Tom Jensen - 03:53pm Mar 16, 2003 PST (#121 of 123) 
"My friends, fate has laid upon you heavier chains than upon any slave 
in Italy. You are prisoners here... You must conquor or die." --Hannibal

SOLITAIRE PELOPONNESIAN WAR 

I've never been happy with the solitaire aspect of the Peloponnesian
War. Just when you're emotionally invested in winning with the Delian
League, you've gotta switch over to the Lacedaemonians. 

This game system for the Spartan player should be used with the updated,
Two Player rules found at Grognards. It's a short "to do" list of things
to achieve each turn. Start at the top and if you can't accomplish the
first objective, move on down. 

1. Defend Sparta 

2. Panactum 

3. Loryma 

4. Defend Corinth/Thebes 

5. Cut an established Epidamnus LOC 

6. Counterattack! 

7. Crush rebellion 

8. Byzantium 

9. Create Epidamnus LOC 

10. Support/Cause rebellion 
The BIG rule: 

NEVER create a situation with less than a +3 advantage for the Spartans.
That is, if there's a possibility of being intercepted by an Athenian
Army or Force with a potential battle at less than a +3 modifier, move
to the next priority. This can be a combination of tactical rating,
hoplite superiority, and cavalry; whatever is most efficient for Sparta.
Don't waste your 50% Spartan hoplite advantage in a battle without the
+2 modifier. The exception is a Leader moving to an Assembly space; if
there's a possible interception, then he should be escorted by 1 SP if
possible. All Armies should include 1 cavalry SP if possible. Always
leave at least 2 hoplites in Corinth. And above all, make the best
decisions you can. 

Sparta rebuilds SPs in this order: Spartan hoplites, Spartan cavalry,
Allied hoplites, Allied cavalry and will always spend the maximum 600
talents. Do NOT rebuild naval SPs. 

To win the Athenian player must force Sparta to surrender by the end of
the 10th turn. 

NOTES ON THE OBJECTIVES 

1. Defend Sparta at +3 if possible; otherwise defend at +2 or less. 

2. Mirror the hoplite SPs in Athens with 50% Spartan hoplites plus 1 SP.
Example: If the Delian League has 6 SPs of hoplites in Athens, then
ideally you'd place one leader, 4 Spartan hoplites, 2 Allied hoplites,
and 1 cavalry in Panactum. The +3 rule doesn't apply for Panactum. 

3. Join the Spartan army and see the world! Should give a -2 SCI to
Athens each turn. Ouch! 

4. Defend Corinth/Thebes at +3 against land SPs. Otherwise send a leader
with a positive tactical rating to move the fleet to attack Naupactus or
Corcyra. If Athens leaves you alone, move on. 

5. Clear Macedonia/Pela first. 

6. By this time Athens has been busy and this is Sparta's chance to
react. Try to reinforce the nearest battle to create the +3 advantage.
If Athens is beseiging with naval alone, send 1 hoplite to create a No
Battle situation. Never create a seige situation; Athens can win with a
single naval SP. Do the best you can with what you have. If you don't
have enough SPs, move on. 

7. Cavalry can be used to suppress 2 or more adjacent rebellions. 

8. Occupy Byzantium to cut the Black Sea supply line. SPECIAL NOTE: If
Byzantium is occupied at the BEGINNING of a turn, send the Panactum Army
to Athens instead in an attempt to win the game by seige. 

9. Good luck with this! 

10. Support the rebellion which is most difficult for Athens to
suppress. Duh. 

And that's it. Use common sense to fill in the gaps, play the best
Spartan side you can, and the system should provide a worthy opponent...
Yourself!