Arminius and the Defense of Germania
Arminius and the Defense of Germania Rulebook
Table of Contents
Table of Contents
Leader Counters
The four new leaders were provided on the C3i #10 insert. If you do not have that, then use the following substitute leaders.
- Arminius: Beorix counter from Dictator, or Ariovistus from CoG.
- Varus: Varus SC from TCW, Varus counter provided in C3i #9, or Labienus from CoG (Charisma=1).
- Germanicus: Sulla OC counter from Dictator (as is), or the Caesar counter from CoG (Reduce all values by one; no elite initiative; no heroic charisma).
- Caecina Severus: Q. Pedius from TCW, or Labienus from CoG.
Battle of Idistaviso, AD 16
Map
Use the Cynoscephalae map from SPQR. North edge is hexrow xx00. Hexrow 37xx and all rows to the east are woods hexes. The western edge is the Weser River. If you don't have SPQR (shame on you), the Bibracte map from CoG can be used if you ignore the streams, laager, and fort, plus treat all level 1 elevations as level 5 (and vice versa), and all level 2 hexes as level 4 (and vice versa). Germans retreat towards the southern edge of the map. Romans not retreating towards their Aquila (CoG), retreat to the northern edge.
Roman Army
Set up first, on or within three hexes to north of indicated line of hexes.
If using TCW:
| Unit | Hex line |
|---|---|
| Germanicus [OC] and X Caesarian Legion Cohorts 1-2 | Within 3 hexes of 3818 |
| XVI, XVII, XXX, L Pompeian Legions w/Tribunes | 1211 - 4226 |
| Aux Archer 1-6 and Aux Slinger 7-10 (Caesarian) | 1208 - 4223 |
| VII, XV, XIII, XIV Caesarian Legions w/Tribunes | 1205 - 4220 |
| Asia LC, Syria LC (Pompeian) and C.Piso (Cav Praefect) | 1205 - 4220 |
| Alaudae Caesarian Legion w/Tribune | 1201 - 4216 |
| C. Severus (SC) and C. Rebilus (SC) [a] | Anywhere |
| German BC, Gaul LN 1-3 (Pompeian) and Lab'nus (Praefect) | See Special Rule |
a = Roman player may assign section commands as desired.
If using CoG:
| Unit | Hex line |
|---|---|
| Germanicus [PC] and X Legion Cohorts 2-3 | Within 3 hexes of 3818 |
| Nasua, Suebi BI 4-7, LI 1-3 | 1211 - 4226 |
| Erdo, Harudes BI 2-6, LI 1-2 | 1211 - 4226 |
| Sigfridus, Nametes BI 3-7, LI 1-2 | 1211 - 4226 |
| Logio, Sedusii BI 2-6, LI 1-2 | 1211 - 4226 |
| Donnerus, Marcom BI 3-7, LI 1 | 1211 - 4226 |
| Fafnerus, Triboci BI 2-5, LI 1 | 1211 - 4226 |
| Albericho, Vangion BI 2-5, LI 1 | 1211 - 4226 |
| Num Archer 1-5, Crete Archer 1, and Bal'ric Slinger 1-4 | 1208 - 4223 |
| VII, VIII, XIII, XIV Legions and 3 Legati, C.Severus | 1205 - 4220 |
| Briton (Asian horse archers) LC 1-2 [b] and Segovax |
b = Lower TQ to 5, and change to missile type A.
The "See Special Rule" entries above refer to a rule that is not printed in this module text, so it is not reproduced here.
German Army
Set up on or south of the hexline 1017-4233.
If using TCW: Arminius [OC], three Inf Chiefs, one Cav Chief, Cimbri BI 1-10, LI (Axe) 1-27, LI (Javelin, TQ=6) 1-30, BC 1-3.
c = Bagmanius is Arminius' uncle Inguiomerus, a very aggressive and respected warrior. He becomes TC if Arminius is killed. If using TCW counters and Arminius is killed, replace any Chief with Beorix.
If using CoG: Bructeri and Chatti must set up on right and left flanks of the Cherusci (who occupied the center heights).
- Cherusci: Arminius [TC], Bagmanius [c], Ambidextrus, Vasico, Duffix, all Helvetian BI, LI, BC, and LN.
- Bructeri: Blotto, all Boii BI and LI.
- Chatti: Vivisectix, all Tulingi BI and LI.
Auxiliares
The front ranks of the Roman army represent the Frisian, Chauci, Vindelician, Batavian, Gallic, Swiss, Rhaetian, and other Auxiliares. They were primarily tribal levys with some rudimentary Roman training, and were commanded by their own chiefs, not Roman officers.
If using TCW rules and counters, the Pompeian legions are the Auxiliares. Only their particular Tribune and Germanicus may command these units. All cohorts (including the first) are treated as recruit. These cohorts may not voluntarily stack (6.6). They may not use Line Extension (9.3). These "legions" do not have Aquilae. Pompeian Tribunes are treated as Tribal Leaders (4.0 from Dictator). Their order and line range is 4. However, if they use Germanicus for an automatic line command (except on turn 1), Germanicus is Restricted (4.29). None of the special rules from Dictator (Furore Teutonicus, etc) apply to these units.
If using CoG rules and counters, the salmon-colored German units are the Auxiliares. Tribal Command (4.5) rules are used. Only their particular Chief and Germanicus (considered to be TC for them) may command these units. All LI have javelin capability as per CoG errata. Barbarian Impetuosity (6.8) and Barbarian Ferocity (8.5) do not apply. Units are considered Roman for purposes of 8.51. Routed units may only be rallied via 10.41[2], even if by Germanicus.
Germans
If using TCW/Dictator rules, Furore Teutonicus applies to Arminius' Army, but The Wedge, Barbarian Impetuosity and Heat do not. If using CoG rules, Barbarian Impetuosity (6.8) and Barbarian Ferocity (8.5) both apply.
Roman Cavalry
Tacitus says that Germanicus put his "heavy" cavalry under Lucius Stertenius in the woods to strike at the German flank or to ride around and strike at the German rear. The Roman player has the following options for his BC/RC/LN (not the LC horse archers):
- Cavalry and Praefect/Legate may start on-map within two hexes of 4226, OR
- At the beginning of each turn, starting with turn 2, the Roman player makes a die roll. If the roll is equal to or less than the current turn number, the Cavalry and Praefect/Legate may enter from hexes 3444, 3543, and/or 3644.
Praetorians
We're in the Imperial era now. The two cohorts of the X Legion consist of 1000 Praetorian Guardsmen. They may only be given orders by Germanicus (or any Roman SC/Legate—not Tribune—if Germanicus is killed). However, if they are within the PC/OC's command range, and the PC/OC gives a Legion Command, the Praetorians may move for "free," as if they were part of that Legion.
Victory
TCW: Germans withdraw when they reach 133 RPs. Romans and the Auxiliares (Pompeian Legions) rout separately. Romans withdraw when they reach 136 RPs. Auxiliares withdraw when they reach 78 RPs.
CoG: German tribes and Romans/Auxiliares rout separately. Cherusci withdraw when they have 109 RPs. Bructeri withdraw when they have 13 RPs. Chatti withdraw when they have 13 RPs. Romans withdraw when they have 136 RPs. Auxiliares withdraw when they have 103 RPs.
Balance
The Romans are heavily favored in both versions, though the Germans can usually rout the Auxiliares before the Romans crush them. For competitive play, allow the Germans to Recover (10.14 CoG) or use the Wedge Formation (Dictator). To allow the Germans to pierce the Auxiliare line without having to rout it completely, have each Roman tribe (15 RP) or Pompeian Legion (20 RP) rout separately. Alternately, use the rout point bid method.
Army Size and TQ Levels
| Army | Size | TQ Pts | Rout Ratio | Quality Ratio |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Roman [a] | 494 | 614 | 35% | 5.69 |
| German [a] | 484 | 443 | 30% | 6.32 |
| Roman [b] | 487 | 684 | 35% | 6.11 |
| German [b] | 439 | 450 | 30% | 6.43 |
a = The Civil War/Dictator setup. b = Conquest of Gaul setup.