Using CCA scenario as his guide,
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| CCA Marathon scenario deployment |
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| Marathon in 28mm |
After the customary pleasantries, Kevin and I dived into the first game. Kevin took command of the Greeks while I commanded the Persians. I did not fare well as the Persians in this game. Kevin played two back-to back Double Time cards to bring the Greek heavy infantry on the left smashing into the Persian Right that was hemmed in between the woods and the river. To add insult to injury, Kevin also slapped down a First Strike card on one of my attacks! I lost that first game 6-2. Ouch!
After seeing the destruction wrought by the Greeks in Game #1, we wondered if the Persians would have a chance. CCA website shows this scenario as favoring the Greeks 70%/30% across 205 games recoded. I will add our games into the mix.
We would soon find out if the Greeks were unstoppable.
In Game #2, Scott's Persians defeated Kevin's Greeks 6-4. Then in Game #3 my Persians defeated Scott's Greeks 6-2. In the final game of the session, my Greeks defeated Kevin's Persians 6-2.
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| Scott, the Happy Host.. |
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| at least until my Persians stormed across the table to destroy his Greeks! |
We managed these four games in about three-and-a half hours including a trip to a local Thai restaurant for lunch. Greeks came away with two victories (6-2, 6-2) and the Persians came away with two victories (6-4, 6-2). All four of the games played out differently with the last game of the day seeing the Persians driven back to the river. From there, any momentum the Greeks maintained in the advance was lost once fighting occurred along the banks of the river. Still, the Greeks managed to take out the Persians to see victory. Hmm. A handy tactic to keep in mind next time Marathon comes out on the table.
Now, there was discussion about the location of battle and the army alignments but we went with the published scenario. Surprisingly, Marathon turned out to be an interesting and even contest.
Good games, good company, and good food. Who could ask for anything more?
A splendid days gaming and socialising indeed with some fine looking armies in the mix.
ReplyDeleteIt was a good day out, for sure!
DeleteI love the title Jonathan. It still takes us around an hour and a half to play a Command and Colors Medieval scenario, so getting four games completed in three and a half hours seems very good to me.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Lawrence! We completed the first two games in about one hour total. The games clipped right along almost like Speed Chess.
DeleteYour friend's C&C games never disappoint!
ReplyDeleteNeil
I agree!
DeleteA most excellent and worthwhile interstate visit, Jon! Scotts beautiful armies, some success on the battlefield and Thai food for lunch - sounds pretty good to me, too!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Keith! The day was a good one!
Delete4 games, playing with friends, honours even and lunch too: what's not to like:)!
ReplyDeleteIndeed! Well, except for the traffic on the way home!
DeleteWhat's not to like, lovely armies four great games,sounds like time well spent!
ReplyDeleteBest Iain
Time well spent, no doubt!
DeleteMarathon is an interesting battle if we compare sources. Very nice large game.
ReplyDeleteNice big games that play quickly. Marathon is an interesting battle.
DeleteWhat a great day of gaming!
ReplyDeleteIt sure was!
DeleteGood time for everyone, best of times.
ReplyDeleteYes, although getting whooped in Game #1 was less than ideal.
DeleteCertainly looks amazing. But here's a question for you Jon. You obviously enjoy statistics - but the Great Wargamers Survey, the CCA website.... it's self-reporting. So not always a representative population? Seriously, this is just for fun. I think the game looked awesome, and I always enjoy your posts.
ReplyDeleteIvan you are quite right that both of these surveys are self-reporting and self-selecting. For the GWS, each year I conduct repeated cross sectional analysis to help validate the data. So far, these data hold up to scrutiny and self-selection seems not a significant issue. We will soon see if this continues for the 2025 survey just ended. As for CCA website reporting, the results are broadly in line with I experience in practice. Good question!
Delete'Eight out of ten cats who expressed an opinion said they preferred Whiskas'. You might not get the reference, old English TV ad. Again, not a criticism - your games, Scott's games, always look amazing and it is always a pleasure to visit and chat.
DeleteI recall seeing similar ads.
DeleteI saw no criticism in your question. It was a legitimate and good question to ask. Good to see you stopping in!
Looks like some great games and honours even
ReplyDeleteThe games were really good fun, Neil, with a lot of friendly competition.
DeleteNice cross-border gaming, Jonathan. Scott's Ancients collection is beautiful and impressive!
ReplyDeleteYou are correct on all counts, Dean! Scott's armies are a pleasure to push around the table.
DeleteLovely collection on the table, superb looking armies. An interesting read and two wins apiece. Sounds and looks like it was a great way to spend your afternoon.
ReplyDeleteYeah, Scott sets a handsome ancients table. I was surprised that Persia and Greece split with two wins apiece. Great way to spend the afternoon!
DeleteHad never heard of Coeur d'Alene, had to look it up, so thanks for the Geography lesson (Idaho looks pretty sparsely populated!).
ReplyDeleteThe games look terrific, using figures for C&C Ancients is a must-do, isn't it? I have C&C:A, so yet again I think, must get DBA Greeks and Persians out and try them for it!
Coeur d’Alene sits on the north shore of a beautiful lake. Idaho is not densely populated outside of a few large, urban areas. Even those urban areas would be small by your standards. Yes, get your Persians and Greeks out on the table for CCA! It could be played remotely too.
DeleteI have three inch hexes on matts and have thought of doing this. CCA is a lot of fun. Well done and looks good!
ReplyDeleteGive it a try, Bruce! CCA is even better with figures.
DeleteA classic battle and excellent AAR. Table looks fabulous- figures are awesome....and four games! Well done. I have refought Marathon so many times with different rules- and the results have always been mixed.
ReplyDeleteThanks, John! Our results were certainly mixed.
DeleteGreat looking games Jonathan and well worth the trip.
ReplyDeleteKevin finally gets a win 😁
Thanks! Yes! Kevin gets a win! We laughed about his milestone although the win came at my expense.
DeleteThe Persians are indeed looking splendid. Any close ups of the units?
ReplyDeleteAlways good when a series of games show that the honours are even and that everyone managed a win.
Stephen
No close ups from this session. You can find photos of Scott’s handiworks on his blog at
Deletehttps://macpheesminiaturemen.blogspot.com.
Next time, I will snap some close ups.
What a fantastic day. Great looking games and figures.
ReplyDeleteFantastic day out, for sure. Scott is a top painter and always stays plenty busy painting for others.
DeleteScott's figures and table look grand and how good it must have been to play the battle four times with different outcomes to explore the range of possibilities. Beaut for you to be hosted to Jon!
ReplyDeleteBest wishes, James
p.s. Ah, I have just realised from one of your replies above that Scott is 'that Scott'. His blog and painted figures are superb!
Getting in multiple playings either friends is great! Even better when the work of hosting (and lunch tab) falls on someone else. Yes, “that Scott!”
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