Some proposed OHW (+) gridded (hex) rules for the Early Imperial Roman era of warfare. Link to the Google Doc with additional information is on the right. These rules will always be available in the 3D6 Ancients tab above.
All units are eliminated when they receive 9 hits.
Sequence of Play
1 turn = each player takes a turn moving, shooting, meleeing with units.
Movement
Shooting
Combat
Check for Unit Morale & Elimination of Units
Check for Breakpoint
1. Movement
A player may move any units that are not currently engaged in combat up to their movement allowance, and may immediately conduct a "push move."
Push Moves
A player may conduct a "push move" with any unit immediately following that unit's move. Roll 1D6 attempting to roll the unit's "push move" success score or higher. Success allows 1 additional movement action (move, initiate close combat, pivot).
Failure still allows the push move action to occur but at a cost of 1 Strength Point to represent disorganization and fatigue incurred by rapid movement.
Charge Movement
A unit must expend a movement action to initiate assault combat - that is - to enter an enemy unit's hex.
Charging Units are subject to the following restrictions:
1 pre-charge pivot allowed not to exceed 1 hex vertex.
Always count the space occupied by the enemy as 1 movement point for charge purposes.
Limited Engagement - Only 1 attacking unit may contact each face of a defending unit. For hexes this means 1 unit may contact along one of the two frontal hexes, both of the flank hexes (left and right, beneath the 2 frontal hexes, and 1 unit through one of the two rear hexes.)
Turning / Pivoting
Pivoting within a hex costs 1 movement action. Some units are restricted to moving *or* pivoting.
Retreat Move
Units retreating after failing a morale check move 1 space back, facing the enemy. Any unit prohibited from doing so due to impassable terrain loses an additional 1 strength point. If a unit cannot retreat due to the presence of another enemy unit, it is destroyed.
A unit attempting to retreat due to a failed morale check that is blocked by another friendly unit pushes that unit back 1 hex.
Interpenetration
Velites (light) may interpenetrate and may be interpenetrated by other light infantry units.
Terrain
Woods Only Velites and Warbands may enter. Units attacking a unit in woods receive a -1D6 combat penalty.
Settlements No effect on movement or combat (scenario dependent - may allow subject attacker to -1D6 penalty to represent a fortified camp)
Swamp Entry prohibited for all units
Rivers Only crossed on bridges or at fords. Assaulting across a bridge or ford receives a -1D6 penalty
Rough Only infantry may enter. Units assaulting a unit in rough receives a -1D6 penalty
Hills Assaulting a unit on higher elevation receives a -1D6 penalty
Roads Allows for a free 1 space movement if beginning and ending on a road.
2. Shooting
No unit may move and shoot. All shooting hits on a 4+.
Only Sagitarii (archers), Some* Velites (light infantry), and Some* Equites Auxiliares (light cavalry) may make missile attacks. *scenario dependent
Units may only be targeted within front hex facing (measured from the 2 hexes in front of the unit and expanding out, up to range)
Sagitarii have a range of 3 hexes. They shoot 2D6.
Velites have a range of 2 hexes. They shoot 2D6.
Equites Auxiliares have a range of 2 hexes. They shoot 2D6.
Each hit causes 1 SP loss on the enemy unit.
All shooting is subject to the rules on armored units, and terrain restrictions.
Any unit which takes a casualty from shooting must check unit morale in Step 4.
3. Combat
Units only inflict hits during their Combat turn. Units in combat roll their appropriate number of D6. All combat dice hit on a 4+. Each hit causes 1 SP loss on the enemy unit.
Legionaries roll 4D6 in combat. Legionaries are armored.
Warbands*, Auxilia, Equites roll 3D6 in combat.
Sagitarii, Velites, Equites Auxiliares roll 2D6 in combat.
*Warbands roll 4D6 on their first turn in combat. Warbands are subject to a 1 hit penalty per turn if they roll any 1s in combat. warbands ignore armor.
FLank / Rear Attacks
All units subject to penalties for being attacked in the flank or rear. Flank attacks occur from outside the frontal 2 hexes of a unit. Rear attacks occur from 1 of the 2 rear hexes.
Flank Attacks add 1D6 to an attacking unit's attack dice.
Rear Attacks add 2D6 to an attacking unit's attack dice.
All combat is subject to the rules on flanks, armored units, and terrain restrictions. (Warbands ignore target armor and never receive a penalty for attacking an armored unit).
Any unit which takes a casualty from combat must check unit morale in Step 4. Barbarians do not have to check morale when rolling a "1" during combat.
4. Check for Unit Morale & Elimination of Units
Any unit which has taken any casualties this turn must check morale by rolling a 1D6. If it has taken 1-4 hits, it must roll a 2+ to pass. If it has taken 5-8 hits, it must roll a 3+ to pass. A unit that fails its Morale Check must retreat 1 space back.
An enemy unit that melee'd with the unit who retreated during this turn may advance and occupy the space previously occupied by the unit.
Any unit which has accumulated 9 hits or more is now routed and removed from the table.
5. Check for Breakpoint
Before the game begins, the army's breakpoint is calculated by adding:
2 points for each unit and general on the table.
3 points for any veteran units.
Each Turn during Step 5, subtract from the army's total the following:
1 point for each unit forced to retreat during step 4 during this turn.
2 points for each unit routed this turn.
3 points for each veteran infantry unit routed this turn.
1D3 points for a general killed this turn.
When the army morale reaches 0, the army quits the field.
Other Rules
Generals - Generals are powerful force multipliers. A general attached to a unit offers the following benefits:
+1D6 in combat.
1 free re-roll of a push-move attempt per turn for the unit he is co-located with.
Ignore casualty morale checks (a unit with an attached general does not have to test for retreat after taking casualties)
Risk to Generals - For every "1" rolled when attacking a unit that has a general attached, a casualty check must be made for the general. Roll 2D6 for each 1 rolled. Any result of "2" means the general has been killed.
If the general is co-located with a unit that has routed - a test must be made to see if the general has been killed. Roll 1D6. On a roll of "1" the general has been killed.
Initiative - I've found that units moving first and likely striking first in melee have a huge advantage in the games I've played. The "push" move helps by forcing generals to be cautious about rashly sticking their necks out. Introducing initiative helps by adding the looming threat of something happening on the battlefield that influences friendly and enemy operations alike. Wresting the initiative away might not happen in a battle - but if it does it has the ability to change the outcome.
Initiative Rules - Both players roll initiative each turn, prior to Step 1. If the non-phasing player (the player who did not hold the initiative last turn) wins the initiative roll by 2 or more, he is now the initiative player and may move first this turn or choose to continue to move and fight second.
Traits - worth putting down here
Armored - units lose 1D6 when attacking armored troops.
Impetuous - units take 1D6 SP loss if they roll any 1's when attacking. (mostly reserved for barbarian warbands).
Barbarians - Barbarian units may "push move" for free if they end their move in close combat
Ferocious - units roll an extra 1D6 in combat on any turn when they charge. (mostly reserved for barbarian warbands)
Veterans - units rated as "veteran" may ignore morale checks during Step 4, as if they had a general attached. Destroyed veteran units reduce the breakpoint count by "3" instead of "2".
Missile - units with "Missile" trait may shoot during the shooting phase. Used to identify light troops with missile weapons. No unit may move and shoot.
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