Post by Katie on Jan 7, 2015 11:03:29 GMT
OK, so we tested this out. It's a small-scale skirmishy game with the focus on small units rather than individuals. Everyone in a unit is equipped the same (although the models don't have to be).
It's pretty fast to play; there's only a few different distances to measure (so sticks can be used), all the rolls are either 2D6, 6D6 or 12D6 so pre-picked dice sets can be used -- there aren't a lot of modifiers to complicate things and the turn sequence is pretty easy.
Coherency rules are simple. Once you've done a couple of turns, you can run it off reference sheets. There's only a couple of states to keep track of (and one of those is only for pikemen) being "battered" which is a morale state. (I'm going to order some boardgameextras.co.uk/item.php?id=1867#.VK0RK2SsV-Y for that!)
There's just under a dozen basic unit types (3 weights of mount, 3 of foot, some shooters and a couple of charactery types). Each has a small set of upgrades (eg "Archers -> Longbowmen" or "Crossbowmen get pavises"). There's some suggested army lists, but really you're on your own to play nicely and not equip your Normans with plate armour.
The units are either 12 (foot) or 6 figures (heavy foot, mounted, specialists). The smallest armies are about 4 units of 6 figures . I'd guess the biggest are going to be getting on for maybe 80 figures (but only if you're willing to try and turn up with as many peasants as possible). More typical forces have 5-7 units.
And it's quite fun. It's intended to be relatively lightweight and the low entry means everyone can join in!! A complete army can be assembled from a box of Perry plastic figures and a pack of metals. Or in my case, from a bunch of Front Rank that I've had knocking about for years waiting for something to do with. The eras covered start with normans/saxons/vikings and run up to the wars of the roses -- although there are variants for Elizabethan, ECW and even ACW.
It'll also handle >2 players with no problems and there's a simple campaign system.
Who's up for building medieval armies then???
Stuff available at; www.fysh.org/~katie/wargames/downloads/lionrampant/
It's pretty fast to play; there's only a few different distances to measure (so sticks can be used), all the rolls are either 2D6, 6D6 or 12D6 so pre-picked dice sets can be used -- there aren't a lot of modifiers to complicate things and the turn sequence is pretty easy.
Coherency rules are simple. Once you've done a couple of turns, you can run it off reference sheets. There's only a couple of states to keep track of (and one of those is only for pikemen) being "battered" which is a morale state. (I'm going to order some boardgameextras.co.uk/item.php?id=1867#.VK0RK2SsV-Y for that!)
There's just under a dozen basic unit types (3 weights of mount, 3 of foot, some shooters and a couple of charactery types). Each has a small set of upgrades (eg "Archers -> Longbowmen" or "Crossbowmen get pavises"). There's some suggested army lists, but really you're on your own to play nicely and not equip your Normans with plate armour.
The units are either 12 (foot) or 6 figures (heavy foot, mounted, specialists). The smallest armies are about 4 units of 6 figures . I'd guess the biggest are going to be getting on for maybe 80 figures (but only if you're willing to try and turn up with as many peasants as possible). More typical forces have 5-7 units.
And it's quite fun. It's intended to be relatively lightweight and the low entry means everyone can join in!! A complete army can be assembled from a box of Perry plastic figures and a pack of metals. Or in my case, from a bunch of Front Rank that I've had knocking about for years waiting for something to do with. The eras covered start with normans/saxons/vikings and run up to the wars of the roses -- although there are variants for Elizabethan, ECW and even ACW.
It'll also handle >2 players with no problems and there's a simple campaign system.
Who's up for building medieval armies then???
Stuff available at; www.fysh.org/~katie/wargames/downloads/lionrampant/