Sunday, February 15, 2015

Battle of Actium - Set-up


Just a preliminary set-up for another game I've committed to host at the annual local convention, Enfilade!, in May. I used some cork board with dried coffee grounds for the shoreline just to give the game a bit of aesthetics. I also ordered some Irregular 2mm Romans and a marching fort to place on the terrain. Looking forward to painting up the little guys as the smallest scale I've painted so far is 15mm. Anyway, here's the initial deployment - well, actually I'll have Antony's forces a bit further out from the shoreline, and Octavian's forces further apart from Antony's. Just wanted to have everything in the photo op.
Most of the ships are CinC which I scored from an old TMP sale. The command ships are Langton, and several ships as well as Cleopatra's are Valiant/Ramming Speed
Still working on the Victory Conditions, but one element will be Cleopatra escaping with her treasure ships.
View from the shoreline occupied by Octavian's land forces - Antony's large command ship offshore.

A bird's eye view from the shoreline.
Arruntius facing Octavius in the center, with Cleopatra and her treasure ships in the rear.
I have a home brew set of fast-play rules based a bit on Hail Caesar and Diadochi. Movement will be hexed based using a nice Hotz mat, of course, which should make movement cleaner and faster. The map below shows Octavian with Agrippa on their left flank, but I have Octavian on the right for the game. I may have his actual placement unknown to Antony's forces, with a Victory Condition being his capture or destruction. I've seen differing numbers of ships involved from various sources. For this game, they'll be close in number for each side. The main difference will be classing more of Antony's fleet with larger vessels.
A play-test will follow soon, and I'll be sure to post the results.

26 comments:

  1. Looks pretty good, Dean.

    If the cork was flat it would be perfect, almost in scale also! I will try to remember that for when I finally get to that point myself.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks, Greg. Yeah., the cork is a bit flexible, so I should have straightened it for the photos. Regards, Dean

      Delete
  2. Looks like its gonna be a fun game Dean.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks, Ray. I hope so, it'll be hosted at a convention, so the rules will be simplified a lot. Best, Dean

      Delete
  3. Impressive set-up for this famous battle!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you, Phil. I must say it's stuck with me ever since watching the Hollywood version in Cleopatra Regards, Dean

      Delete
  4. Looks fantastic. Should make for an interesting game.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks! I sure hope so - as I'm hosting it in two periods at Enfilade! Regards, Dean

      Delete
  5. Looks great! We went on holiday near there a couple of years ago, and the flight took us right over the battlefield.

    Coffee grounds; how do you use them, Dean? I throw tons away every day and am intrigued about the prospect of recycling them for gaming. :-) Best, Simon

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks, Simon. Bet the aerial view was inspiring. As for the coffee grounds - I spread the used grounds out onto a Dollar Store cookie sheet to dry. Once dried I keep them in a plastic container. It's applied as ground work just like sand - watered down PVA and then flocked with the grounds. I like it as it is courser and more irregular than sand. Best, Dean

      Delete
  6. Beautiful collection and inviting setup, my dice hand is urging to roll some sixes!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks, Soren. Yes, it'll be play-tested this coming Saturday. I'll endeavor to take photos of the game and post an AAR. Regards, Dean

      Delete
  7. Looks like it will be an enjoyable game Dean. Can't wait to see it in May.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks, Vic. I see you're planning some great games for the con too. Best, Dean

      Delete
  8. Replies
    1. Thanks, Simon. Appreciate the kind words. Best, Dean

      Delete
  9. Looks very nice. Awaiting the battle report!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you for the visit and interest, Bartek. Much appreciated and will surely post the report. Warm regards, Dean

      Delete
  10. Replies
    1. Thanks, Aaron. All of your wonderful Roman posts on your blog kept my interest in this game. Best, Dean

      Delete
  11. Good looking setup. Hex based movement for naval games is the way to go. Hope we get a few BatReps in test games before the main events at Enfilade!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks, Jonathan! I've only played a few naval games, but some it seems most of the locals abhor hex mats for these. found it very laborious using various turning templates and such for an ACW naval game. My head hurt ;) Regards, Dean

      Delete
  12. Some nice looking models there, Dean. Someone should publish their photos. :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks, John. You may be on to something there! Best, Dean

      Delete
  13. Very impressive work - back to Lilliput! ;) I´ll be anxiously waiting for those extra-tiny Romans - I didn´t even know so small a scale existed...!!! Warm regards!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you very much! I am looking forward to those wee-Romans! Regards, Dean

      Delete