Lest Darkness Fall: Rome in Crisis, A.D. 235-285 (LDF),
is a low- to intermediate-complexity, two-player, strategic-level
wargame covering the third century crisis that beset the Mediterranean
region and its environs. One player leads the Roman Empire and its
client states, while the other commands an amalgamation of that realm's
enemies: barbarian Germanic tribes, Parthia, Palmyra, and rebel forces
from within the Roman world itself.
That second
player is generally on the offensive, trying to invade, loot and occupy
core Roman territory, or perhaps reach the city of Rome itself, in
order to win. The Roman player wins by finally maintaining the
territorial integrity of the empire against the invaders. Despite that
being the general situation, however, over the course of a typical
match both players will have many opportunities to both attack and
defend as they maneuver to achieve their goals.
Each
game turn of LDF represents the passage of 10 years. Each hex on the
map measures 100 miles (162 km) from side to opposite side. The units
in the game represent the Roman emperor and his court, his co-emperor
(if one is in play) or rebel claimants to the throne, legion bases and
vexillations (mobile elements), garrisons and fortifications, Germanic
tribes, Parthian gund (corps), and Palmyran legion-equivalents. The
individual units therefore represent everything from an individual and
a few courtiers up to 10,000 or so soldiers and their camp followers.
Scale:
Players: 2
Level: Legion
Hex: 100 Miles (162 km)
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