"6mm Impetus Basic 2" Topic

Haven't played Ancients for years but considering it …

I am interested in Impetus Basic 2 rules. Is there any reason why I couldn't use 28mm base sizes and just put more 6mm figures on the bases?

Also interested in key differences between Basic Impetus 2 and Impetus 2. Not sure which one to look at.

I prefer bigger games – not DBA.

Is the basing the same?

Thanks

You can use any bases size you choose as long as both sides are the same base width. Major differences are size of armies so you probably want to go with Impetus 2. Basing is the same for both games.

Thanks

I agree that 6mm on 28mm bases looks great. I did that as an experiment for a Punic Roman army (see picture below.) What you see below is a Roman legion without allies or cavalry. I think they look great. The only problem was that I hated painting 6mm so I sold them off. But the idea still appeals to me.

You could do Basic Impetus at double or triple scale like some DBA players do but I would recommend the full game. New lists are coming out shortly so this is a good time to get going with this set.

‌Roman1 by Eusebeia2002, on Flickr

Thanks

Just checking – in the picture 2 bases = 1 Impetus base. Is that right?

I'm guessing you used 60*30 bases ?

In Impetus there is just the unit – it never changes formation. The "standard" for Impetus is basically to put 4 DBA bases together (2 wide, 2 deep). In DBA a typical infantry base is 40mm x 20mm (for 15mm figures) or 60mm x 30mm for 25mm figures. Thus in Impetus for 15mm a typical infantry base would be 80mm x 40mm. For 25mm it would be 120mm x 60mm. Cavalry would be 80mm x 60mm and 120mm x 80mm respectively.

Everything in Impetus 2 is measured in half-base widths (which equals 1DU). So you can pick any base width you want and the game will work.

Each base in the picture Teppsta is a unit. A Roman Legion would have 2 stands each of Velites, Hastati and Principes and 1 stand of Triarii. Correct, the bases were 60 x30. 30 figures per HI base.

Not to hijack my own thread – but what other rules would anyone suggest I should look at for Romans? I am just a bit concerned that Impetus (and any of the other sets that cover thousands of years of warfare) may be so generic that they become more of an abstract game – rather than reflecting the actual mechanics of warfare for the troops involved.

Something like "The Die is Cast" ??

Which period(s) of Romans most interest you?

What size of battles and level of tactical detail are you seeking to represent?

Are you most interested in refighting historical scenarios, or do you prefer rules designed around equal-points matchups?

Are reasonably accurate ground scales and shooting ranges essential for you, or is the general "feel" of the game more important than such details?

Are you looking for rulesets written specifically for 6mm figures, or are you interested in modifying rules that were written with larger figures in mind?

By the way, IMHO there are no "right" or "wrong" answers to these questions. However, exploring concepts such as these may help you find a rule set that more closely matches your own personal wargaming tastes and preferences.

The hardest part to represent in the Punic Roman period is line relief. I have never seen a rules set do it well. Part of the problem is that historians don't really know how it worked. With that said I think a generic set can do a good job with most Roman periods. I haven't found that specialized set works better than well thought out generic sets. If the game system is good it probably can handle everything pre-musket.

A Lot of Gaul

Looking at Early Romans as they seem to have the most options to be pitched against different opponents, say up to 1st Punic war.

Historic scenarios rather than points based games.

I would rate feel over accurate ranges – but would hope that the two were not mutually exclusive.

I want to field an "army" with flanks etc but probably not looking to fight enormous battles. We usually play 3 to a side on club nights.

At the moment I am doing 6mm Peninsular war but using 15mm size bases and just putting a lot more figures on each base which I like the look of. Thinking about doing something similar with Romans.

Any recommendations would be appreciated !

I discovered Comitatus by Sam Macdowell and his blog Legio wargames .there are free sets covering different periods of roman warfare including historical scenarios.worth exploring.

Thanks – will check them out

Basing 6mm fgures on 60mm frontage bases works nicely. For Heriocs & Ros figures I was able to get 16 files of advancing pike (produced in files, 4 deep) on an element. For standing pike (which come on strips of a rank of five) I contented myself with three strips per rank, rather than fiddle with single figures to complete the count.

DBA does not have to be limited to little games of 12 elements per side. You can easily player with many more.

If you do find a set of rules that allow you to act in the way we think the Romans fought, pleasee report on your experience!

Tepptsa -

Based on your criteria, I would recommend checking out the following rule sets:

Legio VI Macedonica (2002), free rules by Simon MacDowall, with 20mm square basing: link

Civitates Bellantes (2014), by Simon MacDowall, with 20mm, 40mm or 60mm frontage basing at the player's choice: link

Age of Hannibal (2018), by Greg Wagman, with 40mm square basing: link

Also, here is an excellent site for general information about the Roman legion in various stages of its development: link

Best of luck in your search!

Cheers,
Scott

A Lot of Gaul

Many thanks. I was looking at Simon MacDowall's rules last night following David Grech's suggestion. They look very interesting. I will probably give them a dry run with blocks before I start painting.

I'm not so familiar with the Ancients boards on TMP – but thanks to everyone for their help. Much appreciated.

To each his own Teppsta but as I mentioned above I don't think there is any reason to suppose a set designed with a specific period in mind will ultimately produce better results than a well thought out generic set. In fact my experience has been quite the opposite. A rules set like Impetus or ADLG or Hail Caesar that is played extensively will usually develop into a better game systems than more narrow sets that have a smaller following. In the opposite direction, really good sets that are designed for a specific period almost always expand to include other periods. Fire and Fury we designed for ACW but has been adapted to almost every period because its game design is so strong.

Marcus Brutus

Thanks – I have ADLG and recently bought Impetus 2, so I will give them a try as well. Thanks for your help.

I know its an old thread but give serious consideration to getting opponents unless you only play in a closed group. The more "mainstream" (well known) the rules are the more likely you will find players and people willing to try them.