"Medieval Warfare Rules" Topic

I bought the Medieval Warfare rules by Terry Gore years ago and then let them sit on my shelf collecting dust. I had found that the actual layout was a bit hard on the eyes. In the intermediate time I sketched out things I'd like to see in a set of rules for Dark Ages. Then I finally opened these rules up (by divine inspiration) and found that they had many of the things I'm looking for.

If anyone is or has played with these rules I'd like to hear about your experience. Reading them makes me hopeful. Am I right?

The SAGAWarfare Yahoo group was set up by Mr. Gore to support various of his publications, and continues to be active after his passing. SAGAWarfare-subscribe@yahoogroups.com should get you to the "Join" page. The message archives include many discussions of Medieval Warfare, including game reports, army lists, etc. many by gamers involved with the development of the rules.

Thanks caml1320 for your information. I did join the yahoo group for Medieval Warfare/Ancient Warfare. I was hoping to get a bit broader view from TMP than is often found on a discussion group. By the way, what's been your experience playing with MW.

Marcus —- I made the tactical error of deciding to hold onto my $25 USD for the self-published set, waiting for the commercial version from Foundry. However, they've had it "in the works" for years now, so my experience might be summed up as "missed the boat"! Like you, I saw a lot of promise in them.

Marcus,

Saga Publishing supports two regular sources of information; the website and a bi-monthly newsletter. Currently the newsletter is onhiatus because of the untimely death of Terry Gore. There are plans to resume operations early next year.

The fate of the Foundry rulebooks has also been a problem. The draft copy was impressive; however, the project was continually delayed in favor of producing other products. Hopefully this matter will be resolved sooner than later.

SP hosts tournaments at the three annual conventions of HMGS East – Cold Wars, Historicon and Fall In. Currently, Medieval and Ancient Warfare events are offered. For each con, there is a 15mm and a 25mm tournament with alternating tournaments in the two scales. For example, MW will be used for 25mm and AW for 15mm at one con, and at the next con Aw for 25mm and MW for 15mm. Prior to the con, the tournaments are advertised on the HMGS East website.

Demonstration/participation games are hosted by clubs and some of the rulebook writing staff at each con. SP has rulebooks covering all periods up to and including WW1 (Verdun Warfare). Other rulebooks at planned and will be playtested at various conventions.

Apart from the HMGS East events, several clubs have hosted games and tournaments at other US conventions. These are advertised on the Yahoo website and in the newsletter.

The tournaments are open to any and all gamers. The aim is to allow participants to game with new opponents and learn more about the rules. My own involvement is based on my interest in observing the various armies in action as I wrote many of the army lists with Terry. Awards are given for first, second, next to last place and best sportsman. Often gamers will take on a subordinate commander usually a novice and use the games as training sessions.

If you want more information about Medieval Warfare, I encourage you to ask questions on the discussion website.

Perry

Newsletter Editor & Staff Writer

To Marcus,

I have played quite a bit with Terry's MW and AW systems. Although I am primarily an ancients kind of guy, I have to admit that his Medieval Warfare seems better to me. More polished.

It is a very tactical set of rules, instead of the current run of rules that give troops abilities based on how they were used, it uses actual weapons and armour, training, and morale ratings. Working up the combat factors is a bit slow until you get used to them, but that doesn't take long at all.

The numbers of men on the board, and the scale represented is very much in character with the smaller size of the medieval battles (compared to the ancient period). The game very much "feels" like it is a small band of warriors confronting each other, rather than an epic conflict between Napoleonic forces. And the rules very much reflect that.

The armies are surprising well balanced, so 500 points worth of Normans provides a good match against 500 points of English 100 Year War, or Visigoths, or Swiss. This is one of the few rules sets about which I can make that statement!

If you are interested in this system, I will be GMing Ancient Warfare (its close cousin) at a couple of games at Cold Wars. Stop on by and we'll chat.

Shan