Heraclea replay with Irregular Miniatures ancient rules

Introduction
I have been replaying Heraclea with different rules on a 2'x2' board.  Recent rules, and some I am planning, revolve around units with a number of bases to a unit.  My current favourite of the unit based rules is the Irregular Miniatures Ancient rules.  I wrote a review and replayed Callinicum with them.  It has been a while, so I thought I would give them a run through.  Note the replay is fairly detailed due to its aim of giving an idea of how the rules actually work.
 

Troops

Romans

1 unit Leves: 4 Skirmishers, regular, C class, javelins, no armour, no shield

1 unit Hastati/Principes: 8 Battle troops, regular, C class, arm and leg armour, pila, shield.

1 unit Triarii: 5 Battle troops, regular, B class, arm and leg armour, long spear, shield.

1 unit Light Infantry: 2 Auxiliary infantry, irregular, C class, no armour, javelin, shield

1 unit Heavy Cavalry: 4 Auxiliary cavalry, regular, B class, no armour, spear, shield

1 unit Light Cavalry: 1 Skirmish cavalry, C class, no armour, javelin, shield
 

Epirot

1 unit Hypaspist: 5 Battle Troops, regular, B class,Pikes, arm and leg armour, shield

1 unit pikemen/hoplites: 8 Battle Troops, regular, C class,Pikes, arm and leg armour, shield

1 unit Light Infantry: 2 Auxiliary infantry, irregular, C class, no armour, javelin, shield
1 unit Archers: 1 Skirmisher, irregular, C class, bow, no armour, no shield

1 unit Slingers: 1 Skirmisher, irregular, C class, sling, no armour, no shield

1 Agema: 2 Auxiliary cavalry, regular, A class, no armour, spear, shield.

1 unit Light Cavalry: 1 Skirmish cavalry, C class, no armour, javelin, shield

1 elephant: Elephant, irregular, C class.

As per other large unit games, I have combined the pikes and Hoplites. Battle troops must have 5-8 units and I did think about making an exception to get the Hoplites in there own 4 base unit.  Also, I seem to remember that most rules of this period have the cavalry at this time a default Class B with normal infantry Class C.  I have followed this and also referred to WRG 6th and MOA army lists that confirmed this thought.

Why I like the rules

The rules are different enough from other rules and have the interesting use of different polyhedral dice.  Each unit has a particular die based on its morale level - d12, d10, d8, d6.  The die is used for two things: panic checks and casualty determination.  Panic checks happen all the time - losing close combat, seeing friends rout, etc.  A panic check is simple - roll the units die and if you roll over the number of bases lost since the start of the game you pass, otherwise you fail.  No modifiers, no changing the die used based on circumstances.  Casualty determination is just as simple.  Work out the number of casualties (no random factors, just a list of points based on circumstance).  A unit loses a base if casualties values equal the die type (e.g. a d8 unit loses a base for every 8 casualties).  If there are any casualty points left over, you need to roll higher than that number on your die not to lose a base.  Simple.  No modifiers, no extra dice etc.  The use of only one polyhedral dice per unit is consistent throughout the rules. I really like that.

Deployment
As per here but with more bases on the board, here it what it looks like:

Deployment - Epirot to the left.  Note Pyrrhus is in the wrong spot behind the pikes - should be with the Agema to the lower left.

Orders
Each unit has a order of two parts - speed and mode.  Speed is either QUICK - move greater than 1/2 - or SLOW, move 0 to 1/2 speed.  Mode is either ATTACK, HOLD or LURE (must evade charges by battle troops).
 

Romans

Leves: Quick, Lure

Hastati/Principes: Quick, Attack

Triarii: Quick, Attack

Light Infantry: Slow, Lure

Heavy Cavalry: Slow, Attack
Light Cavalry:Slow, Lure

 

Epirot

Hypaspist: Quick, Attack

Pikemen/hoplites: Quick, Attack

Light Infantry: Slow, Lure
Archers: Quick, Lure

Slingers: Quick, Lure

Agema: Quick, Attack

Light Cavalry: Slow, Lure

Elephant: Quick, Attack

Turn 1
Romans has the initiative on the first turn, as with the other replays.  All units advance, except the left flank heavy cavalry that do not move, and the Triarii that wheel to the left.  As per other reviews, the left flank always seems a bit weak against the stronger Epirot Agema and Elephant, so I've taken to moving the Triarii to bolster the Roman left flank.

Epirots advance everything.  Slingers and archers fire to no effect - although they did have a chance: a 3 or less on a d8 for the archers, and a 2 or less on a d8 for the slingers.  The d8 is because they are firing on the Leves and their 'dice' is a d8.

End of turn one

Turn 2
Romans get initiative and advance all units bar the heavy cavalry.  The Epirots advance both flanks.  The Elephant and Agema were too far away to charge the Roman cavalry but will be in a position to do so next turn.  The Epirot skirmishers retreat and interpenetrate the pikes behind them (on skirmishers can interpenetrate). The move sequence is Side 1 does rout and charges, Side 2 does rout and charges, Side 1 does other moves, Side 2 does other moves.  Therefore the pike block cannot charge the Roman Leves as that phase has past.  But luckily the pikes are out of the Leves javelin range.
 

End of turn 2

Turn 3
Oops, just noticed Pyrrhus is in the middle of the board, and should be with the Agema.  I've moved him there.
Romans win initiative, but have no charge moves.  Epirot charges heavy cavalry with Agema.  As Agema is two bases and the target has more (4 bases), Agema must roll for a successful charge - more than the difference in base numbers on their die.  This would be 3 or more on a d12, but with Pyrrhus attached gives a +2 to the die roll, which translates into an automatic pass.  So they charge.  Roman Heavy Cavalry do not counter charge. Why no counter charge? As I mentioned in my review there are no rules on countercharges so I assume side B (non-initiative side can countercharge a charge by Side A).  This is not the case here.
Elephants also attempt to charge the heavy cavalry.  Hmm, using the same rules for charging, difference is 3 bases an so need to roll a 4 or more on a d8, or it loses a base.  The elephant unit is an entire base!  They roll and pass.

Agema and Elephant in melee with Roman Heavy Cavalry

  
Epirot Hypaspists and pikes charge the Leves.  Leves have to evade as their Orders are EVADE. Note: an evade move is a normal move +d6cm.  I rolled once for all the Leves, when I should have rolled for each one - I forgot that the 4 Leves are not 1 units, but 4 units in a line.  So I am not sure the Leves are going to be useful in this game.  The pikemen stop the charge where the Leves were.  The rules are not clear on what to do if charging and the target evades.  But I believe they stop as it is inferred in the lines "must pursue if enemy 30mm behind and converted into a charge" and "prolonging a charge (unless evaded)".

 
I will do both Agema and Elephant melees simultaneous with the Roman Heavy cavalry.  There is nothing in the rules about multiple unit combat but as there are no random modifiers to combat - it is add up some values and opponent rolls a die to determine casualties - I will simply add up all the values for the Agema and the Elephant together.  For the reverse (the Romans inflicting on the Agema and Elephant), I will split the modifiers up between the two.
Melee
Round 1:

Agema+general: 6

Elephant: 16

Total 24 Vs a d10 unit = 2 losses, saves for no other casualties

Roman Cavalry: 6 that equates to 3 hits on each Epirot unit. Agema saves, Elephant does too.

Roman loses round of melee - takes panic test and passes. 

Round 2:

Agema + general: 5

Elephant: 13

Total: 18: One Roman Cavalry lost and another lost when rolled for.  GONE!

Roman Cavalry: 4, or 2 on each Epirot unit; Agema: pass, elephant: pass.
 

Epirot defeats all the Roman HC with no losses to themselves

The rules are silent on what to do if the enemy is destroyed before routing, so I assume they rout.  Therefore the Agema and Elephant need to take a panic test when seeing if must pursue. Neither do.

End of turn 3

Turn 4

Epirot win initiative.

Pikes charge the Legionaries (Note the Hypaspists needed to test to see if they will charge as they have less bases than the Legionaries).   Legionaries counter charge.  They can still get in a pilum throw as that is allowed to charging units.

A ramble on whether to charge with the Triarii or not (they do)
Now, from the Romans point of view, the Triarii need to charge the Agema and Elephant before the pikes turn up on their flank.  If they turn to face the oncoming pike block, they will get attacked in the flank by the Agema and Elephant.  So the Agema and Elephant can sit it out and wait for the Triarii to charge, but then they may not be able to counter charge, depending on the initiative.  Therefore, the Agema and Elephant want to charge to ensure they get the bonus but need to turn first, charging for both sides happen before normal moves. The Agema with Pyrrhus would easily pass the charge test but the Elephant would be charging as 1 base versus 5, and would need to roll a 5 or more on a d8 for success or be destroyed (it would lose one base, but is only one base).  BUT, the rules have special movement for Elephants within 6cm on an enemy where they will move in a random direction and distance, generally forwards and mostly 8-10cm.  So I should move Agema and Elephant close to the Triarii and hope the Elephant rampages into them.  The Elephant has a base combat value of 12, which is about twice as much as charging Agema get. So Agema and elephant do not move (yet).  Triarii could charge just the Elephant but range looks to be about 14cm.  Charge range is 12, and each extra 2cm over this lose a base, so if it is more than 14cm, Triarii will lose 2 bases. But this is the best chance for the Triraii to charge.  So I do.  Range to Elephant is just under 14cm, so lose a base. Move the general to the Triarii unit.
 

Agema wheel to face Triarii but cannot charge as that phase has passed.

Missile phase

Pilum throw is a 3 converts to a 2 on each: Hypasists roll a 1 and lose a base; Pikes a 4 - no losses.

 
Hypaspists, Pikes Vs Roman Heavy Infantry

Legionaries: 10 or 5 on each.  Hypaspists OK; Pikes roll and lose a base

Epiriot: 18 = 1 loss + roll for another loss = 2 losses. 

Romans lost 1 more and roll a panic test - fine.

Round 2: Epirot lose nothing but Legionaries lost another base, rolled a 1 for panic test and rout.  Note rout move occurs next turn.

Triarii and Elephant combat
Triarii lose a base, as does the Elephant.  As the elephant is only one base it is gone. Pursuit check for Triarii occurs next turn.

End of turn 4, after Elephant destroyed by Triarii

Turn 5

Epirot wins initiative.   Roman Legionaries rout move (12) through the Leves and then take a test to see if they rally (a 5 or more on a d8).  They pass and are rallied and will spend the next turn refacing (the most they can do after a rally). Neither Epirot unit pursues.  The Roman heavy infantry routed through the Leves but there are no rules on what to do if skirmishers interpenetrated by routing units, but a unit does take a panic test is a unit within 10mm routs, so each Leves unit takes a panic test and passes all rolls.

Triarii face-off the Agema

 
Agema charge the Triarii, Triarii counter charges. Leves now try to rally from evading.  They all do. Note that the test to rally from an evade is supposed to happen after the evade move.  Evading having to test is very clever as only skirmishers can evade, skirmishers are only one base unit's so they will pass the rally test on any number but a 1, and one a 1 they are destroyed.

Pikes, although not forced to pursue, move as fast as they can after the Legionaries. Leves about face and are just out of javelin range of the pikes...

Agema Melee:  Agema loses two bases in two rounds of combat, as does the Triarii.  The Agema started the combat with 2 bases, and so is gone.
 

End of turn 5 (note no Agema at lower right)

 

Turn 6

Romans win initiative.

The much-reduced Triarii has Pyrrhus in their sights

Triarii charges Pyrrhus (no rules against it and a general is counted as 2 strips/bases).
Pike and Hypaspists charge Leves who evade and all pass rally test to stop evading .  Pike and Hypaspists then charge into the rear of the legionaries are they are within 30mm of the front of the pike once the leves evaded.
 

Before melee

Pyrrhus defeats the Triarii
Triarii (2 strips+general in support) Vs general (2 strips). I will assume Pyrrhus has same stats as the Agema.  Pyrrhus countercharges.  Both inflict 6 hits on each other, so each roll a 1d12 to see is a strip is lost (on a 6 or less).
Triarii roll a 6, Pyrrhus rolls a 7, so Triarii lose a base and pass the panic test for losing more bases in a round. Round 2 sees both inflict 4 (using very different modifiers). Triarii  roll a 3, lose a base and are gone. Pyrrhus  rolls a 7 so OK.  Oh how easily is could have gone the other way! If I had rolled the dice in different order each round, Pyrrhus would have gone.


Pike and Hypaspists Vs Legionaries: (there is a +4 modifier for rear attacks in first round only) Pikes and Hypaspists lose nothing, Legionaries lose 3 bases, panic and rout.

Triarii gone (from left), Legionaries down to one base (centre)

Based on the fact the Romans have little left, I will give a victory to Pyrrhus.

Verdict
Fast and furious fun as expected.  More random than I expected but that is likely to a few extreme rolls and using only a small number of units.  I really think the game would play better on a 3'x2' or larger board.  Still great rules though.

Callinicum refight with Irregular Miniatures Ancients Rules

For Review of Irregular Miniatures Ancient Rules, see here.  I did play through the game listed below while writing the review.  I wanted to play at least one game so I see review how the rules worked rather than just reviewing what I read in the rules.

Using 15mm figures

The game is designed for 6mm with a 2mm option.  As I will be replaying Callinicum with 15mm on 40mm width bases, the following explains how I did the conversion.

The strip widths used for 6mm are as follows:

• Battle troops (5-8 strips) and auxiliaries (2-4 strips): 23mm to 30mm each.
• Skirmishers (1 strip): 35mm to 45mm each.

There are the two systems for unit depiction

1. system 1 where each strip for a unit is represented by an actual strip.
2. system 2 where battle troops and auxiliaries are 2 strips wide and skirmishers are one strip wide (strip loss is recorded by some sort of casualty maker).

So, for system 2, units will be 46mm - 60 mm wide except skirmishers that will be 35mm to 45mm.  Using 40mm wide bases for all unit types should be OK (skirmisher widths are about 30% less than the other units that is unlikely to effect play). 

Therefore, I will use single bases with 40mm width to represent all units and use casualty markers for strip losses.  Lastly, it is a game of unit versus unit rather than strip Vs strip so the rules should work fine so long as stands are not outrageously different to one another.

An interesting twist

I was going to use each stand being one unit.  I was going through how to best represent the Callinicum forces with each stand being one unit, you need to chose battle/auxiliary/skirmisher; then irregular/regular;A/B/C/D class; how armoured; weapons; and also how many strips in a unit - 5-8 for battle troops, 2-4 for auxiliaries, 1 for skirmishers.  As I was doing this and mapping them to deployment, I noticed that all the heavy cavalry was deployed in groups of 3 (Persian) or 2 (Byzantine).  This is conveniently between the 2-4 strips required for auxiliaries.  And the Skutatoi heavy infantry is the only battle troops and while deployed 3 stands wide, could easily put 3 stands behind this and now have a 6 strip battle troop.  The light infantry could have another strip behind it and be a 2-strip auxiliary and the light cavalry would be individual skirmishers.

Instead of have 12 Persian units and 13 Byzantine units, I would have 6 Persian units (3 heavy cavalry and 3 skirmishers) and 7 Byzantine units (1 heavy infantry, 3 heavy cavalry, 1 light infantry and 3 skirmishers).  This would play a lot faster!  I will play a game with the smaller number of units. Someday I will play nother game with each stand representing 1 unit.  It should still be fast.

So I am effectively playing a system 1 game.  Not sure if the conversion to 40mm wide bases holds up but at least the bases are all the same width.  Ah well...you go with what you have.

Callinicum system 1 forces

Persian

2 Heavy Cavalry - Auxiliary, Irregular, B class (d10), 3 strips, half-armoured horse, body, arm and leg armour, shield, bow
1 Elite Heavy Cavalry - Auxiliary, Irregular, A class (d12), 3 strips, half-armoured horse, body, arm and leg armour, shield, bow
3 Lakhmid Light Cavalry - Skirmisher, Irregular, C class (d8), 1 strip, unarmoured horse, shield, javelin
1 General - 2 strips, A class (d12), half armoured horse, shield, bow

Byzantine

1 Skutatoi heavy infantry - Battle troops, Regular, C class (d8), 6 strips, arm and leg armour, long spear, shield, bow

2 Heavy Cavalry - Auxiliary, Regular, B class (d10), 2 strips, unarmoured horse, body, arm and leg armour, shield, bow
1 Elite Heavy Cavalry - Auxiliary, Regular, A class (d12), 2 strips, unarmoured horse, body, arm and leg armour, shield, bow

1 Isuarian light infantry - Auxiliary, Regular, C class (d8), 2 strips, unarmoured, shield, javelin
3 Lakhmid Light Cavalry - Skirmisher, Irregular, D class (d6), 1 strip, unarmoured horse, shield, javelin
1 General - 2 strips, A class (d12), half armoured horse, shield, bow

A note on the class of troops (A/B/C/D).  I was going to give all troops 'C' class, except the elite cavalry a 'B', and the Ghassanids a 'D'.  Looking through a couple of army list from other rules around the same period as the Irregular Miniatures Ancient Rules, I found this might not be the way the rules would like it to be. WRG has the heavy cavalry at 'B' class by default and 'A' for the elites.  Might Of Arms has all the cavalry at 'B' class.  Warrior Kings has the heavy cavalry at a CV of 5 (which equates to B class).  So, although in my replay with warrior Kings I gave the heavy cavalry a CV4 (='C') and elites a CV5, maybe I should make the heavy cavalry by default B class, and the elites an A class.  I did this.  I will see how it plays out.  I based the armour by looking at some other army lists - WRG, Might of Arms, Medieval Warfare, and also referring to some Osprey and WRG army reference books.

Deployment, Persians on the left

On the Persian side from right flank to left with initial orders:

   1 unit heavy cavalry SLOW ATTACK

   1 unit heavy cavalry in reserve QUICK ATTACK

   1 unit elite heavy cavalry QUICK ATTACK

   3 units of Lakhmid skirmish cavalry QUICK ATTACK

On the Byzantine side from left flank to right with initial orders:

   1 unit Skutatoi heavy infantry SLOW ATTACK

   1 unit heavy cavalry SLOW ATTACK

   1 unit elite heavy cavalry SLOW ATTACK

   1 unit heavy cavalry SLOW ATTACK

   1 unit Isaurian light infantry SLOW LURE

   3 units of Ghassanid skirmish cavalry SLOW LURE

Note the Isaurian light infantry is deployed 2 strips/stands wide - under the rules if one stand was deployed behind the other, this would be a march formation - faster move, not good in combat.

The General is supposed to be 2 strips/stands - I have put an additional stand behind the general stand to remind me.  Generals attach to other units to add their strip value to panic tests rather than get into combat so this representation is hopefully fine.

The Persian Lakhmid skirmish cavalry have attack orders rather than lure as lure doesn't really allow for charging, and they will want to charge the opposing Ghassanids.

Camps are supposed to be deployed but are not relevant to the scenario so I have not used them.

Turn 1

Initiative
I will give the Persian's the initiative for turn 1 to reflect being the attacker. Turn 2 onwards will roll as normal for initiative.

Charges, Routs, Rallies, Pursuits
No rout or charges

Persian move
Lakhmid Light Cavalry move full distance and spread out.
The Heavy Cavalry all move up.  No wheels as that takes entire movement allowance.

Byzantine move
Moved up Skutatoi 1/2 their move allowance.
Moved up Heavy Cavalry next to them 1/2 as well.

Missile fire
While simultaneous, calculate Persian first, right to left:
Heavy Cavalry long range fires at Skutatoi: 2 (3 stands /2 rounded up) -1 firing while moving -1 target has arm/leg armour = 0.  No effect.
Therefore other Heavy Cavalry long range firing will have no effect.
Note: there is a +1 for medium range (1/3-2/3 ranged) and no -1 if not moved so there may be chances later on.

Byzantine left to right:
Skutatoi at opposing Heavy Cavalry: 3 (1/2 stands) -1 moving -1 armoured horse -1 arm and leg armour = 0.  No effect.
Other missile fire will also have no chance due to -1 for armoured horse and -1 for arm and leg armour.

Hand to hand fighting
No hand to hand.

End of turn 1

Turn 2

Initiative
Persians have 4 unengaged units, Byzantines 6.  Both commanders choose to add a d10. Byzantines win.

Charges, Routs, Rallies, Pursuits
Byzantine Heavy Cavalry have a 160mm charge range but Persians out of range.
The Persian Light Cavalry charge the Byzantine Light Cavalry one on one.  No charge test required as have same number of strips (1) as the Byzantines.  Stops 10mm away so pre-contact missile fire can occur.  Byzantines could counter charge but this would give them a -1 in missile fire (but this does mean they miss out on a +1 for countercharging in hand to hand fighting).

Byzantine move
Byzantine does no moves except attached general to a unit of Heavy Cavalry.

Persian move
Persians move up elite Heavy Cavalry veering slightly to the left and move the reserve Heavy Cavalry up.

Missile fire
Byzantine Light Cavalry fires at each opposing Light Cavalry : 1 for one strip +1 unarmored target +1 target unarmoured horse +2 short range -1 target moved 110mm or more =  4.  All Persian Light Cavalry pass casualty check (using d8).
Persian fire: 1 for one strip +1 unarmored target +1 target unarmoured horse +2 short range -1 firing while moving = 4.  Byzantine rightmost Light Cavalry fails, rest pass.

Remaining Byzantine:
The 2 Heavy Cavalry in centre will both target the Persian Elite Heavy Cavalry : 2 (4 strips/2) +1 medium range -1 target armoured horse -1 target arm/leg armour = 1. Persians pass.
Remaining Heavy Cavalry would have a score of 0 or less so I won't work it out.
Skutatoi : 3 (strips/2) +1 medium range -1 target armoured horse -1 target arm/leg armour = 2.  Persians pass.

Do the Persians:
Elite Heavy Cavalry on opposing Heavy Cavalry is a 1. Byzantines pass.
Reserve Heavy Cavalry vs opposing Heavy Cavalry is a 1: Pass.
Other Heavy Cavalry vs Skutatoi is a 1: Skutatoi roll a 2 which is 1 more than the number and so halt next move.

End of missile fire so move the 2 Persian Light Cavalry into hand to hand combat.

Hand to hand fighting
Edge Persian Light Cavalry vs Byzantine Light Cavalry:
Persian: 1 (strip) +1 charging +2 horse =4.  Byzantine fail (and are destroyed).

Note: if the Persians had initiative, they would have got a +2 for charging with initiative.
 
Byzantine: 1 (strip) +1 countercharging + 2 horse = 4.  Persians fail (and are destroyed).
Next Light Cavalry vs Light Cavalry has same scores; both Byzantine and Persian fail and are destroyed.

 End of turn 2

The rules are not clear, but when a unit is removed from the board due to casualties, it seems is not counted as a rout.  A rout seems to be only if a unit is actually routing by moving away from the enemy.  This is important as friends near friendly routing units may need to take panic tests.  As skirmishers are only one unit and a casualty will cause the unit to disappear, this means skirmishers do not cause friendly units to take panic tests when they are removed.  Clever. 

so..only one unit of Light Cavalry left on the board.

End of turn 2 (overhead view)

Turn 3

Initiative
Persians 4 units +d10 of 4, Byzantine 5 units + d10 of 9. Byzantines win.

Charges, Routs, Rallies, Pursuits
If the Persians charge while they have initiative, they get an additional +2 in hand to hand.  It doesn't apply this turn so is an opportunity for the Byzantines to charge the Persians while the later are disadvantaged.
Byzantine Heavy cavalry with general attempts to charge the opposing Elite Heavy Cavalry with general.  Need to pass charge test (4 strips vs 5). Passes but stops 10mm from the Persians for pre-contact missile fire.  Persian Elite Heavy Cavalry countercharge the Byzantine.
Persian Reserve Heavy Cavalry charge the opposing Heavy Cavalry , and stop 10mm away for pre-contact missile fire.

Byzantine move
Byzantine Light Infantry wheel to their right to protect flank against the Light Cavalry .
Byzantine Elite Heavy Cavalry move up closer.

Persian move
Light Cavalry move 160mm almost directly to the front, trying to outflank the Light Infantry.

Missile fire
From what I know from previous turns, I am just going to throw the die for the target unit, and if it is low actually work it out.
Skutatoi fire at opposing Heavy Cavalry: no effect.
Persian Heavy Cavalry return fire: no effect.
Persian Reserve Heavy Cavalry pre-contact missile fire: no effect.
Byzantine Heavy Cavalry return fire: no effect.
Persian Elite Heavy Cavalry : no effect
Byzantine Heavy Cavalry return fire: rolled a 1.  Better work it out: 1 (2 strips/2) +2 short range -1 firing while moving -1 target on armoured horse -1 target has arm/leg armour =  0 so could never hit (if moving).

Note: As I was tidying up the review, I noticed that a charging unit can only pre-contact missile fire if armed with javelin/pilum. A stationary target unit can missile fire with anything.  So if a unit is armed with bow, and charges or counter charges, there can be no missile fire.  The pre-contact missile fire that I did for the heavy cavalry above, and continue to do for the remaining turns, should not have occurred.  Oops. This is important as later on units lose strips due to pre-contact missile fire from charging units.  The charging light cavalry pre-contact missile fire is ok as they are armed with javelins - it is only the heavy cavalry that are all armed with bows.  Next time I will know better.

Hand to hand fighting
Do the generals and associated units first:
Note: It is not clear in the rules, but I'm assuming the generals do not add their 2 strips to the unit as they can add their strip value to the panic test (to increase the chance of passing).  But I do assume that generals on their own count as a 2 strip unit.   This is an important omission of the rules.  As it stands in rules, generals are useful in that they

• add a d10 roll to initiative (again, this is not clear as it says commanders may add the roll, so if the overall commander is lost, my assumption is you cannot roll the d10 for initiative)
• changing orders of a unit
• can modify the panic test for the better by subtracting their number of strips from the panic test (a good thing).  However, for cavalry battles, panic tests scores are often low and would usually pass.  But generals can make a critical difference between a chance of failure and no chance of failure.

I think that adding the general strips to a attached unit may be overkill.  However, I believe that possibly a general unit should be counted as a support unit in hand to hand fighting (support units add +1 in round 2 and +2 in round 3).  If I played it again, I would do this.

Byzantine: 2 (strips) +1 charging +2 horses +1 body armour + 1 arm/leg armour = 7.  Persians roll 7 (d12) and lose a strip at the end of the round.
Persian: 3 (strips) +1 counter charging +2 horses +1 body armour +1 arm/leg armour +2 half/fully armoured horse = 10.  Byzantines roll a 5 (d10) and lose a strip.
Losses are equal so on to round 2:
Byzantines: 1 (strip) +2 horses +1 body armour + 1 arm/leg armour +1 regulars= 6.  Persians roll 7 and do not lose a strip.  Note charging does not count in round 2 and regulars get a +1.
Persian: 2 (strips) +2 horses +1 body armour +1 arm/leg armour = 6.  Byzantines roll a 9 and do not lose a  strip. Note that 1/2 armoured horses do not get the +2 bonus after round 1 (only fully armoured horses do).
Losses are equal so on to round 3:
Byzantines - 1 (strip) +2 horses +1 body armour + 1 arm/leg armour +2 regulars= 7.  Persians roll 7 and  lose a strip.  Note regular bonus increases to +2 in round 3.
Persian - 2 (strips) +2 horses +1 body armour +1 arm/leg armour = 6.  Byzantines roll an 8 and do not lose a strip.

Persians lost the round and roll a panic test: 4 (which exceeds the number of strips lost) and so passes.

It was the third round and ended in stalemate so the lower class units retires 40mm (as classes are equal and unit are both one strips, I'm assuming the attacker  - Byzantines - retires)

 Generals facing off after combat (from Byzantine side)

Heavy Cavalry vs Heavy Cavalry in centre:

Byzantine: 2 (strips) +1 charging +2 horses +1 body armour + 1 arm/leg armour = 7.  Persians roll 3 (d10) and lose a strip at the end of the round.
Persian: 3 (strips) +1 counter charging +2 horses +1 body armour +1 arm/leg armour +2 half/fully armoured horse = 10.  Byzantines lose a strip.
Losses are equal so on to round 2:
Byzantines: 1 (strip) +2 horses +1 body armour + 1 arm/leg armour +1 regulars= 6.  Persians roll 2 and lose a strip.
Persian: 2 (strips) +2 horses +1 body armour +1 arm/leg armour = 6.  Byzantines roll a 4 and lose a strip and are destroyed.

End of turn 3

Turn 4

Initiative
Persians get initiative.

Charges, Routs, Rallies, Pursuits

The Persian single Heavy Cavalry charges the 2 Byzantine Heavy Cavalry .  It passes the charge test.

Persian Heavy Cavalry with general charges the opposing Heavy Cavalry with the general.

Light Cavalry charges the flank of the Light Infantry. Passes charge test.

Byzantine move
Byzantines only move is to turn the Light Infantry.
Again, rules are not clear, but I assume a charged unit can turn in the move phase but would not be able to counter charge.  As it cannot turn 90 degrees as it move allowance is not sufficient, I will still call it a flank attack.  Note I have found something that would be different with using 6mm figs as a 2 unit frontage would be about 60mm, not 80mm using the 15mm stands I have.  It would make turns a bit better.  I like restrictive turns though...

Persian move
None

Missile fire

Skutatoi at opposing Heavy Cavalry: no effect.  Return fire: no effect.

Byzantine Elite Heavy Cavalry at Persian Heavy Cavalry: no effect.   Return fire: no effect.

Byzantine Heavy Cavalry with general at Persian Heavy Cavalry: no effect.  Return fire: lose a strip (Byzantines rolled a 1 which is what was required).  Byzantine unit lost. Only general unit remains.  Note: As indicated earlier, the Persian unit charged and should not have fired at the Byzantine unit.

Light Cavalry at Light Infantry : no effect.  no return fire

Hand to hand fighting

Heavy Cavalry in the centre:
Byzantine: 2 (strips) +2 horses +1 body armour + 1 arm/leg armour = 6.  Persians roll 4 (d10) and lose a strip at the end of the round.  Unit is destroyed.
Persian: 1 (strip) +1 charging +2 horses +1 body armour +1 arm/leg armour +2 irregulars charging with initiative +2 half/fully armoured horse = 10.  Byzantines roll 5 (d12) and lose a strip.

Light Cavalry vs Light Infantry :
Byzantine: 2 (strips) = 2.  Persians roll a 5 (d8) and do not lose a strip.
Persians: 1 (strip) + 1 charging +2 horse troops + 2 irregulars charging with initiative +4 attacking flank = 10.  Byzantines automatically lose 1 strip (d8) and roll a 3 narrowly missing losing another strip.
Byzantines lost more strips and so undergo a panic test, which they pass.
No one routed so onto round 2:
Byzantine: 1 (strip) +1 regulars = 2.  persians roll a 7 (d8) and do not lose a strip.
Persians: 1 (strip) = 1.  Byzantines roll 4 (d8) and do not lose another strip.  Notice the large difference between round 1 and two for the Persians - if you don't get them in the flank on a charge in round one, you could be in trouble.
Loses are the same so round 3:
Byzantine score is a 4. Persians fails and loses a strip.
Persians score is a 1. Light Infantry fails (!).
Both units eliminated.

End of turn 4

Turn 5

Initiative
Byzantines win initiative.

Charges, Routs, Rallies, Pursuits
Byzantines Elite Heavy Cavalry turn and charge Persian Elite Heavy Cavalry in the flank. Persians cannot counter charge.

Byzantine move
Byzantine general attaches to the elite unit.

Persian move
Persian Elite Heavy Cavalry turns 90 degrees to face the Byzantines.
Other Persians Heavy Cavalry unit moves up to within cavalry charge range of the Skutatoi (but not within the infantry's charge range)

Missile fire
Only effect was Skutatoi lost a strip and the opposing Persian Heavy Cavalry also lost a strip (both rolled a 1).

Hand to hand fighting

The Generals face off

Byzantine: 1 (strip) +1 charging +2 horses +1 body armour + 1 arm/leg armour = 6.  Persians roll...12 (d12) and do not lose a strip at the end of the round
Persian: 1 (strip) +2 horses +1 body armour +1 arm/leg armour +2 half/fully armoured horse = 7.  Byzantines roll a 9 (d12) and do not lose a strip.
Round 2:
Byzantine score is 6. Persians roll 7, no strip loss
Persian score is 7, Byzantines roll 6 and lose a strip.  Unit is eliminated.

I decided to end the game at this point.  The generals could fight it out at this point but the Persians do have the advantage of one extra strip.  If they win, the Persians cavalry could charge the infantry in the flank which would weaken them enough that a charge by the remaining Persian heavy cavalry may finish them off.  Of course, the infantry might score well enough and eliminate the heavy cavalry.  But most units are gone already and really the game should be over by now.  Effectively a Draw.

For interest, here are the potential initial round scores if the game continued heavy cavalry charged the infantry in the flank:
Persian: 1 (strips) +1 charging +2 horse +1 body armour +1 arm/leg armour +2 charging with initiative + 2 horse half armoured +4 attacking flank = 14 which is almost certainly 2 losses to Skutatoi and a panic test of a 3 (3 strips lost).  Round 2 would be very different as most of the factors no longer apply.  It would be about a 3.
Byzantine: 5 (strips) +1 arm and leg armour +2 long spears = 8 which is a likely loss (and elimination of the Persian unit).
And then if the heavy cavalry charged in the front:
Persian: 2 (strips) +1 charging +2 horse +1 body armour +1 arm/leg armour +2 charging with initiative + 2 horse half armoured = 10 which would be 1 loss for the Skutatoi.
Byzantine: 3 (strips left after above combat) +1 counter charge +1 arm and leg armour +2 long spears =  8 which would likely be 1 strip loss for the Persians.
The Skutatoi would need to take a panic test as they lost a strip and at below 1/2 strength. With 4 strips lost they would need to roll a 5 or more on a d8. 50% chance.  If they pass, round 2 would look better for them as they have 2 strips, Persians have 1 and they will have about the same scores.  Would be interesting to play out but really, the game should have been over at end of turn 4.

Verdict
Aside from some mistakes in the rules (my excuse is it was my first game), it plays very smoothly. Missile fire is not overpowering, strips are lost all the time in combat (which I like to see) and the different mechanisms fit in very well together.  The rules suffer from some gaps, but not overly so and I plugged them with my own assumptions anyway.  I thought I might not like the different dice that are used.  I think the last time I seriously used something other than a d6 was about 15 years ago in Tractics.  Oh, and d10s in Fantasy Rules! last month.  But 4 dice types in one game?  I was fine and it was zero hardship to use.  It actually made it easy as the factors are the same, it is only the die you roll that is different.  It would play better with 15mm figures on a 3'x2' board where you would be able to utilise some different tactics (similar to Armati in that is plays OK on a 2'x2' but Armati Intro is better suited to 3'x2' for greater tactical usage).  But on a 2'x2', it played just fine and I had a great time.  I like them.  I would play these rules again and recommend them to anyone wanting a quick game that has a fair differentiation of troop types.  It really did require a game to understand how the rules really worked.

Irregular Miniatures Ancients Rules Review

Background

I have been meaning to get these for many years but just never seemed to actually get to do it.  Until AngelBarracks announced they would be making Irregular Miniatures rules available as a pdf.  At the moment I much prefer pdf - a fast fix, I have a netbook I cart everywhere and so, as a rules junkie, I can get to them whenever.  So I got the Irregular Miniatures Fast Play Ancient rules by Ian Kay the day after they were available.  But by then I had already started planning the Callinicum Armati refight. There is not much available on the internet about these rules.  The most I could find was some discussion on TMP (all favourable).  As these rules date from at least the early 90's, it is understandable there may not be much available electronically.

The PDF differs from the 'paper' copy in that the paper copy was 7 cards with the rules (based on the turn sequence with one side the rules, the other side examples of the rule) and one sheet of paper with setup and points.  The PDF is all the rules on 18 A4 pages.  My review is based on the PDF version.

Quality
The rules are well laid out and follow the turn sequence.  There are parts of the rules that are there, just not obvious and some that are missing.  Example - what is the class type of a general?  It isn't mentioned with the description of the general but is mentioned in the class description.  Counter-charges are mentioned but no description of how to do them. No army lists or examples, no terrain placement rules and no rules for ending the game.  The biggie is that different classes use a different die (d6, d8, d10 or d12) for panic tests and casualties determination.  This mechanism is mentioned as you go in the rules but you have to piece it together (at least in the DF version anyway).   I'll mention some I find as I go.  But all of these are actually only minor quibbles. They are cheap so I don't expect the quality of rule 10 times the price. All the rules you need to play are documented, the mechanisms all have examples that really do help.  One play through got me to understand what the rules were about, although I am sure there are tactical nuances I haven't grasped yet.  I liked the way the rules worked and would play them again.

Mechanisms
While they read a bit like WRG ancients they don't play like it at all.  There are only a few main troops types - battle, auxiliaries and skirmishers.  But there is a number of extra troop descriptions - 4 classes, regular/irregular, armour and weapons.  Units are made up of 1 to 8 'strips' (bases). Casualties result in strips loss  Each class also has associated with it a die - d6, d8, d10 or d12.  This die is used to determine casualties and also resolve panic (morale) and charge tests. So factors for missile, melee and panic tests are the same for all classes, but the higher the die, the less chance of casualties and the better chance of passing a panic test.

Each turn sees sides rolling for initiative, winner charges first, moves first; then a simultaneous missile fire phase and lastly a simultaneous melee phase.  Charges require units to roll a charge test against their class die. Missile fire only results in casualties.  The loser of melee must pass a panic test otherwise they rout. Melee in one phase can consist of up to three rounds of fighting if one side does not rout.

Army Lists

There are no army lists.  There are some examples of play which describe some unit types, but this is only enough to assist in describing a rule mechanism.  You are on your own for unit types, army composition etc.  However, there is a point system.

Basing

The rules are designed for use with Irregular Miniature 6mm strips/blocks,  It also mentions how to use with 2mm.   With only minor tweaking, the rules could be used with any size figures, so long as the basing on each side is the same.  My re-fight using these rules will be using 15mm figures and I'll explain on my battle report how I used 15mm figs.

There are two systems available to depict units - one systems uses a number of strips/blocks to make up a unit.  Casualties to units cause strips/blocks to be removed from the unit.  Strip loss also occurs from panic tests and failed charge tests.  The second system uses less figures - each unit is represented effectively by 2 strips/blocks, and strip casualties for the unit are recorded via roster sheets, casualty rings, casualty dice behind the unit etc.

Units

Types

There are 7 units types

• Battle Troops - Infantry intended to fight hand to hand.  Consist of 5-8 strips (each strip is 23mm-30mm for 6mm figures)
• Skirmishers - light troops that are not intended to fight hand to hand.  usually missile armed.  Can be infantry or cavalry or light chariots.  Consist of 1 strip that is 35mm-45mm wide.
• Auxiliaries - cavalry, chariots and infantry that are not battle troops or skirmishers. 2-4 strips (strip width as per Battle troops)
• Elephants. 1 strip
• Scythed Chariots. 1 strip.
• Artillery. 1 strip.
• Generals - a subcommander has 1 strip, a general has 2 strips.

Classifications

And two unit classifications:

• Regular - more maneuverable, stable combat bonus
• Irregular - can move faster and first turn melee bonus.

Classes

And 4 classes (with associated die):

• A - elites and roll d12
• B - veterans and roll d10
• C- average and roll d8
• D - raw and roll d6

The die is used to determine casualties an perform panic tests. If number of hits equals the die type, remove a strip; and also the chance of losing another strips for fractional casualties - e.g. 24 hits on a class B unit results in two strips lost and a roll of 4 or less on a d10 will remove another. Panic tests occur frequently and unit passes a panic test by rolling (on its die type) more than the number of strips lost (since the start of the game).

Armour and Weapons

Lastly, troops have armour and weapons.  The different options are buried in the point system.  but strips can be shield/shieldless,  armoured/half armoured/ arm and leg armoured/no armour.  However, although not in the point system, there are additional armaments a strip can be armed with as they exist as bonuses in the movement/missile and melee table. Examples:

Missile armed isn't mentioned, but in missile fire you can be armed with javelins, pila, crossbow, handgun, longbow, bow, sling.  So obviously these don't cost anything different but should be noted as part of the unit description.

Pikes move slower.

Lancers, long spears, pikes and two-handed weapons give combat bonuses but cost no more.  So these also form part of the unit type.

However, even though none of these arms are specifically mentioned in the troop classification, a strip armed with two types of weapons does cost +1 point.

Terrain and setup

There are no rules for deploying terrain.  Terrain effects are located in the section applicable to them e.g. missile fire into cover is -2,  moving in rough terrain or crossing obstacles is a movement penalty.

Battle units, non-skirmish cavalry and pike unit cross rough terrain suffer a strip loss (pikes suffer two losses) that is recoverable with no movement in the following turn.

A camp is required to be setup for each army to their rear.  A camp captured by the enemy and in LOS of a unit is detrimental to that units' panic tests.

There are rules for scouting based on a sides skirmisher and cavalry numbers.  If neither side is outscouted, each side deploys one unit at a time alternatively.  concealed units, or units hidden behind terrain, do not need to be placed on the table.  If one side is outscouted, the units are set out one for two alternatively, and one for three if completely outscouted.

Turn sequence

Turn sequence has initiative determined at the start of the turn.  The winner of the initiative moves first.  Missile fire is next and is simultaneous.  This is followed by simultaneous hand to hand fighting.

1. Establish initiative (side A wins)

2. Side A rout, charge moves

    Side B evade, rout, pursuit, charge move/tests

3. Side A normal moves

    Side B normal moves

4. Simultaneous missile fire

5. Simultaneous hand to hand fighting

6. Applicable strip recovery

Initiative is determined by comparing each sides initiative score.  This is the total number of unengaged units, plus a bonus for each village, wood and hill held, plus an OPTIONAL d10 roll that can be added or subtracted from the score.  Highest score wins.  So it can been seen there is room to try and position yourself to go second.

Orders

Orders are quite simple and of two parts.  Orders can only be changed by attaching the general to the unit.

Movement order is either

• QUICK: 1/2 to full
• SLOW: none to 1/2

Combat order is either:

• ATTACK: always charge or counter charge
• HOLD: attain a position and keep it
• LURE: evade all charges except by skirmishers/auxiliary.  In the latter case can counter charge.

Panic Tests

Panic tests are fairly common in a game turn,  which usually occur when a unit

• is trying to rally from a rout
• sees a nearby friend routs
• is less than 1/2 strength and loses a strip
• loses a round of hand to hand fighting

A unit passes a panic test by rolling (on its die type) more than the number of strips lost (since the start of the game). If a unit rolls lower, it loses a strip and routs if in hand to hand fighting.  An attached commander reduces a units strip loss number by the number of strips the commander is.

Moving

Rout moves (these occur first) are at a faster rate than normal movement.  After a rout move, the unit takes a panic test and if passes, it spends the next turn rallying.  Pursuit movement is normal move + a d6.  Units must pursue is fail a panic test.  Pursuing units may instead charge a new enemy is within 30mm of rout path.

No pre-measurement before charging.  If the target unit has more strips than the charging unit, a unit must pass a charge test before charging. If it fails the test, a strip is removed and the unit halts.  If the distance is further than the units charge movement allowance, lose a strip for each 20mm further.  Although the rules mention counter charging (in a header, order restrictions, and also for factors in hand to hand fighting and even in the hand to hand fighting example is mentions one side counter charged), I can find no mention of HOW or WHEN a unit counter charges.  The rules are absent on the actual mechanism for counter charging.  If I had to make an assumption (as I did when I was playing), I would say that side B can counter charge if side A unit charges at it (in the turn sequence, Side A charges, then side B). Based on this turn sequence,  I've also then assumed that side A cannot counter charge a charge by Side B. But does the counter-charger move towards the charger?  I've assumed not.  Lastly,  of course a unit must have the right order to counter-charge.  

Skirmish and auxiliaries may evade (evade move +1d6).

If charged or charging unit is capable of applicable missile fire (charging with javelin/pila/francesca or target with any missile weapon), units are put 10mm apart and missile fire resolved in part 4 of the turn sequence.

Movement distances are different for Pikes, battle troop infantry, auxiliary infantry, the different types of skirmishers, differently armoured horses, chariots and elephants.  There is a corresponding move distance if in rough terrain.  March (column) movement is faster for infantry and cavalry.  Units can veer up to 10% when moving forwards.  Example distances are 80mm for battle troops, 100m for infantry skirmishers and 160mm for cavalry skirmishers.

Regulars can wheel 90 degrees, about face, mount/dismounts, change formation, and then make 1/2 move.

Irregulars can do what regulars do for a full move, or 1/2 move and lose a strip.

Skirmishers can interpenetrate.

There are a number of formations that a unit can use (at least if using system 1 for basing) with the most common being a line (2 units wide at a minimum).  Germans, Romans and Viking can use a wedge and get a bonus in combat.  Skirmishers can form a circle that allows all the strips to missile fire at a target. Pikes can setup in a phalanx (single column) but initially I could not see any benefit to doing so - in system 1 there probably isn't; in system 2 it allows for a lot of strips on a single strip frontage (all of a unit's strips count in melee so multiple phalanx units can have more strips on the  same frontage compared to another battle troop unit deployed in a line (minimum 2 strips wide).  All units can form up in a march column for bonus movement rates.

Missile fire

Resolved simultaneously.

Ranges are different (with some examples in parentheses) for artillery (480mm), crossbow/longbow, foot bows (240mm), mounted bows, slings, handguns and javelins/darts (45mm).

For all units firing at the same target, add up all the strips and divide by 2, rounding up.  Add some modifiers for range (3 ranges - short, medium, long), target protection, movement.  Crossbows, slings and handguns treat armoured targets as unarmoured.  There are no dice rolled to add a random element.  Missile fire does not cause panic tests - its role it to wear down the enemy with strip loss.

Casualties are removed based on class.

If 1 above the inflicted number is rolled, the unit halts next move.

Except for pre-contact fire, I found in my replay the missile score totals were quite low (3 or less and more commonly 1).  For C class units using a d8, a 2 is only a 25% chance of a strip loss, and for B classes (d10) this is only a 20% loss.  Although ranges are long, for cavalry troops moving there is usually only one or two shots, for infantry this would be closer to 4 shots. It is similar to Armati and WRG Ancients in the respect of missile fire opportunities.

Hand to Hand fighting

Nothing about how bases line up - assume corner to corner front (as per WRG 7, DBM etc).  Nothing about what happens when a two units are attacking one - how does each of them do hand to hand fighting.  I've assumed that you would simply split your total factors between the enemy nits while the enemy units would be worked out individually and then totaled.

Each unit totals their hand to hand combat score.  This is +1 for each strip left in a unit and a list of about 20 additional factors, all cumulative.  These include charging, horse troops, opponents shieldless, the armour worn, type of weapon being used, regular/irregular. As per missile fire, there is no random factor added as a die roll.  Casualties are lost based on class as per missile fire.

If the strip losses are equal, another round of hand to hand fighting occurs immediately. If one side lost more strips, it takes a panic test.  On failure it routs during next rout phase.  If it passes, another round of hand to hand fighting occurs immediately.  If three rounds of hand to hand fighting occur with neither side routing, the lower class unit moves back 40mm.  If both units are the same class, it does not indicate what happens.  In my replay, I  assumed the unit with less strips, and then the attacker.

The interesting thing is that the factor score may change depending on whether is is round 1, 2 or 3 of hand to hand fighting. Some don't change e.g. number of strips, armor worn, opponent shieldless. Others do such as irregulars charging with the initiative get +2 in the first round but nothing for subsequent rounds; regulars get nothing in the first round but +1 in the second round and +2 in the third round.  Horses only get their specific bonuses in the first round. Long spears, pikes only get a +2 bonus in the first round.

Units in hand to hand fighting can be supported by other units to the rear but this factor only kicks in in the second and third round.

Skirmisher units are only 1 strip so once in hand to hand fighting, there will be no routs - one or both side will either be eliminated or both will survive 3 rounds.

Auxiliaries and cavalry in small strip units (they can have a maximum of 4 strips) goes differently.  If one side loses a strip in a round, then it undergoes a panic test.  As this is based on strips lost, they only have to roll higher than a 1 (first loss) or a 2 (for a second loss) on their die (d8 for the common C class).  So a unit will usually pass the panic test and fights continue into another round.  After 3 rounds, it is possible for a unit to be eliminated (unlikely) or more commonly be reduced in strips, pass all panic tests and then the units separate.  So routing does not happen very often for these units either.

But, between infantry battle troops, this is where routing can happen as the starting point for the unit is 5-8 strips, and panic tests are based on the total number of strips lost, so after a few rounds (also likely spread over 2 turns) the unit will need to be rolling above a  3 or 4 or even 5 on their die.  A lot harder to pass.
So routing is more common in the clash on infantry battle lines but will take several turns.  Cavalry/Light infantry losses occur faster with elimination rather than routs, and skirmishers disappear fast if in combat.