Roman RISK - First three days

The project I've been working on for a long time is off the ground. And it's a huge success with the kids at my school. All Roman RISK posts here.

For three days they been fighting a civil war, after the assassination of Caesar. The game has been running contentiously  from around 0830 in the morning to 1335, each day. Kids hanging out in there breaks, after school and as soon as the doors open in the morning.

It's been pretty hard to snap any photos, because I'm constantly running the gaming.

Been wanting to write up each day - but I've been hammered after hours of constantly having kids yelling in my face. Eager to play - it's great to tiring.

Various kids from the eight different teams will come, be set in line for a turn and make on off three options:

• Move troops in their territory or move ships
• Attack a territory with units from neighboring areas
• Buy units or upgrades

This way when doing battles between multiple factions, they have to think about strategy. As they'll be last in line after moving troops, ready to attack later - leaving them vulnerable for opponents to bring in reinforcements or counter attack. 

Workshops

The teams are following a single workshop for an entire day. And my great colleagues have made eight different workshops. We have: Roman history, gladiator food, perspective drawing of roman buildings, mosaics, roman math and numbers, graphic novels (of roman historic episodes or culture), puppet theater film. 

The kids are then award between 100-200 Denali depending effort, team work, made assignments etc pr day. 

Points

Points are awarded for 

- 1 pr territory (land and sea)

- 2 pr important (laurel marked) territory ¨

- 5 for Rome (also giving 5 denarii three times a day)

- 2 pr temple build

- 1 pr senator bribed

- 2-4 for controlling an entire province (there's 13). Provinces also provide their points in bonus denarii three times a day. 

In the lead

A each break (two pr day) and at the end of the day, I've counted the points. Put them on a board for all to see. The teams have gone up and down. Making alliances to tip the leading team from the top post. Then to fall on each other afterwards, making constant shifting in placement. 

Tactics

We've seen many different tactics. Some teams really on temples, senators and well defended territories. Some teams gain points from rapid expansion, going for easy territories. Some have gone for dominance at sea. And some have worked towards securing provinces.

Monday

The board at the beginning. All unclaimed territories were guarded between 1-3 barbarians (rolling d6 in fights). Two point territories and Rome were guarded by Praetorians (rolling d8 in fights). 

All the well painted boardgame pieces before the game got going. I've since added another 10 cataphracts and 25 legionaries to each team (only base coated in team colors).

 The Pyramids and Library of Alexandria (two point territories) guarded by Praetorians at the start of the game.

Tuesday

The end of Tuesday saw the black team (Cleopatra) in the lead with nearly 50 points. Running a rapid expansion war, the had lots of territories and controlled three provinces. Stretching from Cyrenica over Syria and all the way to the black sea.

The white team (Brutus) being in second place. Having secure Dacia and taking control of Rome (which was first conquered by orange (Cassius)).

Wednesday

Today saw a complete shift in placement. White (Brutus) started by getting battered in the north by Black (Cleopatra). Cleopatra having made alliances with many teams - but non wanted them to win and all broke them. Weakened, the white team (Brutus) saw themselves attacked by green (Marcus Antonius) and blue (Cicero). Both team wanting easy territories for themselves - been in the middle with points.

Orange (Cassius) beat black (Cleopatra) from Asia minor and is controlling the eastern part of the empire and the important ancient wonders there.

The grey team (Octavian) launched a fleet filled with troops. Tipping black (Cleopatra) from first place. Invading an ill defended Cyrenica and threatening Egypt itself. Forcing them to retreat and go on the defence. 

Meanwhile the yellow team (Lepidus) have secured all Spain and the three provinces there. 

So Wednesday saw grey (Octavian) and (Lepidus) fighting for first place at the Pillars of Hercules (Gibraltar). If one team could disrupt the other they would secure first place. Yellow being depended on points from controlling the province Baetica. Grey (Octavian) being depending on points from controlling all Mauretania. 

Red team (Pompeius Sextus) used these wars to secure all the middle of Africa. Numidia and Africa Proconsularis. 

Also interesting is the white (Brutus) being cut in half (controlling Italy and Rome) and the far easy of Dacia. But both green (Marcus Antoinus) and blue (Cicero) is massing troops to invade Italy and take Rome. 

It's been the best day yet. Lots of kids having found tactics, learned the game, planning and making ready for two more days of fighting. 

Video of Wednesday - beware the sound.