Re: [Epic] two Epic systems vs Ancients

From: Richard Dewsbery <dewsbery_at_...>
Date: Thu, 22 May 1997 13:04:54 +0100

This is way off-topic - you have been warned

> By the way.The English company Wargame Reserch
> Group has quite a good set of ancients rules,their methology and
> game sequences are hobby standards and are up to version 7 I
> think.There were books of army lists covering all the worlds
> military armies in detail from early Broze age to late
> Midevil.Armies had hondreds of stands of any concevable weapon and
> ability.Anyway about two years ago the came out with a set that used only
> twelve stands,no matter which army you used and all types of
> cavalry,infantry,and missle troops were reduced to standard types. Does
> this sound familiar?Did not GW see this and do the same!I think Epic 4000
> is in the style of De Bellis Antiqitus. sauron1
 
Version 7.? of the WRG ancients was published in the 80's. A bit like
GW games, it shared little in common with version 6.0 (effectively being
a completely new game, not simply a revision of the version 6 rules) -
this ticked off a number of players (and there are still fanatical
adherents to 6th ed out there).

In 1990, they came out with DBA - as you describe, it had hidden depths
and was easy to get into, as a whole army could be bought for around
�5-7. This was followed up one year later by De Bellis Multitudinis -
bug battle DBA. It introduced all sorts of complexities to flesh out
the system as a complete game. This was also the replacement for 7th ed
(keeping the same base sizes but changing everything else) and as a
result ticked off a lot of die-hard 7th ed players (who still meet in
the woods on dark nights).

DBM is much simpler than 7th ed - it is now possible to play a game
without checking the "morale-waiver charge reaction test, cross
referencing with casualties suffered since the start of the turn etc
etc" and as a result it can be played inside of 2-4 hours. The combat
results are decided by each side throwing a d6, and applying a few
simple modifiers (sound familiar yet?) - and although the game is simple
on the surface, it has hidden tactical depths. It is let down however
by a very badly-written rulebook - the writers claim it can be
understoood by "a dull 8 year old" but I have to interpret legislation
and complex legal caselaw without difficulty, and I'm damned if I
understood half of the rules as written - it is a game where it is
almost vital to have someone else teach you how to play.

It is of course far superior to Womblehammer, plays quicker, it's more
fun, the figs are cheaper, it gets more respect from the general public
and there are no new killer units released on a monthly basis.

If anyone is attracted by the idea of ancients wargaming, DBA rules and
two armies should set you back around �20 - less than this if you buy
the cheaper armies from the cheaper manufacturers. Unlike its big
brother, it is easy to understand and play - try it, you might like it.

Richard

Who is alternating between painting his Silver Skulls army with
finishing off his DBM Vikings and Alans.
Received on Thu May 22 1997 - 12:04:54 UTC