The savage splendor and pageantry of ancient Rome lives again in this game of man-to-man gladiatorial combat. Each player assumes the role of one of a matched pair of gladiators pitted in a contest of arms to the death. Superbly trained and equipped for the sold purpose of entertaining the citizenry with their life and death struggles, each man must fight with all the skill he can muster for his very survival. There is no question of bravery in the arena. It is kill or be killed and each man must muster all the skills and cunning he can summon in this most desperate of battles for survival. There can be only one victor in the arena and no second chance for the loser. For missus can be granted the fallen only at the whim of the emperor, and all too often mercy takes the form of a quick end on an opponent's blade. Let the games begin! In GLADIATOR each player is represented by a single "counter" one inch wide and 1 5/8" high which stands erect as long as the gladiator does. Each counter is back-printed with a rear-view image of the gladiator giving a three-dimensional feel as if the players were maneuvering miniature figurines. There are four classes of gladiator varying in type by armor and armament. Within each class of participants vary according to individual ratings for training, strength, agility, constitution, combat capabilities, and types of armor worn. Regardless of rating, each gladiator will have some strength with which to exploit his opponent's weaknesses. Knowing how best to utilize these advantages is the key to survival and winning the game. In the Basic Game both gladiators are armed with short sword and shield. Each player records his movement secretly in an attempt to gain a positional advantage over his opponent. movement orders are then revealed and executed simultaneously. If in position to attack, each player then revealed and executed simultaneously. If in position to attack, each player then secretly allocated his available combat factors to any of a series of offensive maneuvers aimed at various parts of his opponent's anatomy of defensive maneuvers to protect himself from an adversary's attack. Combat is resolved, wounds inflicted and recorded, and checks made for incapacitating results. Play then proceeds in like manner until one gladiator is victorious. In the Advanced Game, the Retarious makes its appearance, allowing the classic confrontation of antiquity: short sword vs net and trident. The Retarious can strike from greater range with his trident while the swordsman is still too far away to harm his opponent, or trip or ensnare his opponent with a deftly swung net. At close quarters, though, it is the Retarious who is at disadvantage with no shield to turn away his opponents's attacks. It is the classic struggle of strength vs agility. In the Campaign Game, players assume the role of wealthy Romans vying to acquire great wealth through wise wagers on the success of their own stable of gladiators. In addition, each victorious gladiator can improve his characteristics through experience gained in the arena, although he also risks debilitating injury. ultimately , a gladiator's supreme goal is to become the Emperor's champion and win his freedom.
Original Game Contents:
mapboard
rulebook
gladiator log pad
gladiator counters |
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