The Forces

The Last of the Romans supplement adds two entirely new forces and a variation of the original Romano-British army specifically for the Domain of Soissons. These new armies will present more variation and tactical challenges in addition to some new rules both for battles and campaigns.

The two new army lists for this supplement, the Franks and Visigoths, offer a distinct change in play style. The Franks, largely Germanic in nature, are not too dissimilar from the Saxon army in Dux Britanniarum. However, unlike the Saxons, they are not the professional, lightly-equipped raiders plundering foreign shores and will bring their Levy troops to the battlefield. As the campaign progresses, their units will swell with more experienced warriors who will be able to rival even the most powerful Roman force. Their exposure to Roman tactics as Foederati also allows them to us the Shieldwall formation under certain circumstances. The Visigoths, due to their exposure to the Huns and warfare in the East, focus on fast-moving cavalry to outmaneuver and overwhelm their opponents. As the campaign progresses, their focus will start to shift to a more infantry-focused force, as they did historically. This makes them effective raiders at the start of the campaign and a significant threat at the later stages.

The Domain of Soissons

This force is similar to the base British force in the main rules, with two exceptions. There is an additional Group of missile troops attached to the force, bringing the number up to two. The reason for this is that many of the conscripted levies were encouraged to use the bow as it was seen as a more effective use for the unskilled, part-time soldiers. This extra unit does not function any differently than the normal missile troops in the main game.

The other change is the ability for the Romans to have mounted units exchanged for some of their infantry. A Roman Lord may elect to substitute six elite foot soldiers with four elite Shock cavalry in any game. He may also elect to substitute six of his Warriors with four Warrior Shock cavalry. The British Lord may select one or both options, or he may elect to keep his men on foot. Men who are mounted will fight on horseback for the duration of the game; they may not dismount.

When fielding mounted troops, the Romans may attach any of their Nobles to command the cavalry. If a Lord is mounted then his champion will be too. A mounted noble may only influence cavalry troops during the game.

Character creation will remain the same for the Roman player.

The Franks

A Frankish force is led by a Lord with two subordinate leaders, these are your Nobles. The Lord is rated as Status III while his subordinate leaders are Status II. You’ll also be granted a Champion to accompany your Lord

Led by these Nobles, you will have one Group of Elite troops, three Groups of Warriors, and three Groups of Levy troops. All of these Groups will be six figures strong. You will also have one Group of four missile troops armed with slings, bows, or javelins.

The Visigoths

A Visigoth force is led by the Lord and two subordinate leaders. The Lord is Status Level III and his subordinates are Level II. The Lord will also be accompanied by a Champion.

Beneath these Nobles you will have one Group of four Elite Shock Cavalry, two Groups of four Warrior Raider Cavalry, and two Groups of six Warriors. The force will also be accompanied by one Group of four Skirmish Cavalry and one Group of four Skirmishers.

The Visigoth Lord may elect to fight on foot or mounted, but must choose at the start of the game and his Champion must follow suit. He may also choose to have one or two of his Nobles mounted, but the number of mounted Nobles, including the Lord, may not exceed two at any point. A mounted noble may only influence cavalry troops during the game.