"The Sword in the Dark Ages" Topic

I've been working on a Dark Ages rule set for 'big battles' (read: a few hundred warriors): specifically for the Late Romans/Arthurian British versus the invading Saxons.

I'm coming from a SAGA background but want to field substantially more figures. I've looked at published sets, "borrowed" a few ideas from them, tried out some ideas of my own but can't get it quite to gel.

That's when I got a Bright Idea!

'The Sword and the Flame', of course, pits smaller numbers of drilled soldiers against larger numbers of less disciplined warriors. Perfect!

I've had a look at my TSATF rules and it can be done…..but before I burn out a few brain cells I can't really afford to lose, I wonder if anyone else been before me & can I see what they've done?

Help?

The only potential issue I can think of is that TSATF puts a certain emphasis on shooting whereas a dark age battle would be more a hand to hand affair – the mano a mano nature of TSTF's mêlée might make games a bit time consuming. However, I know there's a Roman vs Gauls supplement among the official add one – it might be worth getting hold of that as a starting point.

I believe you may want to check out the TSATF variant The Sword in Gaul. I could not find a link to this version.

Join the swordflame Yahoo Group. In the files there's a variant called The Sword and the Raven (I think it's in someone's folder, so you'll have to root around). We played it a couple of times years ago: I think I was reminded more of the Sword and the Flame than the Dark Ages.

I played many a fun TSATF "colonial" games set in Ancient Britain with the Romans as the colonial invader, and the Britiains as the natives. Sort of a Turn About . We made our own modifications to the basic rules, had no official version.

This all before DBA.

Each side had a little shooting but mostly melee. Worked fine.

Thanks, gents.

OK, joined the Yahoo group…..I'll see what I can find after I get accepted.

I, of course, have a copy of the original rules.
It seems to cry out for the Dark Ages modification I want.

I don't think firing will be an issue. There will be a set limit to the number of missile units allowed. The Barbarian archer & javelin units will get "native-like" poor stats, the Late Romans will be much better…..but I think the 'ammunition' optional rule should be used.

And the LRs should get the ability to throw a spear (javelin) just before closing to melee (like the Zulus).

The LRs will have a bunch of troop types (artillery, infantry, skirmishers, missile light cavalry & cataphractii). Getting the mix right & the relative abilities should be the real challenge.

I need to think about whether the Barbarians should be as invisible as Zulus….is this historical because, after all, they're mostly the invaders?

Hopefully, I will locate the variant but if not, I think I could make my own version work.

It shouldn't be too hard locating the variant: it's in a folder titled 'Variants'. posted by 'oldschooluk'. The SF variant 'The Power Sword and the Flamer' is also worth a look if you're into sci-fi.

Found it, thanks.
It'll be handy when I work on my version.