Hoplite

Hoplite is the 15th installment in the Great Battles of History game series. It enables players to relive classic battles from the pre - Alexandrian Persian - Hellenistic Age, the prime time of Hoplite heavy infantry. This era is seen as the birth of Western Warfare, different from the Persian/Eastern style that relied on archery, light cavalry, and mobility. Ancient military historians still debate how hoplite warfare was fought. With Hoplite, you can test theories in eleven great battles of this era. From the Battle of Leuctra with its 60 - man deep phalanx to classic Greek - Persian confrontations, it uses detailed mechanics to cover all aspects of this warfare style. You'll even encounter chariots! Fight the massive Battle of Plataea, the biggest land battle in European history until Napoleonic times. The package includes Simple GBoH versions and special rules highlighting hoplite warfare. It's the ultimate board - game simulation of Western Warfare's birth and lets you compare with the latest book on the subject. Components include 3 maps, 4 counter sheets, 1 rules book, 1 scenario book, player aid cards, a ten - sided die, and plastic counter storage bags. Game scale is 100 yards per hex, for 1 to 4 players (Plataea can hold up to 9), with a playing time of 1 to 8 hours and 11 battles to choose from.

To use Hoplite, first set up the game by laying out the 3 back - printed maps on a flat surface. Sort the 4 counter sheets and place the 1,120 counters in the plastic storage bags for easy access. Open the Rules Book and Scenario Book to understand the game mechanics and choose a battle. You can refer to the player aid folio cards and the player aid card for quick rules reminders. Roll the ten - sided die as required during the game. When playing, keep in mind that each battle has its own unique setup and rules. For example, the Battle of Plataea has a large number of players and complex forces. As for maintenance, store the game components in a cool, dry place to prevent the maps from wrinkling and the counters from getting damaged. Avoid exposing the game to direct sunlight for long periods as it may fade the colors. If you're new to the game, start with the Simple GBoH versions to get familiar with the basic gameplay before moving on to the more complex scenarios.