Actium participation game Vapnartak

So East Leeds Militaria (my local club) in the shape of Chris Charlton and a bunch of other members, put on a participation game at the Vapnartak show in York today. The game was based around Actium, the battle where Antony and Cleopatra were defeated at sea.

Its a very small version being just 4 galleys per side but looked just lovely. The galleys and figures in 28mm are pretty spectacular.

The rules were put together by Chris as were the galleys. All the painted figures also by Chris.

Visually this was stunning, the rules were very simple, as a good participation game should be, they were also quite bloody and very fun.

Thats me second on the right with a red sail, about to be rammed.

Galleys are activated by playing cards and have 3 speeds being able to increase or decrease by one each turn. They can turn by maximum 45 degrees each turn, pivoting on the sail to keep it simple. Once rammed you roll 6 sink dice each turn, only one side has a sink marker and 6 need to get to that point before the ship sinks. Fighting has attack dice and defend dice. To attack you roll one dice for each of your first 2 ranks, if you get a sword on the dice thats a hit, saving throws are via the same method but saved on the roll of a shield. All simple stuff.

In the shot above you see my ship has been rammed and already has four sink dice. I was the first (and only in two games I think) to actually sink! Still more time for shopping.

Great little game at one of my favourite shows. Well done Chris and East Leeds team. Special mention to Terry who ran around organising almost as much as Chris did.