| Kevin C | 20 Feb 2026 3:42 p.m. PST |
I am looking for a good recommendation for a set of rules that depicts Roman tactics during the Punic Wars and wars against Hellenist opponents fairly accurately. If it helps any, I game with 28mm figures. All recommendations are appreciated. Thanks,
Kevin |
 Herkybird  | 20 Feb 2026 3:55 p.m. PST |
Midgard tries, having a 'Replacements' trait which allows a unit behind another unit with that trait to exchange places with it, on a successful 'Command Roll' of 3-6 (D6) |
| Maggot | 20 Feb 2026 4:28 p.m. PST |
Ahh, the dilemma of rules that actually represent Roman tactics….sorry I cannot really help, but maybe: I've always thought that the GMT games (a hex boardgame if you're not familiar) was one of the better game systems that captured Roman tactical deployments, as well as their less organized opponents. The title "SPQR" which i bought in the early 90's, or the simplified version "Simple GBoH" could make a great minitatures game if one could figure out how to represent the units in a more miniatures friendly fashion (the games have sometimes hundreds of counters representing maniples/cohorts-putting that into miniature terms would be overwhelming). |
| Shardik | 20 Feb 2026 9:44 p.m. PST |
To the Strongest! also has a line replacement rule IIRC |
| Kevin C | 21 Feb 2026 12:03 a.m. PST |
Thank you for your input on this matter. Kevin |
| Martin Rapier | 21 Feb 2026 1:01 a.m. PST |
Depends how abstract you want to get really. I always though Lost Battles/Strategos did a decent job of representing the way different armies fought, but if you don't like grids, it isn't for you. |
| Herkybird | 21 Feb 2026 11:38 a.m. PST |
Although I mentioned the Midgard method, I didn't like it, and simply place my Hastati and Pricipes in a single line, with the Triarii in support, which seems to work better, and extends the line to about the frontage of an enemy army, which is historical. |
| Lucius | 22 Feb 2026 7:30 p.m. PST |
Tactica 2 (the sequel, not the original). Triarii rules that make sense, are simple, and are elegant. |
| nsolomon99 | 24 Feb 2026 2:37 a.m. PST |
"Ancient Empires" has a Punic War module that really captures the flavour of the Roman tactics. |
| Dave Crowell | 27 Feb 2026 10:12 a.m. PST |
Age of Hannibal from Little Wars TV handles it well. But abstractly as befits a set where a base is circa 750 men. "Roman Drill" is a special characteristic that can be given to troops and expands their ability to provide support and allows for one line to pass through and replace another. Part of teh difficulty for wargamers is that we don't fully know how it actually worked. Sort of like trying to medel a car when you know it had seats, wheels and got people from one place to another. |
