It has been several weeks since my first experience in a WRG tourney at Historicon '87. I would be facing people I had never played before and with armies I had never seen, and in some cases, quite glad that I wouldn't see again. Being primarily a musket and horse gamer, I have alot to learn about Ancients and Historicon was to be quite a teacher.

Game One

My first game was Friday night after a seven hour drive and several drinks to "loosen up" for the game. I think I began with two fatigue marks against me. Across the table were Late Imperial Romans. I've met these guys before, walking tanks armed with everything but the kitchen sink. An I nervously placed by Asiatic Successors on the table I heard comments like "Oh, someone who still uses pikes" or "Those Romans will make short work of those Greeks."

Undaunted, I awaited the first bound and before as at midtable were two Roman units. A forced march? Okay I can live with that. So I ran up my Persian bow and slingers and started firing hoping to tire the Romans as my pike slowly marched toward them chanting the old Macedonian war cry "Ese Skelo Kress", However, the Romans cooly formed testudo and all I heard for the next several turns was the gentle sound of slings and arrows pinging off those EHI. After a seesaw battle, time ran out and the battle was a draw. Not bad, I thought to myself as I headed back to my room. Tomorrow I know I would do even better.

Game Two

Saturday morning, game two and I'm ready for my next battle. Twenty minutes later still no one arrives to face my Greeks. The tourney organizers come around and ask if I would mind playing someone else. Okay no problem I say--wrong big problem. This guy pulls out Aztecs.. What the heck do you do against Aztecs? I was at a loss, I didn't know what to do and my "poker face" revealed that I was completely "psyched out". I decided to place all my cavalry on one flank and attempt to circle around to gain the flank or rear. With the first bound off went the cavalry. For a few minutes I thought I was Murat at Eylau. (Did I tell you I started with Napoleonics?) As I had so horse artillery, I sent in the horse archers to soften up those funny looking guys. Little did I know that each Aztec carries a dart, sling or bow. After 7 CPF's in one turn my horse archers turned around and cries of "We're outta here!!" were heard across the table. My cavalry would be useless against such missle fire so I decided to move my pike around to gain a better position.

Well I must have broken some Aztec religious taboo because they began coming out of the woods against my peltasts. Those Aztecs must have been smoking some Pre-Colombian weed. The Jaguar Warriors went impetuous. He11! I thought they were Garfield the Cat. In the rolls, the Aztecs rolled down while I finally rolled up. I thought the guy was going to have a heart attack. "My Irr A's lost." Good, too bad I thought as they routed off the table. And I attempted to got my pike into action. The Aztecs would just melt away into the woods. "Come out and fight like a man you leopardmen" I thought.

But alas the Aztecs stayed away from my pike while they beat up my peltasts. At the end a clear Aztec victory as all I had to show for my efforts were those Garfield the Cat guys. The player across from me had a tournament army and he know how to use it. Besides, he told me I play every game as if I were in competition. A sobering experience.

Game three, Saturday night, oh please no Aztecs I thought an my last opponent, sat down. "What army do you have", I asked. "Late Imperial Romans", he replied. "Oh great. More testudo, and oh no, scythed chariots", I said to myself.

This game was quick. I made a bad move and he took advantage of it. My entire left flank disappeared and shook as those legionaires cams marching along. I conceded the game, emphasizing that I was not trying to be a poor sport about the game. I always felt one must be gracious either in victory or defeat. I've had the displeasure of playing individuals who were not. 

So What Did I Learn?

Firstly playing in a tournament is a completely different mind set. There in no such thing an a friendly game, such has been my experience. Secondly, after each game my opponent (who in each case must have started playing with WRG 1st Edition) pointed out flaws in my army lists and suggested variations. Obviously a mark of a true gentleman. Lastly my belief that this is the greatest hobby in the world was reconfirmed as all my opponents did not "gloat" over their victories. So, come next July, I'll be back at Historicon with my pikes and maybe a few freshly painted wardogs in case I have to face more Aztecs.