"Question about what weapons troops have in SAGA" Topic

My local group is going to start playing SAGA and I'm trying to decide which warband and what models to use.

Something about the weapons troops should be modeled with I don't understand.

In the rules for some warbands it does specifically state what weapons each troop type can use or there are points for upgrading (like Danish Axes) but for others it really doesn't say what weapons they are armed with.

I would assume that unless it says otherwise they are armed with either a sword/shield or a spear/shield.

Is this correct? Some of the warbands I want to use don't really say what weapons they are using.

That is correct. Only weapons that have actual rules associated with them are listed. "Normal" weapons can be anything that is appropriate for the faction, generally swords, spears and hand axes.

I see.

So if there is no option for them to get bows then that unit can't get bows, just spears or swords.

Does it matter if I model 3-4 of the unit with shields and the rest without shields?

I apologize if my questions are "simple" but I didn't see anything that really clarified what they can and can't use (other than weapons listed with a point cost).

Maybe I've just played too much Warhammer and Warhammer Ancients where everything had a point cost?

If it doesn't specify that they have bows then they can't get bows.

Shields don't have any actual impact in the game. I think the only specific mention of them is that units of Anglo-Saxon levy can have spears and shields instead of bows and get an extra armor point as a result.

You are fairly free with how you depict your figures, as long as it is clear when you have models with weapons that impact play.

Does it matter if I model 3-4 of the unit with shields and the rest without shields?

Whilst it doesn't matter what they are equipped with, they are going to look a bit strange without shields. I have the odd viking figure wielding two axes, and carrying his shield strapped to his back, but pretty much every non-levy warrior should be carrying a shield.

As a general guide, your hearthguard should be best equipped (armour and weapons), then your warriors, then levy.
For most people this means that Hearthguard have chainmail and shield and are armed with swords, axes and spears, warriors just have shields, and maybe helmets, and are armed with spears (with maybe a few with axes), and levy have no armour (and just missile weapons in most factions).

I think missile weapons are restricted to "levy" in some factions (Norman regulars can have crossbows) if I remember correctly.

Thanks for the clarification guys.

I'm so used to games like WFB and Warhammer Ancients where everything is detailed I'm not used to such an open system.

The openness is a deliberate design element as the author wanted people to focus on tactics and not list building.

As Marshal Mark alluded too, the most important thing is that your hearthguard, warriors, and levy are distinguishable from each other. If you stick with the equipment conventions he laid out you can't go wrong. It is fine to deviate from it a bit, but it could cause your opponent some confusion.

I'm not used to such an open system.

Well it shouldn't be so open as to confuse your opponent on the difference between your Hearthguard and Warriors.