Avalon Hill (1981, $9.00)
Designed by Michael Matheny
Players 2 or more
Playing time 15-30 minutes
Period Ancients
Scale Tactical
Turn 4 seconds
Map 3 feet
Unit single gladiator

Components
1 9"x11" thin bookcase box
1 11"x15 1/2" mounted mapboard
1 16 page second edition rulebook
48 die-cut counters
1 log pad
6 plastic stands
1 Tables card
3 six-sided dice response postcards; General magazine flyer; all/Christmas 1982 catalog

Counter Manifest
12 1"x1-5/8" gladiator counters
36 5/8" counters

Avalon Hill says:

“The savage splendor and pageantry of ancient Rome lives again in this game of man-to-man gladiatorial combat ... There are four classes of gladiator varying in type by armor and armament. Within each class the participants may vary according to individual ratings for training, strength, agility, constitution, combat capabilities, and types of armor worn ... In the Basic Game both gladiators are armed with short sword and shield ... In the Advanced Game, the Retarius makes its appearance, allowing the classic confrontation of antiquity: short sword vs. net and trident ... In the Campaign Game, players assume the role of wealthy Romans vying to acquire great wealth through wise wagers on the success of their own stable of gladiators.”

The Reviewer says:

“The Gladiator system appears rather complex ... I feel that if the two players were very comfortable with the rules and mechanics, it would be fairly accurate and exciting. It is not designed for the novice or beginner.” --T.J. Kask in The Dragon 29 (commenting on the Battleline version.)

Comments

Gladiator offers a nice middle ground between miniatures and board gaming. The game is a detailed treatment of gladiatorial combat, and the colorful stand-up pieces add a great deal of atmosphere. Gladiator was originally part of Battleline’s two-games-in-one title Circus Maximus (1979). A capsule profile of that game appeared in Simulacrum 6.

Collector’s Notes

Boone lists low, high and average prices of 3/19/10.89 at auction and 7/20/ 12.23 for sale. Bargain hunters take note: Battleline’s Circus Maximus may be an economy buy as Boone’s average auction prices for it are pretty close to those listed individually for AH’s Gladiator and Circus Maximus.

Also from this Designer

Asteroid Pirates, Beachhead, The Beastlord, Commando Actions, Demon’s Run, and Hero (all from Yaquinto).

More G is For Capsule Reviews

Introduction
Gladiator: Man to Man Combat in the Arenas of Ancient Rome
Gladiator: Men vs. Animals and Gladiator: Men vs. Men
Grand Imperialism A Game of Discovery in the Victorian Era
The Great Redoubt A Game of the Battle of Borodino, 1812
Grunt Company Commander in Viet-Nam
Guerilla Malaysia and Indonesia from 1963 to 1966.
Gunslinger Dead or Alive