Bob & I had our first game of 2021, playing DBA 3.0 in 15mm with our Essex miniatures. Bob used a Lysimachid army (II/17) while I used an Early Seleucid army (II/19a). Both armies were historical opponents commanded by successors of Alexander the Great. Bob's army was beautifully painted by another friend, Al. My Seleucids were painted around 1991, and had an acceptable paint job for the game.
Above is our initial deployment, the Lysimachids on the left with the Seleucids on the right. Note the battlefield board that was well crafted by Bob out of 2'x2' plywood with a border around it. The battlefield surface & hills inside are made out of boat carpeting. The make-up of the armies was as follows:
Lysimachid:
1 x CinC Knight element
1 x War Elephant
1 x Light Horse
4 x Pikes
4 x Fast Thracian Auxilia
1 x Psiloi Skirmishers
Seleucids:
1 x CinC Knight element
2 x War Elephants
1 x Light Horse
4 x Pikes
1 x Scythed Chariot
2 x Psiloi Skirmishers
1 x Asiatic Greek Cavalry
Bob didn't have a camp for his Lysimachids, so he used his Classical Indian camp, complete with Maiden Guard sentries.
In the first move of the game, Lysimachus moved a skirmisher out to his left (see top of photo) while Seleucus countered with moving his light horse to pin it. On the right, Lysimachus advanced his light cavalry & war elephant.
On his left, Lysimachus almost trapped the Seleucid light horse, which fled from the Thracians & skirmishers. Seleucus began to close with his left flank war elephants, reinforced by his Asiatic Cavalry from the reserve. Seleucus has lost a skirmisher unit from his right flank to the Thracians and is down 0-1.
Lysimachus charges his War Elephant, Light Horse, & Thracians into the Seleucid War Elephants & Cavalry.
Seleucus loses one of his War Elephants, with the Lysimachus War Elephant pursuing into and over the ground where the enemy once stood. The Lysimachus Light Horse has recoiled from the Asiatic Cavalry. Seleucus is down 0-2 elements.
Seleucus' Bodyguard & the Light Horse face the Thracian skirmish line on the right (top of photo). Both Pike blocks advance towards one another, with the Seleucid Pikes engaging the Thracians supported by the War Elephant. One of the Thracians is lost. The Asiatic Cavalry follows up against the Lysimachid Light Horse (bottom). Seleucus has brought the score now to 1-2.
The Seleucid Pike & Scythed Chariot have decimated the Lysimachid Pike block, destroying the 2 front rank elements and pursued into contact with the second rank (center). Lysimachuis sends Thracian reinforcements from his left, which are closing. Lysimachus is now losing to Seleucus 2-3.
In a decisive game-turn, Seleucus' Bodyguard destroys the Thracians attempting to support the Pikes in the center, while the Scythed Chariot destroys another Pike element. The remaining Thracian auxilia in the center are destroyed by the Seleucid Pikes, supported by the War Elephant. The Asiatic Cavalry, supported by flanking skirmishers, destroy the Lysimachid Light Horse (bottom). The slaughter ends with a 2-7 Seleucid victory.
An enjoyable game for Seleucus, as the fortunes of war (and the dice) were favorable this day.
