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Average Customer Rating:

A backward step?

Customer Rating:

I got these rules to see if what some wargamers were saying about them was true, which was that they were better than the other well known ruleset DBMM. The rules read fairly well although it seemed odd to me to have the combat factors etc at the back. I was expecting to see that sort of info in the part of the book where combat etc is described. Lots of glossy pics & some helpful diagrams. Having played a few games I was disappointed. The rules work but feel to me like a step back into the past with classification of troops & weapons very much like in the 6th & 7th Ed'n WRG rules. It was those rules whose tedium & the 'rivet-counting' stopped me playing ancients wargaming for many years. Bases of figures move around in permanent units (called battlegroups) reminding me of Warhammer Ancients (which I don't like - reminding me too much of 6th & 7th WRG). Not sure why the FoG authors would want to compete against something that is already established like Warhammer Ancients. The games I played felt like a game rather than a recreation of a battle. Big clumps of figures moving around & lots of dice to roll - rather inelegant - like Warhammer Ancients. Ok, the language that its written is clear & there seems less room for misinterpretation than in say DBM or even in it's successor, DBMM. And I'm sure this fact will make it popular with competition organisers. However the rules didn't work for me. They felt like Flames of War does to me - a game of toy soldiers. So if you like Flames of War you may like these rules. Personally I prefer Blitzkrieg Commander & DBMM - the latter even with it's unclear English & less glossy approach. I also dislike having to buy 12 army lists for FoG - yeah, 12! Better to stick with DBMM & just 4 army list books. More armies covered & less cost - no brainer really. I'll stick with DBMM (despite it's faults) for recreating battles - & yeah, I like the strategems etc in DBMM - feels like being a proper general.

A bit dull

Customer Rating:

Yes FoG is well laid out and has nice pictures but the question I ask is how interesting to play. Sorry to say it find it dull, as units (battlegroups) contact and then you are left rolling dice to see what happens. That takes as long as it takes. Players have no involvement except to roll the dice. Same with shooting, lots of dice are rolled. Not much happens. More detailed than a lot of other 15mm ancient rule sets but I don't see that the extra detail adds much to game play. If you are looking for fun, pick another set.

You'd be silly not to buy them

Customer Rating:

Field of Glory Rulebook: Ancient and Medieval Wargaming Rules (Field of Glory): Ancient and Medieval Wargaming Rules (Field of Glory) Let's face it, the American's have been turning out rules sets like this for years. High production values, easy to follow rules with examples, and a dedicated website with equally good follow on publications. That said, these are very good, the rules set that ancients wargamers have deserved for some time in fact. The price aside, I can find very little to fault in them - the movement rules are a little complex but there are diagrams and I am sure a few games will make things much clearer. The price is high compared to competitors but you get 'a lot of bang for your buck' and the hardback will take a lot of wear and tear, unlike cheaper rules sets which get grubby very quickly. I particularly like the refrshing lack of 'jargon' which ruins some of the more 'popular' sets on the market at the moment. No 'blades or 'psiloi' here, which should make them more accessible to 'beginners. The army lists are good as well and there is a dedicated website.

Great Rules

Customer Rating:

The book is put together very nicely. It's divided into several chapters, each dealing with a certain aspect of the game. Also, each chapter has it's own quick reference, so it's easy to find the relevant information. Besides the drawings from several renowned artists, you'll find a lot of examples dealing with every aspect of the game. This makes it an ideal start for anybody wishing to begin the exciting hobby of wargaming. For those who have played DBM in the past, it will be an easy transition from those rules to these. This also brings me to the reason why I haven't given it 5 stars. Without going into too much detail a few remarks: many, many rolls of dice; an awkward set of command rules (but easy); certain combats (eg. elephants vs. cavalry) Final conclusion: the best ancient rules to hit the shelves in the last few years and a potential to draw many players to it.

Just what I wanted

Customer Rating:

Nice rules, well put together and full of illustrations to inspire your miniature paintwork. The step by step guide through the playing steps works well. It's a system that has no super armies and although you and your freinds may build armies from one particular geography and period nevertheless anachronistic war games are possible with this rule set. Contains starter army lists for Romans vs Carthaginians, and 100 years war English and French. So you will need to purchase the armylist books. Well worth the money if you're anticipating fighting those lamentable games between Byzantine's and Ancient Egyptians etc. Try Neil Thomas's book if you want everything under one cover.