Small Scale Skirmish Rules - Ancient Period

[Kenntak]

I have been looking for good small scale miniature rules set in the ancient period. I would prefer armies of 5-10 models, with each model being a separate independent unit. I want rules with interesting and meaningful melee combat, not just hacking and slashing. I like games where tactics are prioritized, and there are creative scenarios, and solo play availability. I looked at Homers Heroes Bronze Age Bad Boys, which fits much of the criteria that I was looking for, but want some additional choices to consider. Rules sets like Saga and Clash of Spears are really good, but the scale is too large.

[Rick]

I don't know of very many. SPQR is a fairly good set with a low model count but you'd have to add your own solo play rules - also the extra skills part of the campaign system can get a bit arcane in places (it's based on a sci-fi gang skirmish!).

[GuyD]

Gangs of Rome and Bronze Shield, Silver Coin come to mind.

[traveller]

One-hour skirmish wargames- ancient/medieval version is what I use but it sounds like you should be more looking to gladiator rules for high level of detail

[kodiakblair]

I like games where tactics are prioritized, and there are creative scenarios, and solo play availability.

You could try "Great Hall Burning" from 2 Hour Wargames, now sold by Rebel Publishing.

All 2 Hour titles are written with a focus towards solo play, using the 'Reaction' system Ed has been refining the last 20 years  Recently Ed has been moving towards a RPG/Wargames Lite theme. Great Hall Burning has a Norse setting, you start off leading a band of 8 then as your social standing rises can add another band, lose a few battles and your band will find another 'Ring giver'  A fair bit was packed into 75 pages, combat/RPG Lite/Campaign/Naval.

If the Scandinavian setting isn't for you, you can still try the system out for free by downloading the Swordplay rule book here.

https://twohourwargames.com/collections/free-rules/products/chain-reaction-2023 

[Kenntak]

Thank you all for the help so far. I will give Bronze Shield Silver Coin: Ancient Greek Mercenary Skirmish Wargaming, and Swordplay a look.

[Easy E]

The Song Of series of games may also be of interest to you.

Also, I think the One-Hour Medieval and Ancient Wargaming Rules by Pen and Sword could also fit the bill.

Here is a review by me on that one:
http://bloodandspectacles.blogspot.com/2025/01/review-one-hour-ancient-and-medieval.html

[rumacara]

Do read Ravenfeast rules. They are free, easy and can be used for several periods without much thinking.

[Mikai]

Do read Ravenfeast rules. They are free, easy and can be used for several periods without much thinking.

Seconding that. Easily adaptable with houserules to your need.

[Kenntak]

I have played one of the Song of series many years ago. It was very well done from what I remember.

Ravenfeast looks fantastic for being free. I would of course have to adapt it to ancients.

One of other set of rules I found is Sword Weirdos. It's very inexpensive, but like Ravenfeast, would have to be adapted.

[Mr. White]

This KS was just brought to my attention. Only 6 models per side.

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1674560143/greathelm?fbclid=PAZnRzaAM_s6tleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABp3gS01vv-nmtvXzwZ2zPzz5csCSwnDzPDK_qd4SyIMVfEpCsI6Q21f9LmQga_aem_Jkuisn-MTkyUvascDdYxKA

The OOP Gorechosen should also be considered. Only one model per player but still surprisingly deep.

[Mikai]

At Ravenfeast, you could first get into the rules, use the point system to create your units and play a couple of times. After a while you will figure out what you are missing. Then you can reask here at the forum for ideas for those house rules. I adapted the ruleset to a Middle-earth setting, while Glenning adapted it recently to some Ancient German setting (mentioning also houserules for WOTR, Sengoku, ECW, AWI and ACW settings):
https://leadadventureforum.com/index.php?topic=150166.msg1929080#msg1929080

[Muddypaw]

Song of Shadows and Dust is pretty good. It’s for street fights and rival gangs in a Bronze Age urban environment. It’s a good read, and pretty simple like most of the Songs of… series. Available from Amazon. Blurb below.

“Song of Shadows and Dust is a standalone miniatures wargame based on the award winning Song of Blades and Heroes rules engine. The rules reflect the gritty reality of urban violence while preserving the keep-it-simple, play-as-you-want, no-book-keeping-required spirit of the Ganesha Games family. Easy to learn: The elegant core rules are easy to learn in just one game. Fast to play: Games are designed to be finished in under an hour allowing small campaigns to be completed in a single sitting. Flexible: Inspired by the break down in civil order which plagued the great cities of the Mediterranean in the first century BC, these rules are suitable for any pre-modern setting from Babylon to Bruges. Expansive: Includes 57 unique character profiles with whom to populate your faction or guild – from henchmen, assassins and punch-drunk boxers, to street urchins, elder statesmen and courtesans. Players are also free to create their own custom characters choosing from among 46 defining special rules. Variable: Eleven different faction objectives allow for 121 different tabletop scenarios. Expandable: Easily supplemented by special rules and scenarios drawn from the other rule books produced by Ganesha Games”

[n815e]

Pulp Alley is adaptable to any setting, solo rules, individualized characters.