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Spotlight Articles

Outstanding articles that are not necessarily linked to one particular game, but may have broad appeal to gamers.

Epic Revolution (AWI)

Spotlight Article Graphic

"Another instalment in Warlord Games’ Epic series has just been released..."! Norm Smith, in Battlefields & Warriors, checks out the latest figures/ruleset package in this series. "... a lot of work has gone into this rule set to make it AWI specific - well done that team."

Poster: Doug Holt
Post Date: 6/30/2025


War reaches northern Italy, 215 BC

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"Hannibal has come over the Alps..."! Prufrock and his friend Ian P bring us an intense Punic War clash that doesn't look too promising for the Romans, when they "...win the first move and mostly freeze."

Poster: Doug Holt
Post Date: 6/26/2025


Interview with Robert Phaneuf Designer of Secession 1861: The American Civil War and The Armada from Fortress Games Currently on Kickstarter

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"...there are few more fertile areas for educational, simulation-ai gaming." Grant Kleinhenz, in The Players' Aid, interviews designer Bob Phaneuf about his two upcoming games. See why he thinks that "...Secession 1861 will mature as a classic solitaire nail-biter."

Poster: Doug Holt
Post Date: 6/18/2025


Battles of Heraclea Lyncestis, 219 BC and Emporiae, 218 BC (Med Campaign 9)

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"Reports are in of a battle in northern Macedon between the invading Illyrians and a force scrambled together to meet them...". Prufrock continues with two more nicely photographed AARs in the ongoing Med Campaign! "...in Nearer Spain, Proconsul Aaronius Dubius Scipio Calvus, having landed a force near Emporiae, was engaged by an alliance of indomitable Iberian tribes...".

Poster: Doug Holt
Post Date: 6/9/2025


My pre-orders analysis – what is new and coming!

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Michal, in The Boardgames Chronicle, covers his current game preorders, and why he is anxiously awaiting them. See which game has him commenting that "...we are getting so many new elements – from graphical representation, to add-ons and optional rules – that this it will be a great, refreshing comeback to fantastic classic!"

Poster: Doug Holt
Post Date: 6/6/2025


My Top Solitaire Wargames: New Designs and All-Time Classics

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Michal, in The Boardgames Chronicle, reveals his favorite recent and all time solitaire classics. Check out the game he describes as "...probably the best small units combat simulation ever created, which has fantastic planning phase and unfolds completely differently each time.", and the one that challenges you to "...harness a brilliant mind, titanic energies, and a sometimes terrifying charisma to leave your mark on history?"

Poster: Doug Holt
Post Date: 6/4/2025


Soviet 12mm WWII Pocket Army

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"My second WWII Pocket Army is now complete..."! Norm Smith, in Battlefields & Warriors, brings us a Pocket Army update pictorial.

Poster: Doug Holt
Post Date: 5/26/2025


More Spotlight articles...


Gaming Conventions

Gaming Conventions

Another new feature for Grognard.com, the Gaming Convention calendar will make it a snap to keep up with all the latest gaming conventions in your area. But we need your gaming convention information, so please contribute.



Grognard News

Grognard Challenge - Expanded Room for Comments! (6/25/2023)

The Comments entry area has been resized to 512 characters.

Grognard Originals

In addition to our links to great content all around the internet, expect to see more Grognard.com "originals" in the future.

Malaya (v2.5) War Game Review

Pat La Pella reviews this post-card sized game and its computer editions. Can the UK Commonwealth prevent the Japanese from occupying Singapore in 1941?

Malaya Player Aid (pdf)

Pat La Pella created this player aid to clarify special movement rules for the Japanese player for Amphibious Movement and Reinforcement beach landing hexes. Computer versions of the game show eligible hexes automatically when the Japanese player selects a unit for movement.

PE TANG 1900 Q&A with Marco Campari

Some Q & A between myself and Marco Campari, designer of Pe Tang 1900 from Lumaca Games.

PE TANG 1900 Strategy Tips

This is the strategy I developed after playing Pe Tang 1900 from Lumaca Games.

More Grognard Originals...


Grognard Challenge

Latest Challenge

Have a look at the graphics for the latest Challenge and see past solutions and contest winners.

Recommended (archives)

Wargaming - General Info

Board Wargames

Miniatures Wargames

Computer Wargames

Academic Gaming

Board Games

Internet Based/PBEM Games

Individual Wargamer Blogs

Wargaming Magazines

Asst Software/Player Aides

In Memoriam

Grognards Lost


A B C D E F G H I
J K L M N O P Q R
S T U V W X Y Z '-9

Game: Lost Battles: Forty Battles & Campaigns of the Ancient World



(l8535)
 
 




Publisher: Fifth Column Games
Game Type: Board
Designer(s): Philip Sabin
Search for this and related games with Noble Knight


Description:


Lost Battles is a comprehensive military boardgame recreating five centuries of battles and campaigns of the ancient world, and offering an ideal marriage of ease of gameplay and historical simulation. Speed of play is achieved by focusing on the big picture for each battle, especially on the key roles of generalship and troop quality. The game includes the original 320- page book, which discusses how the game mechanisms reflect reality and lays out the detailed evidence underpinning each battle scenario's historicity. Playing time varies from just 30 minutes for the simplest individual game to many hours for a full combined campaign, and all forty scenarios can accommodate from 1 to 4 players as desired. Simple rules capture the distinctive characteristics of hoplites, phalangites, legionaries, cataphracts, scythed chariots, Indian and African war elephants, and many other troop types. A built-in handicap system ensures that contests are always tense and balanced and that even brilliant generals like Alexander, Hannibal and Caesar can suffer game defeat by failing to win as decisively as they did in reality. Terrain, weather, surprise and fatigue all have their impact, and players face constant choices over where and how to expend their limited resources on the battlefield. At the strategic level, the system also captures how empires can expand rapidly through bursts of conquest but then decay gradually over time in the face of revolts and resurgent rivals. Lost Battles has been played and refined by hundreds of enthusiasts over several years. This accessible deluxe tabletop edition is designed to delight veterans and newcomers alike.


Articles


Article ID
Pub Date
Article Description
Source
500
Date: 11/22/2024
Poster: Doug Holt
Tunis 310 BC, the battle.

"From five fresh units Syracuse is down to two - both hoplites - and Carthage has four of five units fresh." Prufrock gets into his replay of Tunis from Lost Battles, with lots of intense action. Who gains the upper hand when "...there is a catastrophic morale failure, and the entire army streams from the field."
Web Link
499
Date: 11/11/2024
Poster: Doug Holt
Tunis, 310 BC, dispositions.

"...you have to take your hat off to a fellow who would stage an invasion of Africa from Syracuse, while Syracuse was besieged!" Prufrock gets ready to play Tunis from Lost Battles, offering some insights as he sets up. "Carthage has leaders on both ends of the line, but the leaders are of uninspired quality. It will be a hard fight for the Africans."
Web Link
498
Date: 6/10/2024
Poster: Doug Holt
Sentinum 295 BC with Lost Battles

"...the coalition troops have to try to make an impact early and keep as many units fresh as possible for as long as possible." Prufrock and his friend SP bring us another rousing Lost Battle, complete with miniatures photos. So who clinches the victory in a night where "...there was not too much need for deep strategy: it was one of those rare games when everything went right..." with dramatic effects!
Web Link
497
Date: 11/24/2023
Poster: Doug Holt
Zama with Lost Battles

"The battle develops a pattern - ambitious Carthaginian efforts thwarted by careful Roman response...". Prufrock brings us this tense replay with buddy SP. Who takes the day when "...with that, the line collapses."?
Web Link
496
Date: 10/12/2022
Poster: Doug Holt
Notions of (Phil Sabin's) Empire

"As something that takes an epic subject, could be set up without too much rules review and can be got through in an hour, it was the obvious choice." Prufrock has a go at the "Empire Strategic Game" in Fifth Column Games' Lost Battles. Join him for pictures and recap as "...Macedonia started gloriously..."!
Web Link
495
Date: 5/25/2022
Poster: Doug Holt
Pharsalus - the return match

"...a succession of successful attacks against Pompey's wing and centre caused nervous flutters on the other side of the table." Prufrock brings us another tight replay of Pharsalus using Fifth Column Games' Lost Battles. Is all the upset with Pompey? Not when "...Antony lost a unit shattered and was only saved for further embarrassment by a determined attack on the part of the veteran cavalry..."
Web Link
494
Date: 5/18/2022
Poster: Doug Holt
Pharsalus with SP

"Pompey began with a powerful cavalry attack." Prufrock brings us an action packed replay of Pharsalus using Fifth Column Games' Lost Battles. Check out a "…close-fought, nerve-wracking fight, just as Pharsalus should be."
Web Link
493
Date: 4/6/2022
Poster: Doug Holt
Working through prep for 2nd Mantinea

"This is the first time in a couple of years that the battle is one I have armies for, so I'm determined to make the most of it." Prufrock walks us through his planning to play next year's Society of Ancients Battle Day selection, 2nd Mantinea, 362BC, using Fifth Column Games' Lost Battles. He's mostly ready, but his next "...step will be to work out how many figures I have already painted, and how many are in the lead mountain."
Web Link
492
Date: 5/12/2021
Poster: Doug Holt
Heraclea with Lost Battles

"A shatter is saved by Pyrrhus rallying his troops. Roman hearts sink; Greek ones soar." Prufrock brings us some Fifth Column Games' Lost Battles action, fighting Heraclea. In a close fought contest, "It seemed as if all was lost for Rome on more than one occasion, but the tenacity of the legions was something to see."
Web Link
491
Date: 8/10/2020
Poster: Doug Holt
Pydna, 168 BC.

"Convinced at last that Perseus was a boil needing lancing, Rome acted...". Prufrock gives us a nice AAR playing the battle of Pydna using Fifth Column Games' Lost Battles. Lots of great shots of the miniatures, and a mid-game question mark: "The phalanx proves irresistable in the centre, but on both wings the strength of the Roman challenge is obvious."
Web Link
488
Date: 11/29/2011
Poster: Mark D.
Lost Battles Review (video)

Marco Arnaudo provides a decidedly positive review.
Web Link
483
Date: 1/1/1900
Poster: Mark D.
review

Web Link
484
Date: 1/1/1900
Poster: Mark D.
review

Web Link
485
Date: 1/1/1900
Poster: Mark D.
review

Web Link
486
Date: 1/1/1900
Poster: Mark D.
review

Web Link
487
Date: 1/1/1900
Poster: Mark D.
review

Web Link
489
Date: 1/1/1900
Poster: Mark D.
review

Web Link
490
Date: 1/1/1900
Poster: Mark D.
review

Web Link