rosebuds while ye may. Dark days are coming for you. Oh yes. Oh yes.
Best regards;
Sam
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Majorsam wrote: Dark days are coming for you. Oh yes. Oh yes.
You mean I'm going to have to suffer you for another campaign 
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Posted Sat Jul 31, 2010 9:29 pm