"What Scale? What Manufacturer?" Topic

Doing a bit of research into the ancient naval scene. I have a few of the Xyston 1/600 scale ships, and they are quite nice, but I also see other scales for ancient naval as well (1/900, 1/1200). What scale do you game this period in, and what manufacturer(s) do you use?

I have a copy of the old Greek Naval Warfare rules (Ed Smith, London Wargames Section, no date) that I have read through a couple of times and I seem to like them. I also have a Chessex mat with smaller hexes on it (they are maybe an inch to an inch and a half in size?), so the ships need to be about two inches in length.

Suggestions?

Sounds like the mat would work best with 1/1200th, and that's probably the best bet.

Navwar have a full range and they are pretty reasonable quality and price, but if you have a bit more money to spend then Langton's boats are lovely.

I have 1/1200 Roman and Carth fleets by Navwar,and I like those well enough.I wish somebody would do some updated rules(not that I've looked lately).The only set I found and tried were called Ramming Speed!They werent bad,but I detest ticking little boxes off saying that rowers #97,98,and 99 have bit the dust.

I was seduced by the visuals of paper model ships in Roman Seas. I enjoy making paper models, this fit the niche nicely.

romanseas.com

Call it heresy but I have figures from NavWar, Langston, Ramming Speed Vailant, and Xyston. In addition I have 15mm and 25mm Old Glory Shipyards and plan on picking up Roman Seas ships that are 6mm, or 10mm. I use the smaller ones and mix and match freely. The Xystons are pretty much in a class by themselves at 1/600. If I had to do it all over again I would go with the additional cost of the Langtons as they are the best out there by far.

Rules there are many on Free wargame rules on line. I use Naumachiae mostly but have use War Galley board game rules as well. Roman Seas when the second edition comes out will be well worth the wait.

VR
James Mattes

VR
James Mattes

Thanks all. Looks like 1/1200 is the way for me to go (I checked the mat, it does consist of one inch hexes). I do like those Xyston ships. Very clean and crisp. I think of them as the Thoroughbred of the ancient naval scene. But, obviously too large for the mat, if I use a set of rules that require hexes. The Valiant ships would wok, but would be on the max end of things as their Heptares (for example) are two inches long. Would make very a very crammed hex when ramming is occurring.

The old set of rules I mentioned I believe will work fine, as they call for a playing surface of offset squares (the same pattern as the hex mat, just squares).

Again thanks. I just posted another message about ancient naval books!

TMP link

If you find some of the discontinued C-in-C look at them seriously. I didn't buy enough of the limited line when available. Only 5 different models in 1:1200 but very nice in my opinion.

wballard – do you mean these?

link

I am going to reach out to C-in-C to see if they can cast some for me. If they have them listed online, they should make them!