First game of Warmaster Ancients

November 3rd, 2007 Patrick Smyrl Posted in 6mm, Ancient wargames, Battle Reports Comments Off

I have been itching to get my 6mm ancients out and looking for a battle sized game to play with my 10 year old son. We tried DBA, but it just did not seem to work well with him. Nothing wrong with DBA, it is the first miniatures game I ever played in 1995, but he did not get into it. So, tonight we tried Warmaster Ancients.

I have had the rules for a while, they really took off in Austin right when we moved to SC, but have never given them a try.

Turns out they are a blast. We played a very small game with one general a piece just to see how they work. I gave Jackson the Romans with:
  • 1 CV( General
  • 4 units of Legion infantry
  • 1 Unit of Triarri
  • 2 units of Velites
  • 1 Unit of Cavalry
I took a small detached Carthaginian force consisting of:
  • 1 CV 8 General
  • 4 Units of Gauls
  • 1 Unit Gallic Cavalry
  • 1 Unit Numidian Light Horse
  • 2 Units foot skirmishers
The games played very smoothly and he was able to pick up the basics very fast. And, he liked rolling buckets of dice.

The Tribune plots his move

The clash in the center. Both of us rolled generally rolled poorly for issuing orders, so the battle was decided in the center.
In the push of battle the Romans generally had the upper hand.
Plus the kid had hot dice....

In the end, he wiped out 3 of my 4 infantry units, and I had damaged two of his. We did not really do pursuits, but I think we got a feel for the game. Next time we will add more rules and work our way up to a full 1000 point game.

This will be our rules of choice, lots of movement, and the buckets of dice for combat,love it or hate it, is quit intuitive for a 10 year old.
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My Mojo is back!!! (and new project)

June 24th, 2007 Patrick Smyrl Posted in 6mm, Ancient wargames Comments Off

After a month or so painting hiatus, I finally got the urge back again. I sat down and worked on some Baccus 6mm Carthaginians. I had a complete Punic army painted by Reinforcements by Post last year. Great guy, I highly recommend him. But, I wanted a couple of extra units.

Finances (and she who must be obeyed) dictated that I should do the work myself. So, I finished two extra units of Gallic infantry, and one of elephants, here they are, click to enlarge.

Here is a shot of the entire army, finally flocked. (click to enlarge) Based for Warmaster Ancients (although they will not be only rules I play), I have:
  • 2 units African Spearmen
  • 4 Unit Spanish Scutari
  • 6 Units Gallic foot
  • 4 units Spanish and Gallic Cavalry
  • 4 Units Numidian Light Horse
  • 1 Unit Gallic Light Horse
  • 3 Units Skirmishers (Balearic slingers, Spanish and Gallic Javalinmen)
  • 2 Elephants
I have recently picked up a copy of Piquet's Field of Battle rules. There is a play test ancient version on the Yahoo group that I will try out.

I now have a plan for my next major project... [insert drum roll] The War of the Spanish Succession!!! I have always wanted to do a horse and musket period, and have recently read one of Chandler's books on the period. I will be using Baccus 6mm figures, already have them ordered and Peter Berry has shipped them. (I financed the project with the proceeds of recent eBay sales, almost the last of my 15mm WW2 stuff)

Before I set off down that road, I shall first complete my remaining Romans so that Hannibal will have someone to thump on. Only need 7 units of infantry and one of cavalry, as they are regulars they tend to paint quickly.

I picked up a couple of back issues of Battlegames magazine, one had an excellent article on managing a wargames project. Great magazine, I think I will get a subscription. Stay tuned for developments.

Not to worry on the VSF front, I have enough troops painted to choke a horse, and I must get a game in with the Colonel soon. Getting past the critical point of my major project at work, so I will get that done hopefully soon.
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