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Miniatures Adventure => Age of Myths, Gods and Empires => Topic started by: Mason on February 16, 2016, 11:50:39 PM

Title: What skirmish rules would you suggest for playing Roman Slave Revolt games?
Post by: Mason on February 16, 2016, 11:50:39 PM

I can see a few skirmishes in the style of Spartacus the TV series happening at some point.
They will most certainly be on a more skirmish level rather than big battles.
Which rules would you suggest for that level and type of game?

Title: Re: What skirmish rules would you suggest for playing Roman Slave Revolt games?
Post by: guitarheroandy on February 17, 2016, 12:58:13 AM

Well, odd though it might seem, I'd probably use Osprey's Dragon Rampant - legionaries could be 'offensive heavy foot', Roman light troops either 'light missile' troops or 'scouts'. The slave leaders could be 'elite  foot' or 'bellicose foot' with 'shiny armour' upgrade and the gladiator slaves themselves could be whatever you liked - 'bellicose foot,' or 'offensive light foot' leap to mind, with some scouts for missile support. You could even have some 'ravenous hordes' to simulate the mass of un-military runaway slaves...

Title: Re: What skirmish rules would you suggest for playing Roman Slave Revolt games?
Post by: rumacara on February 17, 2016, 10:56:19 AM

How many figures per side are you planning Paul?
The Ganesha Games rules Song of Shadows and Dust are very nice and easy to learn but they are on the small gang sizes.
You can also use the Spartacus book of WAB and just use some 500 points per side.

Welcome to the roman empire... :D

Title: Re: What skirmish rules would you suggest for playing Roman Slave Revolt games?
Post by: Mason on February 17, 2016, 09:51:09 PM

Thanks for the replies, chaps.
Much appreciated.
 :)


As I have had half an eye on Dragon Rampant anyway, for use in some fantasy gaming, I opted to grab a copy and check it out.

Rui: I am thinking about 20 for so on each side at the moment. Probably with them individually based and using sabots when I need to use them in units.

Title: Re: What skirmish rules would you suggest for playing Roman Slave Revolt games?
Post by: WillieB on February 17, 2016, 11:17:24 PM

Perhaps these -upcoming- rules are exactly what you're looking for

http://leadadventureforum.com/index.php?topic=85292.0

Title: Re: What skirmish rules would you suggest for playing Roman Slave Revolt games?
Post by: Mason on February 17, 2016, 11:32:31 PM

Quote from: WillieB on February 17, 2016, 11:17:24 PM

Perhaps these -upcoming- rules are exactly what you're looking for

http://leadadventureforum.com/index.php?topic=85292.0

They may well be, and this game is one of the reasons why I decided to venture down this route.
I like the sound of this setting.
I can just see gladiators being just the sort of thing as part of a Roman 'special forces' team, being expendable and all that.
 ;)

Title: Re: What skirmish rules would you suggest for playing Roman Slave Revolt games?
Post by: rumacara on February 17, 2016, 11:48:03 PM

Are you planning on doing just gladiators or also armed mob?

Title: Re: What skirmish rules would you suggest for playing Roman Slave Revolt games?
Post by: Mason on February 18, 2016, 12:21:38 AM

Quote from: rumacara on February 17, 2016, 11:48:03 PM

Are you planning on doing just gladiators or also armed mob?

I dare say that armed mob may enter the equation at some point, but gladioli are the basis of things at the moment.
If this develops into a full blown 'Slave Revolt' I will have to, of course....

We shall see.
 :)

Title: Re: What skirmish rules would you suggest for playing Roman Slave Revolt games?
Post by: OSHIROmodels on February 18, 2016, 01:41:09 AM

Interesting  :D

cheers

James

Title: Re: What skirmish rules would you suggest for playing Roman Slave Revolt games?
Post by: Barbarus on February 18, 2016, 06:45:32 AM

Well, you know me... I would go with SAGA anytime  lol

But seriously... I think it might just be the perfect size for what you are describing.


a 4 Point SAGA match with

- a Warlord
- 3 points of Hearthguard
- 1 point of Warriors

makes 21 models...

one could go and use existing Battleboards or easily come up with something new just by combining abilities from existing Battleboards.
Off the top of my head:
"Stubbornness" + "The Push" + "Unforgiving" from the Anglo-Danish Battleboard...
plus "Domination" from the Franks Battleboard...
"Heimdal" + "Frigg" + "Ullr" + "Thor" + "Ragnarok" from the Vikings Battleboard...
and "Taunting" from the Welsh Battleboard.

That should feel very "spartacussy". The abilities just need some proper new names, worthy of a gladiator :D


If you want to, we could develop the boards together. I would actually like that, cause you struck a nerve here.
It is a setting that interests me as well and right now Im wondering if I dont want to start a similar project :D

Title: Re: What skirmish rules would you suggest for playing Roman Slave Revolt games?
Post by: rumacara on February 18, 2016, 10:58:33 AM

There are some Saga boards for roman gangs that might help.
Let me find the magazine (Practical Wargames) that has them.

Title: Re: What skirmish rules would you suggest for playing Roman Slave Revolt games?
Post by: n815e on February 18, 2016, 02:35:07 PM

Labors of the Gods is a mythical skirmish game (one of the Goalsystem line).  You don't have to use the fantasy parts.

Title: Re: What skirmish rules would you suggest for playing Roman Slave Revolt games?
Post by: nervisfr on February 18, 2016, 05:29:37 PM

Quote from: rumacara on February 17, 2016, 10:56:19 AM

How many figures per side are you planning Paul?
The Ganesha Games rules Song of Shadows and Dust are very nice and easy to learn but they are on the small gang sizes.


Welcome to the roman empire... :D

i second that !

with the new reaction system, the ganesha rules system could be as deadly as the the spartacus' tv show.
The fantasy set could  fit the job is you want more characters 'traits and colorful ones.
You can design each of your character as in the tv show  ;)

Cheers
Eric

Title: Re: What skirmish rules would you suggest for playing Roman Slave Revolt games?
Post by: Mason on February 18, 2016, 07:32:44 PM

Barbarus: Sounds interesting, but I think that I will be looking at something where there can be several 'Hero' types  in each game. I shall be watching what you do, though, have no fear of that!

rumacara: I shall have to have a look at those if my plan does not work out as I forsee it.

n815c & nervisfr: That does sound promising. The same game engine as Fistful of Kung Fu, perhaps?
I have that and may have to see what I can steal from there....


It is looking like I will be making my own rules up, stealing ideas from wherever.
The idea is for it to be a 'pick up and play' game, maybe for participation, where no-one 'needs' to learn any rules to play.

Quote from: jimbibbly on February 18, 2016, 01:41:09 AM

Interesting  :D

I thought you might like the sound of this.
And: Yes, it is a possibility for a certain event at the end of the year.
(Although I do have several ideas in mind for that.....).
 ;)

Title: Re: What skirmish rules would you suggest for playing Roman Slave Revolt games?
Post by: nervisfr on February 19, 2016, 08:00:56 AM

to help you to imagine what your project can be


just a picture to incite you to follow your idea  ;D


(https://c2.staticflickr.com/6/5580/14907557888_015fe58972_b.jpg)


Slave revolt in the streets !

Title: Re: What skirmish rules would you suggest for playing Roman Slave Revolt games?
Post by: Silent Invader on February 19, 2016, 08:46:19 AM

Missed this one before Paul. Sounds very interesting.

Really enjoyed the over-the-top Spartacus series.

I'm also seeing a role for a diminutive Roman senator Shortyassicus and his ever present slave Tootallicus.  ;)

Title: Re: What skirmish rules would you suggest for playing Roman Slave Revolt games?
Post by: Malamute on February 19, 2016, 12:00:57 PM

Quote from: Silent Invader on February 19, 2016, 08:46:19 AM

Really enjoyed the over-the-top Spartacus series.

I'm also seeing a role for a diminutive Roman senator Shortyassicus and his ever present slave Tootallicus.  ;)

I would have thought you'd prefer something like this:

(http://www.consolemonkey.plus.com/malamute-gladiator.jpg)

Or for those with a more discerning palete this:

(http://www.consolemonkey.plus.com/malamute-lanista-scary.jpg)

Or perhaps:

(http://www.consolemonkey.plus.com/jim-maximus.jpg)

Title: Re: What skirmish rules would you suggest for playing Roman Slave Revolt games?
Post by: Mason on February 19, 2016, 12:11:57 PM

He may well do, but now I am just scared!
 :o :o

Title: Re: What skirmish rules would you suggest for playing Roman Slave Revolt games?
Post by: Eric the Shed on February 19, 2016, 12:28:41 PM

you been working out Nick??

Title: Re: What skirmish rules would you suggest for playing Roman Slave Revolt games?
Post by: Silent Invader on February 19, 2016, 12:45:18 PM

Quote from: Mason on February 19, 2016, 12:11:57 PM

He may well do, but now I am just scared!
 :o :o

Would it be wrong to be a tad excited?

Title: Re: What skirmish rules would you suggest for playing Roman Slave Revolt games?
Post by: Malamute on February 19, 2016, 12:57:57 PM

Quote from: Silent Invader on February 19, 2016, 12:45:18 PM

Would it be wrong to be a tad excited?

 lol

Title: Re: What skirmish rules would you suggest for playing Roman Slave Revolt games?
Post by: Mason on February 19, 2016, 01:15:12 PM

Quote from: Silent Invader on February 19, 2016, 12:45:18 PM

Would it be wrong to be a tad excited?

 :o :o :o
VERY!

Title: Re: What skirmish rules would you suggest for playing Roman Slave Revolt games?
Post by: Valerik on February 20, 2016, 01:00:00 AM

I always found THIS fascinating...

Late Roman "Pulp" Skirmish Game "Roma Victa?"

Quote

"Its hot! So hot you can see the camels sweat. But here you are in this stinking border town of Canus Minor…”Dogtown” to the locals. The only claim to fame of this miserable little one chariot town is that its far enough south of Palmyra to avoid too much attention from Imperial authorities, and too far west to be looted by desert bandits. It’s the perfect place for a man to earn an honest (!?) living on both sides of the frontier, or to live in the shadows and not draw too much attention to himself.  As a result, it has become a magnet for every smuggler, hustler, charlatan, snake oil salesman, magician, holy man,  or people with secrets to keep. In other words, its an opportunity!"

- VIPER4DAN

http://leadadventureforum.com/index.php?topic=54835.0 (http://leadadventureforum.com/index.php?topic=54835.0)

Full rules n'all!!

(http://leadadventureforum.com/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=54835.0;attach=12278;image)

Never played it - no time, no figures, no terrain, no opponents, all the usual excuses...

But I sure had fun reading about it!!

Dayum!!  Whatta backstory!!

Another bit here:  http://rabbitsinmybasement.blogspot.com/2015_08_01_archive.html (http://rabbitsinmybasement.blogspot.com/2015_08_01_archive.html)

Twould seem everything I like in an adventure: cheap n'dirty, quick n'nasty, sport n'danger!!

Valerik

"q) Abdul the carpet salesman is hiding something."

Title: Re: What skirmish rules would you suggest for playing Roman Slave Revolt games?
Post by: Lowtardog on February 20, 2016, 09:50:32 AM

Quote from: guitarheroandy on February 17, 2016, 12:58:13 AM

Well, odd though it might seem, I'd probably use Osprey's Dragon Rampant - legionaries could be 'offensive heavy foot', Roman light troops either 'light missile' troops or 'scouts'. The slave leaders could be 'elite  foot' or 'bellicose foot' with 'shiny armour' upgrade and the gladiator slaves themselves could be whatever you liked - 'bellicose foot,' or 'offensive light foot' leap to mind, with some scouts for missile support. You could even have some 'ravenous hordes' to simulate the mass of un-military runaway slaves...

Yup my first thought too

Title: Re: What skirmish rules would you suggest for playing Roman Slave Revolt games?
Post by: nervisfr on February 20, 2016, 04:23:44 PM

The choice of rules is dependant from the level of skirmish you want to play.

Ganesha rules are made for low level skirmish. Let's say :
* Spartacus and some relatives raiding a domus to find food/weapons for their group of Slaves (at the start of the revolt).
* Prisonner's swap between Spartacus (and most of the tv show characters) and Ashur (and his killers).
etc.....
With these rules you can work on the Character profils, building them as those in the tv show.

Lion/dragon Rampant is for the high level skirmish ; Small units and some characters leading the troops.


Anyway, just find the rules that'll give you the best entertainment and fun to play with friends.  o_o :-*

Eric

Title: Re: What skirmish rules would you suggest for playing Roman Slave Revolt games?
Post by: Whitwort Stormbringer on February 20, 2016, 07:56:59 PM

Surprised not to see any mention of the Lord of the Rings skirmish game, which is ideal for ~20 individually-based and individually-acting (i.e. no units, as in SAGA or Dragon Rampant) models. I don't know if you do or don't want units, but for me personally, they seem a tad silly at such low model counts. No reason you can't have a couple of similar models, and have them move and fight together, but at such low numbers I feel like individual movement and positioning can still be key, and it wouldn't be unreasonable or unheard of, especially amongst a rabble of armed ex-slaves and gladiators, to not fight in any kind of groupings or formations.

While there are no official rules to cover Romans and gladiators specifically, there's an excellent homemade supplement called "Britain Invaded" that does EIR and Celts, there's the Warhammer Historicals gladiator game built on the same engine, there are soooooo many existing LOTR profiles that you could probably find enough "counts-as" profiles to cover most needs, and it's a very easy system to tinker with if none of those covers your bases.

Title: Re: What skirmish rules would you suggest for playing Roman Slave Revolt games?
Post by: Barbarus on February 21, 2016, 06:45:10 AM

Good point with the LOTR-rules. They are pretty nice.

Title: Re: What skirmish rules would you suggest for playing Roman Slave Revolt games?
Post by: NurgleHH on February 21, 2016, 05:51:46 PM

I would think of Open Combat [url][https://www.secondthunder.com//url].
Simple and good. It is made in the Mason-Fisting-Style ;)