I have done a lot of Solo Wargaming. I find that Random Army Generation charts are a good way to create solo wargaming armies and opponents. Here’s how I do it. Coding ADM = Attack Class/Defense Class/Morale Class R = Regular F = Fanatic L = Levy X = Experienced V = Veteran E = Elite Equipment LA = Light Armor HA = Heavy Armor FA = Full Armor Sh = Shield Lsp = Long Spear P = Pilum Pk = Pike R = Rhomphaia Scy = Scythes Sl = Sling Lnc = Lance EL = Elephant Hv. Chr = Heavy Chariot Cl = Close Order Mtd. = Mounted 2 x = Double Armed Jav = Javelin Troop Values Lt. Cavalry, Peltast, Thorakites, & Psiloi with Sh -2 x jav = 1 point* Md. cavalry, Hv. Cavalry, Elephants, Scythed Chariots, Line Troops, & Theros = 2 points** Hv. Chariots & Cataphracts = 3 points*** Troops of V or E morale class +1 point* The first army to lose 50% of its troop value loses the battle. If both fall below, the army that has the most points lost over its 50%point is defeated. Basic Army Creation 6 - 8 picks on Random Army Generator Charts recommended. If defensive battle is being fought, give attacker +50% picks. I recommend up to 1 pick off the Cavalry chart, 1 or more picks off one of the Auxiliaries Charts, and the rest from the Line Troop types. All troops from one pick are +1 Training Class (+1 ADM). Usually this is either Cavalry or the main Line Troops type. It is fun picking this one yourself. Go ahead and pick what you want for the rest of your army if you want. I like to make 1 more specific pick and then decide what charts I want to roll off to create the rest of the army. For the enemy, roll up for the army first. Then for upgrading roll for either the cavalry or best Line Infantry Pick (50% for which one). For a defensive battle, attacker may get 2 cavalry picks if desired. Historical Cavalry Armies may have more. It’s your game. Upgrade Points Recommend 2 Upgrade Points per pick on the random Generation Chart. 2 point Upgrades: X to V, V to E, LA to HA, HA to FA. Other upgrades cost 1 point. Required Upgrades (Recommended) Legion: All Cavalry needs Sh. Upgrades Cavalry: Cavalry or Chariots = R or F Lt. Cav to 2 x Lt. Cav. W/bow Cavalry w/Sh (not Elephants or chariots) Unshielded Cavalry w/Lnc (not Elephants or Chariots) Hv Chariots w/Scy 8 Lt. Cav. To 12 Mtd. Cav. Med. Cav. W/LA = Hv. Cav. LA to HA cost 2 points HA to FA cost 2 points Line Troops: LA for unamored units LA to HA cost 2 points Hoplite II or Spearman to F Auxiliaries: Theros w/Lsp or P Equip Theros w/LA cost 2 points Peltast w/R, Lsp, or P Equip Peltast w/LA Peltast to R or F Psiloi (free equipment & upgrades): 8 Psiloi 000 L jav = Free. + bow or Sh cost 1 point 8 Psiloi 101 X bow or 8 psiloi 111 X Sh = Free. +Sl cost 1 point 8 Psiloi 212 V Sh -Sl = Free or Sh -2 x jav = Free Psiloi to R or F cost 1 point Exchange Sh -Sl or Sh -2 x jav for bow only gives +2 points to spend elsewhere. Back to Table of Contents -- Lone Warrior #138 Back to Lone Warrior List of Issues Back to MagWeb Magazine List © Copyright 2002 by Solo Wargamers Association. This article appears in MagWeb (Magazine Web) on the Internet World Wide Web. Other military history articles and gaming articles are available at http://www.magweb.com