"Classical Hack v Warhammer Ancients" Topic

Can anyone giveme some indicators? I am (reasonably) familiar with the latter but would appreciate some help here!

I play Classical Hack and I'm familiar with WAB having played WHFB in the past

Classical Hack is a great game if you like scenario play of actual battles. I prefer CH to WAB, because of the turn sequence. From memeory after inititiative It is I go, you go but within phases. So it's I declare charge,you declare charges, I shoot, you shoot, I charge, you charge, I move, you move, resolve melee. Charged are stopped by heavy shooting losses and a failed morale check. It happens but not often.

In melee there is a d10 variant and a d100 variant to rolling. You multiple figures fighting (based on troop type ranks and weapon type) by a factor (based on troop quality modified by combat mods) that gives you a number for 1 casualty based on the percent. On the same die roll if the roll half the number you score two casualties, roll half again and it's three. That one roll is for the whole unit. Both sides roll once for the initial exchange, check combat morale, push backs or routs, then roll again a possible 2 more exchanges unless someone runs and isn't pursued then the melee is over for the turn.

Mounting for CH in 25mm is multiple figures on a 60mm frontage base for infantry, 4 for heavy/close order, 3 for medium/loose, 2 figures for skirmish.

There is a points system but it is not geared towards competitive tournaments like WAB. There is a Yahoo group for Classical Hack and a website. The author Phil Viverito regularly attends large conventions in the US and responds to all questions about his rules. He's a great guy to meet in person and makes awesome terrain

So it's mounted to BDx standards for 25mm,does this include the cav. It would be hard getting 4 Chtaphracts mounted on a 60mm frontage. It sounds real enteresting though.

Is bow fire resolved simultaneously? Everbody fires and then remove casualties?

From memory: 3 heavy cavalry to a 60mm width, 2 skirmisher/light cavalry to a 60mm base, one elephant figure to a frontage.

Bows, slings, javelins in fact all missile fire is simultaneous in that phase. Game mechanic is similar to melee accept only one exchange and the factors make it very hard to get casualties in my experience. Everybody fires then all casualties are removed as you guess. If a unit takes 2 or more casualties it must test morale thus being able to stop charges by missile fire but not often. Light troops with just slings or bows can not melee but automatically try to flee if charged in the rules (at least for the Successors period I play). Thank you for letting me clarify that!!

I like Classical Hack a lot; however, the turn sequence can get a bit involved. The problem with it also is that not enough people play. I do think its a very good set of rules and alot more enjoyable then Armati and DBA. This game is very well suited towards 15mm massive armies for those who like that ( I like armies), with the standard 15mm ancient basing. Also, Phil is the coolest-a great guy who loves to game and his models and terrain are the best that I have seen.

WAB is alot fun and simple enough to start playing right away; however, if you have 15mm based models it does require some modification. You can always another WAB player and their books are excellent.

Note Phil has gone to a D10 system and a matrix which is much easier to use. I am going to be helping him run Siege of Carthage at Cold Wars in March!
VR
James Mattes

I played in the Siege of Carthage game in Augusta. It was my first time with the rules. It was also the first time for (I think) 5 of the 7 playing. Maybe 6.

It seemed to work well and people seemed to be enjoying the game. The exception being the Carthage general facing me (on the Roman right) actually fell asleep at the table. In the time between rolling missile fire and melee, he actually fell asleep. He was flanked and doomed anyway.

I plan on trying the rules again.

As an alternative to WAB, you may want to play Warmaster ANciets with 15mm figs, the bases stay the same and it is both lively , and simple, with exciteing command control.
playerrs wont have time to fall asleep

Cheerrs
Mike

I've played a few Classical Hack games at the HMGS-East Cons. Let me add that the morale implications are more detailed in CH, whereas they tend to be embedded into combat resolution in WAB. Overall CH was a fun game (no-one fell asleep when we were playing) but not enough to move me away WAB.

That said, Phil V. and his game masters are all very nice guys and the terrain is second to none. I'd suggest checking out the Siege of Carthage at Cold Wars that Phil and James are running. I know I will.

Ralph

Check the schedule today and I see Saturdays game is set I think for 4pm.
VR
James Mattes

I watched Phil and his game being played at Augusta as well. His terrain is second to none. I did not realize that it was DBM basing since it is in 28mm and I play 15mm.

Great guy and I recommend giving it a shot at Cold Wars if you can.