"Impetus vs Basic Impetus" Topic

I'm just getting back into Ancients (6mm), with the Punic Wars and Successors as my main focus. The last rule set I used, many years ago, was Tactica, which now seem a bit dated. So when looking for new rules I came across Basic Impetus which seems to be pretty popular on TMP, and the price was definately right. My question is how many people that are familiar with both Basic Impetus and Impetus are content to use the Basic version without moving on to the full version? And why? And if you have any insight into why any other particular rule set would be better than Impetus/BI I'm all ears because I'm waaay behind the Power Curve in regards to Ancients rules. Thanks.

I've enjoyed a couple of games of Basic Impetus but haven't tried the full version, so I can't help with that bit of your question.

There are some good rules available for free from Legio Wargames, some of them aimed at 6mm. Have a look at the website…

legio-wargames.com

Blackhorse, welcome back, this very subject has been discussed a few times in the past with some thoughtful and interesting discussion resulting. I dont have time right now to do the searching and insert the links here but if you go back through the Ancients Message Boards searching for Impetus you'll find several threads on this subject.

Take a look at "Lost Battles". Very well researched rules that allow you to refight whole battles.

Basic Impetus is an excellent set of rules for battles that can be fought in an evening at the Club. We use them here for a Lost battles Campaign rather than Lost Battles as the latter's table rules feel nothing like an ancient battle. The full Impetus rules add all sorts of extras on and so the battle takes a whole lot longer to fight. BI is free so spend some time trying them out and then decide whether you wsant to move on to the full set. I never have.

We use them here for a Lost battles Campaign rather than Lost Battles as the latter's table rules feel nothing like an ancient battle.

My feelings were entirely different. In over 30 years of wargaming, playing Lost Battles felt more like an ancient battle than any other rules I have played to date – including Basic Impetus.

If LB is too academic for you then another possibility is Hail Caesar. I've not played HC yet, but it's much more of a game than a simulation and if BP is anything to go by, very entertaining!

I'm one of those rare people that went straight to the full version without trying out the freebie. My understanding s that most of the difference is in the command and control systems. This will make most difference for larger games, so if you only intend to play smaller games you might not notice much difference. Less flexibility wrt constructing armies as well.

We use Basic Impetus in preference, but add in the commands rules and army lists from the full version as it makes it easier to play "multiplayer" games.
There are a lot of minor differences that add to the accuracy and tactical abilities of the armies, but at the cost of an increase in complexity and game length.

Nice thing about BI is that it scales very well, bigger battles, more players.

I've been painting up a number of Basic Impetus armies to use with the BI rules as an introduction to both ancient gaming, and wargaming in general.

The system is easy and fun, and, to my mind that's the way to hook new players in.

But in answer to your question, the lovely thing about Basic Impetus is that you can add more of the "chrome" from the full Impetus rules to it and thus learn the full set over time if you like.

Full Impetus is a great set of rules, and with the command and control system allows for some very nice multi-player games.

But there is no right or wrong here. Both sets of rules have their pluses but I really do encourage folks to start out with Basic Impetus to see how they like the rules. You can make movement trays if you need to or just start out by cutting out full-sized bases from card board or foam core, labeling them in some fashion as to what they represent, and then try the system. Saves you some money and time, and if you like it, like I did, you can consider rebasing your minis.

V/R

Heresy, I know, but I have never got on with Impetus. I don't know why. I used to enjoy Tactica. If a rule set suits you, stay with it. New rules are usually just a variation on a theme, and there is nothing new under the sun.

Well, I don't have a dog in this fight. However, saying that 'there is nothing new under the sun' may be quaint but it certainly isn't correct. Look at Ancient rules pre DBX and post. I'd humbly suggest that there are LOTS of new concepts out there and more are on the way.

As an aside, Arty Conliffe has said that Tactica WILL finally be released this year. We shall see.

Thanks,

John

I play the full version of Impetus and it is the ancients game of choice for our club. I would recommend that you play a game or two of Basic Impetus and if you like the mechanics then definitely move onto the full version. Basic Impetus has the same mechanics but it lacks command and control which adds depth and a lot of flavor and options but not much in terms of complexity.

I've been meaning to try HALF Impetus, or BI with bases and ranges halved: aka DBx basing

Some of the best features are only in the full version. Still, if you hate BI you probably wont like the full one so it is good to have.

Here. This should answer most of your questions.

link

Play the basic version.

If you like it, stick with it.

If you like it but feel it's missing things, try the full version.

If you hate it, well 1 set down, 999 to go :)

The advantage of the free BI is that you don't have to pay to find out that you don't like it.

Thanks for the voluminus and speedy input. Helps me focus my research. Definately going to give BI a shot, and Lost Battles looks pretty interesting too. Also not going to rule out Legio (no pun intended). So many rules so little time…

You might want to have a look at FOG, and as there will be a version 2 out at some point you can pick up the rules very cheap on ebay.
Also Polemos rules are aimed at 6mm, so Polemos Ancients might be worth a look.
Search on here for reviews of Impetus, and any other sets of rules – should give you plenty to read and think about.

How does command and control differ in Basic Impetus vs.
"Full" Impetus?