"Why Is ADLG Suddenly So Popular?" Topic

I believe ADLG rules have been around for a number of years but suddenly they seem to be sweeping the local gaming scene. More and more players are playing them. Tournaments popping up all over. New armies being built. So why are they suddenly so popular? Or is this just a local phenomenon? Lee

i changed due to my growing dissatisfaction with DBA and DBM While there are some interesting changes in both they are still basically the same I was also irritated that the new version of DBM requires the purchase of a set of new Army lists which when combined with the cost of the new rule book makes it a largish financial commitment.

ADLG gives you all the army lists that you need as part o the set and uses basically the same basing system The rules seem clearer, have good examples and explanatory notes. The battles use more figures and look good as well.

It's provides a good compromise between the different types of mass battle rules, is relatively clearly written and comprehensive.

That works for me.

I give credit to the Frenchman with the ability to write in clear English, and you only need the one book.

Personally, I prefer more detailed, tactically oriented rules which allow me to put hundreds of troops on the table, but I can work with ALDG and don't groan when someone invites me to play ADLG.

pjm

@mckrok – what rules would fit your criteria?

Cheers

Sncowcat:

I'm still looking, but Fields of Glory are at the top of my list at the moment.

pjm

It's a (nearly global) phenomenon. For "tournament" Ancients ADLG is now the set with the biggest pool of active players everywhere that I know of with a decent player base other than Italy (DBMM – ADLG is second), Ireland (DBMM, although a fairly small pool), Germany (FoGAM, likewise) and debatably NZ (Not sure which, ADLG is growing though).

ADLG was apparently the biggest Ancients event at Cancon in Australia this year, and will be the biggest pool in all of the first 3 multi-ruleset events of the year in the U.K. – it's already the biggest by far in Spain, France, Belgium and the USA.

My guess is a combination of the things already mentioned, plus the English language edition coming out at a time when the previous near-dominant set FoGAM had gotten to the seemingly inevitable "played out" phase.

I am guessing that it just clicks with some people – ancient players in our club thought it combined the WORST aspects of FOG and DBMM… but you can't please everyone!

All that has been said plus:

Smaller armies than DBM, FOGAM, etc. so easier to field 28mm armies for example.
Relatively quick games for tournaments, most of which come to a decisive conclusion in the allotted time.
Most armies are well balanced and competitive.

Just played a 6 round comp at Cancon (Canberra, Australia). Good turn out (26 players, largest Ancients comp there). Generally everyone seemed impressed with the rules. Some players didn't even own a copy of the rules and managed. Hadn't played a comp of it before but I'm pretty much sold. Nice, neat system that doesn't seem to generate any moments and plays to a decisive result pretty quickly.

Martin

What ADLG has done, in New Jersey, USA, is get players, who have NEVER, played in an ancients comp, to now play in an ancients tournament and deciding which army to paint up next. I've not seen this much interest, since DBM, first came on to the scene.

For those of us, who've been playing since WRG 6th, it's nice to see….

Lou

I think madaxeman is being a little modest. I'd suggest that his excellent battle reports have something to do with the popularity of these rules.

It's popular because it's fairly easy to learn, and makes a good game.

I think that ADLG became so popular for the following reasons even though I might be wrong:
1) Combines the best elements of DBx and FOG.
2) Very clear well written and easy to read Rules.
3) 2.5 hour long standard tournament games (instead of 3.5 hour long in DBx/FOG)
4) Cheap! Smaller armies are required. Rules and armies are all in 1 book so all you need is to purchase 1 book (not 5+).
5) The rules are realistic enough to capture all the period detail by simulating the important parts of ancient/medieval warfare without unnecessary complication, abstraction and gimmicky rules and mechanics.
6) These rules allow players to play very large games (300-400 points), as well as the standard tournament game (200 points) and very small DBA-like games at 100points.