Two days ago, with my friend Gianni, I have played a fictional battle (15 mm.) between late Romans and Alamans with my rules "Magna Acies!".
The focus of the day was not simply to play a battle, but mainly to improve the rules in order to make worth deploying the army (expecially Roman army) in two ranks.
This is what I (the Roman) have made; instead, Gianni (the Alaman) has deployed the Alamans in massed formations, but one behind the other.
The picture below shows this, with the Romans on the left and the Alamans on the right:
The Alamannic warbands in the centre begin to push toward the legions which face them:
The clash happens in the centre, while at the corners opposite light troops are skirmishing (left in picture) and Roman cavarly is prevented to attack due to the presence of a massive formation of Alamannic bowmen deployed before Alamannic cavalry (right in picture):
In the centre, Alamans are pushing very hard against Roman lines, and they are able to gain some important advantage breaking sometimes the Roman first line and forcing some Roman auxilia and bowmen to run away.
But the roman second line is fresh, and it can rush in battle and clash against the tired barbarians, supporting the first line, where still existing:
So, the Roman centre (legions and auxilia) is able to push back the Alamans, and the most important barbarian divison (which was fighting against legions) suddenly takes the flight:
Near the river, Roman cataphracts decide at last to charge the Alamannic archers (who run away) and to rush against Alamannic cavalry, suffering heavy casualties:
But we are at the end of the day: Alamans, after a first successful moment, are forced to gradually withdraw, loosing lots of warriors.
The protracted effort of the Roman lines has been able to guarantee Roman final victory!
This has happened when Alamannic player has lost half points of his army.
In coclusion, a very interesting and balanced battle, with a realistic and historical outcome.
After the typical, first barbarian heat, Roman discipline has been able to save the day, due to the deployment in depth of the Roman army.
