All climates, from Russia to the Sahara.

Had a look at the Two Fat Lardies site just to find out a bit more about them. Appears that they are set for release around 25 April 2022, not that I will be investing in them or any 2mm armies anytime soon   
 

I've pre-ordered because big battles and gridded games interest me.

I'm less interested in the whole constellation of ancients, but usually enjoy a read through a Lardy inspired work.

This just turned up in my 'you might like'* queue. Presumably there's a part one.


* Along with the Horrible Histories monarchs song. Why?

Quote from: John Cook on 08 April 2022, 07:43:26 AMLiving room?  Careful - too many connotations to right-wing postmodernism. 

'Wohnzimmerregeln'?

Sounds fine to me. You're seeing Blackshirts under the bed.

I find the 2mm blocks an interesting concept (although I think the images have rather overdone the blobbing of the Gallic hordes  ). And the terrain and scenery look fab. However I have far to heavy an investment in 15mm to consider a change now, even at the minimal cost of around £50 per army (and to be fair you'll probably only ever need two 'armies' as they are quite generic).

I converted from DBM to Impetus basing years ago and see no reason to change again. If I hadn't had the investment I had then I'd have been (read: was) sorely tempted to change to 10mm and I think that 6mm or 10mm will give an excellent mass look, but at significantly higher cost than these 2mm blocks which seem to be around £3-4 per base

I'll give these rules a whirl and see absolutely no reason why my 15mm Impetus basing won't suit.


Pezetairoi 00 by Zippee Jerred, on Flickr


Early Seleukid Elephants 00 by Zippee Jerred, on Flickr

If I had a complaint to lodge it would be  that once again we start with the boring, overblown Romans of the classical era instead of the Greek and Hellenistic. I find the history of Antigonus trying to rebuild an empire far more interesting than Rome buying a used empire at the flea market.

Anyway I've put my 26 quid on the table, we'll wait to see what 25 April brings.

QuoteThis just turned up in my 'you might like'* queue. Presumably there's a part one.

So far there appears to be 11 videos in the S&H playlist
https://www.youtube.com/user/toofatlardies/playlists

Many thanks for the play list link.   I am intrigued by the possibilities of 2mm and have enjoyed the various  magazine / web articles.   If nothing else, it's been an education to see the spectacular terrain being made.  Brigade Models' buildings may be in demand soon.   Phil

Well my copy arrived ahead of schedule and very nice it looks too.

Having watched the full play through on 'tube and scanned the rules it certainly looks fast-play and quite cinematic. I'm not convinced of the push back of units at this scale being as dramatic as shown - a push back of several hundred yards in good order seems very unlikely to me but its a visual game mechanic I guess.

The rules themselves come in at c40 pages (after a few pages introduction) with 10 more on formations and campaigns, so fairly streamlined with decent sized font that I found easy to read.

We have 20 army lists which covers the usual suspects for the period and 10 historical scenarios:
Chaeronea, Silarus, Tigranocerta, Vosges, Sambre, Bagradas, Nicoplois, Cilicican Gates, Watling Street and Bedriacum (2nd Cremona)

Also lots of pages of setback and disaster cards which feels like a waste of effort in this age of pdf supplements but I guess the rules would be incomplete without them. They are bound into the book, not perforated or anything, so will just stay there for evermore in my copy.

Lots of photos of units - mostly familiar if you've watched the 'tubes - throughout. Enough to be attractive, evocative and helpful but not overkill. And front and rear inside cover advertisements for 2mm army suppliers and terrain mats.

All in all, a good product that seems to play well judging by the 'tubes (yet to give them a bash myself) and the 2mm blocks have a tempting appeal that had me browsing the advertised suppliers websites*. However, the rules include suggested grid and base sizes for 2mm, 6mm and 10mm and up which shows that its all very flexible, the only key thing being to relate the base size to the grid size. It isn't even necessary that both armies be based the same as long as they can use the same sized grid - that is with one base being wider than 1 grid box but smaller than 2.

*I was strong and did not succumb but I felt the tempting urge to 'experiment'

My copy arrived yesterday, look interesting

QuoteHowever, the rules include suggested grid and base sizes for 2mm, 6mm and 10mm and up which that its all very flexible, the only key thing being to relate the base size to the grid size. It isn't even necessary that both armies be based the same as long as they can use the same sized grid - that is with one base being wider than 1 grid box but smaller than 2.

Can I just check that last bit - that a base is wider than the grid? That is an unusual way of using grids compared to other games

My copy arrived yesterday as well. I've had a quick skim through and am impressed so far, though it does still feel a bit like a board game dressed up as a tabletop wargame.

I'll second what Zippee has said.

The only thing I'm having problems wrapping my head around is the idea that the tabletop is divided into squares but units straddle and occupy two adjacent squares. Perhaps gameplay will reveal this to be a brilliant solution to a problem of which I am as yet unaware.

Unlike Rommel, of which I had high hopes which were dashed,  this is turning out to be much more "my sort of game" than I expected.

Hopefully, some enterprising manufacturer is about to produce Set Back and Disaster cards/ chits which are the only thing that seems  missing, so far. I'm certainly not chopping up the rulebook to use the ones there. Some card sleeves, some old collectable cards and a bit of time with the GIMP will fix that, if not.

I foresee foothills of lead added to the mountain in the near future.

If the chickens will not eat, let them drink!

Iacta alea est!

Just to confirm.
Yes unit bases occupy two adjacent grid squares (side-to-side) - why? No idea!

Your pre-order comes with a pdf copy which will be sent out on Monday: apparently as Monday is the official release date. That will make printing cards fairly efficient.

Although as the cards are just numeric values it would be pretty simple to make up any kind of chit or counter pick up system. You don't even need to pick/deal them until someone declares "Homunculus Est". You just need to know how many setbacks and disasters you have until then. I'm not convinced cards are the best way to manage this.

Mine arrived yesterday, and like others here I skimmed through the content.

The 2 squares wide, one deep arrangement makes provision for wheeling the huge formations represented by each base.
Aesthetically it also allows the 2 deep formations (Pike and warband I think) to appear like rough squares.

Unit definitions consist of a relatively simple stat line coupled with optional "special rules".
The special rules are (thankfully) really obvious in the main.
I'm a slow absorber of stat lines, but recognise the small number of values in each here - keeping things simple.

Having "cut out" cards at the back is a bit of a niggle.
Having mastered the art of printing cards for other games, I'll likely produce a poker size set and insert them into card holders.

The only other gripe is the lack of (unless I missed it) of a quick reference sheet.
Like many lardy rules, there are a number of small tables, and beginners will find themselves flipping through the rules for these, making their own, or downloading a fan made copy.


I see no problem with the rules claim of "quick resolution", there is no massive list of modifiers.
Combat is resolved on a d6 (with units at big advantage rolling 2 or 3 and picking the best result).

Deployment, Movement and after combat results all seem simple, yet leave sufficient options to keep things interesting.

I'm now waiting for the printable PDF units, as they seem the ideal medium for a quick solo game or two.

Watched a couple of the videos yesterday - the 2 squares wide, 1 deep units are definitely to do with movement, and slowing down movement in general, and particularly fancy movements to the side etc. 

Some interesting bits to the game - but the 2mm figures aren't really doing it for me. But it seems no reason you couldn't go with a larger figures scale, with the standard 12x6cm bases. 

I'm intending to use 6mm stuff as I have a late republic Roman and large celtic force based on 60x30 bases. I suspect the squares will be 40mm. The rules are well written and a good read (unlike most sets) also seem very clear. I suspect that the Lardies will be producing play aids, although I will scan the cards and laminate them.

The only potential hitch I see with larger figures is a classic ancients problem.
Some fairly big objects can operate as skirmishers, but require considerably larger bases than the standard skirmisher base.

In the case of Strength and Honour, skirmishing light chariots and elephant skirmish lines will be the problem.
They won't fit onto "standard" 10mm deep skirmish or support strips.

Enterprising gamers will find their own solutions.
They have presumably selected their own grid size.
Small bases of chariots and elephants (over deep, but under wide) can represent skirmishers and supports without placing excess stress on the grid.

Update on a couple of earlier grumbles

Downloads for Command board and QRS

And for this wishing to build their own setback and disaster cards.

Half Size "Blank" playing cards (Amazon)

Full sized "Blank" playing cards (Amazon)

Thanks for the links

I have some 2mm test figures on order from Irregular Miniatures, some business cards on order from Amazon and an idea for a scratch built Roman camp.

I am indeed lost!