The selection of the Selecuid army was incredibly curious to me. Pain's army consisted mostly of foreign legionaries and cataphracts. While cataphracts are intimidating, I never quite understood his selection as a whole as his foreign legionaries were at such a disadvantage to the Urban Cohorts that I did not necessarily feel like the advantage given to him by the cataphracts made up for it. Then once again, there is no doubt that Pain's heavy cavalry was decisive, and his infantry was clearly good enough. I just think that the counter factual of a more conventional Selecuid army would have been more cost-efficient. But then again, performing as well as Pain did with such a flawed army makes his contribution more impressive, not less.
I did not have a problem with Uther or Conan's unit selection. Except that I just don't understand why anyone would purchase a General's Bodyguard? Am I missing something, or are you just paying more denarii's for a unit of smaller size?
Fokker's set-up was really interesting, and after the deployment stage I feel he sort of went under the radar. I'd love to see more videos, especially 1 on 1's with Fokker. He's seems like a really innovative player. Furthermore I think it would have helped Team Scipio if they'd made arrangements for him to be on flank.
Once again, I don't want to diminish Pain's performance as he played like a boss, but I wonder how much of his success was the result of him being the only real player that deployed a signifigant amount of cavalry. Sure there were others that had multiple cavalry units, but nobody spent as much resources as Pain.
4:15; Interesting advance by Conan. I remained curious, yet in the moment I was very skeptical. I felt like his move made him vulnerable to a well-timed flanking movement, but it ended up not being a problem.
4:45 I really like the use of testudo's on both sides.
With that said, Uther is playing a dangerous game. At 4:57 he has already taken 10 casualties to his General's Bodyguard, which shouldn't be a big thing except there were only 25 to begin with.
5:04: Get those Bodyguards out of there!
5:10: Thanks.
5:39; Good opportunistic use of cavalry by team Julii
7:07; This skirmish is really entertaining to watch. It's the definition of the calm before the storm, and it's nervewrecking.
8:30; Why was that advancement so slow? If you are going to attack, do so quickly, or don't at all. I feel like the damage from the pilas was devastating.
9:27; Everytime I'm reminded of Uther's General Bodyguard I want to cringe. Am I missing something?
10:10; Good use of archers.
11:01; Once again, for very little happening this is nervewrecking.
12:02; Considering the fact that the description of this video on Youtube made it sound like Pain would dominate, I'm very impressed since the unit selection (besides Catas) makes it look like he completely shot himself in the foot.
13:41; Good preventive charges by TR. Beautiful hammer and anvil.
14:14; Pain's Catas are moving! Hold on, this ride is about to get real!
14:45; The tanks are here. The 'real' cavalry has arrived. And they're brutal
14:46; Why aren't the Scipi cavalry advancing? The only thing the Selecuids got going for them just moved flanks, this is their moment?
16:20; Finally, the Scipio right flank is advancing, and I think it's telling that the sole phalanx becomes essential in defending the legionaries. I still just don't get the Selecuid unit selection.
17:02; The Catas are moving, here we go
.
17:20; Holy
.
18:39; Catas heading back, lost opportunity for Scipio.
22:04; Once again,and I feel like a broken record, why are general bodyguards a thing in competitive multiplayer?
24:06; Another impeccable cavalry charge.
24:30; I'd be scared if I was Scipioo
25:17; Okay, that was fun, I wonder what's on TV?
26:16; and yet we got a ballgame.
27:04; What a beautiful charge.
General conclusionary thoughts;
Quite an impressive victory for team Julii. I just cant help to feel that the magnificent play of Pain was despite his unit selection, rather than because of it. Which in a way makes it more impressive. Very close ending, but those damn Catas are powerful and while I feel like the victory was deserved. I also felt like the move of the Catas at 17:08 was gamechanging. Impressive recovery by Scipio, but not quite enough.
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