Sophonisba and the Battle of the Great Plains: Africa – Territory of Carthage: SPQR Battle Module
Sophonisba and the Battle of the Great Plains: Africa – Territory of Carthage: SPQR Battle Module Rulebook
Table of Contents
Table of Contents
The Game
To play Great Plains, players need a copy of SPQR II - the 2nd edition (1994 rules). The necessary counters are found either in SPQR or on this issue's countersheet. We have duplicated some counters that were published in War Elephant and Africanus in this issue's countersheet so that players lacking those modules will be able to play this scenario.
Map
Use the Cannae map from SPQR; it resembles the Great Plains battlefield (at least what our sources say is the battlefield) rather remarkably. The Aufidus river would be the Bagradas river, and the Numidian left/Roman right was flanked by gradual ridges.
Initial Deployment
The Carthaginian/Numidian Army of Hasdrubal Gisgo and Syphax
| Units | Hex(es) | Game Source |
|---|---|---|
| Hasdrubal Gisgo, OC | 3119 | C3i #4 or Africanus |
| Hanno | 3210 | SPQR |
| Bostar | 3118 | SPQR |
| "Repl" (Carthaginian) | 3120 | SPQR |
| Syphax [a] | 3234 | C3i #4 or War El |
| Socrates [a] | 3229 | C3i #4 or War El |
| Sophonisba [g] | Off-Map | C3i #4 |
| Balearic SK Slingers (1-6) | 3017, 3019, 3021, 3023, 3025, 3027 | SPQR |
The Roman Army of Proconsul P. Cornelius Scipio
| Units | Hex(es) | Game Source |
|---|---|---|
| P. Scipio, OC | 1927 | SPQR |
| Laelius | 2028 | SPQR |
| Masinissa | 2015 | SPQR |
| Tribune Antonius | 1926 | SPQR |
| Tribune Cassius | 1726 | SPQR |
| Praefect Sociorum Rebilus | 2227 | SPQR |
| Numidian LC [green] (1-6) | 2010-15 | SPQR |
| Roman Cavalry: I Legion, AS I (a-c), AS III (a,b) | 2028-33 | SPQR |
Initial Deployment Notes
a = Syphax commands only Numidian troops. He can issue Line Commands without being in range of Hasdrubal, and without rolling a die. His subordinate is "Socrates" (which, we're sure, was not a name common to Numidians, but his numbers fit). Socrates may command LI or MI; he can issue LC's if in Syphax's range, or on a dieroll of 0-2.
b = The "brown" Numidian counters are used, even though they were originally meant to be Roman allies. This allows us to use the Numidian MI and LI.
c = These represent the best of Syphax's infantry.
d = These represent the mercenary Celtibereans that Hasdrubal intended to use as his anchor. Word was that these Celts were courageous and irresistible ... in the field, that is.
e = Hasdrubal had to raise almost all of his infantry anew, after the disaster at Utica, and the low TQ's of these guys represent that.
f = There is little (try no) indication of how much cavalry Hasdrubal and Syphax could muster. The disaster at Utica obviously reduced their numbers considerably, and, as the Romans had little trouble dispatching them here (see the note on morale, below) they were probably not numerically superior to their Roman counterparts.
g = We've provided a counter for the lovely Sophonisba, who was not actually present at the battle, but was certainly an inspiration to several of the participants. We suggest that players, looking for a little "english" in their "Wristage", "rub" her counter for luck on key dierolls. Sophonisba, it appears, was used to "having her counter rubbed."
Balance
Favors Scipio
Although Scipio is outnumbered almost 2-1, numbers - as we SPQRers know - mean little. Scipio has far better troops - except for Hasdrubal's Celtibereans - weapon and system superiority, and he has himself. The Carthaginian Player has a chance, but it depends on Syphax getting the best out of a motley group of Numidians.
For competition play, we suggest ignoring the Carthaginian Cavalry TQ rule, below, and using the Point Bid Method, as outlined in SPQR II.
Difficulty
This is one of the more straightforward battles in the system, with few "extra" rules and a fairly low number of counters. This is, thus, a good battle to introduce novices to GBH, as it plays in an evening.
Module Rules
Carthaginian Cavalry Morale
The Carthaginian and Numidian cavalry had suffered a fearful blow to both their numbers and their morale at Utica. In Polybius' words, "... their spirit had been broken by the earlier defeats they had suffered." To represent this, on any and all TQ checks that must be made for these cavalry, the Carthaginian player adds two (+2) to the dieroll. If you wish to add to game balance, ignore this rule, as it is included for historicity, only.
Triarii
The Triarii have a Movement Allowance of '5' (not the "4" printed). They can move as an independent line; they do not use the Triarii Doctrinal Restrictions. They can use Manipular Line Extension, and they can stack with each other (and with Cohorts).
Design and Historical Note: Scipio had long ago abandoned the idea of Triarii as a Last Gasp Defensive line. At the Great Plains they were trained - and used - as a fully-mobile attack column.
Retreat Edge
Each army retreats to the rear of their lines.
Winning
Army Withdrawal Levels are:
- Rome: The Roman Army Withdraws when units worth 110 Rout Points have been eliminated.
- Carthage-Numidia: The C-N Army withdraws when 90 Rout Points have been eliminated.
Line Eligibility Table
| Roman | Carthaginian |
|---|---|
| Roman Cavalry | Carthaginian Cavalry |
| Numidian Cavalry | Numidian Cavalry and LI |
| Velites | Skirmishers |
| Hastati and Cohorts | Carthaginian MI |
| Principes and Cohorts | Numidian MI |
| Triarii and Cohorts | Heavy Infantry |
Size and TQ Levels
| Army | Size | Numbers | Rout Ratio | Quality Ratio |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rome | 138 | 13,800 men | app. 35% | 2.25 |
| Carth-Num | 251 | 25,100 men | app. 30% | 1.22 |