Would like to get started in WAB

[BlacKnight]

...but my main question is, how should I go about doing it?

I've been playing Warhammer Fantasy/40k for about 12 years now, but with the constant increase in prices and changes of rule-sets I've began to lean towards historical games. The cost of models and the rule-sets are refreshing, but I don't know where to start! I've scoured the internet for historical gaming groups in my area (Omaha,NE USA) and either they don't have any online presence or they are non-existent.

I thought I'd ask a series of basic questions, and if any of you guys have any tips I'd love to hear them.

- It's my assumption that historical wargamers like to keep games in period. For example, Vikings vs Early Republic Romans would never happen, and no one would play that game. Is that assumption correct?

Looking forward to your responses.

- If I just wanted to start collecting an army, what would be a good point value to collect to?

- Should I just collect an army for each general time period?

[Gerontius]

In general, in period gaming just has a better feel for me, but I'd rather play WAB against an out-of-period army than not play at all. Most armies of the period 500BC-AD1000 will do OK against each other, but pitting an ancient army against a high or late mediaeval army presents problems (plate armour, lances, longbows, gunpowder - things to which ancient armies tend not to have much of an answer). Everybody has different preferences for points values; some people like big set piece games with lots of troops, while others prefer smaller games which leave more room on the table for manoeuvre. On a 6 foot table I like to play 1500-1600 points though I know other gamers are happy to play 2000 (points values depend on whether you're using armies from the rulebook and supplements or from the new Armies of Antiquity; the 2000 points I quoted above equates to 3000 points in Armies of Antiquity).

As a starting point, if you're struggling to find other ancients gamers I'd collect two small armies from the same time period and try to persuade gaming friends to give them a try. That sort of approach worked for me two years ago when I joined a new club - one member had an unused Samurai army and playing a game against him generated a lot of interest, to the point where I can play WAB most weeks. Round here a lot of existing WHFB players have become extremely disillusioned with both the latest edition and the cost of GW models and have jumped at the chance to play WAB. Mention the lack of a magic phase and overpowered horde units and the inclusion of proper manoeuvre and terrain rules, combined with the prospect of fielding a decent sized army for well under £100 (or US equivalent)!

[BlacKnight]

As a starting point, if you're struggling to find other ancients gamers I'd collect two small armies from the same time period and try to persuade gaming friends to give them a try.

Yeah, I've been thinking that I may have to go that route. I'm thinking that Romans (not sure which time period yet) and Gaul/German/Celt would be the two armies that I'd start out with. Not only am I interested in both of those armies, but they are easily recognizable and I could attempt to recreate historical battles.

How many points would be a good small game? 500 pts?

[Gerontius]

They're also the two armies for which lists are provided in the rulebook so you don't have to buy additional supplements or Armies of Antiquity straight away. From a financial point of view they're obviously good options because they're both available in plastic (Warlord Games or Wargames Factory) - though you'll need so many Gauls/Germans/Celts that a barbarian army is still reasonably expensive.

You won't get many Romans for 500 points - using the list from the rulebook, 18 regular legionaries with javelins and centurion/standard/musician will cost you a bit over 300 points, so you wouldn't perhaps end up with sufficient units on the table to get much of a feel for WAB. Perhaps aim at 1000? I haven't got much idea how many Celts that would give you, but it'll let you field a couple of units of legionaries, plus either some auxiliaries or some cavalry.

[James Woodward]

2 x 500 pt armies is a good start, and in your case, Celts etc could be Roman allies in time.

Have fun.

James