HAVOC 2026, Part 3: Punic Wars with To the Strongest!

Saturday night at HAVOC I was scheduled to run my Battle of Geronium scenario from the Punic Wars using Simon Miller's To the Strongest! rules. Here's the game set up in my basement (one of the last on the OLD table). 

The scenario is an interesting one; Fabius Maximus has been avoiding combat with Hannibal, which is strategically prudent given the string of defeats Hannibal has inflicted upon the Legions of Rome. However the Republic is becoming frustrated by the ese "Fabian" tactics, and elect the hot headed  Marcus Mincinius Rufus to co-command of the army. Hannibal lays a trap for the Romans. A seemingly isolated detachment is dangled in front of Minicinius' forces as bait; he takes it and attacks with his half of the army. However, Hannibal has the bulk of his army nearby, and once the bait is taken, his remaining forces march to reinforce that command. Meanwhile, Hannibal has also set an ambush on the Roman left flank, concealed in a deep gully. Fabius half of the army watches events unfold from a nearby mountain top (the action thus sometimes being referred to as The Battle of the Clouds), and when Mincinius forces start to falter, Fabius and his troop rush their aid, averting a complete disaster for Rome. 

Fabius and his men atop the mountains. 

Rome to the left, Carthage to the right

Battle of  Geronium, Summer of 217 BC   HAVOC, March 2026

CARTHAGE 

CMD	Description	Save	Spec/Ammo	Pts	VM
C	Commander in Chief - Hannibal Barca
C	General, Mtd Senior, Detached, Brilliant	2+	Replay, Mv 3	11	3

Moves 3 boxes, can replay up to 1 card per turn, can influence units up to 3 boxes away. If attempted prior to his move, must move to join that unit if the attempt is successful. Can activate any unit or Command.

CMD	Description	Save	Spec/Ammo	Pts	VM
1	Far Left Flank Cavalry
1	General, Mounted, Detached Heroic - Himilco	3+	Replay	6	2
1	Spanish Cavalry, Javelin	7+	2	9	2
1	Spanish Cavalry, Javelin	7+	2	9	2
1	Numidian Light Cavalry, Javelin, Veteran	6+	3	6	1
1	Numidian Light Cavalry, Javelin, Veteran	6+	3	6	1
1	TOTAL			36	8

CMD	Description	Save	Spec/Ammo	Pts	VM
2	Left Flank Cavalry
2	General, Mounted, Detached Heroic - Hamilcar	3+	Replay	6	2
2	Libyan/Phoenician Cavalry, Javelin, Veteran	6+	3	11	2
2	Libyan/Phoenician Cavalry, Javelin, Veteran	6+	3	11	2
2	TOTAL			28	6

CMD	Description	Save	Spec/Ammo	Pts	VM
3	Infantry Group A Left
3	General, attached -  Hano	2+	Replay	4	2
3	Libyan Spearmen, Deep, Veteran	6+		13	3
3	Libyan Spearmen, Deep, Veteran	6+		13	3
3	Balearic Slingers, Lt Inf, Sling, Veteran	7+	3	5	1
3	Balearic Slingers, Lt Inf, Sling, Veteran	7+	3	5	1
3	African Javelinmen, Lt Inf, Javelin	7+	2	4	1
3	African Javelinmen, Lt Inf, Javelin	7+	2	4	1
3	TOTAL			48	12

CMD	Description	Save	Spec/Ammo	Pts	VM
4	Infantry Group B -  Center “Bait”
4	General, detached,   Mago	2+	Replay	5	2
4	Gallic Warriors - Deep, Veteran	6+	Hero	14	3
4	Gallic Warriors - Deep	7+	Hero	11	3
4	Gallic Warriors - Deep	7+	Hero	11	3
4	Gallic Warriors - Deep	7+	Hero	11	3
4	Javelinmen	7+	2	4	1
4	TOTAL			56	15

CMD	Description	Save	Spec/Ammo	Pts	VM
5	Infantry Group C -  Right Center
5	General, attached - Gisgo	2+	Replay	4	2
5	Libyan Spearmen, Deep, Veteran	6+		13	3
5	Libyan Spearmen, Deep, Veteran	6+		13	3
5	Balearic Slingers, Lt Inf, Sling, Veteran	7+	3	5	1
5	Balearic Slingers, Lt Inf, Sling, Veteran	7+	3	5	1
5	African Javelinmen, Lt Inf, Javelin	7+	2	4	1
5	African Javelinmen, Lt Inf, Javelin	7+	2	4	1
5	Camp			1	3
	TOTAL			49	15

CMD	Description	Save	Spec/Ammo	Pts	VM
6	Right Flank Cavalry - Hasdrubal Barca
6	General, Mounted, Detached, Heroic	3+	Replay	6	2
6	Libyan/Phoenician Cavalry, Javelin, Veteran	6+	3	11	2
6	Libyan/Phoenician Cavalry, Javelin, Veteran	6+	3	11	2
	TOTAL			28	6

CMD	Description	Save	Spec/Ammo	Pts	VM
7	Far Right Flank Cavalry - Bolmicar
7	General, Mounted, Detached, Heroic	3+	Replay	6	2
7	Gallic Cavalry, Javelin	7+	2	9	2
7	Gallic Cavalry, Javelin	7+	2	9	2
7	Numidian Light Cavalry, Javelin, Veteran	6+	3	6	1
7	Numidian Light Cavalry, Javelin, Veteran	6+	3	6	1
	TOTAL			36	8

CMD	Description	Save	Spec/Ammo	Pts	VM
8	Infantry Group D -  “Ambush”
8	General, detached, Heroic - Maharbal	3+	Replay	5	2
8	Spanish Scutarii, Javelin, Veteran	6+	2 + pila	9	2
8	Spanish Scutarii, Javelin, Veteran	6+	2 + pila	9	2
8	Spanish Scutarii, Javelin, Veteran	6+	2 + pila	9	2
8	Spanish Javelinmen, Lt Inf, Javelin	7+	3	4	1
8	Spanish Javelinmen, Lt Inf, Javelin	7+	3	4	1
8	Spanish Javelinmen, Lt Inf, Javelin	7+	3	4	1
	TOTAL			44	11

84 total = 29 VM   336 pts total

Battle of  Geronium

POLYBIAN ROMANS

CMD	Description	Save	Spec/Ammo	Pts	VM
1	Left Flank Cavalry - Tiberius Flavius Valens
1	General, Mtd, Detached, Heroic	3+	Replay	6	2
1	Cavalry, Javelin	7+	2	9	2
1	Light Cavalry, Javelin	7+	2	5	1
1	Light Cavalry, Javelin	7+	2	5	1
	TOTAL			25	6

CMD	Description	Save	Spec/Ammo	Pts	VM
2	Legio I et II - Left Flank Infantry
2	General, Detached, Gnaeus Servilius Geminus	2+	Replay	5	2
2	Quincunx, Deep Legio I	7/6+	Pila, exchng	14	3
2	Quincunx, Deep Legio II	7/6+	Pila, exchng	14	3
2	Velites - Light Infantry, Javelin	7+	3	4	1
2	Velites - Light Infantry, Javelin	7+	3	4	1
2	Velites - Light Infantry, Javelin	7+	3	4	1
2	Slingers - Light Infantry, sling	8+	2	4	1
2	Cretan Archers - LI Bow, veteran	7+	3	5	1
2	Camp			1	3
2	TOTAL			55	16

CMD	Description	Save	Spec/Ammo	Pts	VM
3	Legio III et IV -  Center
3	General, Detached  Lucius Aemelius Paulus	2+	Replay	5	2
3	Quincunx Legio III	7/6+	Pila, exchng	14	3
3	Quincunx Legio IV	7/6+	Pila, exchng	14	3
3	Velites - Light Infantry, Javelin	7+	3	4	1
3	Velites - Light Infantry, Javelin	7+	3	4	1
3	Velites - Light Infantry, Javelin	7+	3	4	1
3	Velites - Light Infantry, Javelin	7+	3	4	1
3	Ballistarii - Artillery	7+	6	7	1
	TOTAL			56	13

CMD	Description	Save	Spec/Ammo	Pts	VM
4	Legio IX et X -  Right Flank Infantry
4	General, Detached Sempronius Longus	2+	Replay	5	2
4	Quincunx Lgio IX	7/6+	Pila, exchng	14	2
4	Quincunx Legio X	7/6+	Pila, exchng	14	2
4	Velites - Light Infantry, Javelin	7+	3	4	1
4	Velites - Light Infantry, Javelin	7+	3	4	1
4	Velites - Light Infantry, Javelin	7+	3	4	1
4	Slingers - Light Infantry, sling	8+	2	4	1
4	Cretan Archers - LI Bow, veteran	7+	3	5	1
	TOTAL			54	11

CMD	Description	Save	Spec/Ammo	Pts	VM
5	Right Flank Cavalry - Marcus Atilius Regulus
5	General, Mtd, Detached, Heroic	3+	Replay	6	2
5	Cavalry, Javelin	7+	2	9	2
5	Light Cavalry, Javelin	7+	2	5	1
5	TOTAL			20	4

CMD	Description	Save	Spec/Ammo	Pts	VM
6	Legio V, VI Mountaintop Left
6	General,, Detached Quintius Fabius Maximus	2+	Replay	5	2
6	Quincunx,Deep  Legio V	7/6+	Pila, exchng	14	3
6	Quincunx, Deep Legio VI	7/6+	Pila, exchng	14	3
6	Velites - Light Infantry, Javelin	7+	3	4	1
6	Velites - Light Infantry, Javelin	7+	3	4	1
	TOTAL			41	10

CMD	Description	Save	Spec/Ammo	Pts	VM
7	Legio VII, VIII - Mountaintop Right
7	General,  Detached  Publius Babullius Rufus	2+	Replay	5	2
7	Quincunx Legio VII	7/6+	Pila, exchng	14	3
7	Quincunx Legio VIII	7/6+	Pila, exchng	14	3
7	Velites - Light Infantry, Javelin	7+	3	4	1
7	Velites - Light Infantry, Javelin	7+	3	4	1
	TOTAL			41	19

CMD	Description	Save	Spec/Ammo	Pts	VM
8	Sinister Mountain Cavalry
8	Genl, Mtd, Det, Heroic - Sextus Rutilius Fuscus	3+	Replay	6	2
8	Cavalry, Javelin	7+	2	9	2
8	Light Cavalry, Javelin	7+	2	5	1
	TOTAL			20	4

CMD	Description	Save	Spec/Ammo	Pts	VM
9	Dexter Mountain Cavalry Gaius Terrentus Varro
9	General, Mtd, Detached, Heroic	3+	Replay	6	2
9	Cavalry, Javelin	7+	2	9	2
9	Light Cavalry, Javelin	7+	2	5	1
9	Light Cavalry, Javelin	7+	2	5	1
	TOTAL			25	6

 80 = 26 VM  337 points

Gauls acting as "bait"

Note the gully to the far Left...

For the HAVOC game, we only had 3 out of 8 players. There's Dave to the left and Devin to the right. 

Dave recruited a third player and I became the fourth. With only half the players, I removed the Bait, Fabius' men, and the Ambush. That made the game playable in the time allowed, but removed the twists that made the scenario more interesting.

Devin and I had the Romans, and of course attacked at the earliest opportunity!

In these Punic Was battles, even without any "Punic Faith" on Hannibal's side, most often the superior Carthaginian cavalry overwhelms their Latin opponents, and then turns upon the flanks of the Roman infantry. 

Not so this time!

The Romans won a lot more than their fair share of the Cavalry battles, and it was the Carthaginians looking out for their flanks. The Roman Quincunx formations actually managed to do well in combat for a change as w2ell, resulting in victory for Mincinius... SPQR!  We all had a lot of fun with this game, which moved along very nicely and finished in about 3 hours. I do love To the Strongest!, and even more for convention games!