BattleLore Meets A Game of Thrones
Hey, cool: I can still post.
While I like BattleLore a lot, interest in BattleLore among the SABG ranges from "I wouldn't ever buy it" to "I sold it at a huge loss."
C'est la vie.
Looks like FFG has some big plans, however. They have just announced a new game using BL mechanics set in Westeros, the universe of A Game of Thrones. Here's some info. Note this is not an expansion; it's a stand-alone game using base BL mechanics, and apparently adding and modifying heavily.
One of the distinctive features that DoW brought to BL was a family-friendly (some might say silly) atmosphere. FFG does not use this tone; their games tend to be much darker.
In the last year or so, I've managed to keep my new game purchases few and small. I'm probably going for this one, however.
It's unclear what this might mean for base BL, not that anyone here cares about that.
posted by Ted @ 7:57 PM
6 comments
6 Comments:
I like Battle lore, own memior 44 (never played)
and absolutly love Battle cry (play it 3-4 times a week on Gametable online), this new one I am excited about, seeing the kingslayer in action versus Rob king of the north. if only George wouldn't write so slow.
I'm an enormous fan of the books; never played the games, but could possibly be persuaded.
If any of you are book collectors and are interested in a signed 1st edition of Game of Thrones, let me know.
What? Who let Ted keep his posting privileges?
Just kidding. Ted, it's always good to hear from you and see that you're keeping the Battlelore flame alive. I liked it a lot when I got it, but I find that the more games I try to split my time between, the less I play any of them. It took me getting too many games to figure that out, unfortunately.
So now I see the value in limiting my attention to a few favorites, at least ones that require any substantial investment. I'll generally play most anything (except Perikles), but I can't see the value in investing in Memoir 44, Battlelore, and Commands and Colors: Ancients. Battlelore became the odd one out for several reasons. First, I think Battlelore languished and lost its way after the Hundred Years War stuff. If I say "Goblins on ostriches" to several of the other people I used to play BL with, they know just what I mean. It got silly, and it didn't seem to fit into any compelling or coherent mythology in my opinion. If they had stuck with historical battles, it might have kept my interest.
Second, there were several things that happened that just made me question the rules choices. In particular, the Hills Rumble (and its forest equivalent) megaspells were just way too powerful.
Third, the Battle Council and Lore system were neat to a point. But I get that same gaming itch scratched by the other two game systems I'm holding on to.
Fourth, I don't have a lot of friends that want to play BL anymore. But they will still play C&C:A and M'44.
So all those things made me abandon the BL system in favor of the other two (C&C:A and M'44). I've still got all my stuff, but when I have gaming time, BL just isn't near the top of the list of things I want to play anymore. That being said, I'm glad you enjoy it as much as you do. I like hearing about your experiences with it (including your painting), and now that Zach has a copy, I may actually play it again on occasion.
Zach, I'll play your copy.
I like BL better than C&C or M44. Now, having said that, I sold my set for some of Chris's reasons.
I eventually got rid of BattleLore (despite being in love with the system for several years prior to its release), because I'd rather play Battle Cry (or Memoir).
Would I like it better in Westeros? Well, I stopped reading after one book. I like the GoT board game (after the expansion fixed it), but didn't love it.
So I figure the new game will be a case of "Moderate Like at first sight."
Evading and its huge impact on tactical decisions, emphasis on eventually closing with the opponent for decisive results, the most fun and tense "battle back" rules, leader capabilities and risk, and the best epic system (enormously improved by the 5th expansion).
All reasons why CnC:A is my favorite by a mile. It does the best job of involving the inactive player with meaningful decisions.
But I'll play any of the versions. I like the system.
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