09-13-2001, 01:57 AM
Hi<br>
<br>
I seem to be the odd man out here in that I came to Roman history via wargaming (whereas the rest of you seem to be going the other way?). But anyway; there are several sets out there to play with.<br>
"De Bellis Multitudinus" (DBM for short) put out by WRG. Very popular, but leads to some pretty unhistorical play from my own observations. "DBA" is it's smaller, more abstract and chess-like predecessor. Good for a quick fix (usually 20-30 min per game!) or for resolving battles in a bigger strategic game. There are also "Classical Hack" by Phil Viverito and "Ancient Warfare" by Terry Gore. both not bad with some interesting ideas, but they're too reminiscent of the old WRG 6th edition Ancient rules for my tastes. "Tactica" is mechanically simple but very limited. Every game ends up being the same. "Armati" is sort of a "Tactica meets DBM" hybrid. But the games are quick. "Warhammer Ancient Battles" is very fun and novice friendly, but I dislike the mechanics (I've got to roll to hit, roll to wound and THEN after all that he gets a SAVING THROW???!!). Nice production values and their supplements are full of info for the novice getting into a period. I enjoyed their "Fall of the West" supplement for the Later Empire even though I don't play the rules. the pictures are inspiration to get my Gothic hordes finished.<br>
<br>
Hopefully, someday soon my own rules will get published; "Legion and Empire; Miniature Wargaming in the Roman Era" They're period specific (Punic Wars to Fall of Western Empire) so I hope to have lots of period detail without having to overly complicate the rules. I have the latest playtest draft available as a .pdf file if anyone is intersted. the idea is to have historically rooted, period specific rules that are mechanically simple and novice friendly. the new ancient gamer should be able to read his Penguin Classic of the Gallic Wars and refight it on the table top and have something that actually looks like an ancient battle. ( I once witnessed an Armati game with a Roman army deployed in deep columns with legions on the flanks and cavalry in the center! yikes....)<br>
<br>
James <p></p><i></i>
<br>
I seem to be the odd man out here in that I came to Roman history via wargaming (whereas the rest of you seem to be going the other way?). But anyway; there are several sets out there to play with.<br>
"De Bellis Multitudinus" (DBM for short) put out by WRG. Very popular, but leads to some pretty unhistorical play from my own observations. "DBA" is it's smaller, more abstract and chess-like predecessor. Good for a quick fix (usually 20-30 min per game!) or for resolving battles in a bigger strategic game. There are also "Classical Hack" by Phil Viverito and "Ancient Warfare" by Terry Gore. both not bad with some interesting ideas, but they're too reminiscent of the old WRG 6th edition Ancient rules for my tastes. "Tactica" is mechanically simple but very limited. Every game ends up being the same. "Armati" is sort of a "Tactica meets DBM" hybrid. But the games are quick. "Warhammer Ancient Battles" is very fun and novice friendly, but I dislike the mechanics (I've got to roll to hit, roll to wound and THEN after all that he gets a SAVING THROW???!!). Nice production values and their supplements are full of info for the novice getting into a period. I enjoyed their "Fall of the West" supplement for the Later Empire even though I don't play the rules. the pictures are inspiration to get my Gothic hordes finished.<br>
<br>
Hopefully, someday soon my own rules will get published; "Legion and Empire; Miniature Wargaming in the Roman Era" They're period specific (Punic Wars to Fall of Western Empire) so I hope to have lots of period detail without having to overly complicate the rules. I have the latest playtest draft available as a .pdf file if anyone is intersted. the idea is to have historically rooted, period specific rules that are mechanically simple and novice friendly. the new ancient gamer should be able to read his Penguin Classic of the Gallic Wars and refight it on the table top and have something that actually looks like an ancient battle. ( I once witnessed an Armati game with a Roman army deployed in deep columns with legions on the flanks and cavalry in the center! yikes....)<br>
<br>
James <p></p><i></i>
