| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| Chyron |
Posted - 25 May 2006 : 04:32:19
I was just looking over i14 (Swords of the Iron Legion) and fr15 (Gold&Glory) and wondering about planning some larger style battles in the Realms. I just got a copy of Heroes of Battle, which has an interesting take on a party's role in a war (or mass battle).
But for actually slogging through the campaign I wanted to get some feedback from the sages here as to what rules they find more effective (and/or efficient) in running battles in the realms. The systems I know of are:
Battlesystem – TSR’s 2nd edition ruleset. (I know that this one was ultimately launched with the realms in mind with the Bloodstone series)
Miniatures Handbook - WOTC's 3rd edition ruleset.
Anyone have comments on which is preferable (or an alternative system more appropriate for the realms)?
thanks  |
| 9 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| scererar |
Posted - 27 May 2006 : 02:25:02
This is one that I would actually advise someone to pick up. it has quit a bit of good info about battlefield role playing. Additionally, it has some great quick stats for armies of all kinds of races, and I especially like the battlefield steeds section. |
| Mace Hammerhand |
Posted - 26 May 2006 : 23:01:36
Still waiting on my Heroes of Battle, but if it doesn't contain any mass-combat rules I think I will stick with ye olde OD&D rules...
I knew keeping that book in my library would come in handy eventually! |
| Arivia |
Posted - 26 May 2006 : 20:00:04
quote:
Originally posted by Vainelus
Does heroes of Battle actually have a mass battle system?
Depends. Do you want the fistfuls of miniatures and dice kind of mass battle system, or are you willing to work with a system far more like what might come out of a Storyteller game, where the narrative is emphasized over actually rolling through everything? Heroes of Battle has the second, but not everyone will like its system of reducing battles to flowcharts. I do, personally. There's a mass battle system in the Miniatures Handbook of the fistfuls of miniatures and dice kind, but it's likely outdated by now. |
| Kentinal |
Posted - 26 May 2006 : 19:34:42
"4. Skills of War:Heroes of Battle isn't a mass combat book -- it's a book about your character and what he character can do. In its pages, you'll find new battlefield uses for fourteen of the D&D game's most crucial skills, all of which are quite useful once initiative has been rolled.
3. Win the War: You'll need Heroes of Battle to take advantage of the new morale rules and victory point systems it presents. Should your group stray into a war zone, use of these rules can help ensure that you're on the winning side."
Does not sound like it actually has a mass combat system, but do not have the product. |
| Vainelus |
Posted - 26 May 2006 : 18:37:03
Does heroes of Battle actually have a mass battle system? |
| scererar |
Posted - 26 May 2006 : 04:14:15
I think that heroes of battle, combined with powers of faerun, are great for this sort of thing. I do however remember the basic D&D war machine, it seemed to me to be more numbers and less roleplaying. |
| Snotlord |
Posted - 25 May 2006 : 11:38:56
If you want an alternative, check out Skip William's take on the subject in Cry Havok:
http://www.montecook.com/cgi-bin/page.cgi?mpress_Havoc
Its a solid book, if you like tideous detail. Personally I think the Heroes of Battle is the best take on the subject, as I prefer roleplaying to wargaming. |
| Mace Hammerhand |
Posted - 25 May 2006 : 09:40:31
War-Machine from basic D&D was a quick way to resove battles, I'm still pondering on using it should my players ever venture into a warzone.
The problem with "mini-ing" the entire war, or even just parts of the war, out believably you would need a whole bunch of minis, not just a few dozen... and the space to place 'em. And the time to play them...
Use the War-Machine thingy from basic D&D, I think it will help you along a good bit. |
| Kentinal |
Posted - 25 May 2006 : 05:21:07
Well I liked the WAR Machine from BD&D for mass combet. It looses some details and reduces dice rolls, and can be more random.
Large scale battles are a problem no matter what system is used. |
