These innovative new rules cover the 1,000 years of the Mesopotamian city states with simple, clear, fun mechanisms that will allow for a large game to be played comfortably in an evening.
At the core of the system is the Fear Test – an asymmetric, simultaneous assessment of the relative levels of fear two opposing units have of the other.
This, allied to a simple and robust combat mechanism, with straightforward movement and terrain rules, means that players will get a quick-to-learn but unique gaming experience from game one.
To enable this further, the rules are written in clear, plain English, with an easy-to-follow page layout, and a Quick Reference Sheet on the back cover.
Written by Graham Evans (aka “Trebian”) a Wargamer, blogger, historian and games designer.
These new rules are the ideal companion to our Sumerian figures.
What the reviewers said:
“An excellent example of a good book of wargame rules, and felt that I could have run a game straight after reading the rules. There were no gratuitous illustrations. Those that were included served a definite purpose, and helped to explain the rules.”
“The rules themselves are simple, straightforward and quick to learn. They give a good, reasonably quick game… with two more solo games under my belt, I’m confirmed in my belief that this gives a very playable game.”
Each set of rules supplied with a free 28mm Sumerian king miniature.
14 thoughts on “To Ur Is Human – Wargame Rules”
16/12/2019 at 15:44
Blimey that is cheap, and a figure?
What is the catch?
😛
16/12/2019 at 19:14
This sounds great! How many miniatures would I need to play? Wondering how many figures I’d need.
I taught World Civ I this semester and spent some time on Mesopotamia.
16/12/2019 at 20:55
@Mike: The rules were priced to come in at less than the price of a wargames magazine. I’m a (relatively unknown) rules author, so I thought that it wasn’t going to work asking people to shell out £15+ on an off chance. I don’t make a whole lot on each copy sold, but that wasn’t really the point of doing them. As long as I cover my costs and put a little bit in the toy soldier funds I’m happy. So a big shout out to Mark at CP Models for tasking a chance on stocking them.
@Nathaniel Weber: The rules work on squares and bases. Units normally have 4 bases and you can put as many on a base as you like. It’s just the figures have to fit on the base and the bases have to fit in the squares. I have 8 figures (in total) in a skirmisher unit, 12 in a medium infantry unit and 16 in a heavy infantry unit. “Chariots” are two model units. Typically an army should have 2 -3 chariot units, 6-8 heavy infantry, a couple of medium units and 6-12 skirmisher units. They can be bigger or smaller. The rules were written for big armies and to play quickly. There’s stuff on my blog about the rules: https://wargaming4grownups.blogspot.com/ . Just lokok for the “To Ur is Human” tag.
16/12/2019 at 20:58
I think Graham has covered everything and all I can say is no catch just a cracking good deal.
17/12/2019 at 01:14
@Trebian, thanks for the information.
18/12/2019 at 18:54
This sounds like a bargain! Who makes good 15mm Sumerians? (and who did they fight?)
18/12/2019 at 19:00
Xyston?
http://www.scotiagrendel.com/Xyston/
18/12/2019 at 22:37
…each other
20/12/2019 at 14:32
Bobm has it right. Plus hill tribes. But mostly each other.
21/12/2019 at 11:22
My copy arrived yesterday.
Very good value as mentioned, they have a lovely ‘old school’ feel and I’m also a fan of 1/72nd scale figures.
Gives me the impetus to finish my hat sumerians.
24/12/2019 at 12:55
@fairoaks024: Good to see you like the look of them. I’m never sure what “Old School” means. I think it mostly means “rules i like”. The Hat Sumerians are nice, – I bought them because they had donkey carts. who wouldn’t want them/ Never really thought how I was going to wargame with them. I tried a generic set of rules or two and decided that the writers hadn’t play tested the Sumerian period as much as, perhaps, the Greeks and Romans. Hence “To Ur”. Do follow the blog (link above) and post any comments on a relevant posting. Or write up a game on your own blog, and let us all know.
And Sumerians are really easy to paint.
24/12/2019 at 12:58
Often used to mean simple and not fussy.
I am guessing the rules are without super slick finished artwork and photos?
Plain page backgrounds and simple regular fonts?
Forgive me if not the case.
24/12/2019 at 17:12
Well, they are black and white, but have clear diagrams and photos. I think the diagrams look quite slick. Regular fonts used, mainly so it is easy to read. Nothing fussy in the layout, again to make it easy to read and follow. I think they look professional without being glossy Warlord Game style.
08/05/2022 at 17:46
Just bought a copy of these and first impressions are that they are straight forward and contain enough detail and mechanisms to give a good game. Am tempted to adapt them for dark age battles