"The Sword in the Dark Ages" Topic

9 Posts

All members in good standing are free to post here. Opinions expressed here are solely those of the posters, and have not been cleared with nor are they endorsed by The Miniatures Page.

Please use the Complaint button (!) to report problems on the forums.

For more information, see the TMP FAQ.

Back to the Dark Ages Message Board

Back to The Sword and The Flame Message Board

Areas of Interest

Medieval
19th Century

Featured Hobby News Article

Cigar Box Battle: Double-Sided Mats

The Lance and Longbow Society

Featured Ruleset

Colonial Wargame Rules

Featured Showcase Article

Oddzial Osmy's 15mm Teutonic Spearmen

PhilGreg Painters in Sri Lanka paints our Teutonic spearmen.

Featured Profile Article

Remotegaming

Once Gabriel received his digital camera, his destiny was clear – he was to become a remote wargamer.

Featured Book Review

Great British Family Names And Their History

ochoin	14 Jul 2018 5:33 a.m. PST
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?
Frothers Did It And Ran Away	14 Jul 2018 6:47 a.m. PST
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.
whill4	14 Jul 2018 7:28 a.m. PST
I believe you may want to check out the TSATF variant The Sword in Gaul. I could not find a link to this version.
4DJones	14 Jul 2018 7:32 a.m. PST
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.
Bobgnar	14 Jul 2018 10:19 a.m. PST
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.
ochoin	14 Jul 2018 1:55 p.m. PST
Thanks, gents.
ochoin	14 Jul 2018 2:43 p.m. PST
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.
4DJones	15 Jul 2018 1:36 a.m. PST
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.
ochoin	15 Jul 2018 1:56 a.m. PST
Found it, thanks. It'll be handy when I work on my version.

Sorry - only verified members can post on the forums.