"Getting back into 15mm Ancient war-gaming after 15 years" Topic

Hi to you all, I am thinking about returning to 15mm war-gaming after quite some time away and would just like a little advice about where the hobby is right now in 15mm. when I last played 15s the most popular set of rules was DBM but I am aware that over recent years there have been a few new rule sets released and if my very basic research is correct, DBM books are now out of print. Could someone please bring me up to speed with what is happening in the world of 15mm Ancients at the moment.

Many thanks

DBM was replaced by DBMM some years ago, but DBM is still pyed by some die-hards.

I would actually suggest you take a look at Big Battle DBA with the new DBA v3.0 rules.

Impetus has gained a large following as well. The Basic Impetus rules and lists are free. If you ike it and want lareger armies you can purchase the full Impetus rules. I have played most ancients rules and Impetus fills the bill for me.

That would be DBMM 2 and DBA 3 is not yet out, coming Real Soon Now… maybe December.

To add to the list of diehards WRG 6th edition is back in print and Warrior aka WRG 7th is still available.

The newest cool kid on the block seems to Sword and Spear but I've not played it yet.

Edit:
And you completely missed FOG and FOG 2 but you didn't miss much…

Do have a look at Polkovnik Production's "Sword & Spear" – I've played it a lot recently and it really does work.

Like Impetus, it uses a common frontage for all units, and again like Impetus, can easily accommodate DBx basing. It features an interesting command and control procedure and a simple but effective combat system.

The ancients world has moved on from DBX…lots more out there. You may want to check out Impetus or Hail Caesar. A lot will depend on your gaming preferences as to what will fit your desires.

Wargaming is not scale specific, of course, and most rule sets work well in all of the popular scales.

If by 15mm wargaming you are asking about what clubs or competitions do which are more commonly played in that scale (i.e. you want to take an army along and find opponents etc.) …

A significant number of DBM's big following of times past now play Field of Glory rather than DBMM … it is a unit-to-unit type game and does not have Pips restricting how many of your units can move.

Give or take some limitations, Basic Impetus is also well worth a look and is free.

But DBA, DBM etc, are still around, and DBA V3 will be out soon (smaller, yes, than the old DBM battle size, but I think 'Big Battle' DBA3 may get a following) …

DBA V3 will have a full set of lists incorporated that reflect WRG/Phil Barker's latest thinking, and FoG has a full set of illustrated army lists to support its game system (published by Osprey with much recycled Osprey art work) …

You could do worse than browsing the Madaxeman's site which has lots of info on many popular armies

Phil
Ancients on the Move

Your best bet may be to find out what people near you play. In the US, DBMM never gained much following but seems to be picking up a bit now. Field of Glory has US probably been the most popular tournament rules in the US although witht he itnroduction of FoG Renaiisance rules the pool of players has split between the periods to some degree.

Sword and Spear looks interesting after playing a few games but not clear to waht degree it will catch on.

Chris

There's also War and Conquest.

Agree with Bates. Find out what people in your area are playing that will make it easier to get in a game. Lots to choose from. We are still playing DBM and DBA on a regular basis

There are a lot of different rules around and it's not dominated by a few big sets so much.

A few others that are mainstream-ish but haven't been mentioned are Commands & Colors: Ancients from GMT games which uses a hex grid and cards for activating your troops; Lost Battles, by Phil Sabin, which uses a 5x4 square grid to refight historical battles from the Persian wars through to the late Republic; Ancient and Medieval Wargaming by Neil Thomas, which is an old school style buckets of dice set originally designed for 8 unit a side pick up battles; Hail Caesar, which is quite a popular set from Rick Priestley. Dan Mersey also has some good games about from the Dark Ages through to the Medieval era; there's also SAGA, a skirmish set which seems to be much enjoyed by those who've played it.

There are plenty around!

Lots of good advice in this thread.

It would probably help everyone if we knew which country you were in. Things are really rather different in different countries. The days of DBM hegemony are long gone, some people think this is a bad thing, others a good one.

Looking at his profile he is in West Yorkshire.

For DBMM there are a few resources,

dbmm.org.uk
tagmata.it
link

Get onto the yahoo group and there will be people happy to help you link up with players close to you.

DBM is still played in the UK and best would be to get onto the yahoo group and ask around,

link

FOG has it's own forum on the Slitherine site.

I'm a DBMM player and my advice would be to give it a try at least. It may end up as your favourite game.

JohnG

I feel that single combats between the ancient rule set designers/writers would be of benefit to the ancient gaming communities around the world.

The losers agree to cease publication of their rules (they may actually die or be badly wounded, yielding could be an option). All ancients players around the world would also have to agree to play only the final winner's rules.

An Inquisition could also be set up to monitor all online forums and ensure any homemade rule sets are suppressed. Maybe a single warning then full torture / execution for repeat conceit.

Note I am not favouring any one set of rules. And while this seems to favour the younger rules writers I suggest the older ones can put forward a champion. They will need to forfeit and have the same wounds or outcomes administered as their champion suffers…..

…should really get back to work now…..but just think of turning up to the club and knowing some of the rules and that other players would as well……..

Thank you all for the replies, there does seem to be quite a few options open nowadays. As mentioned, I am in the UK, have done a bit of internet searching over the weekend and have found a few localism clubs who play 15mm Ancients. I will be getting in contact with them shortly. I own quite a few, well quite a lot really of 28mm figures from my Warhammer Ancient Battles days but nowadays like the small skirmish games like SAGA for 28mm gaming.

I will be attending the Worlds Wargaming event this weekend in Derby UK. I had a look at their website and was quite surprised to see that there are a number of 15mm ancient competitions taking place including amongst other rule sets WRG 7th Edition and Armati, 2 blasts from the past! :)

I actually started out playing DBA and quite enjoyed it so I will definitely keep a look out for when the new version is released, Big Battle DBA seems quite an interesting idea.

Many thanks.

What part of West Yorkshire are you in Paul?

I'm in Bradford, moving back to Leeds in 2 weeks, and game at Halifax.

I play FOGAM V2 but there are a lot of other games at the club.

I'm also looking to try out Sword and Spear shortly.

Rob

Hi Rob, I am in the Cleckheaton area but working a shift pattern makes attending midweek evening club meetings very difficult but I have found a club that meets on a Saturday once per month which, with a new baby on the way is probably all I could manage anyway.

A couple of years ago I actually did game a few times at a club in Halifax, Belgrave Social Club or something like that was their meeting place, played a few games of 28mm WAB, seem to remember some guys playing 15mm ancients too.

I keep coming across some good reviews of Sword and Spear, will have a look this weekend if any of the traders at Derby are carrying copies.

Thanks

Hi again Paul

Which club are you attending once a month?

You've nailed the Halifax Club on the head, it is still at the same place if you ever find yourself free on a Wednesday evening.

I'm unsure whether traders will have Sword and Spear but the pdf costs £6.00 GBP from his website and you get it the same day. If you then want a proper copy he will then deduct the £6.00 GBP you paid for the pdf.

I'll be at Derby on Sunday filling in during the FOGAM competition. If you're there just ask for me in the FOGAM area and I'll be happy to chat.

Rob

In France, Art de la guerre is now the most played ruleset for Ancients and medieval, with almost one tournament every two weeks. The rules have been translated in English and are now sold through North Star.

Hi again Rob, you will probably be aware of the club, Wakefield and District, they are the guys who run the Recon show at Pudsey Civic Hall in December. Usually they meet on a Monday evening but once per month they have a Saturday Meeting. I am just in the process of arranging a game or two of SAGA for this months meeting. This will actually be the first time I have attended.

You can find their website by googling Wakefield and District war-games or do the same search in Facebook to find their page.

Wow, that sounds a great deal on the S&S book, think I will definitely be having a look at it.

Thanks

Hi Paul

Thanks for buying my Sword & Spear rules – I hope you like them.

Mark