Wednesday, May 20, 2015

Arena Games' Gladiatorial Combat - Play-tested At Last

Well, with only a day or so before Enfilade! (the local "big" historical convention), I was finally able to play-test the rules for the gladiator game I'll be hosting on Saturday night. Actually, it's more of a familiarization of the rules, as these are not new rules and by all accounts has worked well at other conventions in it's almost 15 year history. I just needed to get familiar with the play-action. This all thanks to one of the younger guys here at work - an OIF veteran and budding gamer with a love of Roman history, of all things.
There are enough gladiator figures for 12 players, but as this was an initial game for both of us, we just chose one figure each. I played a Murmillo and Joel (the OIF vet) played a Retiarius - figured he's smarter and can figure out the special rules for throwing and entanglement weapons. We both ended up with the same Activation Points with our D6 rolls - although my Murmillo was armored much heavier than his net man. Speaking of D6's - that was the one item I had overlooked to bring to work. I did have a six-sided Direction die and with the trusty label maker printed out numbers for that lone D6. We ended up rolling the one D6 multiple times for the six wounds for each hit.
Note: I wasn't sure which number goes on which side of the die
As always, no matter how simple the rules are, it is great to not only play-test them, but also have someone else's take on it. After a couple of turns, Joel asked, "What about the Stamina Point boxes?" Refer quickly to the rules. "Oh...got it, ah, that's pretty simple and makes sense." I'll also host the Actium game on Friday afternoon and Saturday morning. I haven't touched that game since the playtest a few months ago. Oh well, it's pretty simple too. I should be able to posts some stuff once at the convention.

18 comments:

  1. That is a most handsome setup!
    You are going to be busy during your Enfilade! weekend.
    Have fun!

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    1. Thank you very much for the encouraging words, Jonathan. Regards, Dean

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  2. It's a good thing you took the time to run through this again as you surely would have missed having those dice at the con.

    You're hosting thee games altogether. Hoping you have a good time and get a little shopping in as well!

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    1. Thanks, Anne. I had pre-packed the stuff or the games a while ago. Including two sets of D6 dice in the box for the Actium game. As the Actium games are scheduled before the gladiator game at the con. I will definitely check everything again prior to heading out on Friday. Warm regards, Dean

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  3. All the best for the game Dean, it looks like fun. You were very wise to play it through beforehand too. Reading rules is one thing, but playing them can often be quite different!

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    1. Thanks, Paul. I am also happy play testing right before the event so it's still fresh in my memory. Regards, Dean

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  4. Looks great! and Gladiators minis are beatiful!

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    1. Thanks, Michal. Appreciate your kind words. Regards, Dean

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  5. Neat setup combining tabletop gaming with miniatures - We've got a few guys here at our club also experimenting with round wargaming tables.
    While it's a natural format for the gladiator arena, it's also esthetically pleasing for other skirmish/smaller scale games.

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    1. Thanks, Soren. At the convention, the table will be 5X8' so not as aesthetically nice, but will have room for up to 12 players surrounding the mat - with almost certain drinks, food stuffs and other accouterments :) Note the convention "friendly" plastic sheet over the mat. Regards, Dean

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    2. Haha, yep that's needed. It takes courage, only know to us hobbyists spending hours at the painting table, to bring ones babies to a convention for crisp-eating strangers to fiddle with :0)

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  6. Have fun with your Gladiator and Actium games Dean!

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    1. Thanks, Mike! I went over all the gear for the games last night - will give them one more final check before heading out tomorrow morning. Regards, Dean

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  7. LOL dont leave it till the last minute. Always a good idea to have a game just to make sure you have everything nailed down. Good luck with your demo's and dont forget to take some time to spend a few dinari with the traders and have a look at whats hot at the moment and let us know what the cool kids are playing.

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    1. Thanks for your words of wisdom, Dave. Best, Dean

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    2. Wisdom, moi? Bwaaaahahahahahaaaaa

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  8. Good choice for a participation game, the figures look superb. Look forward to hearing how it went.

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    1. Thanks, Pat. I think it is a nice break from more intense games - particularly as this will be on the final night of the con - folks are probably looking forward to just socializing and relaxing. Regards, Dean

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