With much of the mid-Atlantic states locked down by snow and ice, the local gaming club had to cancel the planned game. I reached out to Rocky and asked if he wanted to play at his place.
He agreed, and brought out a ruleset of his that I haven't had a chance to play yet: The Wrath of Achilles. Specifically designed to play out the Trojan War, it has plenty of chrome (interventions of the gods, prayers, very specific units for Homer's characters). The game doesn't use dice, instead relying on chit draws of various types of metal in increasing worth. And it's best suited for two players, which means Rocky doesn't get to bring it out very often in group settings.
I decided to take command of the Trojans, with Rocky leading the Achaeans. This battle was set early in the war, with all the major personalities present. The hordes of Achaeans had plenty of units with big shields, while the less-numerous Trojans had more units with slings and bows incorporated.
The game would end if either side lost eight units or their camp (for the Trojans, the gates of Troy).
As the Trojans, I pushed hard to control the hills which would anchor my left flank.
The Achaeans made their way across the Scamander River. I hoped that the Will of the Gods would go in my favor early in the game, as there was a chance that the Scamander would rise up against any units in the river, forcing them to take a morale test. Unfortunately, the Greeks managed to cross unopposed.
Greek skirmishers approached the Trojan lines, hoping to cause some early hits and maybe through the defenders into disarray. The Trojans fought off these attacks, forcing the skirmishers to retreat or even flee.
The Trojans' return fire did cause some problems in the Achaeans' line, forcing Rocky to halt a turn and regroup. The Greek Nestor was felled by an arrow launched by Pandarus.
With thundering voices and crashing spears, the Greeks launched their attack into the Trojan line.
In the grinding melee, the Greeks' martial skills began to show. Sarpedon and his troops were forced back, sundering the Trojan line in two and resulting in the loss of a frontline unit. The Trojan right flank was further harried, being forced back.
The biggest upset, however, was Achilles and his Myrmidons being chased off by Asius and the Thracians!
Agamemnon was all too happy to prove that he didn't need swift-footed Achilles. Asius was chased from the hill, forming another hole in the Trojan line. And cowardly Paris retreated from his position next to Hector.
King Priam's view from the wall of Troy was rather dismal. Sarpedon and Hector were the only warriors holding back the bulk of the Achaeans. The Trojan right was in complete tatters, and Odysseus was pushing for the gates. The only place the Trojans held with any real certainty were the hills, but if Hector and Sarpedon began to fall back the defenders would be flanked.
Further combat only saw more losses on the Trojan side, until they hit their army break point. And then failed their test! Thankfully none of the major Trojan characters had fallen, and the path to the city entrance was clear. The Trojans retreated, leaving the field in the hands of the Greeks.
As it's Rocky's set of rules, I asked if he had any tactical advice that would have helped me in the course of the game. He noted that the core of the Trojan line should be Hector flanked by Paris and Pandarus, who all have ranged attacks. Hector's inspirational aura would help keep Paris and Pandarus' smaller units in the fight, flanked by other large combat units. He also noted that I could have sent the two Trojans units who could form shieldwall into the hills, which would have locked them down and kept that flank safe, without losing the initiative of the agile units.
Alternatively, I could have put most of my strength on the open right side of the battlefield and pressed hard for the Greek camp, which would have ended the game. A riskier choice, but maybe something to try for next time.
