This was a sound deployment in reality, but does rather rely on the assumption, usually justified, that superior Roman organisation would mean superior Roman numbers. When you've got the edge in weapons, discipline, armour, and numbers, reserves are a pleasant extra. But in a points-balanced wargame, the result must be a badly contacted front and inevitably a nutcracker double outflanking (as happened to my Romans in their first encounter with the Carthaginians on Monday evening).  You've got to deploy your triarios on the wings to allow the hastatos and principes time to punch out the enemy centre.
 I say this in full awareness that cavalry are the traditional flank protectors, but also that Carthaginians or Seleucids will tend to have more and better horse.
 The experience of other consuls would be of interest.

contracted

I'm no expert, but weren't Punic battles usually a race to see if the Romans could cut their way through the Carthaginian centre before they were completely surrounded? 

Which other than the big one do you have in mind?

QuoteI'm no expert, but weren't Punic battles usually a race to see if the Romans could cut their way through the Carthaginian centre before they were completely surrounded?

Everyone looks to Cannae which was won by Hannibals cavalry but most of the time Hannibal won just by being the better general outmanoeuvring the aggressive Romans and fighting on terms that suited him - Trebia, Lake Trasimene being perfect examples.

Don't war game but do any rules correctly illustrate the Triplex Acies.

My point is that wargames usually have points-balanced armies, and you can't afford to deploy expensive legionaries three deep because you'll be restricted to such a narrow front that anyone will be able to surround and nutcracker you. The representation of the formation and its effects is not a problem (I'm satisfied with the way my rules allow fresh legionaries to replace tired ones while keeping up the pressure on less flexible enemy foot, and no doubt other rule-writers have their own way of representing the characteristic strengths of the legion). The problem is that to make it work while protecting your flanks, you seem to need so many troops you'd probably win anyway!

I think it may be essential to use the triarios on the wings with the cavalry.

Quoteexpensive legionaries

Why are they any more expensive (in wargaming terms) than other heavy infantry of the time?
I'll concede they were better armoured than most Celtic and Gaulic tribes but probably less proficient at arms - these are predominantly merchants and farmers we are talking about. And probably no better armed than your average Italian, Greek, Macedonian, Carthagian heavy infantry. The effectiveness of the pilum being probably the main difference.

Quotewargames usually have points-balanced armies

where's the fun in that...

Merchants and farmers who did twenty-five years of national service!

Yes but it was the same for the other state armies so no different and Gauls and Celts were constantly warring. So still don't get why Romans are more expensive.

Mailshirts and pila, and training in line replacement tactics; regular food and pay; tents....

Quote from: Matt of Munslow on 24 June 2014, 11:57:48 AM
Yes but it was the same for the other state armies so no different and Gauls and Celts were constantly warring. So still don't get why Romans are more expensive.

Equipped by the state so well armed and equipped but also well trained, disciplined and well supplied by comparison with local contemporaries. Not quite up to the level of their later counterparts but for their time definitely a force to be reckoned with.

Of course the answer to what should be on the wings of the triplex acies legion is not the triarii nor even cavalry it's another Roman legion on one side and an alllied legion on the other. Perhaps you need bigger games FK?

Attractive, but if it's points balanced then the enemies get more troops to overlap with too. You're just sentencing me to an arms race and the need of a bigger table!

And I'm using three legions already, btw.

 

Quote from: FierceKitty on 25 June 2014, 03:34:45 AM
Attractive, but if it's points balanced then the enemies get more troops to overlap with too. You're just sentencing me to an arms race and the need of a bigger table!

You say this like it is a bad thing