"Comitatus 2 by Simon McDowell" Topic

Gents;

I have a copy of these rules(loose-leaf pages), focusing on the 2nd to 11th Century AD, and have scanned through them. The rules look interesting, and was wondering if anyone has played this, or even heard of it. He also did Legio which takes this system into the classical world of Rome/Greece/Macedonia, and Deus le veult which pulls in the early middle ages.

Anyway, just looking for some feedback. Thanks.

I've had Comitatus (1st ed. I think), Legio, and… something else—but not Deus le Vult—for years, and have lugged them along through two moves.

I think all are good efforts to create "period" atmosphere: we; researched and well thought out. Unfortunately, when I lived near other ancients players, they were all into certain "one era fits all" rules—which need not be named—and had no interest in playing anything else.

So apart from setting up the odd situation on the table to see how the rules mechanisma work, I've never played a game with them.

Allen

I was fortunate enough to live in the same city as Simon for a couple of years and had the opportunity of playing both Legio and Comitatus on a number of occassions.

I've always found the games to be fast moving, exciting affairs that give a pretty good result and certainly lots of period flavour. However, be warned that these rules are not for the competition style wargamer as certain parts of the rules are open to interpretation. If you are playing within period with reasonable chaps these rules are very good. I'm currently sketching out a set of samurai rules using many of Simon's ideas. The use of an attack factor when charging, a defence factor in other situations and both long and short range missle fire is brilliant and allows for fairly accurate portrayal of units. IMHO Armati really dropped the ball in not having a seperate missile factor.

My advice is try the rules with one of the scenarios provided, be reasonable and have a great time.

Kent

I have played them a fair bit. They give a good representation of the Late Roman Period.

The guy apparently invented the Element as we understand it. So they are surely groundbreaking rules by any standard.

I've had a couple of run throughs of Comitatus 2, and liked them; although I did find them somewhat complex, and they didn't comletely convince my opponents. I think it would be good to try them again some time with someone very familiar with them.

It also struck me that, if using cavalry and 28mm figs, a table 5-6 foot deep would be a good thing; but this is probably true of many rule sets!

I played the first version and have printed off the second. I liked the rules. I want to plug in the changes for the later Comitatus for the Legio rules and see how that plays. Simon also has some newer rules focused on the earlier roman era on the SOA website, IIRC.

Thanks,

John

I'm in the process of learning Simon MacDowell's Comitatus (version 2). Anyone still playing it who would be willing to answer any questions (on or off the message board)? Thanks.

Aidan

Did not see v.2 but enjoyed v.1 very much.

Version 2 is available on the Late Roman Empire Yahoo Group and I believe it's the same version posted by John Kelly on his website Old Trousers: Rules for Warfare in the Horse & Musket Era.

In the intro to this version, MacDowell says he streamlined the mechanism and made it more of a complete game. It is well written.

My question is how "shooting and evading" is resolved in Comitatus. The example in the rules demonstrates a light cavalry unit evading while reducing its movement in order to allow it to execute short-ranged fire at a unit of charging enemy knights. In the example, the light cavalry evade movement is reduced by one and the knights ultimately contact the light cavalry- an unsuccesful evade. The example doesn't say when, if at all, the light cavalry shot at the knights. Were they not allowed to shoot because the evade failed and they were contacted? Did they shoot before the evade was attempted and the scenario just forgot to mention it? Any insight is appreciated. Thanks.

Aidan

Aidan,

Since in the example given, the horse archers have chosen to shoot at short range and they have deducted 1 from their die roll for shooting, it is clear that they do shoot during the evasion attempt. Although it is not specifically mentioned, I would play that they shoot at the end of the evasion attempt, and prior to the charge resolution.

Cheers,
Scott K.

they play well but I remeber a lot of die rolling (it was a while back). Armati does have seperate fire factors based on ranges and type of weapon (bar javelin) e.g bow +1 to enemy PROT over 1/2 range and , where cross bows are concerned, a 0 for any enmy Prot Under 1/2 range. There are others…

I liked a lot of aspects of Comitatus 2, but found the structure a little complex and hard to grasp. I'd play it again, though, especially if I had the opportunity of trying it with someone who knew it well.

Simon