"Most popular way to base 28mm gladiators?" Topic

Hi All,

I pulled out my 28mm gladiator shoe box today and was thinking about putting a weekend into my gladiator project soon, which brought me to these thoughts:

*** Q1. What is the most popular way to base 28mm gladiators? ***

*** Q2. What is your favorite 28mm gladiator rule set? ***

*** Q3. What basing methods do existing gladiator games use? 1 inch circles? 1 inch squares? Hexes? ***

I have a few different gladiator minis and games and don't have any of my gladiator figures permantly based yet (blue tac so far), but would like to permanently (super glue & textured bases) base them in the near future.

I'm leaning towards 1 inch squares…

*** Q4. What sort of basing do you use or prefer for 28mm gladiators? ***

Shalom,
Maksim-Smelchak.
6mm-minis.blogspot.com

I like hexes because they show the fighting directions: straight ahead right and left front. The other three are rear angles. works well for determining direction of attack.

A1) I use the slotta-bases that came with the figures, so I've got a mix of Old Glory and Foundry bases. If I were to redo them, I'd use my standard steel washers instead.

A2) I prefer Two Hour Wargames "Red Sand, Blue Sky" rules, my second choice would be the Avalon Hill "Circus Maximus" rules.

A3) Red Sand Blue Sky doesn't worry about it, as long as you can tell front/flank/rear facings (so aquares would work best). Circus Maximus used hexes.

aquares? that would be squares….. :(

I have a couple hundred gladiators. I use Morituri te Salutant! by Gladiator games. I think they're temporarily out of print since the company is under different management but is supposed to be returning. There are also a few on line dealers who have them in stock (I think). I own about 6 other sets and have a few more I got online but I like these.

As for mounting. I use 1" washers to fit my arena with 1" hexes. Glue figure down, cover with flocking gel. Dip in my own mix of "sand". I use a mortar and pestle to grind regular sugar and mix with old curry powder. Looks great and smells pretty good.

I use Hexes.

As Saxondog mentioned – MTS are out of print – I am slowly scanning in the master copy I have and updating it with the errata between other projects.

I hope to get the rulebook updated and ready in a couple of months – so either a pre or just post Christmas re-release.

Mike

Mine are mounted on 2p coins, which are roughly the size of a slotta base.

Hexes. Even if the rules don't require them, you may find a set that does.
Hexes also remove ambiguity about facing, etc.
GW and Litko, at the very least, sell hexe bases.

25mm Hex bases best. 25mm slottas or washers or 2p coins good. Square bases are OK, 20mm or 25mm. Or something else possibly. Use what makes you happy.

1. I use metal hex bases made by Ral Partha. Everybody I have met at HMGS cons does as well.

2. Arena Games Gladitorial Combat. It's a fun, fast game which anybody can pick up quickly. You can tailor your stats exactly to match any model you use, too. link

3. I have seen all types. Arena Games doesn't require any specific way of basing, but using the hex bases makes it easier to see where the figures' front, sides, and rear is so saves can be adjusted accordingly.

4. See answer #1. 8)=

I'll add my vote to hex bases & I like "Habet, Hoc Habet" of the 3 rules sets for gladiators that I've tried.

Hi Guys,

I want to thank everyone for posting their advice! It's highly appreciated.

I'm definitly going to play some "Habet, Hoc Habet" and probably several other sets as well.

I'm still leaning towards 25mm square basing for my 28mm gladiators.

I like the idea of hexes, but it seems as if a good mat does the same thing and then your figures can be based on circles or squares.

Thanks again, guys!

Shalom,
Maksim-Smelchak.
6mm-minis.blogspot.com

Here is a link to some pictures of my scratch built arena and a few of my Gladiators. The one I sculpted, was modeled as one of my Sons. He gets a kick out of beating the pooh out of dear old Dad! We have ben using Craig Taylor's "Gladiator"
Rules since the 1980's.

link

As you can see from the pictures I like hexes.

As ever,

Hairy

Hi Guys,

So, it seems like the existing rule sets are:

- Amazon Minis gladiator rule set
- Arena Games "Gladitorial Combat"
- Avalon Hill "Circus Maximus" rules
- Blood and Swash
- Dragonrune "Arena of Death"
dragonrune.com
- d20 gladiator supplement
- EM-4's "Ludus Gladiatorius"
- FGU "Gladiator"
- Flagship Games "Habet, Hoc Habet"
- Gladiator Games "Morituri te Salutant!"
- Gladius Maximus by Bob Lippman
www3.sympatico.ca/green27
- GW's "Mordheim" gladiator game
- Harnmaster 1st Ed. "roleplaying rules for gladiators"
- Irregular "LUDI"
- Melees Gloriosus "Hail Caesar!"
- 'Munera Sine Missione'
- Tabletop Games "Rudis, the Wooden Sword" by Ian Beck
- Society of Ancients "Gladiolus"
- Melee (Metagaming/SJ Games)
- Two Hour Wargames "Red Sand, Blue Sky" rules
- Wargames Journal free gladiator rules (April 2006)
- West Wind "Gladiator Wars"

*** Did I miss any gladiator rulesets? ***

A few other cool links:
napnuts.tripod.com/glad_camp.htm

link

link

link

link

link

link

link

link

link

boardgamegeek.com/game/1693

link

link

Link to TMP gladiator contest:

TMP link

Shalom,
Maksim-Smelchak.
6mm-minis.blogspot.com

I think it's "Habet, Hoc Habet" that leads to loud chants of "pool of blood, POOL OF BLOOD!" at local conventions…

*** Did I miss any gladiator rulesets? ***

Here are even more rule sets not listed above:

Death or Freedom by Steve Barber
link

Roar of the Crowd Advanced Edition by Youngdale Productions
link

Glory in the Arena by Chris von Fahnestock
link

Spartacus Gladiator Rules by Andy Watkins
link

I am interested in buying a fast-paced but realistic set of gladiator rules. The two leading contenders seem to be Habet, Hoc Habet and Morituri Te Salutant. Can anybody provide a brief comparison between the two?

Based one what I've been able to find, MTS can be a little slow/chart-based, while HHH seems rather dice based and a little unrealistic.

But mind you, I haven't seen either set yet.

Thanks for any advice!

Henri

Oh and

Familia Gladiatoria by Jeffery Koppe

link

Regarding "Gladiator Wars" from West Wind:

I played this system on Friday night at the Historicon 2009. Although the gamesmaster had simplified the system, I still liked it a lot. Just last weekend, I got a real good deal on these rules at my friends store, Game Connection, in the Raleigh NC area. The thing I like the most about this system that when a Gladiator is better or worse at something He uses a Bigger or Smaller Die (More or Fewer sides) to roll the success of his attempted task. I also like the basic points for actions allocation system. I've played this process in many games and the variable points from a die roll plus a bonus make this game exciting. I am not crazy about card activation in a miniatures game, but I'm willing to give it a chance. Again, very nice system, which I can't wait to play at my club.