The Comprehensive Graccan Guide
by Jay Washak

Terrible things filled the ground below them. Aradak Mutoli looped his arm through his shield and firmly gripped his phalanx with two hands. His unit was beginning to form up to meet the oncoming threat. As the ranks joined, he secured the fifteen-foot pike in position. The phalangites were ready.

A unit of Elite Hoplites, the pride of Atheibs, took position on their right. They had been taken at a young age to the Endymion War College. They have known nothing but training, discipline and war. His was forced to admit they would not run and would protect the phalanx to the end.

It was at that moment that the first of the lizardmen ascended the hill. A rain of projectiles from the Graccan slingers and short-range archers met them. The phalanxes begin their advance. The lizardmen hiss as the distance dwindles. The phalangites, closed and ordered, lowered their pikes.

The first wall of lizards was thrown back by the first wave of spears that crashed into their formation. Aradak could hear other Graccan units engaging the foe around them. The lizards gnash and claw at anyone within reach. Several of the Phalangites fall. The melee rages for several more minutes before the lizardmen fall back.

Upon the hill, a tyrosaur hero dashes about to rally his troops. Several Troglodytes, each standing over 8 feet, take point in the lizardmen assault. It becomes quite clear to Aradak that the tyrosaur tribe before them is loyal to the Dragon Clans. The troglodyes begin the new assault on the Graccan ranks.

Several Shadows, dark wisps of darkness from Thalia, creatures without form, dash ahead to engage the troglodytes. After almost ten minutes, the Shadows have delayed the beserking lizards enough so that the Graccans could reinforce their battle line. More phalangites and hoplites have been brought up. A unit of heavy cavalry took position on the hill. One of their oracles joined the unit, healing several of the wounded soldiers who had fallen. Their army turned to finish the battle.

Graccans are very similar to many of the other human armies of AoA with very notable exceptions. It is based on the tactics and legends of Ancient Greece and Macedonia. The Graccans capture many of these, the phalanx of Alexander the Great, the Elite Hoplites of Sparta, and charismatic heroes, such as Hektor or Achilles. Each of them will be described in reference to their influence, use in AoA and model recommendation.

Hoplites: The Hoplite represents the basic troops of the Graccan military. There are two variations of this troop time, regulars and elite. The regular Hoplite it the typical citizen levy soldier that has been well equipped and trained. Ancient Greece features this troop time in almost every story, such as the Peloponesian War or Homerâs The Iliad. The elite Hoplite is a life-long trained soldier. They are based on the soldiers of ancient Sparta.

Hoplites are best used as you standard ground-pounding foot soldier but the elite Hoplite makes an excellent shock troop. Their natural first strike will give them a distinct advantage over most opponents. Hoplite armor is usually enough to keep them alive in most melees with normal troops. The elite Hoplites are excellent for hitting a large target, potentially dropping it and not taking hits in return. Be wary of missile troops as elite Hoplites are expensive and can be overwhelmed by large amounts of missile fire.

Phalangites: The phalanx units are the bread and butter of the Graccan army. They are sturdy, moderately priced, and can attack from 3 rows deep. Unfortunately, they are slow and open to flanks attacks. They must be protected. It helps to keep an Oracle local to protect them from devastating magical attacks. Go to lengths to strengthen their armor and moral bonuses, they are less useful in skirmish formation. They come in a variety of troop qualities green, regular and elite. These are representations of phalanx units used by Alexander the Great's father and later him in his march against Persia.

Skirmishers: In ancient warfare, it was common to find screening troops. They would harass enemy lines and hurl spears (later pilums) at advancing enemy troops. To that end, the skirmishers are effective. They have minor evasion qualities and are great to harass troops. Be careful before committing them to melee. This is a risk, due to the limited range of their spears.

Archers and Slinger: This is a good and bad point for Gracca. While they have competent missile troops, their range is somewhat limited. Even the slingers are considered to have "weak" weapons. This is not unlike the ancient world where technology did not allow for terribly effective missile weapons such as the eventual English Longbow. This can be used to your advantage though, Graccan armies can field a good number of missile troops.

Light Cavalry: Cavalry served an important purpose of keeping the flanks clean or tying up enemy units. To this end, the Graccan light cavalry is equipped with a variety of equipment such as spears and bows. If LC are fielded, you should at least take spears so that the units can fight in two ranks. The bow troops are good at circling the flanks and firing at exposed units. They are not heavy hitters so engage in melee only if you are confident you can overwhelm the enemy in the first or second turn. I have had to use them to hold other cavalry units. This was costly, but effective.

Heavy Cavalry: Like many Graccan units, they Heavy Cavalry excel in good numbers. Giving heavy spears and a champion like the "Hellenistic Hero", they can safely engage most units on the board. This is a point heavy unit but gives the ultimate shock troop. In smaller units, they succeed where the light cavalry do not, they can engage most units with confidence but really require atleast a champion.

Champions, Generals and Hellenistic Heroes: Heroes and champions are popular through the stories of ancient Greece. The Hellenistic hero is meant to stand above them, similar to an Ajax or Alexander. They are those who fought monsters, or lead the army's charge. Use them to support units, always try to mount a few on horses and accompany the cavalry. It is also fun to mount the Hero on a monster and ride into battle.

Oracles: They are the magic users of the Graccan army. Their life spells are well spent when used in support of the infantry advance, such as Holy Armor. Earth and Life offer slightly more offensive use but Oracles are best used to support the existing elements with protection and healing. There are some very nasty spells to use, but those are more on a case-by-case basis. Be wary of unchecked magic users as they can use area effect spells effectively on Graccan troops.

Ballista: Used mostly in seiges in Ancient Greece, they can offer fine support to know down a enemy. The problem is Graccans tend to field a good number of infantry to so be sure to have a good LOS you know you can keep, even with all the advancing troops. Sometimes, it can be valuable to get them to high ground.

Cockatrice/Basilisk: These are the "mobile artillery" of the Graccan army. Captured by Graccan heroes, these two monsters are best used to advance with the army and take pot shots at valuable units with their petrify attack.

Clay and regular Golens: One made of clay, the other of rock and metal, each serve a valuable part of the army. Both are excellent at screening missile fire. This cannot be stressed enough, they are relatively inexpensive and good at screening and tying up heavy units. They can take punishment, but he regular golumn tends to hit harder.

Swamp Wurm: The minor cousin of a dragon, Graccan soldiers pulled this wurm from the deep swamps. They move about the same speed as the regulars and thus are great at supporting the infantry attack.

Chimera: A slow flyer, but effective with supporting an ongoing melee or punching at key units. The first strike ability is excellent and the unit cost is fairly low.

Shadows: One of the most unique monsters in the Graccan army. They are the lost wanderers from Thalia (see Graccan history), that accompany the army into battle. They are superb at tying up any unit with their evasion of 3. They are capable of dealing damage at a 2/2, but they have no armor. They are vulnerable to magic, so deploy them carefully.

Cyclops: Mercenary for the Graccan army from the legendary journeys of Ulysses. They are like many other giant types with the addition of a boulder sling. They are great for taking our infantry but weak against serious monsters. They also lack many giant benefits, like the tree bundles and rollers.

Amazon Allies: Still in progress as of this writing, but they have several nice features, such as longer range archers and good troops all around. I am debating adding Pegasus and Unicorn riders.

Models (for 15mm):

Notes: Old Glory foot soldiers are usually about 50 figures for $13 US. The cavalry and command bags are comparable. These models are readily available. Thane was nice enough to find some through his distributor for me too! Use any variation you like though.

Hoplites: Old Glory Hellenistic Spartan Hoplites or Old Glory Macedonian Hypasists.

Phalangites: Old Glory Macedonian Phalangites.

Skirmishers: Chariot or Old Glory Republic Velites, or Old Glory Hellenistic Javelinmen

Archers and Slingers: Old Glory Gaulic Archers and Slingers or Hellenistic Slingers

Light Cavalry: Old Glory Macedonian Thessalian Light Cavalry

Heavy Cavalry: Old Glory Macedonian Heavy Cavalry

Heroes, Generals, Hellenistic Heroes and Oracles: Old Glory Macedonian Command

Ballista: BRF Ballista (use other Graccan soldiers as crew)

Cockatrice: Ral Parthas Cockatrice model (many variations ö 30mm)

Basilisk: Games Workshopâs WHFB Lizard Swarm (30mm)

Golumns: Several are available. I bought mine in a local shops discount bin (30mm)

Swamp Wurm: Kitbashed mini, any crawling dragon like creature will do (45mm).

Chimera: Alternate Armies Chimera model (30mm)

Shadows: Homemade (look nice too) cotton from end of a Q-tip glued to a 15mm base. Generous amounts of glue give it a nice texture. Then paint the figures black when the glue dries.

Cyclops: WotC DnD 3rd Cyclops, or Crucibles Cyclops (45mm)

Amazon Allies: BRF Amazon line ö plus riders from Demonworldâs (Pegasus/Unicorn)

© 2007
Thane's Games