De Bellis Antiquitatis: Quick Play Wargame Rules with Army Lists for Ancient and Medieval Battles
Hobby Products GmbH, Wargames Research Group, ZBB Editions · Board game · 1990
2–6 · best 2
60–300 min
Weight 2.8/5
Buy
—
rating
Ludopedia
7.3
rating
BGG
Our Verdict
FOR GENRE FANS
For historical wargame lovers who don't have time (or patience) for complex rules. Simple but surprisingly deep.
Highlights
- Quick and straightforward rules
- Tactical depth in a lean package
- Flexible for different historical periods
Keep in mind
- Too abstract for detailed miniatures fans
- Not ideal for casual players
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About the game
What you do in a play session
De Bellis Antiquitatis is a fast-playing, flexible miniatures wargame where you command historical armies in epic battles. Each army has 12 units (called 'elements'), like Blades, Knights, or Warband, each with simple but effective rules. The rules fit on a single sheet of paper, but don't be fooled—the tactical depth is real. If you enjoy the fantasy version, there's Hordes of the Things, and for those who want more detail, expansions like De Bellis Multitudinis (with larger armies) and De Bellis Renationis (extending the period to the end of the Renaissance) are available. Perfect for gamers who want tactical depth without the fuss.
Gallery
Box and component photos
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Rules videos
Learn by watching before you open the box
Best player count
BGG community vote
2
BEST
3
OK
4
OK
5
OK
6
OK
Soundtrack
Ambience suggested by Melodice
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Mechanics, categories, families and credits
Mechanics
Categories
Families
Publisher
Hobby Products GmbH, Wargames Research Group, ZBB Editions
Designer
Philip C. Barker, Richard Bodley Scott, Sue Laflin Barker
Artist
Ingo Martin, Josef Ochmann
Community
Data from BoardGameGeek
1,153owners
119wishlist
14want to play
Frequently Asked Questions
Quick answers before you buy
How many players can play?
2 to 6, but it works best with 2 (head-to-head).
How long does a game take?
1 to 5 hours, depending on army size and player experience.
Do I need specific miniatures?
Nope! The game is 'miniature agnostic'—use whatever you have, as long as unit types are distinguishable.
Is it hard to learn?
Basic rules are simple, but mastering tactics takes time. BGG weight: 2.8/5.
Are there expansions?
Yes! De Bellis Multitudinis adds more detail, and De Bellis Renationis extends the period to 1700.
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