Ludus Gladiatorius in a tin - Birthday!

[6milPhil]

I'm looking at getting one of Em4's Ludus Gladiatorius gamesets for my grandson Captain Stinky but rather than just give him the set I'm think of making him an arena in an old biscuit tin. I saw someone do this a while ago, if anyone has a link to that I'd be very grateful, so he's has the play area and the storage all in one.

As Ludus Gladiatorius is hex based I'm looking for a cheapish source of suitable hexes, which I believe are 25mm, to stick into the tin as the floor. Does anyone have any suggestions?

e2a: Found the arena in a tin: http://www.iandrea.co.uk/wargames/glads/page42/page42.html

[pocoloco]

That tin idea is a good one, in one of the threads here on LAF there was an arena made out of old round hat box. Maybe bit more easier to use as a material as tin?

[Mister Rab]

What a neat idea!

[mcfonz]

Phil, have you tried Fenris, I think Ian has lazer-cut hexes available. If he doesn't he'll probably sort some out for you, he's a good chap like that!

Actually, if you wanted to decorate the interior walls of the tin I think he has some small columns as well that you could use.

[philhendry]

Ian and I were at the same school - I remember playing gladiatorial games in his tin!

[6milPhil]

Thanks McFonz, I should have guessed.

Ian you get thanked for all the fun on that page you know?

That tin idea is a good one, in one of the threads here on LAF there was an arena made out of old round hat box. Maybe bit more easier to use as a material as tin?

Oh I'm cladding the inside of the tin, looks like laser cut hexs on the ground and some arena-ish bricks to the wall. The tin is to keep it safe in the hands of an eight-year old.

[mcfonz]

You could magnetise some of the hexes so you can switch them out with other ones for things like pits or a column with beast attached for example.

[whiskey priest]

You could try warbases http://www.warbases.co.uk/#/polygonic-bases/4532404193 I've used them for years and the service is excellent. They may even be able to do you a whole set to fit perfectly into the tin.

[fastolfrus]

Ian and I were at the same school - I remember playing gladiatorial games in his tin!

I was just wondering which school he was at - we did the same (on a school trip to Stratford-on-Avon from Scarborough), but often played at home.
Same gladiators, same rules, probably the same brand of biscuits.

[ar-pharazon]

Ian and I were at the same school - I remember playing gladiatorial games in his tin!

So you DID know Rvdis!

I have had fun with Ludus, tempted to make my own tin now

[HerbyF]

Many years ago I used to travel a lot with a group of freinds. One of them had a couple of Gladiator arenas in movie tins. The bases were magnetic so they wouldn't slide around while we were traveling. everything fit in the tins for storage. The two figures in the close up on the link are old minifigs 25mm gladiators not Greenwood & Ball. I have them & the Greenwood & Ball figures.

[Doug ex-em4]

I'm looking forward to seeing your arena, Phil and I expect an article for The Chronicles http://combatzonechronicles.net/em4/arena.htm telling us how you made it...

Doug

[6milPhil]

Sure thing Doug.

[6milPhil]

So I've made a start on this. Here's the biscuit tin, complete with crumbs.



Having given it a good clean I started glueing laser cut hexes from Fenris into the centre, like you might with carpet tiles in a room. I used a PVA which has a long enough drying time to allow for subtle repositioning as you add more hexes.



Here's the first set of 50 hexes in place, so back to Fenris for another set.



Suddenly the boxed set turns up from Em4, much quicker than I expected. It's a bit of a Tardis in having so much in such a small box. It has the figure player cards, a small well formed set of rules, five very nicely painted figures, eight special dice, bases for the miniatures, tokens and a paper arena.



The figure bases are 25mm but I've deliberately used 30mm hexes to allow space for the poses of the figures. Obviously the tin is smaller than the supplied arena but I think that will simply make for faster and more vicious play so it's not a problem. One thing I hadn't considered was having some of the hexes marked with numbers as the paper arena does. These are starting places, but I'm sure I can sort something out.

[Mister Rab]

Looking good! What are the hexes made from? MDF? Plywood?

I'd also be very interested in hearing how the rules turn out (having just been beaten again on WH's Gladiator on ebay). As for the starting hexes, how about blood spatters in the appropriate number painted on?