EB 1.1 AI and Nval invasions

[Macilrille]

Oooooh during my offensive in Asia Minor I just had one of my ten best battles ever!!!

AS with a balanced fullstack of 6 Phalangati of various sorts, 2 Ethiopian Swordsmen, 2 Galatian Wild Men, 4 Classical Hoplites, various other heavy infantry, two 100+ retinue FMs. 1-5 Exp.

I had 3 Cretan Archers, 1 Ligurie Epos, 1 Brihentin, 1 Merc Greek General, 1 FM, 1 Cordinae Orca (? Scordisci Swordsmen), 1 Rhomphaioi, 1 1st Cohort, 3 Evocatii, 3 Antesignanii, 4 Cohortes Reformata. Brihentin 5 Exp, one Cretan 1 Exp, rest none.

All troops on both sides upgraded by Blacksmith.

I took position on a sparsely forested ridge (most of the map was more or less forested), with my cavalry on the flanks, the Roman infantry in two lines and the Cretans and Auxilia infantry in a third line behind. Wisely the AI kept its FMs behind its lines- uncharacteristically not rushing forwards. and moved most of its infantry forwards as one line with only two units behind as reserve, thus outflanking me hugely on my left. To counter this I sent my cavalry even further out, waiting to hit the flanking force in the back if necessary.

My archers made little difference because of the trees and the fact that I faced heavy infantry. That I could not flank with those two old wardogs of FMs waiting for me behind the line (both were old-ish and had seen enough war to have 5 Exp each, 123 retinue and ~100), made my cavalry and the archers' secondary option ineffective as well.

So his left engaged my Right flank and I noticed all his Hoplites and some other heavy infantry there and figured with a bit of additional pressure I could break them, and sent in something like 9 vs 7 on that flank, keeping the Phalangites in the centre at bay with the rest as they eventually moved in as well. I also sent my Ligurie Epos behind my line to that flank, figuring its javelins and possible small flanking support of an Evocatii would tip things.

This all took what felt like hours, but 12-13 mins on the battle timer and the infantry engaged in a slugging match. Knowing that Phalangati are not easy meat from the front I was starting to sweat as both sides' losses mounted at an alarming rate- it was a bloodbath in that infantry battle (quite realistic I believe). Then a Phalanx routs from the centre to my amazement, soon followed by the remains of a Hoplite and one of my CR's as one AS FM slams into my centre.

This allows me to take on his covering force on the L Flank of an Ethiopian Swordsman and large FM with the Brihentin and General+FM respectively. With the Ligurian Epos finally hitting a hoplite on the R flank in the back, eventually it routs.

It took four charges from the Brihentin and a pincer attack enveloping the FM, later supported by the Brihentin as the ES finally routs, reduced to 15, to break that flank. Meanwhile as the Hoplite on the R flees, another follows suit and I can send off the Li Ep in hot pursuit (they have a nasty habit of rallying or getting away) with the Reformed Cohort and 1st Cohort hitting the next unit in in the flank and back the front is quickly rolled up from my R flank. It was not the Cav that did the hard work though, it was the Marian Legionaires and Auxilia. Sheer bloodbath and even had it not ended in a Heroic it would still be top10 for my battles.

The AI acted almost intelligently and proved a challenge to beat!!!

Meanwhile the AS has rebuilt a decent fleet in the Persian Gulf and is sailing an army around doing nothing at all. I suppose it is for Saba, but it never does anything. I might transfer that to the Med as well, symbolising a counteroffensive against me supply lines and newly conquered territories. Despite app 18 fullstacks from AS and 4 from Pontos facing my 8, that would add to the fun- and endanger my offensive as I push inland, we shall see.