Hail Caesar!

Gladatorial Rules

review by John Boehm

These rules are produced by Melees Gloriosus, PO Box 249, South Bend, IN 46680-2493, www.melees.net. The author is David P. Gundt. The rules consist of twelve 8 1/2 x 11 pages in a glossy booklet with a color picture of two gladiator miniatures on the front. There is also a page on design philosophy which is always very helpful, as well as a gladiator character record sheet to be copied for use in the games. The rules are actually written for 54 mm scale figures but can be adapted for 25 mm scale figures. The only equipment needed, in addition to miniatures, is a pair of 10 or 20 sided dice and a playing area marked in hexes. Of course, if you want a full scale colosseum, that would certainly add flavor to the game.

Part of the rules consist of an explanation of the gladiator and his life and training, as well as a description of the types of gladiators provided for in the game. There are ten such gladiators described, including an unusual fighter called the Andabates, who wore a fully visored helmet that allowed him no vision. To compensate for this, he wore full metal body armor which was only vulnerable at the joints. The rules are fairly simple and straight forward, and I do not mean this in a demeaning way, but only in the sense that this appears to be an easy and fun game to play.

Each gladiator has certain characteristics defined as strength, stamina, speed, dexterity and skill. The gladiator also has a life level which is a measurement of how much physical damage he has endured. This is a combination of his strength, stamina and skill factors. These factors are determined beforehand, and can follow a gladiator through several contests, being adjusted for his successes or failures. These factors, as well as the type of weapon that he is using, affect the ability of a gladiator to score a hit, and the amount of damage inflicted. The type or armor or helmet that a gladiator wears will obviously reduce the amount of damage inflicted. The characteristic of speed determines how many hits a gladiator may make during a turn, and stamina determines the amount of activity he may engage in before he must rest. Speed and dexterity, obviously affect the gladiator's movement, as well as who strikes first, and the ability to aim and hit certain areas of the body to increase the amount of damage inflicted.

The rules also provide for animal combat, as well as chariot combat including scythe blades mounted on the chariot. When a gladiator is rendered unconscious or in a position to be killed, there are provisions for reflecting the mood of the crowd or the emperor. Victory and survival will increase a gladiator's abilities in subsequent contests. In addition, the prize purse that he is awarded will help in procuring any medical treatment he may need. The rules were fun and quick to read. I have not had an opportunity to play them, but they would appear to provide an enjoyable and playable gladiator game. Alas, I do not have a price for these rules.

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