""Blood on the Sands" Gladiator Rules" Topic

Thought it might be time I showed a few things here related to a new set of rules called "Blood on the Sands", another gladiatorial ruleset with hopefully some differences to what is currently available. I've tried nearly every gladiator set of rules and have not been satisfied with any of them – this is the result. My goal is to create a non-static miniatures game, that is exiting and fun with only 2 figures – quite a challenge…

Here is a little taste of some sheets required to play the game (created by Dr Mathias aka Matt Leahy)

There is a lot more information on my blog link

and an extensive post on the Lead Adventure Forum here link

I would love to here your comments and suggestions about it.

Looks interesting. I too have a collection of gladiator figures for which I have not found a satisfactory rule set. You mention Leviathan so you are Australian. Will you be at MOAB or CANCON with this game or to discuss? Regards Alan

Hi Alan,

Yes I will be attending MOAB on the Sunday for The Roman Games extravaganza link

Are you attending?

looking forward to seeing the game at Moab!

cheers
Matt

Having been fortunate enough to playtest this for Frank, I can honestly say i haven't had so much fun in years with a miniatures game.

I believe he has captured the essence and spirit of Gladiatorial combat like no other game i have played. The attention to detail is excellent and the various classes of Gladiator are all very well thought out in how they interact with each other in the arena.

I can't wait to see it get published, I think we are onto a winner with this game. Good luck Frank!

Interesting, thanks.

Thanks for looking all.

Hope to see you at MOAB Matt.

A couple more Blood on the Sands armatura sheets for your viewing pleasure. This time two "exotic" types, the Crupellarius and Dimachaerus. Historically, little is known about either of these types as they are mentioned only once or twice, but both make for some interesting "spice". Matt Leahy (Dr Mathias) has done an amazing job on these considering there is little to go on and I know the Crupellarius was really worrying him – especially that helmet. I think he's done a great job. Well done Matt.

Some more components by Dr Mathias, this time some counter art.

Some in game playtesting shots of the playsheets in use.

This looks indeed superb! Might be THE gladiatorial game I've been waiting for.
Couldn't connect to your blog (503 service unavailable) but I'll be following your progress here and on the LAF with baited breath.

Thanks WillieB. Not sure about the blog error.

Hopefully I will have some news on the future of the game fairly soon.

Blog iso doing alright now. Probably a temporary hickup.
Looks like a fascinating game with – at last- all the bells and whistles it deserves.
I'm definitely in!
BTW I've got an extensive libary about gladiators- about 200+ plus books, papers, manuscripts etc.
If you ever think I could help out with an obscure detail or so just let me know.

Thanks WillieB.

I would be happy to hear any suggestions or comments of what you'd expect in a gladiator game and see if I have it covered.

You are obviously a gladiator aficionado!

Have you tried Jugula and if so what did you think?

Looks VERY nice!

@Frankfurt

Yes, bought Jugula a while ago. It's a great 'management' game, but not a gladiatorial game.
Also, the slightly a-historical aspect of the gladiators put me off somewhat.

Same as you I must have tried most if not all gladiator games on the market, and find them all lacking in some respect.
Still playing a (heavily modified) version of the old Morituri Te Salutant rules sofar, but I've got a really good feeling about your ruleset.
The illustrations look very accurate, the gameplay logical and comprehensive.

@WillieB

Couldn't agree more about Jugula.

Morituri Te Salutant, was the rules that felt most right for us as well. I was the one who actually made the downloadable cards for that system, in an attempt to make it play less "clunky".

I haven't shown this image on TMP before, but it helps show that Blood on the Sands plays well in a reasonably small space.

By increasing the arena size, the game changes considerably, as the danger of being backed against a wall diminishes.

Is there any news on if/when this might be available? I am in the same boat as quite a few others on here, in that I am hunting for a Gladiatorial game which I am happy with & feel that this may just fit the bill.

+1

BotS is still alive, but unfortunately in limbo at the moment. I had the reality of the game being picked up by a proper gaming company unfortunately quashed, but there is another option in the works. Hopefully something will come of it in the future. Until I get the necessary help/backing I can't really proceed forward with the game.
Thanks for your interest gents.

Looks very impressive. Hope this gets picked up by someone at some stage. Good luck!

Cheers,
Aaron

How about kickstarter?
And maybe speak to someone like Nic Robson at EUREKA MINIATURES to sculpt and produce Gladiator figures,…

"Blood on the sands" reminds me of my first sorta amateur soccer team. "You mean you don't have to be drunk to play a game for this side?"

Romans, countrymen, lend me your ears.

Today I have finally secured a publisher for Blood on the Sands, so it looks likes this will finally become a reality.

Hopefully I will have some more news to share soon.

Great news! Good luck, and looking forward to more info.

Cant wait to see your rules . I,ve been useing "ARENA rules for ever . Have bought all the others over the years ,but not very impressed and not enough to use something other the Arena . Yours do indeed look cool and look forward to see the mechanisim .

Bumping this for more information?

I'll help you with the 'bumping'+1

@WillieB, while we wait…can I see your modifications for Morituri Te Salutant? I just bought it and already I've redesigned the character sheets, Move Matrix and Damage Results tables to be more to my taste. I am on the verge of rewriting the rules for myself, with better illustrations and more moves, plus some special effects for the different moves as well.

I am at kealios at gmail if you're able. Thanks!

Any news?