IMPERATOR MAGNUS - Battle Example

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The game we initially called Roman Commander has been changed to Imperator Magnus

Players can select a historical scenario and there army commanders. The required terrain tiles are placed on the table and each player selects the appropriate army units and places them upside down on the tiles where the scenario rules direct. Both players have an army commander and two or more lower ranking commanders. The game "board" is actually a series of tiles placed adjacent to one another based upon the scenario requirements. Hills are two to three tiled stacked on each other to simulate elevation.

Once both players have placed their units on the tiles each player selects from 1 to 5 tactics cards in the order the player chooses to play during the game. These are considered each army commanders battle plan. various commanders can play different numbers of tactics cards during a battle. This simulated the ability of each army general.

Each turn both players flip over the first Tactic card on  their turn to act.

Below is an example of play.

TURN 1:Tactic Card Played & Action

ROMAN TURN

In this example general Sertorius legions face Vercingetorix, a Celtic general. The terrain is mixed with two forested areas on the Roman side while the Celts sit atop an open ridge that runs parallel to a stream below. The Roman units in the forest may remain upside down and unknown until attacked or they leave the woods.

Sertorius's exact location on the battlefield kept secret from the opposing player and vice versa with Vercingetorix. Sertorius can play 4 tactics Cards during the game while Vercingetorix can play no more than 3 cards.

Each Commander has an Initiative Rating decided by the scenario. In this scenario, Sertorius always acts first.

Sertorius plays his first card which is a SKIRMISH tactic. So Sertorius moves his three Archers forward in the center and attack any three Celtic units on the ridge in the center with a arrow barrage.

Combat Phase

The Roman Archers make their attack against the from Celtic Warbands on the ridge.

The result is that two of the Celtic Warbands have been hit and each lose one step. When a unit is on it's last step it rolls for a Rout. If it Routs the unit must retreat on it's turn to a rear tile and is unable to attack or defend.

TURN 1 : Tactic Card Played & Action

CELTIC TURN

Vercingetorix plays his first Tactic Card which is s "Hold Fast" tactic. This means that no Celtic unit may attack or move this turn.

TURN 2: Tactic Card Played & Action

ROMAN TURN

Sertorius plays his "Centre Attack" card and moves three of his Legions to the stream tile.

TURN 2: Tactic card Played & Action

CELTIC TURN

Vercingetorix next card is a "Centre Attack" card. So he moves three of his Warbands into the same tile as the Romans and battle now commences with the Celts as the attacker. The stream will affect combat by reducing the die roll result of the Celtic attacks.

TURN 2: Combat

ROMAN MISSILE ATTACK

The Roman have a special ability to throw Pila spears at the advancing Celts before they can attack the Romans. This missile volley results in reducing the steps of two Warband units.

STAY TUNED FOR THE REST OF THE BATTLE...