SOLO Gladiator Rules

[NickNascati]

All,
      So as I've said previously, I had bought and sold collections of Gladiators twice.  I love the subject and the figures.  However I can't seem to find a set that will work solo and yet still capture the movment of the actual fight. RSBS is detailed and comprehensive, but any time I have tried to play it, I feel like the figures are just left standing still while I consult tables and roll dice.  Are there any other sets out there that really capture the flavor but work solo?
                                                                                                  Nick

[Furt]

Nick,
I am unaware of a set of rules that will do gladiatorial combat solo to this extent. I have played my own rules many times solo, but just for play testing. I believe Mad Doc Morris also play tested solo as well. I admit that keeping track of two gladiators with all those counters may seem a little daunting.
What do you believe is an acceptable mechanic for solo gaming? Could you run both combatants without bias, choosing the best course for each gladiator? Do you need a table to tell you what your opponent does in response to your moves?
 

[NickNascati]

Furt,
        I am basing what I said on my experience with Red Sand, Blue Sky.  The mechanics of RSBS really don;t even require moving the figures.  I want something that feels and looks more like two fighters trying to kill each other.
                                                                          Nick

[Furt]

Yes, I understand that Nick, but...

What do you believe is an acceptable mechanic for solo gaming? Could you run both combatants without bias, choosing the best course for each gladiator? Do you need a table to tell you what your opponent does in response to your moves?

[LeadAsbestos]

I hate to say it, but there is a lovely Spartacus video game that just came out. I cant see a satisfactory experience coming out of making all the decisions for a gladiator game by yourself.

[H.M.Stanley]

I tested BotS for the first time yesterday (solo) in preparation for a game on Thurs. Huge fun.

Mind you. I can also play chess against myself if the mood takes me

[Golgotha]

When it comes to gladiator games many are hexed based and thus should be relatively easily converted into solo play (or at any rate movement of the enemy can be) certainly I would be interested in whatever you come up with as I normally find myself battling myself. For other actions randomised card events always work a treat.

[Kugelfang]

I wrote a hex-based set where each player selects three 'action' cards. I haven't played it for years but it might work OK for solo play. Especially if you randomize the order in which the action cards are revealed. That way the solo player has a large influence over what the gladiator does, but the details and results are up to fate. There's a little bit of record keeping involved.

https://sites.google.com/site/petiteguerre/home/familia-gladiatoria

--jeff

[NickNascati]

Jeff,
       Thanks, I will take a look at it.  Generally rules that use cards do work reasonably well solo.

                                                                                            Nick

[DrHaustellum]

In Munera sin Missione you really have to move your gladiators into the best position to attack. It is much simpler than RSBS, but so much more dynamic, fluid and rewarding...  It is not a solo game, but I enjoy playing all gladiators by myself.  And even better: it is free! 

[Elbows]

Links, good Dr.?

Nick,  a gladiator game is on my list of things to do...already started researching  .  I'd like to pick up a game or two if people have good solo recommendations.

[ink the troll]

pdf for munera sine missione:
https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B7jivXekpX0LUzl2NTlZSTRRODA/edit

(via: http://hordesofthethings.blogspot.com.au/p/free-stuff.html )

[DrHaustellum]

Thanks, ink the troll. 

[NickNascati]

"What do you believe is an acceptable mechanic for solo gaming? Could you run both combatants without bias, choosing the best course for each gladiator? Do you need a table to tell you what your opponent does in response to your moves?"

Furt,
         Sorry, I guess I didn't answer you completely.  I'm not sure there is an ideal solo mechanic.  I've played games solo for years that were never meant to be.  For example, The Sword and the Flame, Disposable Heroes, DBA and most recently Fistful of Lead.  I think that card driven games are the easiest to randomize actions for.  So yes, I can make rational decisions for opposing sides without a table to refer to.  What I want, are rules that give me a reason to move the Gladiator figures.

                                                                                             Nick

[Patrice]

It depends what level of simulation you want. If it's two groups of gladiators fighting, you could probably adapt some skirmish rules. If you want a man-to-man fight, perhaps adapt some rules of duelling musketeers, I think such rules exist.

In my opinion, detailed duelling rules are never satisfactory when they try to simulate each action (attack, parry, recoil, attack again, etc) and each action takes some time to play, say 30 seconds and the player has to think about it to resolve it ; while in real life it would only take one second and the gladiator or duellist reacts instinctively.

Some duels sometimes happen in my skirmish games, with a very quick system (derived of the "Argad!" ruleset), as this duel at the end of a battle when a Saxon chief accepted to surrender his besieged village only if the SubRoman British chief accepted to fight him :





But you will probably think it's too simple : 

Basically each were very good fighters, "class 5" in the rules that means they are wounded/killed it the opponent rolls a 6, and they recoil 2 cm if he rolls a 5. They were PC characters so 2 hit points. On the first wound a "hit localisation" dice (D12) is rolled, to know the localisation of the wound.

The cunning SubRoman chieftain had brought a bard and a monk with him, they were praying and chanting behind him, that gave him +1 bonus, he won.