Would Rome have ever fallen if Chris Velas was its Emperor?

Local ancients players may wonder as the WAGS-Great Lakes member successfully defended his title in the 2nd Annual Capcon l5mm De Bellis Antiquitatis Tournament. Chris won both this years and last years tournaments with his Late Imperial Romans from the western half of the empire.

This years tournament featured two 6-player divisions one containing "Classical era" armies, the other Dark age Medieval armies. This produced more historical matchups than would happen otherwise. Three rounds of division play produced a winner in each, who fought it out in fourth and final round. Terrain was pre-set by the organizers.

As proof that novices can excel in DBA, Central Ohio Gaming Association member Sam Marsh won the Medieval division with a borrowed English 100 years War army. Sam learned the game mechanics in the one hour introduction to DBA prior to the Tourney. The clinic was ably taught by coorganizer Terry Hollern.

Terry's words of wisdom must of stuck in Marsh's brain because he outfought his first opponent, another 100 Years War army, in a tough "civil war", 6-3 (One point for each enemy clement destroyed, 2 for killing the general or occupying his camp, and a bonus 2 for winning).

Sam coasted through his next victories over Later Franks (6-0). and a veteran ancient gainer's Anglo-Danes (8-1). However, on his final battlefield, he would meet last year's champ... Chris and his Late Romans.

Chris seemingly had an easy time in his first two victories, 8-1 against the Barbarian Picots and 6-1 over the earlier Polybian Romans. In the semifinals, Jason Mirosovich proved a tougher foe, killing Chris' general in an 8-4 slugfest. The battle was won only when Chris' cavalry stormed the Patrician Roman Camp. Raised on a shield and hailed Augusts by his legionaries, Chris advanced to the final round.

The battlefield featured a craggy, impassable hill on Chris' right, and a gentle slope running from his center all the way to his left flank. Across from him, Sam's left was guarded by a large area of difficult, rocky ground. His center and right, opposite Chris' hill, was clear.

The Romans deployed with their legionaries in the center of the hill, flanked by cavalry and light horse on the left. Chris sent his more mobile Auxilia infantry and cataphract knights around the craggy hill on his far right.

Their albeit unhistorical opponents (one of the very few non-contemporary matchups), deployed with only a token Auxilia and halberdier (blades) element in the rocky area. The rest of the mostly longbow armed troops stretched across the clear terrain, their center stiffened by more halberdiers.

The battle opened with the Roman Auxilia advancing to contact the English in the rocky area. Some longbow moved to enfilade them, but were checked by the knights from the right and some skirmishing light infantry from the center. The Auxilia triumphed quickly, dispatching both English elements in the rocky area.

Down two elements (only two away from defeat), Sam advanced his main battleline to the base of Chris' hill. The legionaries watched them placidly, content to remain up slope and let the right wing exploit its advantage. Sam's idea was a good one, as the bonfire should be particularly effective against the cavalry and light horse on Chris' left.

Stung into action, the horsemen charged down the hill. Usually, the matchup slightly favors the bow, but dice and Jupiter Omnius Maximus ruled otherwise. Two of Sam's longbowmen were destroyed.

Chris' cavalry charge earned him the $20 Soldiery gift certificate first prize, Sam the $10 second. Money for the prizes was donated by the North American Society of Ancient and Medieval Wargamers.

One again . DBA proved to be an excellent rules system for a tournament. Four rounds were fought in five hours, with plenty of break time to check out the dealers or grab refreshments. Chris, Sam, and the other players expressed their enjoyment of the event.

However, some said they would make every attempt to dethrone Chris next year. Whether Chris heard them over his legioaries' shouts of "Ave Imperator!" is uncertain.

The final standings were: 

* After three rounds, Sam was 3-0 and won the divssion. The Samarai and Anglo-Danes were each 2-1 but went on to win their fourth game and ` outpoint" the division winner.