Table dimensions and distances in the example scenarios

[mazikainen]

Hi all,

I know we are given free reign to do what we wish with the rules, but it would still be helpful to know what the table size in the example scenarios in the book is, and how far apart the forces are. I haven't found any hints on this and would like to try out the rules using those scenarios and cardboard units. I think, however, that it's kind of important for scenario balance to know whether the deployed lines are/can be within 3 moves of each other or more. Are they 36" apart as I read was recommended somewhere in the book for a normal pitched battle? I'd like to start with the peloponnesian war scenario from the book but it would be helpful to know how far apart the lines are. Does anyone have any insight on this?

-mazikainen

[rick priestley]

Most of the games were played on Alan or Michael Perry's wargames table - both six feet wide and usually ten or twelve feet long depending on how its set up.

The Sassanid game and the Roman/Celt game were played on John Stallard's table - which is more like five feet by ten if I remember right - it does depend on how things are set up. The Roman/Celt game was re-photographed after the event - the Sassanid game was photographed as we played.

Three feet apart is good for a very standard type of 'line em up' style game - basically both sides deploying within six inches of the table edge of a four foot wide table. That's a realistic table size of most people I think (including me!). The games in the book are all much more narrative apart from the Sassanid game - which is fairly close to a line 'em up game - so the sides start off often much further apart. Three feet puts both armies out of 3 moves at the start of the game - which is what I'd aim for.

Rick

[mazikainen]

Thanks for the clarification! I'm tinkering with the idea that I'd make a set for Hail Caesar with 6mm minis and by doing a straight conversion of 1 inch -> 1 cm. This would give me a small table size that I could fit comfortably on a dinner table. I'll just have to play a couple of test games to see if measuring 6 centimeter movements gets too fiddly. It should be no problem as there's no need to calculate wheeling costs.