So George and I were the leading players with both 30 points. George was playing the agressive Alexandrian Macedonian army and had a mandatory "invading player" stance
I expected a fierce fight as we both needed points to stay at the top
What would really happen still leaves me bewildered even today as I still wonder "why"
As a reminder my list
Facing a much more mobile opponent I was happy to have a rough terrain on one flank and a protected flank . My samnites allies were in that terrain , the etruscans holding the center and the gallic ally the rather rough or difficult terrain on the protected flank.
I was rather surprised to see the Alexandrian proud forces deploying to the rear. The phalanxes are SUP, most of his cavalry is SUP , he has CL, AlexMac as legendary, the companions as exceptionals + ME ..so what was he planning
Of course, he was unhappy about my flanks but he could still fight with an advantage in the center his pikes would always be green + shove vs my white, green if his pikes were only one rank deep. His cavalry could protect the flank of the phalanxes and he could have deployed his flexible cavalry to go around my left flank which would have forced me to leave some forces to avoid outflanking ...
A battle in which both sides would gain points and keep us at the top, enjoying a fierce battle that I was not sure to win . SUP Phalanxes with a legendary Alexmac, even deployed as hoplites could kill me rather easily ( dice permitting )
My gallic ally is very slow moving ( and will for a long long time ). I was wondering why AlexMac had deployed his flexible cavalry there as it would not really protect his flank
And seeing his cavalry force to the front of the rough terrain I was more perplexed
It's a long way to go to AlexMac...and suddenly The AlexMac army started to ...redeploy to the rear
I waited a turn the started to go forward
But still it is a long way to AlexMac who will keep retreating
My Samnite light cavalry saying hello
Alexmac still does not come
So I try
And go forward I even initiate a charge and go out of the terrain. He will still avoid the battle
So my charge , the only action of the day ended inconclusively and the game ended on a frustrating 2-2
AlexMac refusal to fight did cost us the leading position and would possibly make the podium an unattainable dream
I was confused, a bit angry ( I admit it ) and still do not understand why he refused a battle he could , if not win, at least profit from by gaining points as the quality of his army made it very possible for him to kill some TUGS as he had the quality and the power of the pikes
When you play an agressive army, you go for a fight
Now this is my analysis, my opinion
Perhaps one day I'll understand the "why"
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