"Out now - Sword & Spear" Topic

link

Reviews

From Yass Tabletop Gamers:

"Sword and Spear employs a command and control system, and a combat system, that are like nothing I've previously seen in a table-top wargame. It is these mechanics that make the game unique and so much fun…..With only one game under our belts it's too early to make definitive statements, but this is the first set of rules I have ever played where after just one game I have been unable to find something that annoys me. By keeping touch with the solid and well-tried bones of the ancients tradition, this game firmly grounds itself in a familiar context. This means you don't have to re-learn everything about the game, which allows you to focus your mind on the nuances of the command and combat mechanics. It's only after experiencing the command system in play that you begin to realise just how sophisticated it is. While you can play it straight away, I am sure it will take many games to master it. Almost every command decision was difficult, and I found myself trying to second-guess (my opponent) at every turn….All in all, a very enjoyable set of rules."

Neil Shuck (Meeples and Miniatures) writes:

"…a new set of rules have come along which, even after a single play, have immediately become the favourite to be my Ancients wargaming rules of choice for the future: Sword & Spear….We played a simple meeting engagement on an open plain between Early Imperial Rome and Ancient Britons, just to try out the rules mechanics….It really helps that the rules made sense, so when we hit a situation, we discussed what we would expect to happen, and 99% of the time, the rules did what we expected…..Whilst movement and combat works well the crowning glory of this game is the Command and Control system, which takes ideas from games such as Saga and Bolt Action, adds its own twists and produces a result which gives each player plenty to think about during the course of each turn…..I think we've just found our Holy Grail, Ancients rules that are fast, fun, intuitive and interactive to play (definitely not I-go-U-go), whilst offering a number of challenges and decisions in every phase of play. I think we will be playing these rules an awful lot in the future. In short – these are a great little set of rules!"

Note that V2 is just a reprinting with updates from the FAQ included, not a true second edition.

Chris

I think Chris is being a little unfair saying it is just a reprint of the first edition. The layout and production values are a major upgrade. For someone owning the first edition there is no pressing need to buy the new edition (as there are no new rules apart from incorporating items from the Errata & FAQ already available on the S&S website), but I suspect many including me will. The real plus is that the rules will now be available for sale at shows etc to a wider audience.

I have the original but I'm very tempted to get the new one.
Edit: In fact I just did -looks great.
Free shipping to the UK by the way.

Anyone want to buy my 1st edition?!!

It's a really nice book. I only saw it for the first time yesterday when I got my author copies in the post, and I'm really impressed with it. I was pretty pleased with the Lulu version but this is a much better book.

I'm not an ancients player, but I was roped into a couple of games and like the rules.

anyone know where in the US this might be available?

i have the 'first addition'as a PDF but won't mind popping for the book.

-Stew

V good ruleset – 1st since DBM I've really been able to get into