Well almost (sorry Joe ). Personally I did not like SAGA, I know many people did and that is great, but for me I could not get to grips with troops that could do something one turn and not do it the next. I am sure they could not have forgotten it in a space of 10 minutes. Anyway I like the period and setting and already have the figures (well some of them at least). Now Dux Britaniarum is currently played down the club so that makes sense as the "way to go!"Dux Britaniarum is set about 500 years earlier than SAGA. This could be a problem is set later. But earlier the armour and weapons were pretty much the same. OK there is less chainmail and less Dane Axes and less hauberks, with almost no need to split he front for mounted knights. But there were more bearded axes and more Van Dyke mail shirts. (Get your wellies on if you want to get into the deep bullshit about exactly when and where they changed.... it was an evolution and not overnight at one battle)But generally it was similar if not exactly the same.
So I raked out my Saga Figures and started to have a look at what I could use and guess what! Here they are!
From left to right
Lords champion. Full metal jacket, 2 weapons and a shield and ready to take on another champion if asked.
Lord (with hunting dog on base) Originally a SAGA Welsh lord, but quite happily acceptable for Dux Britaninarum
2 lesser/younger lords Nuff said really
As you can see there are 2 units of 8 figures each. While you only need 6 figures to make a unit the unit can increase to 8 figures in a campaign. Therefore it was easier to make the units 8 figures at this stage and not 6.
These troops could Be British or Saxon (only 1 unit for British), or at a REAL push Sub Romano British, but then we are stretching the figures a bit.
Rather than re-base I did stick with 20mm square bases it makes no real difference in the rules so no need to change them. All the figures are Gripping Beast and with the exception of the dog and the lord are plastic which makes them a cheap force to put together
I have already sent for the rest of the troops so that I may make either a British or a Saxon force. While I shall not be able to field 2 forces I suspect there is anough players at the club who can already field a force so I am happy to just have one.
That's it. Thanks for looking today. I suspect it will be more 15mm Pacific war items in a few days time.
Nice looking force Clint, and great to utilise figures you already had
ReplyDeleteThank you Dave. It is always good to change rules you are unhappy with. The added bonus is that Dux Britaniarum has a campaign system already built into the rules.
DeleteI would say more of a re-boot than a new project.
ReplyDeleteI personally think Saga is more of a 'game' than a wargame and with so many other "3ft square skirmish board games with minimal troops" finding a set of rules that suits oneself is probably very tricky and more importantly could be very expensive.
Thank you Joe I totally agree on all counts. I long to find a set of Vietnam rules which I like and is workable. (And trust me I have read a lot and tried quite a few).
DeleteGreat idea Clint, instead of sticking to a rule-set you don't like, move on to one you do and take your minis with you!! Lovely read and plenty of eye candy too, wonderful post :-)
ReplyDeleteThank you Simon. Yes trying another set of rules could be just what I need.
DeleteI totally agree with Simon. Play the rules you like. After all gaming is all about having fun... or it should be.
ReplyDeleteThank you Bryan. I have just had an email the stuff I have ordered has now been dispatched. So some more of this project very soon.
DeleteAlways great to see a new project take root.
ReplyDeleteThank you Michael. I need to finish a few odd bits and bobs before I start proper though.
DeleteGreat post Clint! I had the same problem with SAGA and my Dark Ages gaming stalled because of it. I was thinking of having a look at Blood Eagle and Battle Troll rules, but will definitely check out Dux Britaniarum as well.
ReplyDeleteThank you Addict. Wargaming is about finding the "Right" set of rules. I went for Dux Britanirum for 2 reasons, 1 several players down the club already play it. 2 it is by the "Too Fat Lardies" and I have had good experiences with their rules.
DeleteIt helps that there is an intraoral campaign system and that we are looking at about 40 figures a force. It is the age of Arthur and not VIKINGS but close enough for me.
Love this period of history. The nerd herd have played and enjoyed Saga, but it is a game more akin to board fame play than wargames. As you say the battleboard means your elite troops have collective amnesia with regard to abilities half the game! I hope you enjoy Dux and look forward to your reviews
ReplyDeleteThanks Andy. Obviously I will need to get a force together first (Saxon)but with luck that should happen vairly swiftly as I already have about 1/2 done from SAGA.
DeleteAlways great to recycle your figs for games with new rules. I use my SAGA era figs for Dux Brit too :-)
ReplyDeleteThanks Paul. If this takes off at the club I am sure I will not be the only one to recycle figs. No Dux Brit tomorrow though as waiting for the post... you never know though maybe before too long I will have something new to show relating to Dux Brit.
DeleteVery nice work. I favor Saga over Dux Brit as a rule set but to each his own.
ReplyDeleteThank you Adam. It would be a dull world if we all liked the same. I was never a fan of Saga but I can see how others might be.
DeleteQuite right :) Dux is a decent game but too little variety for me with only two armies to choise from. Also i personaly dislike random movement.
DeleteEveryone is different. I agree there is only 2 armies, but I suspect everyone will make the army to suit them. Different bases, painting, colours etc. so they may look very different on the battlefield. (But they may not it all depends on the individuals)
DeleteThese are stunning mate. Look forward to seeing them in used in the new ruleset. Have you looked at Open Combat perhaps?
ReplyDeleteThanks Simon. No I have not looked at Open Combat. I quickly settled on Dux Brit for 2 reasons. it is played at the club and it has a campaign system. Both reasons make sense to me.
DeleteI think I should have enough basic dark age troops to provide an enemy for you. Always willing to learn new rules. Even better when someone else is reading them.
ReplyDeleteThank you Tim. It is already played by Gary. Richard, and Jim at the club. Armies are in units of 6. Romano British, British or Saxon are the basic armies. (Jim has Pict though) Gary has megalomania (JK)0 So there is some variety.
DeleteTalk Sunday