Irregular Wars: Hoplite Ascendancy

Having been down with a nasty head cold and having nothing better to do (except buy a house – more on that anon), I thought I might dabble with the idea of a period variant of the Irregular Wars: Conflict at the World’s End v.1.5 core rules system for the Greek world in the fifth and fourth centuries BC. This is in parallel to, and in no way enforces itself upon, the play-testing being carried out independently in Australia. Rather, I just thought I’d sit down and see if it was really that easy to adapt the rules to a whole other period. The answer was a resounding yes. Below I have indicated a few additional special rules to give a touch of period flavour, followed by a number of suggested army lists. Obviously this is not a stand alone game but requires the core rules to play. Any third party thoughts are much appreciated, but with that thought I encourage one and all to go out and experiment!

Company base sizes

Although 30x30mm bases may still be used, all figure numbers below are suggestions for 40x40mm bases.

Shooting

Unless both players agree, there in no need to test for rain at the beginning of each shot phase.

As there are no black powder weapons available, all projectile weapons count as archaic.

Ranges of shooting are adjusted as follows:

    Short range (H), (F), (A): 50 yards (2”)

    Long range (H), (F): 100 yards (4”)

    Long range (A): 250 yards (10”)

Hoplites

Companies designated as hoplites are always considered to be on foot (F) but are to be treated as mounted  (H) for the purposes of breakthrough pursuits.

Any companies of (H) or (F) targeting either front corner of a company designated as hoplites suffer a -1 modifier to their shooting roll at short range and will require a 6+ roll to cause a loss of resolve at long range. Note that this special rule might also be applied other troop types such as Roman legionaries from the third century BC.

Reading the auspices

After deployment and testing for mishaps and disease, but before the commencement of the battle, both players roll 1d6 and consult the omen table below. Armies which include a company of priests receive a +1 modifier to their roll.

1	Forsaken by the gods. The opposing player may apply a -1 modifier to any one of your die rolls throughout the course of the battle.
2–3	Ambivalent gods. The gods do not favour you but nor do they stand in your way.
4–5	Favourable omens. You may apply a +1 modifier to any one of your die rolls throughout the course of the battle.
6	Promise of victory. You may apply a +2 modifier to any one of your die rolls throughout the course of the battle.

Army lists follow.

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Greek Poleis

The hoplite based forces of the numerous Greek city states. With a few exceptions each city could call upon the same basic troop types. All Greek armies must recruit the listed compulsory companies. Their optional companies may be drawn from the generic Greek list of optional companies and/or from one of the city-specific lists below. In addition, the origin of the commander will impact on their initiative and command radius. Athenian commander (I:2, C:175 (7”)); Spartan commander (I:1, C:175 (7”)); other commanders (I:2, C:150 (6”)).

Compulsory companies

Company	size	resolve	move	melee	short range	long range
4 Hoplites(F)	8	4	50 (2”)	4ab	–	–
1 Peltasts(F)	6	3	75 (3”)c	2	4+	–

Generic Greek optional companies

Company	size	resolve	move	melee	short range	long range
d2 Hippeis(H)	3	3	125 (5”)	3a	6+	–
1 Thracian horse(H)	2	3	150 (6”)	1a	4+	–
1 Hippotoxotai(H)	2	3	150 (6”)	0a	5+	6+
d3 Hoplites(F)	8	4	50 (2”)	4ab	–	–
d2 Mercenary hoplites(F)	8	5	50 (2”)	4ab	–	–
1 Mercenary hoplites(F)	8	5	50 (2”)	4ab	–	–
d2 Ekdromoi hoplites(F)	6	4	75 (3”)	3ab	–	–
d3 Rowers(F)	6	3	75 (3”)	2a	–	–
d4 Armed mob(F)	8	3	50 (2”)	1d	–	–
d3 Peltasts(F)	6	3	75 (3”)c	2	4+	–
1 Heavy peltasts(F)	6	4	75 (3”)c	2b	4+	–
d3 Javelineers(F)	4	3	100 (4”)c	1	5+	–
1 Archers(F)	4	3	100 (4”)c	0	5+	5+
1 Cretan archers(F)	4	3	100 (4”)c	1	5+	5+
d2 Slingers(F)	4	3	100 (4”)c	0	4+	6+
1 Rhodian slingers(F)	4	3	100 (4”)c	0	4+	5+
1 Priests(F)	2	3	50 (2”)	-2	–	–

Epeirote, Aitolian or Arkananian optional companies

Company	size	resolve	move	melee	short range	long range
d2 Light horse(H)	2	3	150 (6”)	1a	4+	–
d3 Peltasts(F)	6	3	75 (3”)c	2	4+	–
d3 Javelineers(F)	4	3	100 (4”)c	1	5+	–
d3 Slingers(F)	4	3	100 (4”)c	0	4+	6+

Italiote optional companies

Company	size	resolve	move	melee	short range	long range
d2 Tarantine horse(H)	2	3	150 (6”)	1a	4+	–
d3 Italian hoplites(F)	8	4	75 (3”)	3ab	–	–
d3 Native mercenaries(F)	6	3	75 (3”)c	2	4+	–
d2 Native mercenaries(F)	6	3	75 (3”)c	2	4+	–

Phokian optional companies

Company	size	resolve	move	melee	short range	long range
d3 Peltasts(F)	6	3	75 (3”)c	2	4+	–
d2 Slingers(F)	4	3	100 (4”)c	0	4+	6+
1 Ballistas(A)	2	3	–	-2	5+	5+
1 Ballistas(A)	2	3	–	-2	5+	5+

Theban optional companies

Company	size	resolve	move	melee	short range	long range
d2 Boiotian hippeis(H)	3	4	125 (5”)	3d	–	–
1 Sacred Band hoplites(F)	12	6	50 (2”)	4be	–	–

Thessalian optional companies

Company	size	resolve	move	melee	short range	long range
d2 Thessalian hippeis(H)	3	4	125 (5”)	3e	–	–
d3 Thessalian light horse(H)	2	4	150 (6”)	1a	4+	–
d2 Thessalian light horse(H)	2	4	150 (6”)	1a	4+	–

Spartan optional companies

Company	size	resolve	move	melee	short range	long range
d2 Spartiate hoplites(F)	8	5	50 (2”)	5bd	–	–
d2 Spartiate hoplites(F)	8	5	50 (2”)	5bd	–	–
1 Spartiate hoplites(F)	8	5	50 (2”)	5bd	–	–
1 Skiritai hoplites(F)	6	5	75 (3”)	3ab	–	–

Syracusian optional companies

Company	size	resolve	move	melee	short range	long range
d2 Tarantine horse(H)	2	3	150 (6”)	1a	4+	–
d2 Gallic mercenaries(F)	8	4	75 (3”)	3e	–	–
d4 Native mercenaries(F)	6	3	75 (3”)c	2	4+	–
d2 Native mercenaries(F)	6	3	75 (3”)c	2	4+	–
1 Ballista(A)	2	3	–	-2	5+	5+

Modifiers

^a    +1 charge modifier.

^b    +2 modifier in any melee phase against mounted (H) engaged to their front.

^c    Never suffer any movement penalties or melee penalties in woods.

^d    +2 charge modifier.

^e    +3 charge modifier.

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Macedonian

The royal armies of the lowland Macedonian kings and their highland cousins. The military innovations early in the reign of Philip II led to a number of new fighting styles and paved the way for the most effective military machine of the fourth century BC. All Macedonian armies may use the generic list of optional companies, after Philip’s reforms, the reform optional list may also be used. Before Philip’s reforms (I:1, C:125 (5”)); after Philip’s reforms (I:3, C:150 (6”)).

Compulsory companies

Company	size	resolve	move	melee	short range	long range
2 Hetairoi(H)	3	5	125 (5”)	3a	–	–
3 Javelineers(F)	4	3	100 (4”)b	1	5+	–

Generic Macedonian optional companies

Company,size,resolve,move,melee,short range,long range

d2 Hetairoi(H)	3	5	125 (5”)	3a	–	–
d2 Peltasts(F)	6	3	75 (3”)b	2	4+	–
d4 Javelineers(F)	4	3	100 (4”)b	1	5+	–
d2 Archers(F)	4	3	100 (4”)b	0	5+	5+
1 Cretan archers(F)	4	3	100 (4”)b	1	5+	5+
d2 Slingers(F)	4	3	100 (4”)b	0	4+	6+
d2 Allied Greek hoplites(F)	8	4	50 (2”)	4cd	–	–
d2 Mercenary hoplites(F)	8	5	50 (2”)	4cd	–	–
1 Mercenary heavy peltasts(F)	6	4	75 (3”)b	2d	4+	–
d2 Thracian peltasts(F)	6	3	75 (3”)b	3	4+	–
1 Priests(F)	2	3	50 (2”)	-2	–	–

Reformed Macedonian optional companies

Company	size	resolve	move	melee	short range	long range
d2 Prodromoi(H)	2	4	150 (6”)	2e	–	–
d2 Thessalian hippeis(H)	3	4	125 (5”)	3e	–	–
1 Thracian horse(H)	2	3	150 (6”)	1c	4+	–
d2 Hypaspists (hoplites)(F)	6	5	75 (3”)	3cd	–	–
d3 Pezhetairoi (F)	12	6	50 (2”)	4cf	–	–
d2 Pezhetairoi (F)	12	6	50 (2”)	4cf	–	–
1 Ballista(A)	2	3	-2	5+	5+

Modifiers

^a    +5 charge modifier.

^b    Never suffer any movement penalties or melee penalties in woods.

^c    +1 charge modifier.

^d    +2 modifier in any melee phase against mounted (H) engaged to their front.

^e    +3 charge modifier.

^d    +4 modifier in any melee phase against mounted (H) engaged to their front.

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Skythians

The nomadic and semi-nomadic steppe tribes from the periphery of the Black Sea. (I:3, C:125 (5”)).

Compulsory companies

Company	size	resolve	move	melee	short range	long range
1 Noble horse(H)	3	4	125 (5”)	3a	5+	–
4 Hippotoxotai(H)	2	3	150 (6”)	0b	5+	6+

Optional companies

Company	size	resolve	move	melee	short range	long range
d2 Noble horse(H)	3	4	125 (5”)	3a	5+	–
d3 Light horse(H)	2	3	150 (6”)	1b	4+	–
d4 Hippotoxotai(H)	2	3	150 (6”)	0b	5+	6+
d3 Hippotoxotai(H)	2	3	150 (6”)	0b	5+	6+
d2 Hippotoxotai(H)	2	3	150 (6”)	0b	5+	6+
d4 Peltasts(F)	6	3	75 (3”)c	2	4+	–
d4 Archers(F)	4	3	100 (4”)c	0	5+	5+
d2 Archers(F)	4	3	100 (4”)c	0	5+	5+
d2 Slingers(F)	4	3	100 (4”)b	0	4+	6+
1 Priests(F)	2	3	50 (2”)	-2	–	–

Modifiers

^a    +2 charge modifier.

^b    +1 charge modifier.

^c    Never suffer any movement penalties or melee penalties in woods.

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Thraco-Illyrians

The irregular Thracian, Paionian or Illyrian tribal groups of the central Balkans. (I:3, C:125 (5”)).

Compulsory companies

Company	size	resolve	move	melee	short range	long range
2 Light horse(H)	2	3	150 (6”)	1a	4+	–
4 Peltasts(F)	6	3	75 (3”)b	3	4+	–

Optional companies

Company	size	resolve	move	melee	short range	long range
1 Noble horse(H)	3	4	125 (5”)	3c	6+	–
d2 Light horse(H)	2	3	150 (6”)	1a	4+	–
d2 Hippotoxotai(H)	2	3	150 (6”)	0b	5+	6+
d2 Rhomphaioi(F)	6	4	75 (3”)b	4c	5+	–
d2 Heavy peltasts(F)	6	4	75 (3”)b	3d	4+	–
d2 Wardogs(F)	6	3	100 (4”)b	2e	–	–
d4 Peltasts(F)	6	3	75 (3”)b	3	4+	–
d2 Peltasts(F)	6	3	75 (3”)b	3	4+	–
d2 Archers(F)	4	3	100 (4”)c	0	5+	5+
d2 Slingers(F)	4	3	100 (4”)b	0	4+	6+
d2 Slingers(F)	4	3	100 (4”)b	0	4+	6+
d2 Mercenary hoplites(F)	8	5	50 (2”)	4ad	–	–
1 Priests(F)	2	3	50 (2”)	-2	–	–

Modifiers

^a    +1 charge modifier.

^b    Never suffer any movement penalties or melee penalties in woods.

^c    +2 charge modifier.

^d    +2 modifier in any melee phase against mounted (H) engaged to their front.

^e    +5 charge modifier.

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Western Achaemenid Satraps

The provincial forces raised by the Achaemenid kings and their representatives in Anatolia. (I:1, C:150 (6”)).

Compulsory companies

Company	size	resolve	move	melee	short range	long range
2 Light horse(H)	2	3	150 (6”)	1a	4+	–
4 Takabara(F)	6	3	75 (3”)b	2	4+	–

Optional companies

Company	size	resolve	move	melee	short range	long range
d2 Satrapal guard(H)	3	5	125 (5”)	3c	5+	–
d2 Light horse(H)	2	3	150 (6”)	1a	4+	–
d2 Hippotoxotai(H)	2	3	150 (6”)	0b	5+	6+
d2 Scythed chariots(H)	1	1d	125 (5”)e	0f	–	–
d2 Kardake hoplites(F)	8	4	75 (3”)	3ag	–	–
d2 Takabara(F)	6	3	75 (3”)b	2	4+	–
d3 Peltasts(F)	6	3	75 (3”)b	2	4+	–
d2 Sparabara archers(F)	8	4	50 (2”)	2	5+	5+
d3 Archers(F)	4	3	100 (4”)c	0	5+	5+
d2 Archers(F)	4	3	100 (4”)c	0	5+	5+
d2 Slingers(F)	4	3	100 (4”)b	0	4+	6+
d2 Slingers(F)	4	3	100 (4”)b	0	4+	6+
d2 Mercenary hoplites(F)	8	5	50 (2”)	4ad	–	–
d2 Mercenary hoplites(F)	8	5	50 (2”)	4ad	–	–

Modifiers

^a    +1 charge modifier.

^b    Never suffer any movement penalties or melee penalties in woods.

^c    +2 charge modifier.

^d    Friendly companies never lose resolve as a result of seeing scythed chariots scatter.

^e    May not pass through any rough terrain.

^f    +12 charge modifier.

^g    +2 modifier in any melee phase against mounted (H) engaged to their front.