So as I was looking over and analyzing the different rules sets, I discovered that there are actually quite a few free rule sets out there for Ancient Wargaming(AW).
Many fall into the "you get what you pay for" category, but I was pleasantly surprised that a few seem on par with commercial products available.
The only downside that I see to adopting a free rule set is the availability of supplements and expansions...specifically army lists. As I began to study the rules options, it became clear that a major part of AW is the composition of the armies, both from a game balance and historic accuracy stand-point. Unless the author of the free rules also provides free army lists, you are in for a lot of research and translating of information.
Anyway, here are some free rules sets to consider: (Several require that you contact the author by email or join discussion group)
Hoplon 3
Basic Impetus (free intro version of Impetus)
Ancient Empires
Arcane Warfare Project
Ancients D6
Fast'n'Furious skirmish
WRG Ancient Rules
Oh, and here's a site with more free rules than you could ever want:
Freewargamesrules
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1 comment:
Hi,
One thing you left out is "design your own". It does require a certain amount of experience that usually comes from playing many different game systems.
Shameless plug: I designed Ancients D6 because I was not satisfies with the offerings out there. We share a lot of the same requirements. Simple, engaging games that take a short amount of time and can be played with a minimal amount of figures, at least, initially.
No "free" wargame is ever going to be widely accepted. I'm really not sure why. Gamers are inherently cheap so you would think that they would want free game rules.
As for support, I tend to make army lists for the armies I have, which include the Punic Wars, the Post Roman Britain and the Alexander the Great era. I have yet to develop my Norman/Saxon/Viking lists and yet I own all three armies!
Give some of those free sets a whirl. I think you will be pleasantly surprised at how well some of these rules play.
Good luck in your search and keep posting your findings.
Cheers!
John
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