3.6.4.3 Third battle turn

Third battle turn - orders

Darius and Alexander choose orders for the third battle turn. These are then revealed simultaneously.

As a result of these maneuvers, the deployment at the end of the third battle turn is as follows:

Third battle turn (missile fire)

On Alexander's left flank, Alexander's Archers 1 unit (484 strong, with a missile value of 20) is led by Hector, who has a Tactics score of 5 (with +1 specialism in leading a unit in battle) and an IQ of +1. The unit is normal tiredness and has good morale. It is standing and firing from a normal firing position (i.e. nether advantageous or disadvantageous) at Darius' Spearmen 1 (with a defence value of 12) in close order. To determine how many casualties are delivered this battle turn, Hector makes a dice roll, with a basic value of 5 (Tactics) +1 (specialism) +1 (IQ) +20 (missile value) +2 (good morale) +0 (normal tiredness) +0 (normal firing position) -12 (defence value) +0 (target in close order) +0 (normal visibility/wind) = 17. He risks 4D+5, rolls a 4, 4, 5 and 2 giving a dice roll result of 20. This results in the firing unit causing casualties equal to 12% of its size (i.e. 12% x 484 = 58 casualties). The unit strength of the spearmen is reduced by 58.

On Alexander's right flank, Alexander's Archers 3 unit (460 strong, with a missile value of 20) is led by Ptolemy, who has a Tactics score of 5 (with +2 specialism in leading a unit in battle) and an IQ of +1. The unit is normal tiredness and has good morale. It is standing and firing from a normal firing position (i.e. nether advantageous or disadvantageous) at Darius' Spearmen 4 (with a defence value of 12) in close order. To determine how many casualties are delivered this battle turn, Ptolemy makes a dice roll, with a basic value of 5 (Tactics) +2 (specialism) +1 (IQ) +20 (missile value) +2 (good morale) +0 (normal tiredness) +0 (normal firing position) -12 (defence value) +0 (target in close order) +0 (normal visibility/wind) = 18. He risks 4D+6, rolls a 3, 4, 1 and 2 giving a dice roll result of 16. This results in the firing unit causing casualties in the target equal to 10% of its size (i.e. 10% x 460 = 46 casualties). The unit strength of the spearmen unit is reduced by 46.

In the centre, Alexander's camp followers (500 strong with a missile value of 12) is led by Lysander, who has a Tactics score of 3 (with +1 specialism in leading a unit in battle) and an IQ of -1. The unit is normal tiredness and has good morale. It is standing and firing from a normal firing position (i.e. nether advantageous or disadvantageous) at Darius' spearmen 3 (with a defence value of 12) in close order. To determine how many casualties are delivered this battle turn, Lysander makes a dice roll, with a basic value of 3 (Tactics) +1 (specialism) -1 (IQ) +12 (missile value) +2 (good morale) +0 (normal tiredness) +0 (normal firing position) -12 (defence value) -0 (target in close order) +0 (normal visibility/wind) = 6. He risks 2D, rolls a 4 and 3 giving a dice roll result of 7. This results in the firing unit causing casualties in the target equal to 4% of its size (i.e. 4% x 500 = 20 casualties). The unit strength of the spearmen unit is reduced by 20.

Third combat turn - melee combat

On Alexander's left flank, Darius's Spearmen 1 are engaged with Alexander's Phalanx 1. Belzar is commanding the unit and has a Tactics score of 4 with a specialism in battlefield strategy of 1 and an IQ of +1. There are 2,222 of them (2,280 less the 58 casualties received from the missile fire) and their melee value is 19. The unit is normal tiredness and has good morale. They are engaged with the front of the phalanx (defence value of 20 in close order). To determine how many casualties are delivered this battle turn, Belzar makes a dice roll, with a basic value of 4 (Tactics) +1 (specialism) +1 (IQ) +19 (melee value) +2 (good morale) +0 (normal tiredness) +2 (advantageous position) +0 (not charging) -20 (defence value) -2 (target is veterans in close order) +0 (attacking the target's front) +0 (normal visibility) = 7. He decides to risk 2D+1, rolls a 4 and a 3 giving a dice roll result of 8. This results in the attacking unit causing casualties equal to 6% of its size (i.e. 6% x 2,222 = 133 casualties). The unit strength of the phalanx is reduced by 133.

Darius' cataphracts are still engaged with Alexander's Phalanx 1. Darius is commanding the unit personally and has a Tactics score of 3 with a specialism in battlefield strategy of 1 and an IQ of +0. His unit of elite cataphracts are armed with lances, there are only 103 of them left but their melee value is 34. The unit is normal tiredness and has poor morale. They are engaged with the front of the phalanx (defence value of 20 in close order). To determine how many casualties are delivered this battle turn, Darius makes a dice roll, with a basic value of 3 (Tactics) +1 (specialism) +0 (IQ) +34 (melee value) -2 (poor morale) -1 (slightly tired) +2 (advantaged) -20 (defence value) -2 (target is veterans in close order) +0 (attacking the target's front) +0 (normal visibility) = 15. He decides to risk 5D, rolls a 4, 5, 6, 3 and a 2 giving a dice roll result of 20. This results in the attacking unit causing casualties equal to 30% of its size (i.e. 30% x 103 = 31 casualties). The unit strength of the phalanx is reduced by 31.

In return, the phalanx decides to split its attentions equally between the attacking units. Pericles is commanding the unit and has a Tactics score of 5 with a specialism in battlefield strategy of 2 and an IQ of +0. His unit of veterans are armed with pikes, there are 1,130 of them (so 565 will attack each unit) and their melee value is 25. The unit is slightly tired and has average morale, but is fighting at a disadvantage.

Against the cataphracts (defence value of 29 in close order), Pericles makes a dice roll, with a basic value of 5 (Tactics) +2 (specialism) +0 (IQ) +25 (melee value) +0 (average morale) -1 (slightly tired) -2 (disadvantage from previous battle turn) -29 (defence value) -3 (target is elite in close order) +0 (attacking the target's front) +0 (normal visibility) = -3. He decides to risk 2D-9, rolls a 5 and 2 giving a dice roll result of -2. This results in no casualties inflicted on the cataphracts.

Against the spearmen (defence value of 12 in close order), Pericles makes a dice roll, with a basic value of 5 (Tactics) +2 (specialism) +0 (IQ) +25 (melee value) +0 (average morale) -1 (slightly tired) -2 (disadvantaged from previous battle turn) -12 (defence value) -1 (target is green in close order) +0 (attacking the target's front) +0 (normal visibility) = 16. He decides to risk 2D+10, rolls a 3 and 1 giving a dice roll result of 14. This results in the attacking unit causing casualties equal to 16% of its size (i.e. 16% x 565 = 90 casualties). The unit strength of the spearmen is reduced by 90.

Meanwhile, Darius' Spearmen 2 charge into Alexander's Archers 1 from the flank. Shadrak is commanding the unit and has a Tactics score of 3 with a specialism in battlefield strategy of 1 and an IQ of +0. His unit of green troops are armed with spears, there are 2,400 of them and their melee value is 19. The unit is normal tiredness and has good morale. They are charging the archers (defence value of 7 in skirmish order). To determine how many casualties are delivered this battle turn, Shadrak makes a dice roll, with a basic value of 3 (Tactics) +1 (specialism) +0 (IQ) +19 (melee value) +2 (good morale) +0 (normal tiredness) +0 (normal position) +1 (charging) -7 (defence value) +0 (target is in skirmish order) +3 (attacking the target's flank) +0 (normal visibility) = 22. He decides to risk 2D+16, rolls a 4 and 3 giving a dice roll result of 23. This results in the attacking unit causing casualties equal to 42% of its size (i.e. 42% x 2,400 = 1,008 casualties). The archers are annihilated by the spearmen's charge.

Before being wiped out, Alexander's Archers 1 engage Shadrak's Spearmen. Hector is commanding the unit and has a Tactics score of 5 with a specialism in battlefield strategy of 1 and an IQ of +1. His unit of veteran troops are in skirmish order, there are 484 of them and their melee value is 18. The unit is normal tiredness and has good morale. They are engaging the spearmen (defence value of 12 in close order). To determine how many casualties are delivered this battle turn, Hector makes a dice roll, with a basic value of 5 (Tactics) +1 (specialism) +1 (IQ) +18 (melee value) +2 (good morale) +0 (normal tiredness) +0 (normal position) -12 (defence value) -1 (target is green in close order) +0 (attacking the target's front) +0 (normal visibility) = 14. He decides to risk 3D+5, rolls a 5, 2 and 3 giving a dice roll result of 15. This results in the attacking unit causing casualties equal to 20% of its size (i.e. 20% x 484 = 97 casualties). The spearmen's strength is reduced by 97.

Meanwhile in the centre, Darius' Spearmen 3 are still engaged with Alexander's Phalanx 2, but are routing and attempting to disengage. While they do so, Alexander's Phalanx 2 engage Mishak's Spearmen. Leonidas is commanding the unit and has a Tactics score of 4 with a specialism in battlefield strategy of 2 and an IQ of +1. His unit of veteran troops are armed with pikes, there are 1,130 of them and their melee value is 25. The unit is slightly tired and has average morale. They are engaging the spearmen (defence value of 12 in close order). To determine how many casualties are delivered this battle turn, Leonidas makes a dice roll, with a basic value of 4 (Tactics) +2 (specialism) +1 (IQ) +25 (melee value) +0 (average morale) -1 (slightly tired) +2 (advantage from previous battle turn) -12 (defence value) -1 (target is green in close order) +0 (attacking the target's front) +0 (normal visibility) = 20. He decides to risk 4D+8, rolls a 4, 5, 2 and 3 giving a dice roll result of 22. This results in the attacking unit causing casualties equal to 36% of its size (i.e. 36% x 1,130 = 407 casualties). As they flee, 407 spearmen are cut down by the phalanx.

On Alexander's right flank, Darius' Spearmen 4 are engaged with Alexander's Phalanx 3. Abednigo is commanding the unit and has a Tactics score of 3 with a specialism in battlefield strategy of 1 and an IQ of +1. His unit of green troops are armed with spears, there are 2,174 of them (after the 46 casualties from missile fire) and their melee value is 19. The unit is normal tiredness and has poor morale. They are engaged with the pike phalanx (defence value of 20 in close order). To determine how many casualties are delivered this battle turn, Abednigo makes a dice roll, with a basic value of 3 (Tactics) +1 (specialism) +1 (IQ) +19 (melee value) -2 (poor morale) +0 (normal tiredness) -2 (disadvantage) +0 (not charging) -20 (defence value) -2 (target is in veterans in close order) +0 (attacking the target's front) +0 (normal visibility) = -2. He decides to risk 2D-8, rolls a 5 and 4 giving a dice roll result of 1. This results in the attacking unit causing casualties equal to 1% of its size (i.e. 1% x 2,174 = 22 casualties). The phalanx strength is reduced by 22.

In return, Alexander's Phalanx 3 engage Abednigo's Spearmen. Achilles is commanding the unit and has a Tactics score of 4 with a specialism in battlefield strategy of 2 and an IQ of +0. His unit of veteran troops are armed with pikes, there are 1,276 of them and their melee value is 25. The unit is normal tiredness and has average morale. They are engaging the spearmen (defence value of 12 in close order). To determine how many casualties are delivered this battle turn, Achilles makes a dice roll, with a basic value of 4 (Tactics) +2 (specialism) +0 (IQ) +25 (melee value) +0 (average morale) +0 (normal tiredness) +2 (advantage) -12 (defence value) -1 (target is green in close order) +0 (attacking the target's front) +0 (normal visibility) = 20. He decides to risk 6D+2, rolls a 4, 2, 4, 3, 1 and 3 giving a dice roll result of 19. This results in the attacking unit causing casualties equal to 30% of its size (i.e. 30% x 1,276 = 383 casualties). The spearmen's strength is reduced by 383.

Meanwhile, Alexander's heavy cavalry are engaged with the camp followers. Alexander is commanding the unit personally and has a talent for Tactics (+2), a Tactics score of 7 with a specialism in battlefield strategy of 3 and an IQ of +2. His unit of elite heavy cavalry are armed with spears, there are 219 of them (after missile casualties) and their melee value is 30. The unit is slightly tired and has good morale. They are attacking the front of the camp followers unit (defence value of 1 in skirmish order). To determine how many casualties are delivered this battle turn, Alexander makes a dice roll, with a basic value of 7 (Tactics) +3 (specialism) +2 (talent) +2 (IQ) +30 (melee value) +2 (good morale) -1 (slightly tiredn) +2 (advantageous position) +0 (not charging) -1 (defence value) +0 (target in skirmish order) +0 (attacking the target's front) +0 (normal visibility) = 46. He decides to risks simply accept a dice roll result of 46. This results in the attacking unit causing casualties equal to 136% of its size (i.e. 136% x 219 = 298 casualties). The unit strength of the camp followers is reduced by 298.

The camp followers respond to the charge as best they can. Darius' camp followers (582 strong with a melee value of 10) is led by Goliath, who has a Tactics score of 2 (with +1 specialism in leading a unit in battle) and an IQ of -1. The unit is normal tiredness and has poor morale. It is attacking Alexander's heavy cavalry (with a defence value of 18) in close order. To determine how many casualties are delivered this battle turn, Goliath makes a dice roll, with a basic value of 2 (Tactics) +1 (specialism) -1 (IQ) +10 (melee value) -2 (poor morale) +0 (normal tiredness) -2 (disadvantaged position) -18 (defence value) -3 (target is elite in close order) +0 (normal visibility) = -13. The camp followers stand no chance of inflicting any casualties on the heavy cavalry.

Third battle turn - consequences of combat

At the end of the battle turn, the units in the battle have the following status:

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