[ STILL REVISING : CURRENTLY ONE LONG FILE : COMMENTS TO
netvike@hotmail.com]
=
1. INTRODUCTION =
=
2. THE BOARD =
=
3. BASING THE MODELS =
4. CREWMEN =
=
4.1. SHIPS CREW =
4.2. FIGHTING CREW =
4.3. ADMIRALS AND COMMANDERS =
4.4. CREW QUALITY =
4.5. CREW DEPLOYMENT =
4.6. TOWERS =
4.7. SEAMANSHIPS TEST =
5. MARKERS =
6. ACTIVITY CARDS =
=
7. GAME SEQUENCE =
8. MOVEMENT
8.1. MINIMUM MOVES
8.2. MODIFICATIONS TO MOVEMENT
8.3. TURNING IN PLACE
8.4. USING THE MOVEMENT TEMPLATES
8.5. WIND AND CURRENTS
9. SHOOTING
9.1. SHOOTINGRANGES
9.2. SHOOTING ARCS
10. DAMAGE TO OARSMEN
11. COLLISION
11.1. SHIPPING OARS
11.2. SHEARING ATTACKS
11.3. SHIPPING OARS
11.4. SHEARING TACTICS
11.5. RAMMING
11.6. HOLES
11.7. GRAPPLING
11.8. BREAKING AWAY
11.9. CORVUS
11.10. BOARDING ACTIONS
11.11. HOW TO FIGHT A DECK ACTION
11.12. FIGHTING OARSMEN
11.13. UNGRAPPLING
12. SINK OR SWIM
12.1. BURNING SHIPS
13. ANTI-PERSONNEL WEAPONS
14. TACTICS
15. MODIFICATIONS TO HOTZ SHIPS
16. FIGURES
17. SCALES
18. WEBSITES
19. APPENDIX 1. SHIP CHARACTERISTICS
20. APPENDIX 2. SHIP DECK PLAN DIAGRAMS
1.ANCIENT SEA BATTLES ON THE TABLE TOP : INTRODUCTION
These rules are written with the aim of providing a fast-moving and
exciting ancient sea battle between the galleys used in classical times. In
large part they were inspired by Eric Hotz's splendid models.
Each model represents one ship and the fighting troops on each are a=
lso
represented on the table.
The ground scale is about 1/300 and a turn about one minute.
Some markers are used to indicate speed and status. The aim is to ha=
ve
absolutely no off-table record keeping, everything should be apparent from =
the
model. At the same time I have sought to avoid lots of numerical counters w=
hich
detract visually from the game and try to suggest using markers which are n=
ot
out of place on the table.
All cards and dice used should be coloured blue and or wave patterne=
d so
that they do not spoil the aesthetics of the wargame table when left lying =
on
it. Alternatively each player should have a small 'island' with a screen
painted as mountains to hide his trash behind
The game should be fast-paced and in the close-action phases confused
and desperate. I have tried to avoid minutiae of detail whilst retaining en=
ough
for period flavour. The game is about the movement and fate of the ships and
not individual crewmen or marines.The concept is that the player can - inde=
ed
has to - learn to manoeuvre his sh=
ips in
a realistic way.
2.THE BOARD
The game is played upon an ungridded board. There are advantages wit=
h a
grid, amongst them being the avoidance of measuring disputes. I chose to st=
ay
away from elements that made the game become more like a board-game and all=
ow a
more naturalistic setting.
The board should be flat and smooth to allow the models to slide eas=
ily.
Land can be marked by a thin layer of carpet or linoleum placed on the 'sea=
'.
Paint them artistically - look on the internet for pictures of the
Mediterranean sea seen from above. The land should have scenic features to
improve the look of the game.
It is possible to put a good wave pattern onto the board using a pai=
nt
roller and streaking it along its length with successively lighter blue pai=
nt
mixes. Each time working the roller until it has no more paint and keeping =
the
wave 'crests' aligned to produce a realistic pattern. The last layer can be
very thin lines with white in areas where the water may be more choppy.
The board should have dark areas of deep water, light areas of shall=
ow
water and an overall rippled or wavelet texture. Give land areas a zone of
shallow water around them indicated by acetate- painted underneath - or
sandpaper for beaches.
Rocks can be indicated by jumbled broken cork glued together or real
gravel.
Strong currents can be indicated, especially through narrow channels=
. if
the ship is progressing with or against a strong current then its speed and
turning will be affected. Paint streaks of whiter or darker water which bec=
ome
fragmentary and diffuse in the direction the current flows. ships with based
partly on this ornament are affected. Whirlpools could also be marked.
3.BASING THE MODELS
The models should be based in a specific way however, a piece of pai=
nted
paper could be placed under existing bases your models may have in order to
'convert' them temporarily to the requirements of 'Wooden Walls'.
I use cork floor tiles. Other materials will suit but cork tiles have
some advantages:
Rough surface is used to glue ships securely and
provide a sea-surface texture.
Smooth back allows model to slide easily.
Marker pins can be stuck-in and removed - any marks
easily filled with a dab of paint.
Light weight, water resistance.
They float. Important if you get carried away and =
use
your ships in the bath !
The length of the base is the same as the ship (perhaps plus 2mm). T=
his
means that two ships BOW-to-Bow will have their bow sprits or rams just
touching but not so that the models
damage each other when placed adjacent.
The width of the base is the same as the ship plus 5mm. This allows =
the
model to be picked up without fingers touching the oar sections each time. =
In
addition, there is just space to allow you to paint some 'oar splash'
decoration on the base edge.
The front and rear of the model are cut back at an angle which remov=
es
the corners and makes the whole base into a 'stretched octagon'. The front =
edge
is half the base-width wide with the corners cut of at swept back at 30
degrees. The rear edges are half the width of the base - the corner segments
formed simply by cutting back from the edge at 45 degrees.
From now-on we can call the front edge the BOW. The rear edge is the
STERN. The side edges are referred to as the port(left) and starboard(right)
BEAM. The intervening sides are the 'QUARTERS'. The 'back left corner side'=
of
the base should now correctly be termed the 'stern, port quarter.'
4.CREWMEN
4.1Ships Crew
These are the sailors, oarsmen and officers. They are not represente=
d by
figures but their competence affects how well the ship performs. Each ship =
has
a rating which indicates the quality of its captain and crew ( but not the
marines or shooters ).
First Rate crews : Outstanding seamen with great experience.
Able : Experienced and competent.
Second Rate : Inexperienced or unwilling.
Paint the back edge of the base with a colour to indicate this.
You could use : 'no added colour' =3D Able ship, 'White' =3D Second =
Rate,
'Pale Blue' =3D First Rate crew. Using acrylic paints allows this grading t=
o be
done before every battle and cleaned or painted over for the next. This way=
the
opponents are uncertain of the quality of the enemy before they close with =
him.
Players may not look closely at enemy ships except from angles where their =
own
ships lie on the table.
4.2Fighting Crew : Marines, Shooters and Engines
These are soldiers trained for close-combat, troops skilled in using
missile weapons and ballistae ,along with their crews, respectively. All
Marines can throw missiles.
These may be graded Picked Men, Experienced or Poor quality. They mu=
st
also be declared to be armoured or unarmoured and equip ped with shields or
not.
They should be positioned on the ship as required to allow them to s=
hoot
where the player wants. They may be repositioned at the end of a movement p=
hase
except for engines which cannot be moved around.
4.3Admirals and Commanders
Within each fleet there must be an overall commanders ship with a
standard flying. Sub-commanders of flotillas must also display a standard.
Flotilla commanders do not influence ships not under their command.
4.4CREW QUALITY
Crews must be classified for quality. This is the captain, seamen and
oarsmen - the marines and shooters are classified separately.
First Rate : Rhodians, the best Carthaginians
Able : Most experienced crews.
Poor : Inexperienced, untrained or disaffected crews.
Fatigued or diseased crews drop one level for the battle.
4.5Deployment of Fighting Crew
There are limits as to how many elements can occupy each area on a s=
hip
as listed in the appendix.
4.6Towers
Ships may have towers erected. Towers each form another deck area. T=
he
capacity of a tower is limited to two elements.
4.7SEAMANSHIP TEST
At some points in the game a ship must test, for example to ship oar=
s to
avoid raking. In these cases the ship must make a Seamanship Test. A dice t=
hrow
must achieve the following scores:
First Rate : 3 or more Ab=
le : 5
or more Poor: 6 or more
( can change )
5.MARKERS
The following markers are needed to play.You may have better suggest=
ions
for what could be used. The aim is for the marker to be visually unobtrusive
but clear and logically related to what it represents.
Turning Templates : These often end up lying around on the table. It=
is
important that they are coloured the same as the playing surface and have a=
ny
annotations in discreet colours.
Marines : small groups of 3 or 4 men. Can be paper=
or
other material. Each stands for 10 real men.They must stand on the model's =
deck
along with......
Shooters : small groups of 2 or 3 men or a
catapult/ballista and its crew. Each represents 5 real men or one engine.
Grappling hooks : little metal grapnels with 15cm =
of
cotton rope attached to a small weight.
Grappling gear markers. Two grappling hooks or flat
counters with a convincing picture printed on that are small enough to sit =
on
the deck of a ship so-equipped. 10x10mm.
Holes : Black circular counters. Small, medium and
large are needed. Could be something which fits on the side of the ship - s=
till
working on that one....
Morale flags : These could go into the mast hole o=
r be
somehow mounted on the stern. They are scale-sized flags in red(panicked sh=
ips)
and yellow(wavering ships).
Fire must be represented. Use cotton wool dyed grey
and with splots of red and yellow flame. Three sizes are needed for small
medium and large fires.
Wrecks : sunken ships do not disappear, they usual=
ly
float at water level. Use a printed ship-shaped flat card the same size as =
the
sunken ship or make a model by using the top off a Hotz model.
Ship Speed Indicators : These are ball-headed pins
stuck into the cork base near the stern of the ship. Cut them short so only=
the
ball shows or leave them long for ease of removal. Red are needed for Rammi=
ng
Speed, Blue for Cruising, Manouevre and Dead Slow ( 3,2,and 1 blue pin
respectively) and White for Backing. Alternatively use dolphin markers the =
same
way.
Damaged Oars : can be indicated by laying a piece =
of
thin black card or card with broken oars on it over the relevant section. I=
t is
also possible to build the ship with sections of oar detachable or have 3 b=
anks
for each side of each ship showing various amounts of damage . This may be =
too
much work though !
Ship-has-moved-this action-phase : Use a flat mark=
er
with dolphins swimming on or small models.
Sunk Ships : Use a model side-on on a base. Drifts
with current.
So many markers ! But they =
help
make the game function easily and look good. Keep them in a box - one for e=
ach
player - which is disguised as a building on a small island in their side of
the table, within reach. Keep the aesthetics in good order !
6.ACTIVITY CARDS
To determine which ships are moving and acting a set of 6 cards is u=
sed.
Made up as follows:
1x MOVE 1,4,3,2, STOPPED (IN THAT SEQUENCE)
1X MOVE 2,4,3,STOPPED
1X MOVE 3,4,STOPPED
1X MOVE 4,STOPPED
1X MOVE BACKING
1 x FATE
7.GAME SEQUENCE
The game comprises several 'rounds'. Each round is made up of 5 'act=
ion
phases',one random event
( FATE ) and the 'SinkORSwi=
m'
check, when ships damage and morale is checked.
In each action phase some ships can move, board, shoot etc.
One card is turned actions for those ships are concluded.
Second card is turned actions for those ships are concluded.
Deck Action Phase Do SHOOTING,GRAPPLING,BOARDING in that order
Card 3
Card4
Deck Action Phase
Card 5
Card 6
Deck Action Phase
The FATE card will have been turned and acted-upon at some point a=
lso.
SinkORSwim Phase
That concludes a round. Shuffle the cards and start again.
On each card is a sequence of ship speeds indicating the sequence in
which ships should each be moved one ship length. When 4 is shown move ships
with a red speed pin, for example.
Within each action phase players alternate, moving one ship each. Di=
ce
to see which player is first, the player who was second last go throws two
dice.
Ships which have been moved can have a dolphin marker placed on their
base to remind players.
8.MOVEMENT
All ships move the same distance in each move segment but ships movi=
ng
at different speeds get to move in a different number of move segments. Thu=
s,
those currently at Ramming speed can move in four segments but those at Dead
Slow only in one.
The turning template has sides 10cm - one 'ship length' long to aid
measurement.
8.1MINIMUM MOVES
Ships must move a minimum distance according to their current speed.=
RAM - 3/4 CRUISE - 2/3 MANOEUVRE - 1/2 SLOW - 1/4
Ships can turn through a certain angle with each movement segment.
Change in direction is limited by using the TURNING TEMPLATE. The ship's
direction can be anything within the limit shown by the turning template bu=
t in
each action phase the turn must be made before any forward movement.
Speed Limits : variations allowed within one move segment
( alternative values are listed in parentheses , use either set but =
do
not mix both )
Ship Maximum<=
span
style=3D'mso-tab-count:2'> Halted/Slow Faster
Type Increase=
Turn Turn
One bank 1 90(90) 60(60)
Two 2 90(60) 60(45)
Trireme 3 60(45) 45(30)
Quad/Quin 2 60(30) 45(22.5)
Larger 1 45(22.5) 30(22.5)
It IS possible to change speed within a round - speed may be adjuste=
d at
the end of an action phase.
There is a sliding scale for turning capabilities :
Turn angles - 90 - 60 - 45 - 30 - 22.5 - 10
8.2MODIFICATIONS TO MOVEMENT RATES
Ships with more than half the maximum number of deck crew ALWAYS move
the minimum amount for their speed.
Damage and crew quality can affect capabilities.e.g. Poor crews alwa=
ys
use 1 class lower, First Rate crews one class higher.
8.3TURNING IN PLACE
Ships turning when stopped pivot on their centre, not the shoulder.
Actually they should go astern slightly but we will ignore this for the sak=
e of
clarity. Better ships can pivot faster, larger ships pivot more slowly. The
chart below tells you how fast.
TURN IN PLACE
SHIP ANGLE
PER ACTION SEGMENT
ONE BANK and SMALL=
90
TWO BANK =
60
THREE BANK =
45
FOUR BANK AND LARGER 22.5
up one class for FIRST RATE crews
down one class for POOR crews
8.4USING THE MOVEMENT TEMPLATES
Ships are moved using a template.
Lay a move template along side the ship with the ship icon on the
template aligned the same way as the model.
If just moving straight ahead it does not matter which side the temp=
late
is on.
If the ship is to turn place the template on the side the ship will =
turn to.
Make sure the dot in the template angle is matched to the shoulder of
the model base.
If the ship is to move ahead, simply advance the model until it has
advancd 10cm. . The template sides are each 10cm - use them as rulers.
If the ship is to turn you must swing the model's stern round whilst
keeping the shoulder of its base snug against the dotted angle of the turni=
ng
template.
The maximum turn is reached when the beam edge is aligned with the
offset edge of the turn template.
It might not be desirable to turn through the maximum angle, simply
advance the model past the shoulder of the template - slide it past - until=
it
has advanced 10cm.
It may not be possible to swing the ship's stern through the desired
angle because another ship is in the way. Unless the player declares an
intention to collide he must advance the ship after moving through a lesser=
angle.
Ships can turn at any point in the move as long as the total angle
turned does not exceed their limit.
To keep control of this, mark a blue dot at 10cm along the side of e=
ach
base, from the hip point to the stern. If the ship advances keep a note of =
how
many cm it has advanced then, if the template is repositioned at the should=
er
for a turn later in the move just add-on this used amount until the total=
is
the maximum of 10 for the whole move segment.
Remember! Ships can change direction as many time as desired as long=
as
the distance travelled does not exceed 10cm in that segment and any one tur=
n is
not greater than that allowed for that ship at that speed.
It is important that both players observe the movement of the models.
You will become proficient in assessing what is possible, moving the models
smoothly, and avoiding real or simulated pile-ups !
N.B. If the ship is stopped then the point of turning is instead
half-way down the beam edge ! If the ship is backing, the point of turn is =
the
hip point.
8.5Wind and Currents
Currents are marked on the table as described above. Currents can be
weak or strong.
Weak currents raise the speed of ships going within 30 degrees of th=
eir
heading by eliminating the possibility for moving less than full lengths wh=
en
travelling downstream.
They move stopped ships at Πlength per movement phase.
Strong currents add œ length to the move of any ship crossing them
within 30 degrees downstream and take œ length off ships crossing them in an
upstream direction within 30 degrees.
They move stopped ships at œ length per movement phase.
Wind is indicated on the compass at one table corner. At game start =
the
wind is always light and blowing at right angles to the players table si=
des
dice if it blows left or right.
Wind conditions can be changed by the Fate cards.
Stiff winds reduce shooting within 30 degrees by -1 to dice thrown.<= o:p>
Strong winds give a -2 and +1 if shooting downwind within 30 degrees=
.
Ships turning across the wind may oversteer on a 6 in stiff breezes =
and
5,6 in strong winds.
Oversteering means that any turns are doubled in angle dice after =
the
turn is initially made.
Ships turning across the wind in a storm may capsize.
Stopped ships are blown 1/4 length per move segment by stiff breezes=
and
a 1/2 by strong winds and a full length by storms unless they lie within 30
degrees of the winds bearing, when these are halved.
Movement within 30 degrees of a strong wind is halved. It is not
possible in a storm.
9.SHOOTING
Engines, shooters and marines can attack the enemy from a distance. =
In
addition, the oarsmen of open-decked ships can throw missiles to a limited
extent.
Shooting attacks can damage the target's oarsmen and therefore speed.
They can also remove enemy shooters and marines. Some shooters can try to s=
et
fire to the target.
The basic unit of range is the ship length- use moving templates to
measure ranges.
Shooting takes place after each 2 activity cards have been played =
not
counting the Whim of the Gods card.
9.1SHOOTING RANGES
SHOOTER =
RANGE
Archers and slingers =
2
Marines =
1
Oarsmen =
1/2
Engines =
3
Shooters need to throw 4 plus to
have a successful hit
Deduct 1 per speed difference.
Deduct 2 if target is higher. ( oar banks, tower )
Deduct 2 if target is covered-in.
(Engines ignore modifiers)
Add 1 for each extra shooter making the same shot.
Add 2 if target is unprotected.
Add 1 if shooter is higher.
Add 1 if target has no armour
Add 1 if target has no shield
The shooter declares which area he is shooting into that turn.
He may shoot with the shooting elements in one of his areas he may=
not
split them.
Hits are taken in the order : SHOOTERS : MARINES : ENGINES : OARSMEN=
Unless fire or 'anti-personnel' weapons are being used when all in an
area hit are equally affected.
9.2SHOOTING ARCS
Limits to shooting arcs depend upon the shooter's location on the de=
ck
as below. Elements in towers can shoot all round.
If the target model is partly within the shooting arc then it=
can
be shot at but not if just the base is.
Unless a shooter is higher than the target vessel he can only shoot =
into
the deck on his side.
10.DAMAGE TO OARSMEN
Each ship has a number of hits it can take on oarsmen before its spe=
ed
is affected.
This is one for each bank of oars. Place a broken oars marker for each damage on the appropriate side.<= o:p>
Cataphract ships have protection for the oarsmen and in this case on=
ly
engines can hit the oarsmen.
SHIP TYPE =
OAR
SECTIONS PER SIDE
Small ships =
1
Single Bank =
2
Two Banker =
3
Trireme =
3
Quad/Quin =
4
Larger =
5
Each loss of an oar section reduces the ship's maximum speed by the =
same
proportion. Discount fractions less than 1/4.
Reduce speed by one when the ship receives each hit down to 1 which =
is
only lost when all oars are lost. Mark odd hits with card markers showing d=
ead
marines, shooters or oarsmen.
11.COLLISION
When two ships make contact this is a collision.
When a collision has occurred it may be intentional or accidental.
Collision speed is the combined speed of the mover and the hit vesse=
l.
Targets moving towards the mover within 60 degrees add, away, subtra=
ct
their speed level.
11.1SHIPPING OARS
If a ship makes contact, or is contacted
on the beam then it must make a saving roll to avoid suffering broken
oars.
Dice as per the crew quality. Poor need 6plus, regular 5 and first r=
ate
6 to ship oars in time to avoid damage. Modify for each collision speed lev=
el.
Open ships get plus 2 to dice.
On the stern quarters the same save must be made to avoid damage to =
the
steering oar, after which turns are halved in angle.
Shipping oars takes no time and the vessel maintains current speed in
that move segment. At the end of move segments when oars are inboard reduce=
the
vessels speed pins by one.
To put oars out again the vessel must not turn in that action
phase.
Collision can allow : shearing attacks, ram attacks, shooting,
grappling, boarding attempts.
11.2SHEARING ATTACKS
A particular tactic in galley combat is to smash the oars of the ene=
my
craft with the hull of your own and thereby render him immobile and thus le=
ss
dangerous and vulnerable to ramming.
In Wooden Walls the player must achieve raking attacks himself by mo=
ving
the models rather than a simple dice roll used in many sets of rules.
One kind shearing attack occurs every time on ship hits another but a
skillful or purposeful shearing attack is one where the attacking ship take=
s no
damage and the target suffers damage to all the oars down one side of its h=
ull.
The attacking ship must contact the target in a specific way to gain=
the
best possible result from a shearing attack. The target ships can shoot onto
the attackers or try to keep their stern toward them.
To make a successful shearing pass the attacker must contact the tar=
get
ship at an angle of less than 30 degrees. If the angle is about 30 degrees =
the
effects of the attack are uncertain. If the impact is at more than 30 degre=
es
then no special consideration is given to what is essentially a ramming att=
ack.
Note that if the shoulder of the attackers base hits the beam of the
target then you know it is a shear attack.
If the bow corner of the attacker hits the targets beam then the an=
gle
is too steep and a normal ram attack results.
If the collision angle is in the possible range then the attacker =
must
make a successful seamanship test to claim a shearing attack. If he fails t=
he
test then a ramming attack is made.
Effects of an Oar-Shearing Attack
There is no ramming effect from an oar-shearing attack.
The oar section in which the attacker impacted the target and any mo=
re the
attacker contacts as he moves may =
be
destroyed. Each section must make a successful seamanship test or be destro=
yed.
Successful sections are considered to have shipped oars.
Movement after Impact
Move ships up to the point of impact and then adjudicate as to wheth=
er a
shearing attack is happening. If it is an oar-shearing attack now align the
attacker with the target so that there beams are parallel and touching. The
attacker can now move the rest of his action phase. If the target gets to m=
ove
away before the attacker can move along and contact more oar sections then =
that
is his good luck.
Stern-raking attacks
Clever and agile captains will be able to approach an enemy off the =
beam
and then turn sharply, raking his oars with the stern of their own ship as =
it
swings round.
The steering oar of the attacker may have to test for damage if the
stern quarter makes contact with the enemy ship.
Damage to the Attackers Oars
The attacking ship must ship its oars on the side of impact all oa=
rs
must be shipped on that side not just those expected to be impacted. Fail=
ing
a seamanship test means the oars stay out and are destroyed if impacted.
However, because the attacker has the advantage of planning his attack these
seamanship tests are made with a plus 2 to the dice roll.
Steering Oars
Ships have a steering oar located in each stern quarter. A rake,
collision or ram may result in its loss. They cannot be 'shipped' to avoid =
loss
or damage but still make a seamanship test to see if the helmsman managed to
lift the blade and save the oar.
Loss of one steering oar reduces turning abilities by two classes. L=
oss
of both steering oars means the ship must use the oars to turn when stopped=
or
have a maximum 10 degree turn.
Shearing Tactics
The target of a raking attack has two tactics to try. In the first c=
ase
it is possible to try and turn to face the attack and meet the attackers bo=
w or
bow quarters with your own. Shearing attacks should be conducted at high sp=
eed.
11.5RAMMING
Hitting the enemy with the projecting ram fitted to the bows of wars=
hips
was the mode of attack par excellence of classical galleys. An efficiently
conducted ramming attack would hole the enemy ship and allow the escape of =
the
rammer leaving the victim to flounder within minutes.
The attacker must hit the target with a bow angle to make a ram atta=
ck
that is one of the front corners of the base or all of the bow (ram) edge. =
When a collision has been made, ramming ships change speed to Stoppe=
d.
If one ship is moving away then rammer and target drop one speed pin. If the
target is moving across the rammer then the rammer becomes stopped at the e=
nd
of the segment , turns 45 degrees to the targets heading, whilst the target loses one speed pin.
Compare the attack value of the rammer against the defence value of =
the
target.
RAMMER ATTACK VALUES ( head-on , both are rammer)
RAM ATTACK VALUE
SMALL SHIPS - NOT ALLOWED
hemiola/liburnian =
1
trireme =
2
4 =
3
5 =
4
larger =
5
The basic value is modified as follows calculate sum in following
order..:
Attackers:
Multiply RAV by
difference in speed of rammer and target as follows:
TARGET SPEED IS DEDUCTED IF HE IS HEADING WITHIN 45 DEG. OF ATtACKER=
S
COURSE.
TARGET SPEED IS ADDED IF HE IS HEADING MORE THAN 1=
35
DEGREES DIFF FROM ATTACKER
IF whole ram edge=
is in
contact AND target is hit on beam THEN Add half to RAV
IF target is hit =
on
quarter THEN Deduct half of RAV
VERSUS toughened =
ships
deduct half of this total.
Add one dice roll=
: d8
if attacker better class, d4 if worse, else d6.
ATTACKERS MULTIPLY RAV BY speed DIFFERENCE
Target
DEFENCE VALUE =3D (RAV minus attackers RAV)
Add die roll
Use d8 if better class crew than target. Use d4 if worse, otherwise =
d6.
Ships with no ram fitted drop one level and count as receiving a ram=
attack
at HALF value they inflict.
For each 3 points or part thereof, the attacker wins and makes a hol=
e. Three
points make a LARGE hole, 2 points a MEDIUM hole and 1 point a SMALL HOLE. =
Thus
a nine point win would be a 3 LARGE holes, 5 points is a large and a medium
hole, 4 points is a large and a small.
Once holes are inflicted they will usually result in the ship sinking
quite quickly.
If the attacker gets a lower value than the defender he loses his ra=
m on
a 6 with a d6 AND is confused and unable to do anything next applicable move
segment.
DISENGAGING RAMS
To pull away after ramming successfully. Make a seamanship test. In =
case
of failure try again next movement segment.
If a ship is still locked with another that has some movement deduct=
a
speed pin each segment they are still locked.
11.6HOLES
In the SINK OR SWIM phase add a hole to any holed ships as follows :
D6
1,2 smaller hole than original ( or none if small hole)
34, same size
5,6 larger than original ( or large if already large )
NB original hole markers should be black, added ones blue they
represent water flooding in.
When the damage capacity is reached then the ship has sunk - it sink=
s in
that phase the limit is reached.
SHIP DAMAGE
CAPACITY
SMALL M
ONE BANKER L
TWO BANKER 2 L
THREE BANKER 3 LARG=
E (I.E
12 SMALL OR 6 MEDIUM )
QUAD/QUIN 4 =
LARGE
LARGER 6
LARGE
Holed ships lose one class in turning and speed capabilities.
N.B. ! Quin and quadriremes and larger ignore SMALL holes.
11.7GRAPPLING : The attempt to lock two ships together with hooks, r=
opes
and chains. A precursor to boarding.
If a ship wins the SHOOTING phase against a contacted enemy then they can attempt to grapple.
It is not possible to make boarding attacks if one ship has its bow =
or
stern to the other - only shooting.
If the mover does not want to grapple the target ship may still try =
if
they won the SHOOTING.
To grapple throw one dice for each marine element in the adjacent de=
ck
area. A modified throw of 5 or 6 g=
ets a
line across. For each marine element in the defending ships contacted area=
he
can reduce the dice by one as his men try to dislodge the grapples.
DICE: need 5 or better.
( Only consider those in the adjacent deck areas )
Minus one on one throw per defending marine element.
Minus two - lower ship.
Plus two - higher ship,
Minus one - heavy seas.
Harpax
The harpax is a ballista-launched grapple. It has a range of 1. It g=
ets
+3 for success as a modifier.
It shoots once per Shooting Phase
11.8BREAKING AWAY
A ship can break as many grapples as it has sections of oars on that
side. Thus a liburnian which has been grappled by quadrireme which has got =
two
hooks across can still break away but if the quadrireme had got 4 hooks acr=
oss
it could not.
If the ship can break away it moves normally and all grappling equip=
ment
is lost.
If two ships are grappled and both sides agree to break away then
grapples are instantly discounted.
11.9CORVUS : The corvus does not require that the users win the shoo=
ting
phase for it to be used. It does require contact on the forward quarter or
shoulder by the user. The corvus fails on a 5,6(d6). +1 to throw in stiff
breeze. +2 in choppy seas. -1 first rate crew, +1 poor crew. If the corvus
fails another attempt can be made after a Deck Action Phase has been used to
raise it up again.
It is not possible to break away from a successfully lowered corvus
unless the ship that is equipped with it uses an element of marines to cut =
it
free and ditch it in a Deck Action Phase. It is then lost.
A corvus may be lifted without reference to the target ship - it is
stuck and immoveable that segment unless a 5,6 is thrown.
11.10Boarding Actions
The hand-to-hand combat between crews and the capture of enemy ships=
are
considered as boarding actions.
Once ships are successfully grappled together or a corvus is in place
then the active player may order a boarding attempt if he wins the preceding
shooting phase. He is the winner of the shooting phase if he scored more hi=
ts
than the other ship.
Before attacking, the player who acts first must move as many elemen=
ts
into the area he will attack from.
11.11How to Fight a Deck Action
The combat system is a variation of the system used in the game Ris=
k.
Each area of the deck can be attacked from adjacent areas by enemy
forces onboard the same ship or adjacent on different ships grappled togeth=
er.
The first player to get the option to act in the Deck Action phase c=
an
make an attack if he has enemy onboard one of his ships, if he has a ship
grappled onto an enemy or has its ram stuck in an enemy, or if he has men
onboard an enemy ship.
The attacker can use a maximum of 3 dice in each combat throw There
may be many throws in one deck action, the question is which side can susta=
in
casualties longer.
Only one area can be attacked on the enemy ship at one time.
The selection of which dice to use is based on the troop types and s=
ome
tactical factors.
Different value dice make up a continuous scale of effectiveness. Tr= oops start at a specific point on that scale. Tactical factors shift that point = up or down. After checking which factors apply, plus or minus or a mixture <= o:p>
COMBAT TABLE
=
•<=
/span> PLUS | MINUS –
|
DICE |
20 |
16 |
12 |
10 |
8 |
6 |
4 |
3 |
|
TYPE |
|
|
|
PICKED MEN |
EXPERIENCED |
POOR |
|
|
PLUS FACTORS =
MINUS FACTORS
ATTACKING FROM HIGHER =
ENEMY
ON > 1 SIDE
SHIELDED VS SHIELDLESS =
ATTACKING
FROM LOWER
ARMOURED VERSUS UNARMOURED
FLAGSHIP CREW
MARINES VERSUS SHOOTERS
Match the dice thrown highest to lowest. Higher dice eliminate the=
ir
opponents. If the dice are drawn nothing happens unless the attack is across
the gap between two ships in which case the attacker is eliminated.
e.g. Blue throw 4,2,5 Red throw 1,3,6. The dice are matched as 5 vs =
6, 4
vs 3 and 2 vs 1. Red kills one and Blue kills two.
A series of dice rolls ends when the attacker declares he is stoppin=
g or
there are no more defenders in the area under attack. If the defenders have
been eliminated then the attacker can move men in as he wants, from adjacent
areas.
It is not compulsory to attack.
In a Deck Action a player may choose just to move his elements around=
rather than attack, perhaps preparing for the enemy onslaught.
The deck areas as given in Appendix 1. Indicate the number of elemen=
ts
that can occupy areas.
Throw one dice for each element of marines or shooters. modify the
throw as follows :
A ship is 'cleared' when it has attackers on board and no shooters or
marines left.
A cleared ship is under control of the clearer. It may move at slow
speed.
11.12Fighting oarsmen
Oarsmen of the day may have helped repel boarders. To involve them in
the game adds too much complexity except as a simple rule.
'Unless the minimum number of enemy marines are on board then a ship
cannot be considered cleared.'
The ship may still have to surrender in the 'SINK OR SWIM' phase.
One element of marines for each bank of oarsmen, e.g. 3 for a trirem=
e, 5
for a quinquireme.
OR
Open non-decked ships count as having one unit of unarmoured, unsh=
ielded
marines for each oar section, per side if they are boarded.
13.SinkORSwim ? - MORALE TE=
STS,
BURNING AND SINKING
If the status of the ship and the tactical situation are poor then t=
he
captain may decide it is better to leave the battle. Similarly, if a ship is
boarded or vulnerable the crew may surrender.
When a ship is in one of the following situations then it must make a
seamanship test in the SinkORSwim phase.
Reasons to assess morale:
1. Ship was holed this turn.
2. Half oars lost.
3. No shooter or marines surviving.
4. Friendly ship sank within 4 this round.
5. No friendly ship in sight.
6. A large fire is burning on board.
7. Ship standing-off and hit by shooting or has enemy within 4 lengths =
and
approaching ( i.e. inbound within 45 deg L/R ).
The test throw is modified as follows :
No unboarded enemy within 4 ship lengths +2 No unboarded friends w=
ithin
4 -2
Flagship within 4 ship lengths =
+2 No friendly flagship v=
isible
-2
Enemy ship rammed or sank within 4 ship lengths last round +2 Friend rammed or sank within 4 -2
The first time a ship fails this test it must move away from the ene=
my
but can remain on the table. A mast is fitted displaying a yellow flag. When
displaying a yellow flag the ship is 'standing off'.
The second time a ship fails this test it must flee the table. A mast
with a red flag is fitted. If the ship cannot flee it will attempt to beach=
. If
this is not possible then the crew will abandon ship.
13.1Fire and Burning Ships
A ship scan be equipped to throw fire. This would mean braziers or a
hearth is constructed on the vessel and missiles covered in flammable mater=
ial
prepared. There is no limit to the amount of missiles as long as the ship is
equipped for fire.
Fires are Small,Medium or Large and as per holes, each is worth two =
of
the lesser size.
Mark fires with a marker and smoke downwind if larger than small.,=
One
length for medium and 15 cm for largefires.
Smoke blocks visibility and therefore shooting. Ships must NOT
intentionally move into smoke - only if it is the only route to avoid damag=
e in
which case it must be done at the slowest speed achievable.
Burning ships move a maximum of slow speed if the fire is any larger
than small.
Ships have the same capacity to take damage from burning as they hav=
e to
take-on water.(see hole chart ).
If a fire becomes Large then all oar sections in that part of the =
ship
are lost and not recoverable and all engines and towers are lost in that
section too.
Throwing Fire
Shooters can throw fire one length, engines two. Marines can throw f=
ire
onto contacted ships.
A 6 makes a successful fire hit by one element. It starts a Small fi=
re.
Extinguishing Fires
Marines engines or shooters who do nothing else in a Deck Action Pha=
se
can make attempts to extinguish a fire. A 4,5,6 is needed on a D6 for a sma=
ll
fire, 5,6 for a medium and 6, for a large fire. One dice per element. .
If a 1 is thrown in this process then the fire instead increases by one small fire !
Sinking Ships
Wooden ships do not plunge to the bottom of the sea unless weighted
down,they float with their decks awash, immobile.
Loaded ships sink without trace in the same phase their damage limits
are reached.
Unloaded ships are replaced with 'HULK' markers. Hulks move with the
wind or current in the 'Whim of the Gods phase' but do not turn. If they hi=
t a
vessel then the only damage possible is to the oars - a successful seamansh=
ip
test avoids this. The hulk cannot be moved across and marines or shooters
cannot board them. They canot be set on fire. Ships that sink when burning
continue to burn as for a SMALL fire amidships. Hulks that run aground stick
there.
Crews of sunken ships are considered to swim or be washed to the nea=
rest
shore. Half are unfit to serve again in this campaign.
Marines and shooters cannot be picked up and used by friendly ships.
Engines are lost.
14.ANTI-PERSONNEL WEAPONS
In the event of using wasp-nests, poisonous creatures or other noxio=
us
items to discomfort an enemy crew dice for the effect.
1,2 no effect ( item is quickly remedied or fails )
3,4 no deck crew allowed in the area the weapon fell in until it is
neutralised (needs a seamanship test in Whim phase).
5,6 weapon fell below decks - ship loses an oar section.
(cataphracts count this as per 3,4 )
A marker is necessary to show the location of the weapon.
Such weapons can be thrown by hand or sling one length.
15.TACTICS
The Line
Arrange your ships in lines with rams facing the enemy and each ship
having its beam protected by friends.
Two or more lines protects against the diekplus tactic. Heavy ships =
in
the font line can present a serious obstacle to the enemy and their flanks =
can
be covered by lighter ships.
Diekplus : Breaking the line
Try to sail through gaps in the enemy line and then turn to attack h=
is
ships at a disadvantage from behind.
This may have been a tactic for each ship to try individually rather
than a whole squadron.
Periplus : Outflanking the line
Try to sail ships around the enemy so they can turn and attack his r=
ear.
This may have been a tactic for each ship to try individually rather
than a whole squadron.
Menoeides Kyklos : Half Circle
The line has its flanks swept back to make diekplus more difficult f=
or
the enemy. Ships may have faced out at an angle to hit outflanking ships in=
the
beam.
Kyklos : Defensive Circle
Form your ships so that the enemy faces a row of rams and cannot get
round the flanks. This can be a circle in open water or use reefs or shorel=
ines
to guard open flanks.
Hammer and Anvil
Use one ship to pin an opponent and then strike him with a second.
Otherwise the more agile craft are very hard to pin-down.
Missile Storm
Manoeuvre to pelt an enemy ship with as many missiles as possible
simultaneously from several of your ships and strip it of all shooters and
marines. It is then very vulnerable to close action and may duck out of the
fight.
Wolfpack
Set several smaller ships on to one larger. Keep a constant rotation=
of
attacks from different directions. This leads to the target being pinned or
confused and worn down unless he is very resolute or brings up support.
Crescent
The fleet is drawn up in a line with flanks curved forward so the en=
emy
is gradually encircled as the fleet advances. Good if you have the numerica=
lly
superior force.
Ram and Board
Get your ships locked onto the enemys so you can board and clear his
vessels.
16.MODIFICATIONS TO HOTZ MODEL SHIPS
To speed-up construction slightly and save card and ink it is possib=
le
to leave off the inner deck art and instead paint the inside (reverse of the
card) matt black. it looks fine. Just remember to extend the black to cover=
the
inside of the prow and stern.
Oars can be assembled separately from the ship, not glued in place.
Mount the sections on a piece of wedge-shaped balsa or board. If the oar
sections are subdivided into 3 it is also possible to show damage to the oa=
rs
by removing part at a time. Oars can then be raised for showing ships under
sail or ships that have their oars shipped to avoid damage to them.
You can assemble some ships with their oars out of the water just = trim the tab off the end and glue a bit of card hidden underneath as a support.<= o:p>
Crewmen - I make marines and shooters from printed card sections. I
think this is in keeping with using card ship models, it is cheap and the m=
en
have no bases which look odd on the deck.
Coat printed ships with spray varnish before assembly. This helps av=
oid
smudging from sweaty hands.
Before assembly run a brown or black felt pen quickly round all cut
edges. This makes them look less raw on the completed model.
Decks on larger ships should have reinforcement strips glue d
underneath. If you make it very rigid, though, it may be necessary to glue =
one
end of the ship together - then insert the deck plate, then use a strong sp=
ring
clamp to hold the other end closed while it glues.
Spray varnish or paint Klear onto finished models to seal them again=
st
moisture and protect them. It is also possible to paint 'superglue' on join
lines to toughen them up.
17.FIGURES
I have a personal preferenc=
e for
using card figures with card ship models. They are also cheap and easy to
obtain. Copy figures from a website such as Juniorgeneral and scale them do=
wn
to 1/300. The print them in colour on photographic paper or card. It is
possible to make an A4 sheet with many many marines and shooters on it. Use
MSNPaint to add a light straw coloured background (or a background colour
similar to the ship decks) onto the figures. . Spray the printed sheet ligh=
tly
with Dul-Cote or varnish. Cut-out, fold and glue the figures. Then use
superglue to glue them onto clear acetate sheet.( heavier acetate will make
them more stable). Glue them onto strips about 5mm wide then snip them off =
separately
with scissors afterwards.
Now you have invisibly based card figures. They can be fiddly on
occasion, so have a pair of tweezers available for the game. (Sneezing on t=
hese
troops is definitely not a good idea ! )
18.Scales
These rules use an arbitrary unit I call a 'ship length' which is 10=
cm
in length.
At 1/300 scale the 10cm length is about equal to one Greek plethron.=
A plethron was one hundred Greek feet. Six plethra made up one stadi=
on -
about 185 metres.
If a trireme is about 35m long that is about 115 feet i.e. close to =
one
plethron. One could use the term plethron instead of 'ship length' if fight=
ing
Greek sea battles.
=
1 foot pous plural podes (309 mm) variants from Ionic to Doric foot
(296-326 mm)
=
100 feet =3D 1 plethron =
600
feet or 6 plethra =3D 1 stadion ( 185.4 m)
=
1 stadion (185.4 m) (Different variants of the stadion exist with ar=
ound
+ - 30 m differences)
19.0 Websites http://en.=
wikipedia.org/wiki/Trireme
20.APPENDIX=
1 .
TABLE OF SHIP CHARACTERISTICS
<= o:p>
|
TY=
PE |
OAR=
BAN=
KS |
OAR=
CRE=
W |
DEC=
K CREW |
SPE=
ED AND PER=
FORMANCE |
WEI=
GHT ton=
nes |
LEN=
GTH ( m=
) |
Hei=
ght |
NOT=
ES |
|
20 OAR |
1 |
20 |
10 ?=
|
crui=
se4-5k,
sprint 7 |
|
16 |
1 |
|
|
30 OAR |
1 |
30 |
10?<= o:p> |
crui=
se5-6,
sprint 7-8 |
|
20 |
1 |
|
|
PENTEKONTER |
1 |
50 |
10-1=
5 |
5 |
c.20=
|
|
1 |
|
|
TWO-BANK PENTEKONTER |
2 |
50 |
10-1=
5 |
7 œ,=
|
15 |
|
2 |
Turn=
s better
than pentekonter |
|
BIREME |
2 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Not useful term. See other types. |
|
HEMIOLA |
1 1/2 |
50 |
10-15 |
7 1/2k, sprint 8-9 |
40 |
|
1 |
Fast |
|
LIBURNIAN |
2 |
50 |
20? |
sprint 7 œ, cruise 5 |
15 |
|
1 |
|
|
TRIHEMIOLA |
2 1/2 |
130 |
50? |
Almost same as a 3 |
45 |
|
2 |
|
|
TRIREME |
3 |
170 |
20-50 |
cruise 7 œ, sprint 91/2 |
48 |
|
2 |
Most agile |
|
4 |
2 |
140 |
75 |
7-8k |
60 |
|
3 |
Less draught than 5 |
|
5 |
3 |
180 |
70-120 |
7-8k, some lighter versions are faster |
100 |
|
4 |
Deck 3m high Stable, seaworthy |
<= o:p>
A=
ll ships
can be built as cataphract ( with
protective cover ) or aphract (without).
S=
hips can
be undecked, partially decked-over or fully-decked.
S=
hips with
more than one bank of oars can have thickened wales to protect against ra=
ms.
4=
s and 5s
can have deck towers.
H=
x gives
height band for comparisons. Towers count 2 levels higher than the ship they
are on.
<= o:p>
(=
Source :
Conways History of the Ship, The Age of the Galley)
21.APPENDIX 2. DECK CREW DIAGRAMS
The diagrams show the maximum number of
elements in each deck area. This is a total of attacker and defender if the
ship is boarded. A full area means attackers must fight to get entry and
friendly crew are not allowed in.
If an area is 1 or 2 wide then this is the
maximum number of elements that can fight if the combat is from one end to =
the
other of the ship.
Crew cannot shoot across another area to =
hit an
enemy ship unless it is higher.
ONE-BANKED SHIPS
SMALL MERCHANTMEN
TWO-BANKED SHIPS
LARGE MERCHANTMEN
UNDECKED AS PER ONE-BANKED
TRIREME (CATAPHRACT)
UNDECKED AS PER ONE-BANKED
QUADRIREME / QUINQUIRME
MAY HAVE TOWERS ALSO
LARGER SHIPS
MAY HAVE TOWERS ALSO
Chris Halewood 2007 = = 1