ROMAN UNIT CARD UPDATE

Note these are prior to changing size of font on generals (which we are doing a final iteration for all). So here are some of the deadliest troop types in the Ancient World...

Republican Legionaries from before the Marian Reforms

All Close order so great in good going but not great in terrain given their rigid 3 line formations of Hastati-Principle-Trairii. A YELLOW and GREEN that kills infantry on an S in the open! Those veterans are lethal.

Velites

Given their need for protection and inability to deal with terrain the Velites were and essential part of every legion at this time. So important we even have veteran ones and who are great in terrain and at killing off enemy Elephants (Zama) or skirmishers.

Italian Infantry

Lacking anything like the punch of the Roman legions but more adept at fighting in terrain. Note no S effect but 2 dice gives them a stable attritional damage. The later Roman Auxilia is a much stronger development of these.

Allied Cavalry

In this era most of the cavalry were mercenaries and sourced from Gaul. Cavalry was never a real strength of the Roman army until in its later form in the East. But these are good enough to stop major envelopments, and to sweep away enemy loose order infantry and bowmen.

Scorpions

Caesar used these heavily in the Gallic Wars. The very best ones concentrated fire on the enemy bodyguard and generals. Used well they can cause chaos. Lethal against enemy chariots (as discovered by Boudicca at The Battle of Watling St).

Generals

Here are the three named generals. Note Simon has asked us to add the Never Give Up characteristic to Caesar based on his remarkable skill at the battles of Sabis and Ruspina.

As so to the Post-Marian Reformed Roman army where things are rather different.... termed Imperial Romans for simplicity.

Imperial Romans

Lorica Segmentata legionaries.

When most people think of Roman they think of this. Simon's system really comes to life with these. With their less rigid formation they were far more able to fight in terrain hand to hand (as Gladiator's opening scene). Just as dangerous in the open as the earlier legionary; but more resilient in terrain.

Auxilia

A huge difference after the reforms is that they developed specialist troops to hold terrain, yet who were also capable of closing ranks and fighting in the open. These are experts at killing off the enemy in terrain and put up a decent fight in good going as well.

Imperial Cavalry

But not all things are better. The Allied cavalry of the Republican period were better than Rome ever managed to recruit until it formed it's Eastern armies.

Praetorians

But you now could have limited access to the very best Rome has to offer. The famous Praetorians. Infantry doesn't get much better. A RED and a WHITE killing enemy infantry on an S ... living death! The cavalry are not bad either.

Auxiliary Archers

By now the Romans were starting to appreciate the power of archers and developed nicely armoured bow units. These have the advantage that they roll their dice before the opposing main battle card. So, loose and flexible cavalry have a 1 in 6 chance of dying against them before they make contact.

Unleash Hell!!

And in keeping with the opening scene of Gladiator they get the most artillery cards. These stack with main battle cards and against close order targets, chariots or elephants can cause mayhem!

Rome may be in the centre of the map and surrounded by potential enemies but it can field the strongest armies in the game. Hail Caesar!