The Stand at Hollow Pike
Battlefield: a wide sandy beach at low tide · 13 Oct 2026 · Ranked
Roman Cohort
A Roman cohort of 480 veteran legionaries with large scutum shields, pila and gladii, drilled in the testudo formation, supported by 2 scorpion bolt-throwers and commanded by hardened centurions.
War Elephants
12 armoured war elephants, each carrying a howdah with 3 archers, escorted by 100 skirmishers with javelins.
ROUND 1 OF 2
War Elephants form a slow, terrifying line of armoured beasts. Across a wide sandy beach at low tide, Roman Cohort loose the scorpions and let the first pila fly.
ROUND 2 OF 2
Roman Cohort hurl a volley of pila, pinning shields and bodies, then close with the gladius. War Elephants are finally brought down one beast at a time.
» The cohort steps forward in unison and the last of War Elephants vanishes under the shields.
THE WAR ORACLE'S VERDICT
Roman Cohort has a clear edge: iron discipline and testudo formation. War Elephants needs its massive armoured elephants to land early, or elephants can panic will decide it.
- Iron discipline
- Elephants can panic
- The battlefield: a wide sandy beach at low tide
MVP: The scorpion crews
Roman Cohort holds a wide sandy beach at low tide, bloodied but victorious. War Elephants is finished as a fighting force.