The Loose Association of Wargamers

Interested, as always, to hear from the cognoscenti (ie you chaps).

My Late Antiquity/Early Dark Age rules (now called, "A Tribute of Spears") uses them - D6 "saving roll".
Armour seems such an issue in the period, I feel I have to address it some how.
They are an added complication but as my rules in general are simple, I think I can live with them.

One aspect I'm still mulling over is should the grade change according to if the attack is from a ranged weapon or in melee from an edged weapon? ie A Cataphract saves on a 4,5,6 from archery hits but only from 5,6 from a sword or spear?
Too picky?

donald

In the rules I’m developing I have differing saves for shooting and combat.

You can do this, but you need a narrow period for it to work. Otherwise you get,

Cataphracts

Saves on 456 from self bows
56 from slings/javelins/pilums
6 from hunnic archers.

Also they are in less danger from a sword, than and axe/mace/spear unless it is a gladius type stabbing sword.

It all rests on just how granular you want to go.

I think, Jeremy, you & I are of one mind on this.

[quote=FreddBloggs post_id=86676 time=1631264123 user_id=9
It all rests on just how granular you want to go.
[/quote]

I see your point but I think broad & dirty suits me better.

donald

Broad and dirty is wide armour catergories.

Encased, (Full body metal includes full chain and scale) 456 save
Partial, some metal, hauberg and helm, 56 save
Helm or reinforced jerkin 6 save

Shields +1 to save

-1 vs crossbows
+1 vs self bows and long range missiles

Etc.

I like breaking it down further to give weapons impact classes!
For Dark Ages/ Early Medieval you can't really go wrong with the approach of WFB/WAB (Light Armour Saves on a 6, Heavy Armour on a 5, 6 and a shield or horse improves it by 1). Especially pathetic weapons effectively improve the armour and especially hefty weapons make it worse.

You need to break the armour down by hit location otherwise it’s not going to feel at all authentic

goat major wrote: ↑Fri Sep 10, 2021 5:56 pm You need to break the armour down by hit location otherwise it’s not going to feel at all authentic

...and hit points per location

Runequest,

Still the best rpg combat rules.

You may find this useful for naval games