15mm Carthaginians versus Polybian Romans (Conquerors and Kings ruleset)
Today we tried out a new (to us) ruleset: Conquerors and Kings, a grid-based system. I've been thinking about grid-based systems for a while, so it was interesting to try one out for the ancients period. A few thoughts from it: the grids limit manoeuvre along rectilinear lines, so there is far less of sweeping end-runs with cavalry and more of a locked-horns push: in our game, the push of infantry in the centre was a scrum that went back and forth as the game progressed, and finally ended only in exhaustion as one side (mine, the Carthaginians) could not sustain the casualties. There are a lot of dice to roll (always very satisfying) and the re-roll mechanic gives a sense of control and autonomy (or perhaps the illusion thereof - in every case it was clear I had to re-roll because the initial roll was not in my favour anyway). I started the battle by using the elephants out in front, wary of their limited effect as well as their tendency to run amok. I didn't actually know whe
