Impetus rules for making a Early Imperial Roman army

[Bob51451]

Hi Guys, hat do you think about this , I'm thinking about building a Early Imperial Roman army. But I have a few question... The numbers that are in there Army lists , at the start of the army list Nr., Is that number the amount of bases for that particular army ? That would mean that there are going to be 8 base of different troops?. I'm new to these rules and would like some help...I'm thinking of making  the bases a bit smaller that what they are already..like I'm using the 15 mm size so the rules says to use 8 cm X. 3 or 4 cm, I'm going to make my 7 cm X 3 cm for my heavy (14 figures), 7 cm X 3 cm for the light (FL) (10 figures) , 7 cm X 3 cm Missile troops (6 figures) and 7 cm X 6 cm , Medium Cavalry (6 figures). Does that sound OK...? Then I'm going to start on the Ancient British.. crazy , you think!!!

Let me know what you think...? I'll have to figure out what and the amount of figures for both armies.
See you all ,

Bob51451

[toxicpixie]

Impetus is a great game!

TBH if you're only trimming a CM off the width you might as well *not* and just stick with 80mm

If it's the Basic Impetus you've got then yes, I thonk the army list's will be @6 bases, so...

1 CM Equites would be one base (unit) of Medium Cav.
4 HF Legions would be four bases of legionnaires
1 LF Velites would be one base of skirmishers

Above is a made up example but should get the drift?

[DecemDave]

basic Impetus:   7.2 Early Imperial Romans 29 BC-197 AD
Equites Alares 1xCM* VBU=5, I=2, VD=2
Legionarii 3xFP* VBU=6, I=2, VD=3, Pilum
Auxiliares 3xFL* VBU=5, I=1, VD=3, PBW
Sagittarii 1xT VBU=4, I=0, VD=2, Short bow A
Archers 1xS VBU=2, I=0, VD=1, Short bow B
1st option: change 1 FL and 1 T with
Equites Catafractarii 1xCP2* VBU=6, I=3, VD=3
2nd option: change 1 FL with
Moorish 1XCL VBU=3, I=1, VD=1, Javelin
Archers 1xS VBU=2, I=0, VD=1, Short bow B
3rd option: change 1 CL with
Artillery 1xArt VBU=1, I=0, VD=1, Art B
4th option: change 1 S or 1 T for 2 initiative rerolls

[DecemDave]

With full Impetus, you have chosen an army with anything between 5 and 60 units.
Start with the Basic Impetus one, then add the options, then build up from there.  Otherwise it will be months before you get to play anything.

Just for info and From Impetus Warbook 2:  EIR 26BC-197AD

0-4 Equites Alares CM 5 2 B 2 23
0-2 Equites Cohortales CM 4 2 B 1 18
0-1 Equites Contariorum CP2 6 3 B 3 30
0-2 Mauri CL 3 1 B 1 Javelin 19
0-1 Dromedarii CL 3 1 B 1 Javelin/Camels 21
5-20 Legionarii or Auxiliares FP 6 2 B 3 Pilum 28
or Veteran Legionarii FP 6 3 A 3 Pilum 34
or Auxiliares FL 5 1 B 2 PBW 20
0-2 Funditores S 3 0 B 1 Sling 14
0-3 Sagittarii T 4 0 B 1 Short bow A 16
0-3 Sagittarii S 2 0 B 1 Short bow B 11
0-2 Scorpio, Ballistae... ART 1 0 B 1 Art B 15
or CarroBallistae ART




Alternatively just buy Pendraken's AIR army pack, paint and base that up and build on from that .

[Bob51451]

Hi Guys,
I only have Impetus, I think it's the first rule book, does that change things, and what about the Japanese ? Would that army be harder to build?

Thanks guys,

Bob51451

[toxicpixie]

Basic Impetus looks like Dave describes -

Equites Alares 1xCM* VBU=5, I=2, VD=2
Legionarii 3xFP* VBU=6, I=2, VD=3, Pilum
Auxiliares 3xFL* VBU=5, I=1, VD=3, PBW
Sagittarii 1xT VBU=4, I=0, VD=2, Short bow A
Archers 1xS VBU=2, I=0, VD=1, Short bow B

So thats one unit (base) of cavalry (of multiple figures, whatever number looks good on the base!), three of legions, three of auxiliaries, one "formed"/close order bow (T) and one skirmishing bow (the archers).

Then there's a few options you can do, which is the next bit of his post.

In terms of army choice that's the same for Samurai or Romans, you'll have 8 or so units plus maybe a couple of options?

Painting wise... Romans are likely easier unless you have a good quick paint methid for samurai?!

[Bob51451]

Guys,
I've decided to work on a Japanese army. This is what I hope it will like like :
1 stand of Japanese Samurai heavy cavaalry ( 8 figs.)
2 stands of Samurai heavy foot  ( 14 figs per stand ) (longbow and Yari )
2 stands of Ashigaru heavy foot : Pikemen (14 figs per stand)
1 stand of Ashigaru heavy foot :naginata ( 14 figs) per stand
1 stand of Ashigaru  heavy foot: arquebus ( 6 figs ) per stand
1 stand  of Ashigaru Skirmishers : longbow ( 4 figs ) per stand

Stands Sizes

Cavalry (CP, CM, CL)  7 cm X 6 cm
Infantry ( FP,FL,T)  7 cm X 3 cm
Skirmishers ( 7 cm X 2 cm )

Let me know what you all think ?

Bob514

[DecemDave]

Looks like a plan.

At those densities, the standard packs will also give you enough figures to start on an opposing army.

7cm bases?  Its your creation so you can do what works for you.   Most modern rules are flexible but other peoples armies are more likely to be based on 8cm, so you will need some discussions before playing them.  It doesn't matter what you do if you are gaming solo or providing both sides or just being creative.   I spend way more time researching, planning and painting than I do gaming.     

幸運を
(Good Luck)

[steve_holmes_11]

Looks like a plan.

At those densities, the standard packs will also give you enough figures to start on an opposing army.

7cm bases?  Its your creation so you can do what works for you.   Most modern rules are flexible but other peoples armies are more likely to be based on 8cm, so you will need some discussions before playing them.  It doesn't matter what you do if you are gaming solo or providing both sides or just being creative.   I spend way more time researching, planning and painting than I do gaming.     

幸運を
(Good Luck)

I'd also recommend 8cm, since I can't imagine anybody else using a 7cm frontage.
It's nearly 3 inches, but not close enough to be compatible.

Impetus doesn't mind if you leave generous margins around your troops.
It is probably quite authentic with a Roman army (Tidy ranks and gaps between units).

[toxicpixie]

What they said on bases! If you're already that close go to 8cm anyway.

I think I did about four figures for S, 8-12 for T, 10-12 for FL and 12-16 for FP (FL usually in a "mob" unless dicisplined formalnunit like Roman Auxillia).

Cavalry... um. Half a dozen if skirmish, up to a dozen for close packed heavies? It's a long time since they left the loft of doom! If I can get in the loft I'll get some pics (don't hold your breath on that!).