Chapter 3

Ancient Wargames Rules

UNIT TYPES

This game features the unit types of Infantry, Archers, Skirmishers, and Cavalry, each of which occupies a frontage of between 4 and 6 inches. Any size or scale of figure may be used; wargamers should decide for themselves how many figures constitute a given unit.

SEQUENCE OF PLAY

Each complete turn comprises two player turns. Each wargamer follows the sequence listed below in his or her player turn:

1. Movement
2. Shooting
3. Hand-to-Hand Combat
4. Eliminating Units

1. MOVEMENT

Movement Allowances. Units may move up to the distances listed below during their turn:

Unit Type	Movement Distance
Infantry and Archers	6”
Skirmishers	9”
Cavalry	12”

Turning. Units turn by pivoting on their central point. They may do so at the start and/or the end of their move.

Terrain. Units are affected by terrain as follows:

• Woods. Only Skirmishers may enter.
• Towns. These do not restrict the movement of any unit.
• Marshland and Lakes. These are impassable to all units.
• Rivers. These may only be crossed via bridges or fords.
• Roads. Units moving by road increase their movement distance by 3” if their entire move is spent on the road. This bonus may not be received if charging.

Moving and Shooting. Units may not shoot if they have moved during the same turn.

Interpenetration. Only Skirmishers may pass through other units (and vice versa).

Charge Moves. Charges are resolved by moving the attacking unit into contact with its target. They are subject to the following restrictions:

• Turning. A charging unit may turn once, at the start of its move. This evolution may not exceed 45º.
• Limited Engagement. Only one attacking unit may contact each face of the target (these being Front, Left Flank, Right Flank, and Rear).
• Fighting. Combat is resolved during the Hand-to-Hand Combat phase.

2. SHOOTING

Only Archers and Skirmishers may shoot, the procedure for which is as follows:

Adjudge Field of Fire. Units may only shoot at a single target within 45º of their frontal facing.

Measure Range. Archers and Skirmishers have a range of 12”.

Assess Casualties. Units roll a die when shooting. Archers use the unmodified score; the result for Skirmishers is reduced by 2. The score gives the number of hits the target acquires, which is modified by the following:

• Cover. Units in woods or towns only suffer half the registered number of hits (any fractions are rounded in favour of the unit shooting).
• Armour. Infantry units acquire half the number of mandated hits (any fractions should be rounded in favour of the unit shooting).

3. HAND-TO-HAND COMBAT

The procedure for Hand-to-Hand Combat is as follows:

One Sided Combat. Units only inflict casualties during their own player turn.

Assess Casualties. Units roll a die. Cavalry and Archers use the unmodified score; Infantry add 2 to the result; and Skirmishers subtract 2. The result gives the number of hits the target acquires, which is modified as follows:

• Terrain Advantage. Defenders in woods, towns, on a hill, or holding a river crossing, only suffer half the indicated number of hits (fractions are rounded in favour of the attacking unit).
• Armour. Infantry units acquire half the number of mandated hits (rounding any fractions in favour of the attacking unit).
• Flank or Rear Attacks. Units engaging the enemy flank or rear inflict double the registered number of casualties.

Movement Within Combat. Hand-to-Hand Combat only concludes with the elimination of one of the contesting sides. Units may however turn to face an attack upon their flank or rear, but only if they are not simultaneously being engaged frontally.

4. ELIMINATING UNITS

Units are eliminated upon the acquisition of 15 hits.