"How does BattleSystem Combat work?" Topic

I'm looking around for system to fight LOTR battles. I know of GW SBG game, but I want some hot unit on unit action.

So I was looking for some examples of game play.

Thanks, Xin

Hi, join the Battlesystem yahoo group. There is a file covering 2nd edition that will explain things along with a LOTR army list file.

link

Personally, while I like Battlesystem I finally decided on a different set. I searched for a set too. I went with Armies of Arcana. Thane created an army list covering units from the books and movies. I have played them with a couple 100 infantry, 30-40 Cavalry and a Mumakil in about 2.5 hours. I loved em! I can send you the file if you want. Just PM me.

Hth,

John

It's a pretty good system. The basic combat is that you roll a die based on your combat ability (d4-d12) Then you look at a table and determine how many wounds you give. Generally speaking you roll 1 die for each warrior, however, this will go up or down depending on circumstances such as formation, charging, moral or others.

It's a pretty simple system and has a good satisfying feel to it.

I've not played since the early 90's but I remember it being great fun and combat could be pretty quick and decisive. No getting bogged down in endless rounds of combat where after all the die rolling you just inflict one casualty before your opponent does the same.

Each figure, within a unit, rolls the appropriate AD (Attack Die: d4-d12); Hits are based on the number rolled on each die: 4 to 6 = 1 Hit; 7 to 9 = 2 Hits; etc. The higher the AD, the greater chance of inflicting 1, or more, Hits, per attacking figure within the unit.

Defenders have an AR (Armor Rating), which they roll against for each successful Hit received: if they roll their AR, or higher, on a d10, the Hit bounces. Figures typically have 1 Hit/figure, but tougher units (Veterans, monsters) can have multiple Hits per figure; a figure is removed after all of its Hits are consumed.

There are rules for regular formation, irregular formation, and skirmish troops. Rules cover magic, siege warfare, mining, aerial units, fighting within cities and buildings.

It comes in two varieties: Battlesystem (typically, each figure represents 10 men), and Battlesystem Skirmish (does include unit rules, but geared to skirmish, not mass battles; predecessor to 4th Ed. D&D rules, or AD&D combat-lite, quick, and deadly -- role-playing can be added on, as desired).

Rulebooks appear on e-Bay quite often. Otherwise, look to RPGNow.com: they are slowly adding back PDF's of all of the old stuff, and 2nd Ed. Battlesystem, as well as Battlesystem Skirmish, were previously offered as PDF scans (before the release of 4th Ed D&D), so they should re-appear in the next few months. Cheers!

I always use

"Battlesystem (typically, each figure represents 10 men),"

but as a skirmish game 1:1 ratio. For Monster with more than 4 Hit Dice I then count all damage a pionts done. Otherwise no other difference for melee combat.

Duane

That is suppose to read "as hit points done."

Duane

AD&D Battlesystem (2nd Edition) is far and away my fabvorite system for mass fantasy battles, and indeed if you want to leave out the rules for fantasy units (spells, flight, etc.) it also works well for mass historicals.
Definitely worth acquiring a copy.