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04-11-2002, 05:30 AM

Even though I'm new here, which would be some of the best rules set for Ancients wargaming?

04-11-2002, 08:36 AM

IMO the WRG DBM rules.

04-11-2002, 05:05 PM

I'd have to agree, but then again, I'm not much of a Ancients wargamer. -Cheers, Jonathan. <img src=http://www.myezboard.com/projects/ezboard/ezboard_userimages/thewizardstower/images/JGB-Ring.gif> 

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<center>"We get together on the basis of our similarties; we grow together on the basis of our differences."</center>

04-11-2002, 10:25 PM

At the risk of starting a debate, I'd have to say that it depends on how you want to play. 
As a general rule it's best to use the rules people you're likely to play against/with are using. 
The two main rulesets seem to be DBM and Warhammer Ancient Battles (WAB). From what I know DBM is a tournament type rules set that's fairly abstract. WAB is more for a friendly game with a more Hollywood approach to it. Just for the record I don't really know DBM that well (and I play WAB myself). 
Btw welcome abourd, I'm kinda new myself.

04-12-2002, 09:19 AM

Whilst trying to avoid a flame war :-) 
 
DBM and WAB are both used in tournament play and friendly play, neither has exclusive rights on either. 
 
WAB is a a more old fashioned games mechanism that places emphasis on weapons, armour, etc. and, as Quintus said, has a somewhat Hollywood attitude to the representation of combat with individual "heroes", etc. 
 
DBM is a more modern system which abstracts many details and deals with the macro-level results rather then the minutae - thus for example much missile combat is subsumed into the close combat (melee) rather than being resolved separately. 
 
By it's nature WAB comes accross as more of a skirmish game whild DBM as more of a big battle game. 
 
Hope this all helps.

04-14-2002, 06:21 AM

Another less expensive and less complicated option would be WRG's DE BELLIS ANTIQUITATIS (DBA). The number of figures required are small and battles are played on a 2 x 2 foot area. Rules are only 12 pages, while the booklet includes the army lists that allow you to choose your combatants. Play does NOT run on for hours. Please see Chris Brantley's incredible Fanaticus site [ www.fanaticus.org/DBA/index.html ] for further info. DBA can also be played online if that interests you & there are several sites which have 
paper armies available [www.mogworld.ukf.net/cardwars.html] so you can try the rules out without buying figures. Once one masters DBA shifting to the more complex DBM is fairly easy. 
Regards, 
Ex-91A10

04-15-2002, 03:13 AM

I'm actually in possession of both sets of rules and yet both have an equal draw upon me! 
 
However, I was wondering if there was a better system or which set of rules people were more likely to support. Both WAB and DBM have their certain attractions yet looking more closely at DBM it seems more closer to the style I prefer: More in command of an 'army' rather than a 'patrol.' 
 
"The army stuff you around? No way......"

04-17-2002, 10:09 PM

WAB and DBx are very different systems in any way. 
 
What you prefer is largely a matter of.... well preference, I guess 
 
If you have a chance, try them out, you could easily use cardboard "miniatures" for this 
I have heard good things about Armati, but I'm not sure if it covers the roman periods. 
 
Cheers, 
Svend Erik, Denmark

04-18-2002, 12:50 AM

I'm actually leaning towards DBM. I like the feel of the game. "The army stuff you around? No way......"

Caius Fabius · 05-05-2002, 08:03 PM

James Manto is writing a set called: Legion and Empire 
You can check it out at: 
[email protected] 
 
I played "Blood, Bronze and Iron", long ago, as well as "Legion", and WRG 4th, 5th, 6th and 7th edition, plus DBA, DBM, Armatii, and Warhammer Ancient Battles. 
 
The game that makes me feel the most problems of command, and frustration of being a commander is called "Piquet" but it is not for the faint of heart, or those who expect a move, counter move battlefield. You will need a reserve, youe will need tactics, and you will need luck. There is a module for ancient gaming, as well as others for other period gaming in the same Piquet system. 
 
The traditional wargamer hates Piquet (I owned a wargames shop so I have an idea of what I am talking about here...), The student of military history and people with actual military command experience who have mastered the basics of military command problems and solutions, do very well with this system. The frustration of having to wait while the enemy troops march three or four movements ina flanking attack, or having to decide which unit will get to move against the enemy, to the exclusion of all others, can leave the typical wargamer screaming foul! The retention of a steady reserve and a pursuit force will make or break your gaming experience, especially if you are having a bad run of luck. 
 
I recommend it for anyone who likes military simulations. If you want a move, counter move wargame, with fist-fulls of dice, I recommend Warhammer Ancient Battles. (And I don't even get a comission on either game!) 
"Just before class started, I looked in the big book where all the world's history is written, and it said...." Neil J. Hackett, PhD ancient history, professor OSU, 1987

Caius Fabius · 05-15-2006, 03:35 PM

For those interested in the Piquet system I bumped this discussion back up.
here is a link to the rules company. [url:1djr8ux2]http://www.piquet.com/[/url].
Here is a link to a discussion of the rules: [url:1djr8ux2]http://www.piquet.org/[/url]
I use the original Piquet Rules with the original Archon supplement, but that's because I am happy, and understand the system. I don't feel the need to get the new sets, although I might if someone locally wanted to play the new version. Right now, we just play with my 'old' set. :lol:

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