A Game of Comitatus

[OB]

I recently played a solo game using Simon MacDowell's Comitatus rules.  The rules gave an interesting and fun game and, suprisingly to me, seemed to work really well for solo play.  I was so impressed that I wrote up how the game works on my blog.

 

There is a lot in Comitatus the troop types used and the leader decisions required make it very well suited for the Late Roman/ Migration period.  If that is of interest to you do come and have a look.

https://youdonotknowthenorth.blogspot.com

[MGH]

Interesting game!  Are those rules which depend on long lists of factors you have to refer to all the time like many older rules?

[OB]

Thanks MGH. 

It's more like a short list of factors most of which are fairly intuitive. 

As an example having a leader with the troops is always good.  Troop quality counts. Outnumbering the enemy helps.  Armour alone will not win the day but it makes a difference.

I got the hang of it pretty quickly.  The mechanisms are quick to provide resolution so I'd say it's a 'fast' game. I was done in a couple of hours and I doubt I'd played it for 10 years.

Hope that helps.

[MGH]

Yeah, that does, thanks!

Right now my rules set for Ancients/Medievals is To the Strongest or I'd probably give it a try. But our local group is very happy with TtS.

[emosbur]

Simon has a couple of rules for free at his web. All use the same mechanics, so you may try one and see if fits you. Try The Tree of Battles, for the late middle ages:

http://legio-wargames.com/medieval/4563587662

[SJWi]

Hi, I too use "To the Strongest" as my go-to set of ancients and medieval rules. However I have heard good things about Comitatus and met Simon Mc Dowell several times back in the '80s and know that he really knows his stuff.  As this period is one of my favourites I may be interested in trying another ruleset with more "period flavour". The killer for me would be basing. My troops are mainly based as units for Impetus ie on 12cm wide bases. Would these work with Comitatus?

Thanks.     

[OB]

Yes, they would work fine.  Measurement in Comitatatus is by base width which also counts as the length of a javelin throw.  In your case 12 cm would be javelin range and the basic move segment. You would move in multiple segments of 12cm and bow range would be 60cm.

I made a measuring stick simply marking the increments and with that the game whizzed along.

[SJWi]

Thanks. Just got to decide whether to buy Comitatus or the new "Infamy" rules first!

[OB]

It's a good time for the hobby, decisions,decisions.

[SJWi]

Indeed it is. I am just toying with buying an A&A Miniatures Palmyran army to take advantage of their June deal.

[pallard]

Hi SJWi
I also wanted to use Comitatus with my skirmish-based miniatures. The solution is quite simple: I prepared  under-bases according to the rules indications,  in sandy shades, and put my miniatures over it. Works perfectly.
These rules are first class realy.
Philippe

[OB]

Yes, as Phillipe said that's the solution.  As long as the base sizes are consistent on both sides you can use whatever size suits your miniatures.

Those A&A Miniatures are very nice.  Wrong scale for me but they are impressive.

[coopman827]

Thanks for mentioning these rules.  I have been to Simon's webpage many times but never ordered the rules....until about an hour ago.  Now I have some reading to do! 

[OB]

I hope you have loads of fun with them.  I certainly am.