"A Game of Fire and Ice Campaign Question" Topic

Hello,

I recently purchased this rule system from Wargames Vault. It is very interesting as a upgrade from the basic HOTT system. I was most intrigued by the quick campaign rules.

I was wondering if in play testing the campaign ever lead to very lopsided results after the first battle.

Considering you keep the remains of your initial army, you may purchase mercenaries using gold, you get points from your homeland, and the victors get additional army points to spend; you may have a big army in round 2.

Given a very good result it seems like one player may have a dominate army after the first round.

Has this ever happen in playing through the campaign for people?

Is there a balancing mechanic, outside of the free Paladin, that I am missing in the rules?

Considering the challenger for the throne is the person who got the most gold, it is likely that person was on the original winning side.

Maybe that is the key.

Just wondering

Thanks

Louie N:

I'm the designer and run the game at most major cons (as well as variations at home).

The problem you mention (the rich get richer the poor get poorer) is common in campaigns and we sought to offset it with this system.

You do retain survivors and get a new ally if you are on the winning side. Keep in mind thought that either the King or Prentder will either obtain or retain the Throne. They will not necessary have the largest army. The player with the largest army – who is not the King – becomes the Pretender and therefore the main opponent. So keep in mind the two most powerful players tend to get put on opposite sides and one of course has to lose the next game. Each side then picks up teams from the remaining players. So keep in mind the two most powerful players tend to get put on opposite sides and one of course has to lose the next game.

You get gold for kills (to give incentive to fight) to hire mercs but they only last one game so you can't get too huge a force.

As you mentioned the smallest army gets a wandering Paladin who takes pity on their cause and joins them as a forlorn hope (you get to keep the Paladin). All players get some replacements (including a free general if they managed to lose theirs) from home and this helps keep the balance of haves and have nots.

But you must have some incentive to try and win battles so yes it does help to win.

We have had several epic come backs though from players who have managed to win out in the last few battles.

But we love player feedback. My email is in the rules for questions/comments. And feel free to post here and let us know how your battles/campaigns are coming. Just about finished with the next edition covering the Olde World (Medieval Europe in both fantasy and history).

We are running the game at both NashCon and Historicon (and just had an epic Battle for the Throne at Siege of Augusta).

Happy Throne battling – hope to see you sitting the Throne in the near future.

Thomas J. Thomas
Fame and Glory Games