STRATEGY NOTES

Opening Cards:

Caesar should open with a 3 move card or better. If only 2 moves are available see below. Caesar seeks to control play and keep Pompey on his toes.

Pompey should also open with 2 move card or better. Higher Levy cards are useful early to Pompey.

CAESAR, 705 (49 BC):

GROUP 1

Ravenna: Caesar, Legio 13, Navis 2.

Caesar and Legio 13 should stay together. Caesar’s opening move: East, West, or South determines the early direction of many games.

∑ East: towards Athens or Byzantium. Caesar must prevent Pompey from taking the 3VPs in the east that begin vacant. Unless Caesar moves east, at least 1VP in Hispania or Syracuse (in addition to Rome) will have to be seized to avoid an early defeat. This move also compels Pompey to commit MPs in the east.

∑ West: toward Hispania. There is risk of being caught up in a long war in Hispania. However, if some of Pompey’s blocks that build in Hispania, can be eliminated in the conquest, they often never return. Caesar has several Iberian legions that can be replaced if the campaign goes awry.

∑ South: to Rome. This is viable only if Antonius’ Legions in Genua join to secure Rome.

Consider leaving the Navis in Ravenna and levying another one at the Major Port there before going to sea in strength later.

GROUP 2:

Genua: Antonius, Legio 8, Legio 12.

The Antonius block is useful because he is an "A" but because with only 2 steps he is vulnerable to being killed. If surrounded by stronger blocks, he is formidable.

∑ East: Moving Marc Antony east instead of Caesar is an interesting twist.

∑ West: To Narbo and/or Massilia, bulking up for a strong attack into Hispania.

∑ South: to Rome. These 3 blocks are at some risk in Rome alone. If Levy points are available to raise the Rome Legion it can be safe. Using a 3rd move in Lugdunum to bring these two blocks to Rome is safer. From Rome Antonius can threaten Pompey and/or press toward Syracuse and beyond.

GROUP 3:

Massilia: Legio 11, Legio 14.

These two Legions usually head west either to Narbo or to Burdigala. They are powerful C3 legions. If moved Burdigala, plan to move the Lugdunum blocks over to create a 4 block army. This threatens to outflank Tarraco while still supporting Narbo. There is also Cavalry block in Toletum that Caesar can build once this force moves south. Consider leaving the Navis in Massilia and levying another one at the Major Port there before going to sea in strength later. If Hispania is to be attacked having friendly Navis off the coast can be very valuable.

GROUP 4 (if available):

Lugdunum: Legio 16, Equitatus 1.

This group makes an ideal back up for either Hispania or Rome. Moving these blocks into Rome (with others) early helps ensure the Italy will fall but sometimes attracts Vulcan’s Fury. It is sometimes wise to hold them in reserve like to see what Pompey’s opening moves are before committing them. However if only 2 moves are available (presumably all year long) consider moving these blocks to Genua to make a larger group for future turns.

GROUP 5:

Narbo: Legio 7, Legio 9, Legio 10

This powerful group has the only C4 in the game. The group has many options but is often best left unmoved for the first turn until a 4th block can be added there. This presents its own challenge at winter since Narbo supports only three blocks. The force is usually sufficient to defend Narbo if Pompey attacks.

Until a 4th block is built/arrives this group is not strong enough to comfortably attack Pompey’s army in Tarraco. Worse, if Pompey is moving second the blocks in Carthago Nova will likely arrive as reserves. If Pompey moves up his Carthago Nova blocks to Tarraco a fourth block in Narbo will be needed hold the line and deter Pompey from attacking (unless the objective is to bait him).