Simple rules, complex process.

[Paintdog]

For a while now, I've had two armies in search of a rule set - my Late Antiquity Romans & Barbarians.

As I'm the only one in our group covering this period, it's up to me to find something that will work, in order to interest my pals. And to fit a niche in our gaming schedule - in this case, midweek night games of 2-3 hours.

Searching for a commercial rule set is fraught. You get recommendations from forums, read online reviews & watch after battle reports before shelling out money to receive what still not might work for you. Just look at my book cases for unused rule sets.

I finally decided to go with home grown. I had  some notes and the start of a rule set I'd started some years ago. I thought they had promise so spent the last few weeks working on them - with AI's help in suggesting some good & not so good mechanisms, formatting etc. I've run some solo games & I hope they're good to go - I've organised a game for Thursday night. It'll be a 'civil war' scenario, also co-authored by me & AL (my new best friend).

I believe they have some tactical challenge, mirror the period & will be fought to a conclusion in the available time. I don't think 'Shieldwall' (my name - Al came up with some poor suggestions) will threaten 'hail Caesar' or ADLG etc but hopefully the rules will be fit for purpose.

[fred]

Hopefully it plays well and your group like the rules!

Shieldwall is already in use for a fairly popular Dark Ages rule set - but then most wargames rule names seem to have more than one set of rules using them.

[Paintdog]

Thanks.

 I've never played a commercial set called  'Shieldwall' but now that you mention it, it rings a bell. That might be why the name occurred to me. Hmmm - plagiarism.
As I have no intention of selling my rules (& no-one would be daft enough to buy them), I should be safe!

donald

[Rick]

I have to admit, if someone were to mention a set of rules called 'Shieldwall' then the very first period I'd think of is the dark ages, not ancients. 'Testudo' would be more like an ancients set of rules, I'd have thought.

[Moriarty]

Do let us know how it works out!

[Paintdog]

I have to admit, if someone were to mention a set of rules called 'Shieldwall' then the very first period I'd think of is the dark ages, not ancients. 'Testudo' would be more like an ancients set of rules, I'd have thought.

Rick - I think testudo is a tactic not (much) used by Late Antiquity?
I see your point but I feel the end of Antiquity - Dark Ages (Early Medieval anyone?) hasn't a sharp, chronological edge & 'shieldwall' was a tactic used by both L. Romans & their barbarian allies/enemies. Also one of my chums wants to build an Arthurian force & this will be easy to fit into my rules.

As I wrote, AI didn't come up with anything I liked so if you have any more suggestions for a title & I use it, that will give you 2% of the cash I make selling this rule set (ie nothing).

cheers, donald

[Rick]

Ah right - I now see your point. I wasn't aware of the time frame you were aiming to cover and, yes, testudo would be well out!
In that case, might I suggest 'Fulcum' or 'The Fulcum' instead?

[JW Boots]

What about “caput porcinum”, or in English Boars head, as a title for your rules? The formation used/tried by barbarians to break through Roman lines…

[SteveBurt]

You could name the rules after leaders of the era. Stilicho, Clovis, Attila.