In my very rare occasions to play RTW due to a huge amount of work I was playing the MAC's. Thanks to the incredible Light Lancers, one of the best units in RTW and many mercs I managed to conquer Greece, Asia Minor, South Italy and Sicily very fast. I suffered yet only one defeat, and this in the sea, playing VH/VH


My great successes enraged first the Thracians and after I crushed them, the Scythians. No problem I thought, having with Alexander a good general (six stars and many good traits) and a full stack composed of 4 LL and various mercs (Hoplites, Thracians, Heavy Peletasts), with two Bastarnae and Crethiaaan Archers. All in all over 1000 men.

Seeing the Scyhtian capital (Scythian camp) poorly guarded I siege it. Next turn a small relief force attacks me.

The two Scythians HA came from the south while the besieged army with a good deal of Barbarian Cav and Scythian NobleArchers with little infantry support came marching from the north. All in all 400 enemys with a poor general.

It was a winter landscape in the Steppe with little trees on my left and right, where I prepared to deal with them, thinking it best to keep my army tight, placing the Hoplites in front of the main army, flanked by the Thracians and supported by the Bastarnae and the Peletasts. The Cretians were in the center, as my General was, the LL were in the Rear

After ten minutes of intenisve gameplay I saw my army utterly crushed and cut down to the last man. Seeing that my so good Archers were unable to keep this HA at pay I decided to unleash my four LL which never let me down before to defeat the HA quickly. Two of them chased on HA. In the mean time the enemy started to encircle me slowly, while my archers tried to shoot as many as they could down. I kept my army tight, waiting for the return of my LL after their victory. But no, all four were cut down to 8-15 men each fleeing hastly from the battlefield.

Now with no cav. I waited. Soon the whole Scythian left attacked my right flank, starting a chain rout. I hastly ordered the General and the Bastarnea there, and exactly while I issued that orders my left flank was ridden down by their other wing, closly followed by the center. In 10 seconds my whole army was on the run, with anyone surving it's faith. Only some of the LL could report of the Deseaster...

Cheers
OA