We 've had a change of tack & returned to Ancients. We've also had a change of rules. A few people mentioned how well Basic Impetus flows, so..... A Marian Roman versus Gauls, Basic Impetus 2.0 rules. Our first game, a few niggles but we got most of the rules covered.
Every unit has 'VBU' which is your strength, it gets reduced after losses. Impetus 'I', which is a bonus when you charge into combat, only when the unit is fresh. 'VD' is the points value of the unit. I ordered a set of the version 2.0 rules
(they hadn't arrived for our 1st game) from the authors & a copy of the PDF. We never played the 1st version of Basic Impetus, but I recall downloading a 'free' version so printed these out & used them for reference. Switching between the PDF on my mobile & the paper rules, we cracked on.
On paper the Army size doesn't look very big, however once they are on the table it's a different matter. 'Looks wise' it's similar like to 'Big Base DBA'. Spav went with the hairy Gauls, choosing not to have any options. Yours truly went with the mighty Romans. I swapped out 2 'standard' Legionary units for 2 'weaker' ones BUT with an additional Auxiliary unit. My thinking was an extra Javelin equipped unit to shoot the Big Gallic units.
6.1 Marian Roman 105-25 BC
Italians, Gauls, Spanish 1xCM VBU=5, I=2, VD=2
Numidian, Spanish, Thracian, Illyrian 1xCL VBU=3, I=1, VD=1, Javelin
Legionaries 4xFP* VBU=6, I=2, VD=3, Pilum
Spanish, Illyrian, Ligurian Auxilliaries 1xFL VBU=4, I=1, VD=2, Javelin
Rhaetian, Thracian Auxilliaries 1xFL VBU=4, I=2, VD=2, Javelin
Auxiliary Javelinmen 1xS VBU=2, I=0, VD=1, Javelin
2nd option: change 2 Legionaries FP with
Raw Legionaries 2xFP* VBU=5, I=1, VD=3, Pilum
Spanish, Illyrian, Ligurian auxiliares 1xFL VBU=4, I=1, VD=2, Javelin
5.5 Gauls 400-50 BC
Chariots 1xCGL* VBU=5, I=1, VD=3, Various
Cavalry 1xCM* VBU=5, I=2, VD=2
Soldurii Elite 1xFP* VBU=6, I=4, VD=3, Impetuous
Warriors 1xFL* VBU=5, I=4, VD=3, Impetuous
Warriors 5xFL* VBU=4, I=4, VD=2, Impetuous
Javelinmen 2xS VBU=2, I=0, VD=1, Javelin
Archers 1xS VBU=2, I=0, VD=1, Short bow B
Warriors can form Large Units.
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The Battlefield.
Cavalry on the wings, 'footsloggers 'in the middle. |
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| RRRAAARRGGH, the Gallic Horde, 3 large Warrior units. |
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| I decided to place 3 Roman Legionaires in the front line, one unit in reserve to 'plug' the gap after the Gallic Warriors would inevitably cause damage. |
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| Numidian Light Cavalry & Spanish Light troops would attack on one flank. |
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| A slight advantage to the Romans on the other flank, both having Cavalry & Light Infantry. |
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| Greek javelin throwers supported by Roman Cavalry |
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| Strangely... Spav holds the Gallic Chariots in check for the 1st round. |
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| Gallic Cavalry & Skirmishers |
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The Spanish Light Infantry would pour javelins into the advancing Gallic horde.
Hopefully causing a few injuries before they smack into the Legionaries. |
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| The troops face of against each other on the flank, javelins abound! |
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Eeeerrr, the Spanish Light Infantry screen isn't working.
The 'explosive' marker is used to signify a unit is 'Disordered'. |
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| Please just one hit from the Spanish javelins.... |
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| Please, Please, Please just one hit from the Spanish javelins.... |
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'They're off!' Spav's Gallic Charioteers advance
The Gallic Skirmishers block the Roman attack. |
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'CHARGE' the Gallic Cavalry charge in, loads of dice plus their Impetus bonus...
However, Spav's die rolls are pants! |
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| Legionaries carry Pilums, in Basic Impetus they are allowed a number of dice to throw before the Gallic attack goes in |
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| The Romans win initiative this round, the Numidians go for the flank |
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| 'CHARGE!' The Roman Cavalry pile into the melee, multiple unit combat are a big part of Basic Impetus. |
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'BOOM!' 'BANG!' WALLOP!'
The Gauls smash into the Roman Line. |
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| The Gallic Chariots race off around the battlefield... |
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First Blood to the Romans.
In Basic Impetus you roll to hit, then the unit must face a cohesion test with a number of modifiers.
If you fail this, the number you fail it by are your casualties.... |
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| A Roman unit looses this combat & is forced to retire, the Gauls as 'Impetuous' would pursue. |
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| The Gauls pursue, catch the Romans, trigger another melee and destroy them. |
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| In the centre, the Gauls are forced to retreat. |
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| A mixed bag of results, 'evens' I think. |
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| This melee went on for ages, sometimes no matter how many dice you roll, you still can't get a 5 or a 6. |
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| Another round, I decide to advance the centre Romans & trust the rear unit would dealing with the outflanking Gauls. |
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| The Spanish Light Infantry attack the Gallic Skirmishers holding the marsh. |
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| A mighty scrap.... |
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| More success for the Romans. |
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| Still fighting..... |
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| Spav spies an opportunity.... |
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| The Gallic Heavy Infantry are stranded, left to chase the Numdians... |
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Love it! The troops look great.
The combats in Basic Impetus work really well. |
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| 'BOOM!' Another Gallic Warrior Unit is put to the sword. |
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Combat Overview.
It's pitched battle everywhere. |
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| The Romans win the initiative this round as well. |
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'Steady the line!'
The micro die represents the current VDU of the unit = 2. |
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| Queue the 'Benny Hill' music as the Numidians chase the Chariots around the Battlefield |
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| Spav 'fist pumps' the air, another legionary Unit is destroyed... |
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| They can't advance as they are in contact with the other Legionaries |
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| Oh yes, the Gallic Cavalry are finally destroyed, the flank is open! |
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| The Gallic Warriors attack the Roman reserves. |
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| Spav's pinning his hopes on this one, the Gallic Chariots pile in and.... |
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...rolls rubbish dice.
They retreat in shame...Hang your head my son! |
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Vicitory is near, The Gallic Warriors take losses.
In Basic Impetus, certain troop types can form 'Large Units', losses are taken from the rear most unit. |
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| Another round & they are put to the sword. |
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| It's two units against two now in the centre... |
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The Greeks Light Infantry turn to face the Gallic Chariots...
Those Gallic Skirmishers look mighty tasty to the Roman Cavalry |
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The other flank is a sideshow, not much happening.
Spav wasted the Gallic Heavy Infantry by deploying them there. |
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GAME OVER!
Javelins fly in & destroy the Gallic Chariots... |
"SUPERB! BRILLIANT! FANTASTIC! OMG!" --
SPAV April 2018
Our first game of Basic Impetus 2.0 & it was very good. The combat system is brilliant, once you get your head around it, works very well. It can be brutal as well, a combat can go on if your unit advances & comes into contact with another enemy unit. Initiative plays a big factor, you roll to see who goes first, sometimes you may have 2 turns in a row. For this game, we didn't play the ACE IN THE HOLE' a set of special rules giving advantage to either side. Anyway a big thumbs up , we would recommend playing.
A big 'Thank You' to two 'You Tube' Vloggers (I think they are called). I eagerly watched videos from both authors & they helped a great deal in learning the Basic Impetus Rules.
(Perhaps all Wargame Companies should take note & produce videos on learning the rules they create)?
TAFFEKLES - Ross FigurePaintingCoUK
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLluuTES57aoNPypyvR5N9J2Z7sBiqSRvL
A Dash Of Elan Wargaming
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W7oCf3JeKZM&list=PLDXX1Xs-oSbXFqt9lAd706sPcC0id9QY0
I was in the process of selling all my DBA armies as I couldn't see when I would use them again. Guess what, I'm now in the process of creating Basic Impetus 2.0 Armies...
