"By Fire & Sword Kickstarter is up!!" Topic

Barely got home from Salute so I'm still quite spent – BUT – as I talked with Konrad at the convention yesterday I learned that they would launch their crowdfunding for the new English version rulebook this very Sunday. The book looks fantastic, the binding is very very good and improved over the Polish version (and it also includes all the errata material). I will talk more about the English book in a day or two.

There was a lot of buzz about the game at Salute when I talked to different people at various places and traders, and the limited printed run the guys from Wargamer had brought with them were selling really well – as did the boxed sets of miniatures.

Here is the link to the Kickstarter, link

If I may suggest a pledge level for complete newcomers, it would be the "Winged hussar Bannerman" at 110$. This includes the 400 page thick rulebook and a skirmish set of miniatures to get you started with an army of your choice (the skirmish games are well fleshed out in the rules with scenarios and have been the standard sized tournament games in Poland during the past year.

The Winged Hussar lieutenant level at 170$ is also a great deal as it includes two skirmish sets so you can get started with a friend.

You can read my review of the rules (Polish version released last year) in these posts:

link

link

link

Interesting! I see that postage will be $25 USD.

Unfortunately, there would not yet seem to be a Crimean Khanate skirmish set…

Yeah the book weighs something like 2kg if not more, so it does justify the shipping rate even if it may be a bit painful. That is why I recommend getting a skirmish set pledge level (does give you a bit more for the same shipping cost as it is a fixed rate).

The BFaS guys are working on the skirmish set for the Crimean Tatars – models already exist. Its in the release calendar on the Wargamer site – but only in the Polish release callendar for some reason. In any case, rest easy about being able to pick that one if you fancy a force of Tatars.

The gang was at Salute this weekend, and had basically used the whole week before to prepare for the convention. I would expect them to be back and able to help out with questions on the KS as soon as they get back to Poland (probably Monday). Until then I'll try to answer as much as I can myself.

:-)

It would be good if the team added some more pledge levels in for those of us who already have the rulebook, and what a beautiful weighty tome, full of great art? It was good to chat with Michal at Salute who easily persuaded me to get the rulebook & the lovely art book by Mariusz Kozik. This could very well be the 1st time that I've ventured out of 28mm into 15mm…

The Kozik art is just amazing, very talented guy.
Yes I will talk to Konrad as soon as he gets back to Poland, I have a few suggestions and such. We also need "Backer badges" for those backing the KS among other small things :-)

I think Michal and Konrad should be back and on top of things tomorrow.

Does a skirmish set give you a sampling of various models? At Historicon I saw the boxed force sets and I saw that they contained only one type of troop.

@DerKrampus

The Skirmish set contain troops that are accurate for each faction and would have been used by those factions for reconnaissance and such.

An example of "Skirmish set"-box contents as lister at the wargamer store is:

Polish Skirmish set

Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth Colonel:
1x colonel figure
1x standard bearer figure
1x musician figure

Pancerni Cavalry with Spears:
1x commander figure
1x standard bearer figure
7x pancerni cavalry figures

Wallachian Cavalry:
1x commander figure
1x standard bearer figure
7x Wallachian cavalry figures

Cossack Style Cavalry:
2x commander figures
2x standard bearer figures
8x Cossack style cavalry figures

Others:
24x Polish horses figures
9x light horses figures
11x 3x4cm metal bases
12x metal spears
2x sets cavalry banners
1x set command banners

Some nations are a bit more limited in what they can field in terms of variety that is true. Swedish skirmish lists are mainly made up of Reiters and Dragoons for instance. There are a bunch of historical and more themed skirmish lists written and posted (so far in Polish) on the Wargamer forum and site (for free), but I am confident that these will be translated into English as well soon. Main focus so far have been to finish the english core rules.

What you may have seen at Historicon could have been the unit boxed sets. Those contain strictly only one type of troops.

You may not be able to answer but perhaps someone can. Will the rulebook be available through regular distribution channels? I want to pick up a copy at my FLGS but I would be willing to donate at a lower level to pick up the PDF file in the meantime.

They should clarify on the KS page itself on what you get in the boxes, make it a one stop shop instead of having to rummage through their site

Also an add on section would be nice, for extra figures and stuff

@Waco Joe,

I think it's safe to say that the rulebook will be available through regular distribution after the Kickstarter pledges have been shipped.

@Paragonicnova
Good suggestion, will bring this up with Konrad at Wargamer ASAP.

I just return to Edinburgh from London :) Salute was great, it amazing to meet so many of You. I can see that Anatoli already started topic, so I will add some clarification:
1. For those that purchase Rulebook during Salute – if You support us through Kickstarter, we can replace Rulebook from Your chosen pledge with boxes and miniatures for army of Your choice. So no problem there :)
2. Book will be available to normal sale after Kickstarter finish. Few guys from different corners of the world that couldn't attend Salute will receive email from me tomorrow with details for their earlier purchase.
3. We will take onboard all Your suggestions about information that is currently lacking on KS page. I will speak to Konrad tomorrow (team is still on its way to Poland) and we will add it asap. We just started campaign, in next few days there will be more things added to KS site.
4. There will be more and more information added to our English website soon. Recently we were focused on finishing English book and getting ready for Salute.

Thanks for all that chat with us on Salute, it was great to meet You all. I hope You did enjoy demo games with Rafał and Łukasz, they were very busy indeed ;) And Konrad looks amazing in Polish noble outfit, going everywhere with sabre.

On behalf on Wargamer's 'By Fire and Sword'
Michal 'Kadrinazi' Paradowski

PS. Did You like my hat? I think it was grand!

Anatoli,
I have to admit I am mildly interested in this set of rules. At 400 pages I am sure it is pretty complete in itself. However do you know what the future plans might be? Any plans to move further west?
Dennis

I am intrigued, but game in 28mm. The rules themselves would set me back $75 USD and while the production values and work look excellent, it is a purchase that will wait.
I wish you all the best as I love this period

Dennis – next book that we working on is 'Deluge', which will introduce three new armies (Transylvania, Brandenburg and Imperial Corps in Poland), new scenarios, new battle groups. We focused on Eastern part of Europe ;) but ruleset and army lists are very good basis for different new army lists made by players themselves.

Kadrinazi,
Thank you for your quick reply. This is an era I have no knowledge of. So spending the money is more difficult. Knowing future plans makes my interest level rise. I will keep my eye on this set of rules and miniatures.
Thanks again.
Dennis

Just a wee clarification, as we receive few questions about it already. We thought its clearly stated on KS but seems that some missed it ;)
On Recruit level You will receive PDF with just basic rules. It's not whole book in PDF (we won't publish it that way, those that attend Salute probably knows why), so no advanced rules, no army lists, no skirmish/regiment/divisions.

Best regards
Michal 'Kadrinazi' Paradowski
Wargamer

Like Jlundberg I game the period in 28mm…and I think there are many others who do also. The rules book looks great but for KS you may need to sweeten the pot for those of us who really aren't interested in 15mm figures.

db

Thanks for such great support guys, basic goal already reached!
link
There will be wee surprise announce tonight, first stretch goal will be publish tomorrow.
If there's any armies, formations, special models You would like to see in our Kickstarter please send us private message or comment there, we will see what we can do.

Best regards
On behalf on Wargamer's 'By Fire and Sword'
Michal 'Kadrinazi' Paradowski

Here is hopeing for some cool stretch goals. I am hyped u waiting for it to get here.

Owen

First special model that will be send to all supporters with Volunteer level and above:
link
First stretch level – something especially for Tartars (yeah, we decided for form 'Tartars' not 'Tatars') – that will be unlocked once we reach 10 000 USD:
link

Best regards
On behalf on Wargamer's 'By Fire and Sword'
Michal 'Kadrinazi' Paradowski (aka colonel von Thorn…)

I have been asked about the Tatars by two guys here in Sweden and one from the US already so there is definitely a market for this skirmish set! Actually, having read all the special rules I admit I am a bit tempted myself. A bonus that they can be used with Cossack , Russian and Ottoman armies and Cossack and Ottoman regiments can be part of a Crimean division. So it's a very versatile force to have in one's collection.

Ottoman regiment cannot be used as part of Crimean division.

I saw this at Salute and was a fraction of an inch away from buying in there and then. Sadly I had already spent most of my money by then, and just couldn't do it :-(.

Oddly enough, the thing that made me approach the stand was the similarity between this and the 'Fire and Sword' version of the Mount and Blade video game, which is set in the same period and good fun.

I will watch this with interest. I may not get in on the Kickstarter but if not will most likely get this retail.

Leigh

I too, am very interested in this kickstarter. Right now I am building western armies, TYW & ECW, so it's in the right time period. I ordered a box of Cossack inf and Cavalry and compared them with my Testudos, Khurasans and Acies Edizionis and they will work, thanks to Nick who said it was close enough on another topic. I really liked that the box came with troops, banners, bases.

Second stretch goal is almost there :)
link

I have to admit, from looking at the Kickstarter and searching the web, it would be good to have a definitive list of starter sets by Faction. It seems that the list changes from one retailer to another.

Given that the Kickstarter currently deals mostly in starter (skirmish) sets, it would be good to be able to see and compare them all.

Naturally I want all of them, so anything to help me choose would be great!

Leigh

Leigh, currently there are 5 Skirmish sets in store (Polish, Lithuanian, Swedish, Cossacks and European Provinces of Ottoman Turks). Pledge level on KS unlocked Muscovite and Tartars which gives one Skirmish set for each army (Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth have two, as Polish and Lithuanian armies are used as separate armies). There's also Gosiewski Foray, which is special historical Skirmish for Lithuanian, which allow to field winged hussars (special rules for this Skirmish group will be soon available to download).
But of course players can also use normal boxes to either strengthen their Skirmish sets and/or create new ones in different configuration.

Best regards
On behalf on Wargamer's 'By Fire and Sword'
Michal 'Kadrinazi' Paradowski

We decided to share with You few more sneak peaks from rulebook to help You create Your forces. For the next seven days we will publish Force Cards for each Skirmish Set that is currently in our range. That should allow You to compare what You receive in Sets and plan how to expand Your force. Please remember though, in rulebook there are more skirmish battle groups than just seven we will present, so there will plenty of new options once You receive Your rulebook.

As many of You asked for Swedes, we decide to present them first. It's 'Swedish skirmish set' from download section.

link

Best regards
On behalf on Wargamer's 'By Fire and Sword'
Michal 'Kadrinazi' Paradowski