Remember, you heard is here first!
google1d46db00d8eb4940.html![]()
“Roman Seas” rules
October 16th, 2009 Bwana Bill Posted in Ancient Warfare Comments Off
Here is another news scoop for you wannabe Beh Hurs out there! Get your credit cards ready because any day now Eric Hotz will finally, after two years of painstaking work, will be ready to start selling his "Roman Seas" rules to accompany his impressive line of card stock Roman and Carthiginian ships. These ships are 1:300 scale and they are compatible with 6mm infantry figures to use as crews. If you are wondering what I am talking about, scroll down to my posting on August 7th, 2009.
Remember, you heard is here first!
Remember, you heard is here first!
“Roman Seas” at Historicon
August 7th, 2009 Bwana Bill Posted in Ancient Warfare Comments Off
Here is an interesting development that you all should know about. If any of you ever longed to reenact that great naval battle scene in "Ben Hur" you will soon have your chance.
Eric Hotz, the same gentleman that produces the Whitewash City cardstock scenery and also the Larry Leadhead comic strip, will soon be publishing a set of rules to accompany his "Roman Seas" cardstock model ships. The cardstock ship models have been available for a couple years now. They are the same scale as 6mm wargaming figures so you can use 6mm infantry to man the ships. The ship models are superb! They look great on the table and you have to get real close to realize that they are only make of cardstock (heavy paper).
I had an interesting experience at the recent Historicon convention in Lancaster, Pennsylvania with all this. I went there thinking I was going to play in a game based on the Battle of Camerone using the "Sword and the Flame" rules. Instead I found out that I had been given my second choice which was a playtesting of Eric Hotz' yet unpublished rules. What a great second choice it turned out to be! Brian Cantwell ran the game and he said that the goal of the rules was to provide playability and a cinematic feel. I have to agree with that. The models and scenery were quite a spectacle and the game drew a lot of admiring onlookers. Better still, I pulled off some extremely lucky die rolls and ended up winning the grand prize which was one of Eric Hotz' seascape game mats with hexes printed on it. I also obtained a CD containing some of the Roman cardstock models. You can see more on the game at Brian's "Repple Depple" blog.
I hope to soon be attempting to build a few models so I can be ready when the rules come out.
Eric Hotz, the same gentleman that produces the Whitewash City cardstock scenery and also the Larry Leadhead comic strip, will soon be publishing a set of rules to accompany his "Roman Seas" cardstock model ships. The cardstock ship models have been available for a couple years now. They are the same scale as 6mm wargaming figures so you can use 6mm infantry to man the ships. The ship models are superb! They look great on the table and you have to get real close to realize that they are only make of cardstock (heavy paper).
I had an interesting experience at the recent Historicon convention in Lancaster, Pennsylvania with all this. I went there thinking I was going to play in a game based on the Battle of Camerone using the "Sword and the Flame" rules. Instead I found out that I had been given my second choice which was a playtesting of Eric Hotz' yet unpublished rules. What a great second choice it turned out to be! Brian Cantwell ran the game and he said that the goal of the rules was to provide playability and a cinematic feel. I have to agree with that. The models and scenery were quite a spectacle and the game drew a lot of admiring onlookers. Better still, I pulled off some extremely lucky die rolls and ended up winning the grand prize which was one of Eric Hotz' seascape game mats with hexes printed on it. I also obtained a CD containing some of the Roman cardstock models. You can see more on the game at Brian's "Repple Depple" blog.
I hope to soon be attempting to build a few models so I can be ready when the rules come out.
google1d46db00d8eb4940.html![]()
Marcus Aurelius in 28mm
April 8th, 2009 Bwana Bill Posted in Ancient Warfare Comments Off
Have you seen or heard of this new figure from Warlord Games? It is the Emperor Marcus Aurelius depicted as a tired campaigner somewhat like he was portrayed in the Russel Crowe "Gladiator" movie. It is an interesting departure from the typical heroic poses that we always see in miniature wargaming. Marcus Aurelius was the epitome of the "philosopher king" style of ruler, and here he looks like he is watching a battle or campaign unfold in front of him, not because he wants to be there doing it, but because he has to be there doing it.
It sort of reminds me of that well-known sculpture called "End of the Trail" (bottom right) that shows a Native American who has obviously also seen a lot of campaigning in his time. In any case, I think I like it, mainly because it is different, and it seems to capture the essence of Marcus Aurelius and what he was all about.
It sort of reminds me of that well-known sculpture called "End of the Trail" (bottom right) that shows a Native American who has obviously also seen a lot of campaigning in his time. In any case, I think I like it, mainly because it is different, and it seems to capture the essence of Marcus Aurelius and what he was all about.
google1d46db00d8eb4940.html![]()
28mm Roman Cavalry in hard plastic
March 26th, 2009 Bwana Bill Posted in Ancient Warfare Comments Off
Check out what is now available for pre-order from the "Wargames Factory." 12 horses and riders for only $19.95!
And as if that was not enough, you can now also order Celtic chariots to use against the Roman cavalry. It should be an interesting match up!
And as if that was not enough, you can now also order Celtic chariots to use against the Roman cavalry. It should be an interesting match up!
google1d46db00d8eb4940.html![]()
The new Testudo model.
August 20th, 2008 Bwana Bill Posted in Ancient Warfare, Painting and modelling tips Comments Off
Here is a better view of that wonderful testudo model from Warlord Games. From what I understand the entire thing is only six resin interlocking parts. I would really love to have one of these but unfortunately the Roman army I am building in this scale is for an earlier time period. Oh well, tough luck, right?
google1d46db00d8eb4940.html
Ancient Wargaming “Eye Candy” from A & A Miniatures
May 15th, 2008 Bwana Bill Posted in Ancient Warfare, Painting and modelling tips Comments Off
If you want to see some really beautiful stuff in 28mm scale check this out. I came across this A & A Miniatures company in the UK while looking for examples on how to paint imperial roman figures. I had never seen these figures before and they look really nice. I especially like the cataphracts. I might have to acquire a few of these some day.
google1d46db00d8eb4940.html
More New 28mm Romans in Hard Plastic
May 13th, 2008 Bwana Bill Posted in Ancient Warfare, Painting and modelling tips Comments Off
Well there really does seem to be a trend developing in the miniature gaming world now. Yet another company has announced the release of 28mm miniatures in hard plastic. This time it is a UK company called Warlord Games. Their hard plastic Romans come from the early imperial period, so now you have a choice between the Caesarian era (from the Wargames Factory) and imperial era. It looks to me that if you want to acquire these you will have to order them directly from the UK. One nice touch with this new set is that it comes with shield transfers.
google1d46db00d8eb4940.html
Update on the new hard plastic ancients
March 28th, 2008 Bwana Bill Posted in Ancient Warfare Comments Off
We have just learned that the first two box sets of 28mm hard plastic ancients from the Wargames Factory can now be pre-ordered. (See our March 17, 2008 posting for background.)
The Caesar's Legions box set will ship on May 23, 2008 and the Celt Warband box will ship on June 13, 2008. We also have a list of future products, looks like you guys that do the medieval stuff are in luck too. Here it is:
Celt Cavalry
Roman Command
Celt Command
Medieval French Crossbowmen
Medieval French Men-at-Arms
Medieval English Longbowmen
Medieval English Men-at-Arms
Imperial Romans
And we now have the art work for the Celt Warband box too.
The Caesar's Legions box set will ship on May 23, 2008 and the Celt Warband box will ship on June 13, 2008. We also have a list of future products, looks like you guys that do the medieval stuff are in luck too. Here it is:
Celt Cavalry
Roman Command
Celt Command
Medieval French Crossbowmen
Medieval French Men-at-Arms
Medieval English Longbowmen
Medieval English Men-at-Arms
Imperial Romans
And we now have the art work for the Celt Warband box too.
google1d46db00d8eb4940.html
New 28mm Hard Plastic figures for gaming Ancient Warfare
March 17th, 2008 Bwana Bill Posted in Ancient Warfare Comments Off
Here is another new development that many of you should find interesting. There is a new company out there called the "Wargames Factory." They will soon be marketing 28mm wargaming figures in hard plastic. They are being marketed as companion pieces for the new "Field of Glory" rules from Osprey Publishing. From what I understand, the first box will be Marian/Caesarian Romans and the second box will be Celts suitable for use as Gauls or Britons. I have to wonder why they decided on those two topics for their very first products. It just happens to be exactly what I have been collecting and painting. Are these guys psychic or something?
The first picture below shows what the Romans are going to look like. They seem pretty nice, don't you think? There will be 48 figures in the box and it will be sold for only $29.95! That is only 62 cents for figure. This could turn out to be an extremely interesting, and perhaps revolutionary, development in the wargaming hobby! We'll see, right?
The second picture is the art work for the exterior of the first boxed set. I love that picture! What a dramatic concept of what a volley of pilum would have looked like! I have never seen such an awe inpiring depiction of this before. Now you know why you would not want to be on the receiving end of that! I wish I could buy it as a print suitable for framing!
The first picture below shows what the Romans are going to look like. They seem pretty nice, don't you think? There will be 48 figures in the box and it will be sold for only $29.95! That is only 62 cents for figure. This could turn out to be an extremely interesting, and perhaps revolutionary, development in the wargaming hobby! We'll see, right?
The second picture is the art work for the exterior of the first boxed set. I love that picture! What a dramatic concept of what a volley of pilum would have looked like! I have never seen such an awe inpiring depiction of this before. Now you know why you would not want to be on the receiving end of that! I wish I could buy it as a print suitable for framing!
google1d46db00d8eb4940.html
“Field of Glory” and “Rise of Rome”
March 12th, 2008 Bwana Bill Posted in Ancient Warfare Comments Off
I need to mention that the highly anticipated "Field of Glory" rules from Osprey have now been published. They can be found almost everywhere from what I understand. Since the book (hardcover by the way) is from Osprey it is being pushed out to all the major commercial book sellers. You can also get the "Rise of Rome" and "Storm of Arrows" supplements. "Rise of Rome" covers the early, middle and late Republican Roman periods and all the many enemies of Rome from that time. "Storm of Arrows" covers late medieval. Many more supplements are coming.
Here is a list of what is covered in the "Rise of Rome" supplement, the Late Republican Roman list is where you will find the Marius/Caesar style of Romans:
MID-REPUBLICAN ROMAN
Mid-Republican Roman Allies
LATE REPUBLICAN ROMAN
Late Republican Roman Allies
Bithynian Allies
GALLIC
Gallic Allies
Ligurian Allies
PYRRHIC
LATER CARTHAGINIAN
Bruttian or Lucanian Allies
Late Campanian Allies
ILLYRIAN
Paionian Allies
ANCIENT SPANISH
Ancient Spanish Allies
LATER MACEDONIAN
ATTALID PERGAMENE
Attalid Pergamene Allies
Kappadokian Allies
NUMIDIAN OR EARLY MOORISH
Numidian or Early Moorish Allies
LATER SELEUCID
LATER PTOLEMAIC
PONTIC
SPARTACUS SLAVE REVOLT
EARLY ARMENIAN
Early Armenian Allies
PARTHIAN
Parthian or Media Atropatene Allies
Adiabene, Edessan or Hatran Allies
Elymaian Allies
Commagene Allies
Early Arab Allies
Later Skythian or Saka Allies
LATER JEWISH
Later Jewish Allies
Nabataean Allies
BOSPORAN
I bought my copy of the rules this past weekend at the "Cold Wars" convention in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. I finished reading through the rules yesterday. I think the one biggest difference I have noticed so far is how these rules treat barbarian warbands. In many other ancient warfare rules if a warband beats you in close combat in the same turn in which it charged you, you are automatically (for the most part) broken. In these rules warbands are classified as "Impact Foot," which is perfectly fine, but wait, Roman Legionary infantry is classified as "Impact Foot" too! The logic being that a Roman unit is always going to counter-charge behind a volley of pilums so the "impacts" get canceled out. Which ever side loses still suffers a die roll penalty for losing to "Impact Foot" when it has to take its "Cohesion" test (kind of like morale/disruption combined), but it certainly isn't an automatic break and the charging warband could just as easily suffer the same penalty as the counter-charging Romans if the Romans were to win the combat. Interesting idea. I think I like that!
These rules and the supplements allow for a very broad range of options for army composition and size, so you can start out small or keep it small if you like. If I get time I might set a small experimental game this weekend and start teaching myself how to use the rules.
From what I gather, "Field of Glory" is already developing a pretty strong following. The book has only been available for purchase since February 7th and already there are tournaments springing up in the UK and even in the US. There was a small tourney at the "Cold Wars" con in Lancaster, PA this past weekend, and the Yahoo discussion group already has 647 members as of today! It will interesting to see where all this goes. We could actually have a widely popular set of ancient warfare rules here that does not feel like a glorified "dungeons and dragons," and developed by people who actually know how to express complex concepts through the medium of writing.
Here is a list of what is covered in the "Rise of Rome" supplement, the Late Republican Roman list is where you will find the Marius/Caesar style of Romans:
MID-REPUBLICAN ROMAN
Mid-Republican Roman Allies
LATE REPUBLICAN ROMAN
Late Republican Roman Allies
Bithynian Allies
GALLIC
Gallic Allies
Ligurian Allies
PYRRHIC
LATER CARTHAGINIAN
Bruttian or Lucanian Allies
Late Campanian Allies
ILLYRIAN
Paionian Allies
ANCIENT SPANISH
Ancient Spanish Allies
LATER MACEDONIAN
ATTALID PERGAMENE
Attalid Pergamene Allies
Kappadokian Allies
NUMIDIAN OR EARLY MOORISH
Numidian or Early Moorish Allies
LATER SELEUCID
LATER PTOLEMAIC
PONTIC
SPARTACUS SLAVE REVOLT
EARLY ARMENIAN
Early Armenian Allies
PARTHIAN
Parthian or Media Atropatene Allies
Adiabene, Edessan or Hatran Allies
Elymaian Allies
Commagene Allies
Early Arab Allies
Later Skythian or Saka Allies
LATER JEWISH
Later Jewish Allies
Nabataean Allies
BOSPORAN
I bought my copy of the rules this past weekend at the "Cold Wars" convention in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. I finished reading through the rules yesterday. I think the one biggest difference I have noticed so far is how these rules treat barbarian warbands. In many other ancient warfare rules if a warband beats you in close combat in the same turn in which it charged you, you are automatically (for the most part) broken. In these rules warbands are classified as "Impact Foot," which is perfectly fine, but wait, Roman Legionary infantry is classified as "Impact Foot" too! The logic being that a Roman unit is always going to counter-charge behind a volley of pilums so the "impacts" get canceled out. Which ever side loses still suffers a die roll penalty for losing to "Impact Foot" when it has to take its "Cohesion" test (kind of like morale/disruption combined), but it certainly isn't an automatic break and the charging warband could just as easily suffer the same penalty as the counter-charging Romans if the Romans were to win the combat. Interesting idea. I think I like that!
These rules and the supplements allow for a very broad range of options for army composition and size, so you can start out small or keep it small if you like. If I get time I might set a small experimental game this weekend and start teaching myself how to use the rules.
From what I gather, "Field of Glory" is already developing a pretty strong following. The book has only been available for purchase since February 7th and already there are tournaments springing up in the UK and even in the US. There was a small tourney at the "Cold Wars" con in Lancaster, PA this past weekend, and the Yahoo discussion group already has 647 members as of today! It will interesting to see where all this goes. We could actually have a widely popular set of ancient warfare rules here that does not feel like a glorified "dungeons and dragons," and developed by people who actually know how to express complex concepts through the medium of writing.
google1d46db00d8eb4940.html
Rome at War: Fading Legions
January 23rd, 2008 Bwana Bill Posted in Ancient Warfare, Board Games Comments Off
Well recently I returned to my wargaming roots a little bit. I grew up playing various board games, mainly those published by Avalon Hill. Lately I had my eye on this "Rome at War: Fading Legions" game because it looked like it might be an easy way to play out some ancient wargame battles without a lot of complicated rules and stacks of small pieces of carboard cluttered on a board laid out in hexagons.
I stopped playing board games quite a while ago because I got tired of dealing with stacks of cardboard and overly detailed rules, charts, etc. So I decided to take a chance and give Fading Legions a try. I'm glad I did! I have to say that I like it and find it to be a nice change of pace.
To begin with the pieces are extremely attractive. Many of them are long double length pieces; these represent the heavy infantry units. The rules allow only one heavy infantry unit per square so there are no large stacks to push around. Also, if there are any light infantry and cavalry in the same square as the heavy infantry unit there is room in the square to lay them alongside the heavy infantry unit. Same goes for leader pieces. So there really is no need to any stacking of pieces at all! This is a nice feature because it makes for a nice tidy playing area and you can see everything on the board without constantly picking through the little stacks to remind yourself what is there. And the graphics printed on the pieces actually make the game appear to be somewhat like a miniatures game. So with all the pieces laid out on the board it actually looks, dare I say it, somewhat realistic?! At least to me it does, but then maybe I just have a vivid imagination.
I have more to say about this game, but I will cover that later.
I stopped playing board games quite a while ago because I got tired of dealing with stacks of cardboard and overly detailed rules, charts, etc. So I decided to take a chance and give Fading Legions a try. I'm glad I did! I have to say that I like it and find it to be a nice change of pace.
To begin with the pieces are extremely attractive. Many of them are long double length pieces; these represent the heavy infantry units. The rules allow only one heavy infantry unit per square so there are no large stacks to push around. Also, if there are any light infantry and cavalry in the same square as the heavy infantry unit there is room in the square to lay them alongside the heavy infantry unit. Same goes for leader pieces. So there really is no need to any stacking of pieces at all! This is a nice feature because it makes for a nice tidy playing area and you can see everything on the board without constantly picking through the little stacks to remind yourself what is there. And the graphics printed on the pieces actually make the game appear to be somewhat like a miniatures game. So with all the pieces laid out on the board it actually looks, dare I say it, somewhat realistic?! At least to me it does, but then maybe I just have a vivid imagination.
I have more to say about this game, but I will cover that later.
More on Little Big Men shield decals
January 6th, 2008 Bwana Bill Posted in Ancient Warfare, Painting and modelling tips Comments Off
Back on October 9, 2007 I posted an article about Little Big Men decals for shields and flags. These are what my Caesarian Romans look like after appying them. I think it is a very nice result.
Celts from Sri Lanka
December 15th, 2007 Bwana Bill Posted in Ancient Warfare, Painting and modelling tips Comments Off
I have to share these pictures with you. A couple months ago I shipped some unpainted Celtic 28mm figures that I had on-hand for a long time to "PhilGreg Painters" in Sri Lanka. Two months later they came back looking supremely gorgeous. Look at the details and designs! 73 of them and no two were alike, every figure and every shield were completely unique in some way. And believe me, the pictures do not do them justice. There is just no way that I could have made them look anything like this on my own. This gets me very much farther down the road in my effort to collect enough Celts to field either a Gaulic or Britannic ancient army. Now I need to work on cavalry and chariots. What the heck, maybe I will just send those to Philip too!
“Might of Arms” Rules for Gaming Ancient Warfare
October 3rd, 2007 Bwana Bill Posted in Ancient Warfare Comments Off
I want to tell you about a rule set that I recently discovered. I have been looking around for some rules on gaming ancient warfare the are more user-friendly than what you typically find in the gaming hobby. I came across a set of rules that is not too well known, which is a shame because it is a very nice piece of work.
To begin with they are well written. What a unique concept! This is something that is frequently a major problem with this particular aspect of the tabletop gaming hobby. I won't name any names, but it has been my experience that the most popular rule sets for ancient gaming are written in a manner that is totally arcane, obtuse, and almost incomprehensible (with the exception of Warhammer Ancient Battles), and when I say this I refer to writers on both sides of the North Atlantic ocean.
So I came across a reference to Might of Arms on "The Miniatures Page" and decided to give it a try. I'm glad I did because it certainly is a breath of fresh air. The rules are rather lengthy, but only because author Bob Bryant takes great pains to ensure that every concept in the rules is explained in a manner that does NOT leave you scratching your head and asking yourself "what in the heck does that mean?"
I'll have more on this later.
"Might of Arms" website
Osprey Publishing gets into Wargaming
August 2nd, 2007 Bwana Bill Posted in Ancient Warfare Comments Off
Greetings everybody!
I just want to mention that I learned an interesting little tidbit at the Historicon convention in Lancaster, PA this last weekend. Osprey Publishing who has given us a wide-range of great books on all topics of military history is now also getting into the miniature gaming arena. In February 2008 they will release a rule set on ancient warfare called Field of Glory. I am looking forward to it, and I'll tell you why. First of all, some of the ancient rulesets that I have seen seem to be written by people who, quite frankly, just can't write (or even spell) very well and I'm sure that Osprey will do much better. I won't name any names, but I think some of you will know what I mean. Secondly, I'm sure they will do a good job on illustrations and art work. Here is what Osprey has to say about it:
"Work continues on Field of Glory, the new rules set for ancient and medieval tabletop wargaming, previously known as Art of War. Created by wargaming experts, Field of Glory includes a rules book detailing the gaming system, with photographs of miniatures, diagrams for definitive rules support, a painting guide and detailed Osprey artwork to bring the combat and combatants to life. Accompanying army lists expand the range of armies available to fight with, from Greek hoplites to medieval knights."
"Field of Glory will provide a thrilling tabletop adventure for anyone interested in re-creating the desperate struggles of ancient and medieval civilisations on the battlefield."