Ancients Rules

So here's where it gets interesting...

It turns out there are a ton of rule sets for gaming Ancient Miniatures. You wouldn't think it, but there are just a ton of choices.

There are numerous aspects that differ from game-to-game and for each aspect there are a spectrum of choices.

My next post will get into the criteria I ultimately used for picking which rule sets to focus on, but for now here is a partial list (in no particular order) of rules sets that I considered along with links to information sites:

(several below from BoardGameGeek GeekList: Ancients: a search for the perfect miniatures system)

Classical Hack
Warmaster Ancients
Warhammer Ancient Battles
De Bellis Antiquitatis (DBA)
Commands & Colors: Ancients
De Bellis Multitudinis (DBM)
Age of Battles
Field of Glory
Impetus
Lost Battles /Strategos II
Piquet
Mighty Armies: Ancients
Arcane Battle Composer
Battleground

So Why Ancients?

The impetus to get into the wargames hobby was based on the desire to see bunches of miniatures pitted against each other in mass scale battles.

Although there are plenty of games that offer this in a "fantasy realm", something about historical battles really appeals to me. After some research, I quickly narrowed it down to ancient historical battles (instead of Napoleonics, WWII, or modern battles, to name a few).

The interplay of infantry and cavalry, the command & control susceptibility to "fog of war", the brutality and simplicity of the weapons, the straightforwardness yet complexity of the strategy, and the ability to "re-fight" pivotal battles in history, all sealed the deal.

Next post will detail some of the rules sets that cover this genre of wargames.

Inspiration: The Battle of All Time

The inspiration to get into Ancient Wargaming came from another game that my boys and I play. Here is a post from my other blog that explains it:


Imagine a partial list of some of the coolest imaginary characters and creatures in a young boy's world:

Army Men
Secret Agents
Dragons
Ninjas
Samurai
Giants
Superheros
Cowboys
Robots
Alien creatures
Cyborgs
Mythical beasts
Vikings
Knights
Dinosaurs
Wizards
Pirates*

Now, imagine all of these (* except for Pirates, but that's another story) as playable figures in the ultimate board game for boys and dads. You don't have to imagine anymore, because right now on the shelf of your local Walmart, Target, or favorite game store there is a little slice of "plastic heaven" called Heroscape.

If you have never heard of this game you are missing out on a wonderful experience. If your idea of an evening of playing a family boardgame is another dull game of checkers or *cringe* Monopoly, then you are in for a treat should you pick this game up.

My boys and I have been involved in this game/hobby for a few years now: collecting the figures (it is "non-collectible" but we are completists, so we have all the figs), designing maps/scenarios, and playing as much as possible.

I highly recommend it as a great dad/son bonding experience and a darn fun game.

Find more info here:

Gamerdad.com : Heroscape Review

Official Heroscape Site

Introduction

This will be a short-term blog to chronicle my entry into the hobby of wargaming the "Ancients" era.

I will be collecting info, personal experiences, links, pics, etc. as I go.