| Author |
 Topic  |
|
|
Chyron
Learned Scribe
Hong Kong
279 Posts |
 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 
|
Just My Thoughts
Chyron :)
|
|
|
Kentinal
Great Reader
4689 Posts |
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. |
"Small beings can have small wisdom," the dragon said. "And small wise beings are better than small fools. Listen: Wisdom is caring for afterwards."
"Caring for afterwards ...? Ker repeated this without understanding.
"After action, afterwards," the dragon said. "Choose the afterwards first, then the action. Fools choose action first."
"Judgement" copyright 2003 by Elizabeth Moon |
 |
|
|
Mace Hammerhand
Great Reader
Germany
2296 Posts |
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. |
Mace's not so gentle gamer's journal My rants were harmless compared to this, beware! |
|
|
|
Snotlord
Senior Scribe
Norway
476 Posts |
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. |
|
|
|
scererar
Master of Realmslore
USA
1618 Posts |
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. |
|
|
|
Vainelus
Seeker
USA
59 Posts |
Posted - 26 May 2006 : 18:37:03
|
| Does heroes of Battle actually have a mass battle system? |
|
|
|
Kentinal
Great Reader
4689 Posts |
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. |
"Small beings can have small wisdom," the dragon said. "And small wise beings are better than small fools. Listen: Wisdom is caring for afterwards."
"Caring for afterwards ...? Ker repeated this without understanding.
"After action, afterwards," the dragon said. "Choose the afterwards first, then the action. Fools choose action first."
"Judgement" copyright 2003 by Elizabeth Moon |
|
|
|
Arivia
Great Reader
Canada
2965 Posts |
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. |
|
|
|
Mace Hammerhand
Great Reader
Germany
2296 Posts |
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! |
Mace's not so gentle gamer's journal My rants were harmless compared to this, beware! |
|
|
|
scererar
Master of Realmslore
USA
1618 Posts |
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. |
|
|
| |
Topic |
|
Running battles in the realms
