DBA Polybian Roman and Later Macedonian

 

The matchup between the Polybian Roman Army and the Later Macedonian Army is one of the classic “legion versus phalanx” games in DBA. It is usually slightly favorable to the Romans, but only if they can break up the Macedonian line.

Romans are typically:

• 2 x Cv (one Cv as general)
• 6 x 4Bd
• 2 x 4Sp
• 2 x 2Ps

Macedonians are usually:

• 1 x Cv (general)
• 1 x LH
• 6 x 4Pk
• 2 x 4Ax
• 1 x optional 3Ax / 4Wb / 2Ps
• 1 x 2Ps

The Roman army has no choices, while the Macedonian army has a few optional elements.

The key is that Roman blades are one of the few troop types that can reliably beat pikes. A 4Bd fighting a 4Pk in good going is +5 vs +3, so the Romans usually win straight-up fights if they can engage one-on-one. However, pikes support deeply, so a solid Macedonian line can still become very hard to crack if the Romans attack frontally across the entire front.

The Roman player usually needs to:

1. Put rough terrain on one flank.
2. Use the Ps and Sp to pin part of the phalanx.
3. Concentrate 3–4 blade elements against one section of the Macedonian line.
4. Create overlaps or force a pike element to fight unsupported.
5. Once one pike dies, exploit the gap aggressively because pikes collapse badly when flanked.

The Macedonian player needs to:

1. Keep the pike line perfectly straight.
2. Avoid rough terrain in front of the phalanx.
3. Use the Ax and LH to protect the flanks and delay Roman maneuver.
4. Refuse one flank if necessary and make the Romans attack the center.
5. Never let an isolated pike element fight alone.

Overall, I would rate 60–40 in favor of the Polybian Roman Army if the Roman player uses terrain and concentrates force well. If the Roman player just attacks straight ahead everywhere, the Later Macedonian Army can absolutely hold and even win.... I think!