"Battlesystem battle report - several pictures" Topic

I have posted a battle report on my blog
link

This was a solo battle to refresh myself with the Battlesystem rules, but I had a blast playing it!

nice

That was a cool read. I have those rules. Now I want to break them out!

Cool!

I have fond memories of Battlesystem. Fun system.

I agree. That was a great read. The figures and terrain were very nice! The battle wasn't very large. But it was a nail biter to read to the climax of the battle! I loved it. I use Armies of Arcana but like Battlesystem 2nd too. Please post any other AAR's as they occur.

Thanks,

John

Thanks for the write-up. Fun battle.

I have these rules and have been thumbing through them as of late. I have been slowly rebasing my 15mm fantasy on single bases from multi bases(I figure I can use sabots for multi based games),to play SoBH. I was thinking of these rules for massed battles,and I think you've convinced me!

Nice game!

Great write-up; makes me want to find this rules system.

So let me get this right: I can take stats out of any AD&D book to make my force? I can have an army of Su-Monsters if I want (hypothetically)?

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Pahoota:

Yes, you can. There are conversion rules which allow you to come up with your own monster troops, if you like. It is an "open" system, allowing any creature, any figure/miniature to be used. It is "bucket 'o dice" gaming, but I really enjoy it. Copies are frequently available on e-Bay, for relatively little money. The rulebook also includes a painting guide, which isn't too bad -- better than "good enough to game with", which is my standard of painting (love Magic Wash…). Cheers!

Nice Battlesystem report, thanks for posting.

How did you find the round bases work for ranks, lining up combats, determining frontages and flanks as well as for movement purposes since the game is "intended" for square bases?

I have a number of units like Bugbears, Gnolls and others that I would like to use for Battlesystem but also want to use them for skirmish gaming, where I find I like the looks of round bases. I've been thinking of mounting them on round bases and it seems from your battle report that it shouldn't cause too much trouble for ranking up units.

m4jumbo:

Try marking front, and rear, points on the round bases, dividing them into four, even quadrants. You can either use a dab of white paint, or you could use rocks, or other 'debris' on the ground, to mark off the points. Simply line up the points, and use them as if they were sides on a square base.

Landorl:

Really nice write up. Nice terrain work, also. Were some of the Dwarven figures made with PA molds? I think I recognized some of them (cast up a bunch, years ago, nice figures, perfect for BS armies on the inexpensive side).

No magic in this game. Starting out with the more basic rules before moving into the more advanced stuff, I assume. BS has a lot of stuff to make fantastic games, but it can be challenging to keep it all straight when magic, and flying, enter the game. Missile troops really dish out the punishment. Unfortunately, when I mix Short Bows, and either Long Bows, or X-Bows, things get a little difficult for those with the shorter reach. Talk about a tactical challenge… Thanks for sharing! Cheers!

m4jumbo

I didn't find that having round bases caused any problem. The troops still line up opposite of each other, and you can still visually tell where their fronts would meet if they were square bases.

It took a little longer to move them, but I liked that I could space out the irregular units a little. If I fight a bigger battle, I will use some movement trays.

What did cause a problem was my cavalry bases. I use 1" round bases for them, and in the game, the base width is the same as the infantry, but this was double, which caused the infantry to bring a lot more of their forces against the cavalry. I didn't even realize that I had a problem until most of my cavalry were wiped out without causing any damage to the infantry.

Sgt Slag

Most of the dwarves are from Splintered Light. There are a handful of Peter Pigs thrown in.

I think that the rules play very well as written, and can easily represent historical battles, because the basic game doesn't use magic. The book is a little daunting to read, but it is actually easier than it looks. The rules are just very detailed, and explains thing in great depth.

Two problems that I have with the game are these…
1. Heroes and health – In this battle the two heroes went at it for almost 3 turns and barely scratched each other. I may work on a house rule to make hero vs hero combat more deadly.

2. Cavalry. I don't know if they should get an extra hit point for the horse. The reality is that the rider is still as easy to kill as if he were on foot. You don't have to kill both the rider and the mount to eliminate them, but I don't know if I would do anything to change that rule.

I agree that the rule book can be intimidating to read. Years ago,when I first acquired the rulebook,it was intimidating.Since then I have learned to play both Warhammer and Field of Glory,and it doesnt seem so difficult.

I didn't find that having round bases caused any problem. The troops still line up opposite of each other, and you can still visually tell where their fronts would meet if they were square bases.

It took a little longer to move them, but I liked that I could space out the irregular units a little. If I fight a bigger battle, I will use some movement trays.

What did cause a problem was my cavalry bases. I use 1" round bases for them, and in the game, the base width is the same as the infantry, but this was double, which caused the infantry to bring a lot more of their forces against the cavalry. I didn't even realize that I had a problem until most of my cavalry were wiped out without causing any damage to the infantry.

Thanks, I can see where the cavalry on the larger rounds would be an issue for matching frontages with the enemy.
It will make them less effective than normal, as you found out.

I do like that Battlesystem uses several size bases (more than WFB) so smaller creatures can more effectively outnumber larger opponents. (Of course smaller creatures generaly are not so great in combat so they need all the help they can get. I do love my goblin units even though they suck.)

I will be trying to keep the round bases within the same size specifications as the prescribed square bases. That way they should come out with the correct frontage.

Awesome!

I have good memories of Battlesystem. Thanks for reviving it!