Dicing With Death

 

"Dicing with Death" is a set of fast play gladiatorial combat rules, for use with model figures. The rules are written by veteran wargamer Derek Henderson, and developed in association with Graham Evans. Their production was supported by C P Models. The rules are in colour, and include numerous examples of play and clear diagrams.

Figure Scale and Playing Area

The rules use a circular gridded playing area with offset squares (you can substitute hexes if you wish, but squares look much more Roman) of about 12 squares in diameter. The squares just need to be big enough for a single figure to stand in, depending upon the size of figure. The rules were tested with 25/28mm figures, but any size will do as long as you can identify the type of gladiator concerned.

Gladiator Types

The rules cover most of the known gladiator types except those that fought mounted or without weapons and animal fighting. Each type is given a full description and the figures factors and abilities are adjusted to allow for faster movement, more armour, the number of weapons used, whether shielded or unshielded and so on. Gladiators that used a net or whip have special rules.

Style of Play

Figures move and fight individually. Movement is by modified die roll, and is conducted sequentially. Combat is resolved by each player rolling five d6 in secret simultaneously, in an attempt to roll certain combinations of dice of increasing effectiveness. Depending upon the experience of the given gladiator, some of these dice may be re-rolled to improve the score, in ignorance of what the opponent has rolled. This system favours experienced fighters, but enables the rookie gladiator to pull off the occasional surprise. Experienced fighters are also able to fight more than one opponent with greater effectiveness, choosing who to defend against and who to strike. Armour converts hits into "stuns" to keep more heavily armoured fighters in combat longer, and better fighters also survive for longer due to their superior fitness.

Fights are concluded with either the death of the combatants, or more likely with a number of the participants asking for "missio", or requesting mercy. This was the most common outcome historically, as most gladiators did not die in the arena. However, "missio" is not automatic...

Campaign System

The rules include player record sheets to record key attributes and wounds. It also includes a career track, enabling a fighter to develop over a series of games. Rules are included for individual careers or for running a school of gladiators. Playsheets are downloadable from the blog, as are sheets that can be used as a playing area.

QRS

The back cover of the rules includes a full QRS which will be all you require once you have read the rules through.

Applicability

The core mechanisms are quick and easy to learn and use, and provide an exciting outcome with minimal fuss and record keeping. They are ideal for being adapted to other periods or situations where close combat between individuals needs to be resolved. Recently they were used as part of a "Three Musketeers on Ice" game.