"Which rules would you recommend?" Topic

I am feeling like giving ancient naval warfare a try (it will be a chance to paint some nice minis at any rate )

So, what are the rules savailable? I'd like something xsimple (not that I am afraid of complexity, but if I want to get someone else to give it a try, the system should be easy to grasp), but still with a modicum of chrome so that, say, you can still the difference between, say, a Roman liburn and a Tyrian trireme. I'd like something that can be downloaded – free or not, doesn't matter – so as not to clutter the shelves if after all, I decide that's not for me.
Thanks in advance for your advice.

You could try this.

link

Osprey has Poseidon's Warriors for larger battles.

My preferred set (a bit more chrome) is also the large battle Ad Mare Bellum by David Manley on Wargames Vault.

There is a free version of Corvus at link should you like it there is a more complete version available from link that includes a quick reference sheet, markers, full color top down counters, and turning guides. I have posted two battle reports in the galley section of the boards for the battle of Chios. All p[layers in both games had not played the rules before and were able to handle 40 ships each easily.

The original Trireme was good for small battles.

I think I'd rather do without a hex grid, so Corvus is definitely a possibility.

@Shagnasty I still have a very old boardgame with that name, is it what you are referring to?

I have Roman Seas, it would suit a game with a few ships.
Poseidon's Warriors is for a larger game- in my group (6 players) -it is the set of rules that got the ships onto the table.
A "stylised", fun game that will get a result in an evening.
You can get a copy on kindle. It is the sort of rules that can be tinkered with, if you don't like certain mechanisms.

Galleys and Galleons from Ganesha Games is great fun, up to 8 galleys each player. On the website there are free profiles for all ancient galley types.

I am just giving this era some thought after finding the Hotz Stuff paper ships on War-game Vault. They are in the scale I prefer 1/300 and look interesting. I appreciate all the suggestions of rules above and will look them over, preferring extra simple rules for all my gaming.

Cheers!