Author Topic: Ancient skirmish game? (Read 2252 times)

Basementboy · « **on:** March 10, 2024, 06:56:51 PM »

Hello all, I have about a dozen singly based EIP Romans and I was wondering what skirmish rules I could use them for. There seem to be lots of mass battle games for the period but I don’t know about skirmish games. Any suggestions?
Thanks in advance

DivisMal · « **Reply #1 on:** March 10, 2024, 07:14:50 PM »

A long, long time ago there was an announcement for an ancient variant for SoBH. Afaik it never happened, but if you accept a bit of tinkering, I can highly recommend the original game: (Advanced) Song of Blades and Heroes.
Other good games in that size range for miniatures that also require some modifications are GW‘s LotR game which is pricy, but good. Chevauchee (medieval rather than ancient though) and FFoL in the fantasy variant.

Hobgoblin · « **Reply #2 on:** March 10, 2024, 08:06:17 PM »

There is a historical SoBH variant: Song of Shadows and Dust. The author posts here (Irregular Nic?). It's a great little ruleset, designed for urban riots and gang fights in the Roman Empire, but with profiles for gladiators, legionaries and the like.

ithoriel · « **Reply #3 on:** March 10, 2024, 09:53:37 PM »

Osprey's "Broken Legions" are fantasy ancients rules. Never played them so don't know how good they are.

I'm fond of the "Tribal" rules, from Mana Press, which would work with the period, though it's gladiators rather than legionaries that are featured.

"Gangs of Rome" is something I'm planning on getting but haven't got round to yet.

Pattus Magnus · « **Reply #4 on:** March 11, 2024, 12:15:23 AM »

Clash of Spears is a ‘warband level’ game for around 20-50 figures per side, so might be a bit bigger battle than you’re looking for, but is meant for the period.

DivisMal · « **Reply #5 on:** March 11, 2024, 09:46:27 AM »

Quote from: Hobgoblin on March 10, 2024, 08:06:17 PM

There is a historical SoBH variant: Song of Shadows and Dust. The author posts here (Irregular Nic?). It's a great little ruleset, designed for urban riots and gang fights in the Roman Empire, but with profiles for gladiators, legionaries and the like.

Forgot about this neat little set! Highly recommend!!! It’s exactly what you need.

has.been · « **Reply #6 on:** March 11, 2024, 01:03:12 PM »

Go with Fist Full of Lead.
Simple to learn, easy to use for just about anything and, most importantly...FUN.
PDF copies available from Wiley Games

Quote

[https://wiley-games.myshopify.com

Always liked the Angus McBride illustration of troops on Hadrian's Wall.
Great ideas for skirmish games, e.g. half a dozen legionaries, escorting a wagon to the Mile fort, get ambushed by twelve barbarians.

Aethelflaeda was framed · « **Reply #7 on:** March 11, 2024, 01:32:26 PM »

Raven Feast as well.

Easy E · « **Reply #8 on:** March 11, 2024, 02:45:58 PM »

Just to be clear, you have Early Imperial Romans and want a Model-vs-Model game to use them with. Is that accurate?

The best ones I can think of that fit that are:

Broken Legions:
Review: https://bloodandspectacles.blogspot.com/2016/12/review-broken-legions-osprey-wargame.html

Battle: https://bloodandspectacles.blogspot.com/2020/05/battle-report-broken-legions-oracle-of.html

A Song of Shadows and Dust
Sorry, never played it

with some tinkering to fit the period.....
Homer's Heroes: Bronze Age Bad Boys

Overview: https://bloodandspectacles.blogspot.com/2023/03/wargame-design-homers-heroes-bronze-age.html

Battle: https://bloodandspectacles.blogspot.com/2021/09/battle-report-homers-heroes-clash-at.html

Battle: https://bloodandspectacles.blogspot.com/2023/01/battle-report-homers-heroes-hold-shrine.html

Gangs of Rome
This just got a new edition that I have not played, but I did give 1st edition a look. Not really geared for fully-fledged legionaries.

Review: https://bloodandspectacles.blogspot.com/2021/05/review-gangs-of-rome-warbannerfootsore.html

There are not a lot of Model-vs-Model Ancient skirmish games.

Cat · « **Reply #9 on:** March 11, 2024, 03:15:56 PM »

Melee, the combat component of The Fantasy Trip RPG works great for small skirmish games, and the pdf is free:
https://warehouse23.com/products/the-fantasy-trip-melee-pdf

Basementboy · « **Reply #10 on:** March 11, 2024, 04:13:29 PM »

Quote from: Easy E on March 11, 2024, 02:45:58 PM

Just to be clear, you have Early Imperial Romans and want a Model-vs-Model game to use them with. Is that accurate?

That’s right!

Basementboy · « **Reply #11 on:** March 11, 2024, 04:21:00 PM »

And thanks all for the recommendations so far

vodkafan · « **Reply #12 on:** March 15, 2024, 08:51:33 AM »

Another vote for Fistful of Lead here.

williamb · « **Reply #13 on:** March 28, 2024, 01:54:12 PM »

Another vote for the Fistful of Lead Core Rules book

traveller · « **Reply #14 on:** March 28, 2024, 02:24:26 PM »

I would wait for these, to be released in August:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/One-hour-Ancient-Medieval-Skirmish-Wargames/dp/1036110249/ref=sr_1_2?dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.C_jS_uakXWQr6yxw0gvNgxsFMdbvl-60Gdl08asLnms3HNGaJM3kuyVL9PwZvyjNcxOXo6n5HKIIRfSgI-3Lw_UmbVEO05vGTopUvy7gyD9M2Bxx2wi4JipyIBvkfsMILLjsD5r4tL62lZtj7rXosHVcF2S3Z4VE5kHPv-B3TjZaUPOMV405QR7ePDKkglfCxJQQeSUGsw9KJiuM5Y5mpdRS9c_SycJrU-yrQzZ9FHs.dEc3TLBTm2WVYgpTaRIuyU9z1xa7I6BnUQlPpGnsjlA&dib_tag=se&qid=1711635742&refinements=p_27%3AJohn+Lambshead&s=books&sr=1-2

The current gunpowder version are the best rules I played, if you like fast and simple but innovative mechanics using only ordinary playing cards

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Author Topic: Ancient skirmish game? (Read 2252 times)

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