Tuesday, June 10, 2008

Famous last words of a Roman Centurian.....

"Look Claudius ! They've come to wish us well."

I've taken my ancients miniature rules (written for 6mm and 1.5" hexes) and re-written them for 15mm and 3" hexes. This scale of figure allows me some interesting tactical options I could not do with the smaller 6mm figures and I can actually see the figures for what they are (not a minor consideration for those of us aging wargamers these days !).


In general, Units are composed of from 4-12 figures and can be in one of 4 training states (Irregular, Horde, Formed and Drilled). The better training, the more options that unit has such as disengaging from combat, more movement options etc). Unit face the vertex of the hex, giving a pleasing front/flank/rear (when using the flat of the hex it looks wrong).

Combat is simple- roll dice for the attacker, add mods (like defending uphill) and for each roll greater than or equal >= the target's defensive value, a hit is scored. Depending on a unit's training and other sundry events, the hit unit may have to take a Morale Check, which can result in it running away or standing. Occasionally, a special event will occur, and that unit will become heroic or possibly completely disintigrate entirely.

The turn is a standard IgoUgo, with some reactions allowed by the non-moving side. If a unit is unengaged (not in a unit's Zone of Control) it can also move after it attacks (if engaged it will have to attempt to disengage in order to move, something the better trained troops can pull off). Cavalry that is not engaged and not fatigued can attempt a charge move (which allows it to move and attack until it fails to rout an opponent or runs out of movement).

The winner is of course the one who holds the field at the end, with an army breaking and running when it reaches a certain point.

There are a number of extra chrome rules I've added (like Frenzy- which allows certain infantry units to have a charge move like cavalry) which I can use to spice up the forces in a particular game.

The real reason to re-do these rules was to be able to use them to fight battles generated in my Vini Vidi Vici campaign game (see below). It should be a blast !



The field is set, Romans of course at the bottom and the unfriendlies at the top, getting ready to cross the stream.








Side view of the weak Roman Legion ("We shouldn't have left the cavalry back in the barracks....")







The Roman's neighborhood association coming to greet them.