Routing, not shown: AS/VII LG: c,h. AS/XIV RC: a
In Pursuit: AS/XV Ex RC (w/ 4 hits)
An alert correspondent pointed out that double-width units with a single-hex escape path can use that path to rout move -- this is in the FAQ so I've got no excuse not to know it. So a phalanx has been restored to the maps.
As an aside, weird anomalies like this are bringing me to the conclusion that the double-width units aren't the best way to represent the phalanx-type formations, at least in terms of benefits gained compared to rules overhead. Off the top of my head, suppose PH were one-hex units. I wonder if something along the lines of Berg's latest PH modifications, (where PH get melee bonuses for adjacent PH), combined with a movement restriction that PH units that begin adjacent to a friendly PH must end their move adjacent to the same unit, would get better results?
Anyway, on to Rebilus. The voting:
Option | Votes | |
|---|---|---|
| Rally nearby cohorts | 1 | |
| Move to Roman right flank | 1 | |
| Make a flank guard, advance to shock with engaged units | 1 | |
| Attack routed PH and EL | 1 | |
| Attack routed PH and PH[5] | 4 | |
| Same, but with velites rather than cohorts | 1 | |
| Attack PH[5] | 3 | |
| Attack PH[5] and PH[4] | 1 | |
| Velites missile attack the PH[5] | 1 |
There's no overwhelming majority for any specific action, but the overall tenor of the move is clear: attack! Most of the attackers wanted to put rout points in the bank (i.e. attack the routed PH) and attack the phalanxes, so here we go:
Routing, not shown: AS/VII LG: c,h. AS/XIV RC: a
In Pursuit: AS/XV Ex RC (w/ 4 hits)
Rebilus activates the two cohort line (such as it is). One goes after the routed PH. The other can't reach the PH [5] because of the 1 MP facing change cost, so it attacks the PH [4] instead. Rebilus moves forward to enable the entire middle (again, such as it is) to shock attack. As with Plautius, the extra attack is worth the slight personal danger (and it all turns out fine).
The cohort attacking the routed PH kills that unit with missile fire during movement, and continues on to shock attack the elephant unit, which successfully performs a reaction facing change. EL get all sorts of advantages when attacking in this scenario, but no special defensive benefits!
Nevertheless, between defensive missile fire, a miserable shock column, and not-so-lucky rolling, the EL routs the attacking cohort. The three phalanxes aren't so lucky; though many cohorts are one hit away from routing, they yet manage to rout their opposing PH. All in all, not a bad trade in RPs: 5 potential Roman vs 14 actual and 42 potential Epirote RPs.
Current Rout Point totals:
| Side | Current | Limit | Pct | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Romans | 144 | 185 | 78% | |
| Epirotes | 67 | 120 | 56% |
One or two folks mentioned trying for Momentum, but more (including me) vote "no way." Why give the Epirotes any chance of rallying, will would occur when Pyrrhus inevitably Trumps the Momentum?
Now the crucial roll: which side will get to move a 3-initiative leader first? The dice give the nod to the Romans. So, either Drusus (yeah, right), Falco, Cassius, or Magnus will activate. Who should it be and what should they do? (No one meets all the requirements of a line command....)