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<blockquote data-quote="KirayaTiDrekan" data-source="post: 6322692" data-attributes="member: 6755061"><p><span style="font-size: 12px"><strong>Swords & Spells</strong></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 12px"><strong></strong></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 12px"><strong></strong><span style="font-size: 10px">Originally published August, 1976</span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 12px"><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 12px"><span style="font-size: 10px"></span></span>Version being read and reviewed: <a href="http://www.drivethrurpg.com/product/17175/Swords--Spells-0e?cPath=9730_9737&it=1" target="_blank">Swords & Spells</a> (PDF added to <a href="http://www.drivethrurpg.com" target="_blank">www.drivethrurpg.com</a> April, 2017)</p><p></p><p>Fantastic Miniatures Rules on a 1:10/1:1 Scale by Gary Gygax</p><p></p><p>The red-headed step-child of the original version of Dungeons & Dragons, Swords & Spells is essentially Supplement V. Its also called the grandson of Chainmail in the foreword by Timothy Kask. The thing is, the foreword starts us off on a rather off-putting note as he informs the reader to trust the author because he knows better than you when it comes to rules for miniatures. The foreword also reminds the reader that this is fantasy and therefore anything that doesn't make sense should be explained away with that notion.</p><p></p><p>In the introduction, Gygax explains the rationale for mixing model scales in a mass battle fantasy context - a need to account for exceptional critters and characters fighting alongside and against armies of lesser creatures. Gygax then contradicts Kask by saying that referees will likely need to modify and expand the rules presented.</p><p></p><p>As an aside, I have rarely used miniatures in my D&D games - a couple of times with 3.5 and most of the few sessions I played of 4E. And I always used the pre-painted plastic minis or cardboard counters available at the time So, the detail with which this supplement goes into mounting figures on bases is a bit beyond me. The intent here appears to be to have the mini's base represent the creature's reach more than its size as human sized creatures get bigger bases if they are wielding larger weapons.</p><p></p><p>The turn sequence for combat is reminiscent of what appears in later Basic D&D core rules, including the Rules Cyclopedia. I find that rather intriguing given how maligned and/or ignored this supplement has become over the decades. There are some similarities between this and its descendant, the D&D Minis game based on 3.5 (and later 4E) as well. As is often the case with these older books, Gygax made me look up an obscure word because I'd never seen it before, in this "abatis."</p><p></p><p>Unlike the skirmish level combat of more modern games, these rules are, well, complicated. Missile fire rules alone make my head spin more than the psionics rules in Eldritch Wizardry. Magic and melee and morale are all likewise quite complicated. I'm sure this stuff makes sense to miniatures enthusiasts but its all gobbledygook to me.</p><p></p><p>The latter portion of the book is tables, of course, and appendices which start a little after halfway through the book. Appendix B is notable for introducing a point-buy army selection system not unlike that used in the 3.5 era D&D Minis game. Appendix C provides an example of play...or tries to anyway. It mostly seems like a muddle mess.</p><p></p><p>Next up: Dungeons & Dragons Basic Set (1977 Holmes)</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="KirayaTiDrekan, post: 6322692, member: 6755061"] [SIZE=3][B]Swords & Spells [/B][SIZE=2]Originally published August, 1976 [/SIZE][/SIZE]Version being read and reviewed: [URL="http://www.drivethrurpg.com/product/17175/Swords--Spells-0e?cPath=9730_9737&it=1"]Swords & Spells[/URL] (PDF added to [url]www.drivethrurpg.com[/url] April, 2017) Fantastic Miniatures Rules on a 1:10/1:1 Scale by Gary Gygax The red-headed step-child of the original version of Dungeons & Dragons, Swords & Spells is essentially Supplement V. Its also called the grandson of Chainmail in the foreword by Timothy Kask. The thing is, the foreword starts us off on a rather off-putting note as he informs the reader to trust the author because he knows better than you when it comes to rules for miniatures. The foreword also reminds the reader that this is fantasy and therefore anything that doesn't make sense should be explained away with that notion. In the introduction, Gygax explains the rationale for mixing model scales in a mass battle fantasy context - a need to account for exceptional critters and characters fighting alongside and against armies of lesser creatures. Gygax then contradicts Kask by saying that referees will likely need to modify and expand the rules presented. As an aside, I have rarely used miniatures in my D&D games - a couple of times with 3.5 and most of the few sessions I played of 4E. And I always used the pre-painted plastic minis or cardboard counters available at the time So, the detail with which this supplement goes into mounting figures on bases is a bit beyond me. The intent here appears to be to have the mini's base represent the creature's reach more than its size as human sized creatures get bigger bases if they are wielding larger weapons. The turn sequence for combat is reminiscent of what appears in later Basic D&D core rules, including the Rules Cyclopedia. I find that rather intriguing given how maligned and/or ignored this supplement has become over the decades. There are some similarities between this and its descendant, the D&D Minis game based on 3.5 (and later 4E) as well. As is often the case with these older books, Gygax made me look up an obscure word because I'd never seen it before, in this "abatis." Unlike the skirmish level combat of more modern games, these rules are, well, complicated. Missile fire rules alone make my head spin more than the psionics rules in Eldritch Wizardry. Magic and melee and morale are all likewise quite complicated. I'm sure this stuff makes sense to miniatures enthusiasts but its all gobbledygook to me. The latter portion of the book is tables, of course, and appendices which start a little after halfway through the book. Appendix B is notable for introducing a point-buy army selection system not unlike that used in the 3.5 era D&D Minis game. Appendix C provides an example of play...or tries to anyway. It mostly seems like a muddle mess. Next up: Dungeons & Dragons Basic Set (1977 Holmes) [/QUOTE]
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