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Friday, August 14, 2026

Trebia preparation

It has been a very pleasant Friday evening spent setting up a Trebia battlefield for tomorrow. SP and DS are coming over for a game of Lost Battles, this time a scenario with some extra chrome - a brilliant general in Hannibal, wet weather, and a fatigued Roman army. 

Trebia as a battle of course needs no introduction from me, but the Lost Battles scenario has the following units involved:

Rome

1 x uninspired commander (Sempronius)

1 x levy light infantry (velites) 

8 x veteran legionaries

6 x average legionaries

1 x average heavy infantry (Cenomani)

3 x average heavy cavalry.

The Roman fighting value is 73.


Carthage

1 x brilliant commander (Hannibal)

1 x African elephants

2 x average light infantry (Balearics, Iberians, Africans)

7 x average heavy infantry (Africans, Gauls, Iberians)

5 x average heavy cavalry (Gauls and Iberians)

2 x veteran light cavalry (Numidians) and 1 x average leader (Mago)

2 x average light cavalry (Numidians)

The Carthaginian fighting value is 83.

Although I have made the battlefield 5 zones by 5 instead of 5 by 4, the first row on the Roman side, with the river, is just for show, to remind us all that the Romans are fatigued from having crossed it (without any weetbix) prior to the battle.


The Roman infantry, with the Cenomani in the foreground. 


The field from behind the Carthaginian line.

From behind the Roman line. 

Hopefully it will be an enjoyable and thought-provoking game, as Lost Battles usually is. If time permits we will try to play it twice, with the second time around allowing free deployment. 



18 comments:

  1. Looks and sounds great , I look forward to the AAR!
    Best Iain

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  2. Replies
    1. I hope to get it on the blog sometime this week!

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  3. Beautiful. I look forward to the AAR too!

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  4. Nice set up, look really good. Look forward to seeing and reading how it plays out.

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    1. Thanks Donnie, the report shouldn't be too far away!

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  5. I like the idea of adding in the river, it really helps set the scene visually.

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    1. Thanks Peter, it seemed to do the trick, which is good.

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  6. Replies
    1. Thanks Ray, I really do enjoy the 'night before' set up process!

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  7. I can't say why, but this is just one of the list of historical battles that catches my imagination and had become a favourite.

    I know some gamers take this scenario and dress it up in another period so the participants don't have insight into the situation and the ambush.

    The table looks fab and I do think the Trebbia needs to be there ........ so your Romans have something to rout into :-)

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    1. I know what you mean Norm, I have a few of those battles myself!

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  8. Really excellent set up - lots of anticipation. The table mats are clever giving the grid without too much notice. Were they home made?

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    1. Hi Norber, they were carpet tiles from the 100 yen shop in Japan, which I then treated with a spot of spraypaint. One of the best wargaming buys I have made!

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  9. Thanks all for your kind comments - I will get a report up when I have time to pull it together. It was an execllent day!

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  10. Goody, goody, you are doing another game with Lost Battles! Those wet and weary wo-mans don't know what is about to hit them from out of those woods! Fine looking table as always. The river looks tops.
    It's a great game to play as the Romans, I reckon. Can I do any better than history?
    Best wishes, James

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