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Post by davel on Nov 7, 2020 11:47:04 GMT
Bello Ludi have just released a set of Ancient rules. They're in a similar style and format to their Napoleonic rules. They read quite nicely, and although aimed at first time wargamers, I'm sure there's something in them for more experienced players. They have a set of cards to use as part of the play of you like that sort of thing, but I think you can play the rules without using them if you wish.
There is also a set of dice - using 0, 1, 2, 3 and B This yells you how many actions can be performed. The B is for Blunder, similar to the Black Powder double 6 throw. I well remember my first ever Black Powder game.
On my Left flank, I threw double 6 FOUR times in the first 4 moves- so 4 blunders in succession.
I like the inclusion of Blunders as it adds spice to the game
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Post by spiritofethandune on Nov 7, 2020 19:01:49 GMT
Dave,
Have you been able to try out the Bello Ludi Napoleonic rules? If so, what did you think?
Best wishes Anthony
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Post by altfritz on Nov 7, 2020 21:00:13 GMT
On my Left flank, I threw double 6 FOUR times in the first 4 moves- so 4 blunders in succession. I like the inclusion of Blunders as it adds spice to the game Some days it just doesn't pay to get up in the morning!
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Post by davel on Nov 7, 2020 23:21:45 GMT
Hi Anthony,
I haven't played them yet. I was hoping to do so earlier this year, but that obviously didn't happen with the lockdown, etc. However, it's on the cards for after Christmas (fingers crossed).
I have read the rules through a few times and I like what I read. One of the members of this forum has played them (Can't remember who, but it's mentioned on my post about them in the Napoleonic section. I think it may have been rahway? I think they liked them)
I like them because, as I get older, I just want simple, easy to play rules, and these rules, whilst aimed at the beginner audience (they were designed for corporate conventions for team building, etc) do have elements for the more experienced players.
I'm hopeless in following rules and usually get my mate to take us through games with new rules. However, I could follow these rules easily (both Napoleonic and Ancient) and they appeal to me, so I plan to use them at some point in the future (although I still love Dirk Donvil's rules "About Bonaparte" and "About Caesar").
If you want to know more about them, get in touch (although I seem to remember that you bought the Napoleonic set?)
Best wishes Dave
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Post by spiritofethandune on Nov 8, 2020 9:50:27 GMT
Thanks Dave, yes I do have the Napoleonic set but like you I haven't got round to playing them yet. I feel a bit overwhelmed at the choice of rules available generally, and don't want to keep flitting from one set to another. Having said that, after lockdown Mike and I are going to try the 2nd edition gridded Tabletop rules that I think you posted about earlier.
Best wishes Anthony
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Post by davel on Nov 9, 2020 12:43:25 GMT
I have the Tabletop Rules V2 as well Anthony and want to try them out. They read very well and look like they will give a good game. Being useful for all periods also is a good idea.
Let me know what you think of them. Having seen and played on Mike's and your squares, I'm thinking of getting a mat with 5" squares on next year, and these Table top rules are ideally suited to them.
Best wishes Dave
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New Rules
Nov 10, 2020 22:33:33 GMT
via mobile
Post by twogunbob on Nov 10, 2020 22:33:33 GMT
Well, I ordered the Beloludi rules to check them out. Assuming the pandemic is eventually in our rear view mirrors I enjoy big participation games at conventions and think this may be a good approach. We’ll see once the rules arrive.
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Post by zuludon on Nov 10, 2020 23:41:06 GMT
I tried out the Napoleonic rules back in March. Here is my review, which I thought I posted here, but must have posted elsewhere: I recently purchased the BelloLudo "Strategy Game" by Peter van Dop. Apparently it was designed as a team building activity for first time miniatures players so I thought it might be a good starting point for my girlfriend and I. I am always interested in simple game mechanic for my 54mm collections. I figure you can always solve a problem by making the solution more complicated, but it takes real genius to come up with a simple elegant solution. I would stop short of calling van Dop a genius, but the rules are certainly bare bones, with only the essentials covered. The rules book is only fifteen pages long, but they are enough. The rules period is general black powder era with a focus on Napoleonic. The only thing I had to bolt on were rules for light infantry, which were not covered. Since it was raining and my Napoleonic miniatures were in the shed out back I settled for using my AWI collection. We played on a 6X5 foot table which meant we got into action very quickly. Infantry moved 12 inches and cavalry move 18 inches. This seemed generous, even with my 54mm miniatures. They must have large game tables in the Netherlands! Musket ranges are out to 18 inches and cannon fire out to 36 inches. The rules include a unique dice used for activation if the units are outside of the 12 inch command radius. If you roll poorly your unit cannot activate and if you roll really badly you can make no more activation rolls. D6s are used for musket and cannon fire. Joyce picked up the mechanics very quickly and, aside from wasting her first artillery rounds trying to destroy a wooden house, soon got into the swim of things. Her British forces held back and let my Continental forces bring the fight to them, which made sense as I had seven infantry units to her five, though four of mine were militia. I won't go into detail, but we played the game to a conclusion in less than two hours, the British holding the field at the end. The rules are a mix of familiar mechanics: both commanders roll a D6 for initiative, high roll goes first. Turn sequence is: movement, shooting, hand-to-hand with the first commander completing all the actions, then the second takes his (or her) actions. Units within 12 inch command radius move freely, units outside have to roll on a special dice. Basing is abstract so you can use your basing for other games. Infantry get 3 D6 to shoot, 6 D6 to melee, hitting on 5 or 6. Regular infantry become disordered after 4 hits/ rout at 7, Elites 5/8, Militia 3/6. Melee: charging force gets a +1. Cavalry do not shoot, melee with 8 dice. There are advantages for support on the flank or rear, square vs. cavalry and occupying a building. Disadvantages for being disordered, hit in flank or rear.
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