Sassanian - Completed Version

Sassanian - Completed Version is a mini movie on YouTube. I find it quite evocative and worth linking up here.

Clubbing it! Middle Imperial Romans vs Early Sassanids

After the last Middle Imperial roman vs Late Sassanid game, which left me very unsatisfied about the Late Sassanid Warhammer Ancient Battles AoA v.2 Army List (I'll get to why in a minute) we decided to try the Early List out against a similar middle imperial Roman force. I think both lists came to approximately 4444pts- so not too large and not too small for the game to be satisfying. 

The problem with the Late Sassanid WAB AoA v.2 Army List lies in the lack of bite from the Sassanian archers, especially from the Clibenarii. By the fifth CE the Sassanian army fought in a very particular manner, loosing clouds of arrows as they closed and fighting fiercely in hand to hand with their superior heavy cavalry. This is not reflected in then lists as they are played. In fact, the Sassanian Clibenarii, if  they are to have any effect whatsoever they had to stand still and loose arrows at close range from a position of weakness. this is not from all accounts I have read, how the Late Sassanids fought. 

It was with this in mind, and a view tom possibly changing the Early Sassanid Clibenarii stats/abilities that we decided to play a game using the older Early Sassanid "Cataphract" and Huns style list.

Due to real life issues I do not have the time to go describe in words how the game went. It was though, one of the very best wargames I have played in many years, the final combats leaning on a knifes edge with the Romans taking the laurels at the end of the game. If you follow the vast number of images through the game, via the lightbox on Blogger, you will be able to follow the action all the way through. 

Roman Legionaries in Marching Column with support from torsion engines and Light Lanciarii

Sassanid Deployment

Roman Legeionaries and Light Lanciarii supported by Equites Alares