"Victus Gladiatorial Combat Rules Now Available" Topic

That is a very eye-catching image. Good job by whoever drew it.

I agree totally. A really smashing cover. Well done to Keith and the lads.

I agree that it's good cover art but since I've learned never to judge a book by its cover I'd like to know more about this rule set. I would like details about how the combat works, movement, etc. The Iron Ivan website only gives a generic overview. Please give us all the gory details with play examples.

Thanks for the kind words!

A little more info here:

link

I'll be running a game at Cold Wars this Saturday at 6pm

More to come!
Doc

May I ask, are the rules in colour or black and white?

Howdie.

The interior is black and white.

Chalfant

Thanks for the link Doc Merkury as from your post I can figure out that it is hex based and that the positions of the figures to their opponents will matter which is good. But that is all I have been able to learn. I am looking for a decent of gladiator rules since so far everything available on the market that I have tried leave me underwhelmed. Here are my questions:

1. What do you mean my dynamic movement since to me dynamic is subjective?
2. Is it IGOUGO or is there an activation system? If so please describe it.
3. What is the basics behind the combat system? ( I.e., do players roll dice and compare their skill level? Do they select a type of attack against a type of attack and then roll against the odds of that attack? Etc.)
4. How are wounds handle? (Are they accumulated hit points? Are they damage against a specific area of the body? A combination of the two?)
5. Can it handle multiple opponents?

These are just some of the basic questions that I know people like me would love to have answered. I am really interested in finding a set of gladiator rules that bring something new to the market and would love to know if these are it. I like the quality of Iron Ivan games and have most of their rule sets but I'm not going to buy a set of rules just on their good name alone. Their good name will persuade me to give them a try if I have more of an indication that they are closer to what I am ultimately looking for in a set of gladiator rules.

Sorry, on a flight and having trouble posting, I'll answer all that tonight!

This almost reads like it's a solo game. Is it or is it PVP? If PVP how many players?

Thanks Doc, I look forward to seeing your answers

Howdie.

The good Doc will have better answers later, but I can share my take on Victus!

It is designed as a player vs player game.

Victus! can handle multiple opponents… though the historical record indicates that one on one matches were the norm. There might be several one on one matches happening at the same time. We have gamed two on two cooperative games (and the system works fine, especially when comrades accidentally stumble into each other's way), and then there is the pons scenario:

link

link

which is a specific (and historical) scenario of two on one.

Doc Merkury is better able to answer questions, but I would answer your 1 and 2 questions together. Its not IGOUGO, its modified initiative rolls every turn… modifiers for the individual gladiator, and for their armature (a gladiator in heavy armor, with lots of equipment, has a lower initiative than one wearing no armor and only carrying short blades).

Winning initiative is important. Players have to commit to a course of action (planned movement, and planned attack)for every turn… but your plans can be upset if your opponent wins initiative and spoils you. You have the opportunity to maneuver, looking to turn your opponent's flank, gain his back… hell, trip him as you pass by each other, or try to disengage and recover from stuns. You have some limited ability to react to your opponent, even if you lose initiative. Don't forget… there are obvious advantages in combat for wearing lots of heavy armor… the light footed models don't have all of the advantage!

You do NOT put the models together and roll until one is dead (we've been asked that so many times, it must be common somewhere). During a game, the models dance around each other… its hard to describe it other than "dynamic", especially as its a rather important feature of the game.

But watch out. Retreat from your opponent too much, or go turns without committing any kind of attack, and you will reduce your chance for Missus (mercy). If you want the crowd to allow you to live, you better fight well. The concept of the Missus roll is well developed in the system. The gladiators do not always fight to the death (though that can certainly happen!) … as a player, especially when in a Victus! campaign, you want your experienced gladiators to survive matches.

OK, I better stop for now, before I am sentenced to the sands!

Chalfant Pontificatus

Thanks, that helps. I'll look forward to reading what the good Doctor has to add to your write up.

I know it doesn't help explain the rules, but I seemed to have a knack for getting my hand cut off when I played.

HA!

Okay finally at my laptop!

Chal has done a pretty good job over covering, but here is what I got to add.

Victus is a 2 or more player game (We have run it with up to 6 players each with 1 Gladiator) that can be used for one off matches, bracket tourneys or you can use the Campaign rules that add a rpg element where you can have everything from side jobs outside of the arena, a Domina's favor, and of course the opportunity to make more enemies! Denarii are tracked in the Campaign rules to buy your Gladiator's freedom.

Game play:

Players use a record system for their actions each turn and perform them in the order of a contested Initiative. Initiative is determined by a roll off with modifiers for gear based on weight. Although Actions are recorded there is maneuvering that takes place in each turn as players perform counter strikes and have chances to maneuver in response to their opponent. Guard and Facing play a role in this.

Abilities- Players use their Fortitudo (used for striking), Agilito (used for defense and movement), and Virtus (used for stamina and as a resource pool) to perform their Actions each turn through the phases. As wounds are dealt, players become weaker.

Weapons have different effects against different armor and carry their own advantages and disadvantages in relation to the fighting styles. For example the Thracian's Sica is able to reach behind a Myrmillo's shield more effectively.

Game play takes place on a hex board so scale is not limited and paper models with a board page are included in the rules.

Striking takes place with models either targeting specific areas of the body or attacking untargeted areas with both players rolling in Attack/Defense. Armor for specific areas hit are taken into account and then if the attack passes through the armor Gladiator rolls on a Wounding Table which can lead to anything from a Stun to a Fatal Wound. Fatal Wounds are worked up to, Stuns count as Modifiers to the Abilities and the next Wound Table rolls. What you have is the combatants striking, counter striking and working each other over in the process.

As this action is taking place, a Gladiator can attempt to ask for Missus, Mercy (if the match allows!) and depending on his performance and roll on the Missus table he could prolong his fighting career before being seriously wounded.

I'm a HUGE fan of combat sports, I take SAMBO and San shou and what you see in Victus is the foot work and maneuvering that you would see in a combat sport, not just two guys walking up and hacking each other to death.

Hope that helps!

Doc

@ Iron Ivan Keith:

Choppa choppa! Sticka sticka!

or, as legendary Thracian Ludi Cris prefers,

Slash. Stab. Repeat.

Chalfant

Ha! I think it was Ludi Cris I lost my hand to the first time. You never forget your first severed hand.

Never.

Muahahahaha.

Is it available in PDF?? If not, I am not interested.. :(

Currently, no, not as a PDF.

Sad… :( Diskspace costs way less than m2 does..

I did not find an entry on BGG for this game, so I just submitted one to the Admins for approval.

Ha, thanks. I am on there sometimes looking up old games :)

Chalfant

I've placed my order.

I'll buy the rules anyway since I'm- and always have been- a real fan of anything gladiatorial. And the Iron Ivan pedigree is an assurance of course.

Just beacuse I'm such an anorak: how many types of gladiators are included in the game rules?
The more popular ones will certainly be included
(Myrmillo, Hoplomachus, Thraex, Retiarius, Provocator and so on)but will I also be able to play the more exotic types like the Aquemanius, Dimachaerius and Arbelas?

Nothing wrong with being a Gladiator fan WillieB!

In the book the following styles are covered:

Arbelas
Hoplomachus
Dimachaerus
Laquerarius
Samnis
Myrmillo
Provocator
Retiarius
Secutor
Thraex

BUT

Others can be built using the weapons and armor tables.

Hope that helps!
Doc

Thank you very much Doc!
Looks like I finally might have found my perfect rule set.