Here is a peek into the character of each role in Volume VI of the COIN Series, Falling Sky, that also will get you a step ahead of the competition when you sit down to play.  In this first of a 4-part series, anonymous ancient authors presume to advise Caesar on his strategy for the reduction of Gaul….

The Roman Republic

Your Nation.  Rome has suffered centuries of Gallic depredations.  Your army came finally to bring order to the whole of Gaul.  Caesar’s annals of victory have inspired the Senate and People.  Now subdue the rebellious tribes once and for all—or face persecution in Rome for your misadventure!

Relations.  You cannot fight all the Gauls at once—their number is too great.  The Arverni under Vercingetorix will always be your enemy, for his ambition cannot tolerate Rome among his people.  The Belgae—far from civilization—are eager for war and will rise against you again and again.  You need the Aedui, for Resources (the corn to feed your legions) and to help Subdue one enemy while you fight the other.

War.  Your Legions are nigh unstoppable, but only if surrounded by light Auxilia to help absorb blows:  auxiliaries are much easier replaced than legionaries!  You can March fast and hit hard in Battle, especially with Caesar in command, but guard against Hidden Warbands’ Ambush or Harassment of your columns.  Recruiting inside Gaul is cheaper with local Allies if you can get them, otherwise with a friendly Supply Line southward to the empire.  If corn is low, you can Seize Resources and at the same time Disperse tribes to keep them from war for over a year and profit from slaves—but beware of Harassment of your forage parties and vengefulness among nearby tribes!

Caesar battles the Celts — game in progress on the designers’ pre-production set.

Talents.  Roman engineers are on call to Build Forts to protect the Legions and civic amenities to Subdue warlike tribes, but they will need local Allies or a Supply Line and Caesar nearby.  Caesar can send fleet Auxilia Scouts to Reveal and track enemy Warbands; but Scouting will Reveal the Auxilia too, so safety against Ambush is not guaranteed.  Do not be over-awed by the Celtic Citadels:  all Legions know how to Besiege them.

Auguries.  When the Belgae are arisen, March north and Disperse them—otherwise they may find a sudden victory.  When Vercingetorix is strong, smash his allies where he is not.  Treat with the Aedui, but subdue their allies when needed to remind them you are Caesar.  In between, claim easy glory in Germania.  Adulation of the Senate can help you increase your army, but its Uproar cannot take your army away from you—as long as you keep it intact!

Articles in this Series: Part 1  Part 2  Part 3  Part 4

Author: Volko Ruhnke