Forum adverts like this one are shown to any user who is not logged in. Join us by filling out a tiny 3 field form and you will get your own, free, dakka user account which gives a good range of benefits to you: No adverts like this in the forums anymore. Times and dates in your local timezone. Full tracking of what you have read so you can skip to your first unread post, easily see what has changed since you last logged in, and easily see what is new at a glance. Email notifications for threads you want to watch closely. Being a part of the oldest wargaming community on the net. If you are already a member then feel free to login now.

I am experimenting with maximum sized armies, trimming points where ever possible. This was heavily influenced by podcasts put out by Tim Porter, the Mad AxeMan. He invited his crew to come up with practical Hoplite armies that can actually win on the table. Most stressed mediocre troops and some included commanders, and got armies out there with 18 or more Hoplites and breakpoints over 25.
It's Greece vs Rome in this L' Art de la Guerre game.
https://philonancients.blogspot.com/2021/03/a-greeting-of-greeks.html
enjoy

Nice write up! As always.

Sad to see the classical Greeks so outclassed.

I guess their time had passed by the period of Romans you were fighting anyway. Do the rules typically let "newer" armies beat up on the oldsters, or is it a fluke of the Greek list and Hoplite combat in general?

The game has a point system to balance the troops. And it is based on effectiveness. Unlike Phil Barker's WRG system where it was based on training levels.
Hoplites are "Heavy Spearmen", and cost 8 points. To upgrade them to Elite is a 2 point increase. In this game I had 2 elites, which I ran a 3 rank units to represent them. And they lasted longer.
Romans start as "Heavy Swordsmen", also 8 points. But Legionnaires get "Impact" at 1 point, which gives them a bonus on the turn of contact.
They also have an option for "Armor" at 2 points, which my opponent also took, so the Legionnaires were all 11 points.
So to answer your question it is not the game system penalizing older systems vs new. It is the list options.
I could armor my hoplites, and make as many as 8 elite, for a cost of 12 points per unit. and they could go toe to toe with the Legions.
But that was not the experiment.

I knew that going into the match, that one on one, my hoplites could not stand up to the Legions, but hoped they would live long enough to turn the flanks with my numbers edge.

Thanks for clarifying.

This might be worth repeating a time or two more, just to get a better "feel". Some minor crit is that if you are trying out "greek" tactics the Elite should be at the far Right (or left to trick foes) With a Hill the right side is the place for them. That way your best troops do the hardest job. The other very minor one is if you plan to hold the middle, and turn the flank(s) why would you Advance them. Good game though.