Eden Studios' Fields of Blood... is it good?

Phaedrus · Dec 23, 2003

I haven't seen any reviews posted yet (or am I just not looking hard enough?).

Is it good? How does it compare to Cry Havoc?

Should I get it?

dagger · Dec 23, 2003

Has it hit store shelves yet?

JoeGKushner · Dec 23, 2003

Yes, it is in stores. At least, my 'local' store, Games Plus, has it in stock. I'm till getting my feet wet with it so don't have much to say. Unfortunately, it looks pretty good and I say unfortunately, because I've been using Cry Havoc to experiement with and enjoy it. To have this also be good is going to cause some issues with which one do I use.

I'm very curious to see what happens in mass combat systems in 3rd party books as well since much of this book is Open Game Content providing lots of options for those publishers who want to go that rotue, they now have some very tough decesions to make.

shadow · Dec 23, 2003

I just picked up a copy yesterday. I haven't had time to digest it yet, but I have skimmed through it. Overall it looks very good. The rules cover, not only mass combat, but also running kingdoms and raising armies. On the plus side the mass combat rules support armies of thousands (Cry Havoc's rules only supported armies of up to a few hundred). However, because of the large scale the role of individual characters is diminished. (Cry Havoc's rules allow for high level characters to act as heroes that could take on entire units). When I get done reading all the rules I can post a side by side comparison and review.

Silveras · Dec 23, 2003

JoeGKushner said:
I'm very curious to see what happens in mass combat systems in 3rd party books as well since much of this book is Open Game Content providing lots of options for those publishers who want to go that rotue, they now have some very tough decesions to make.

Agreed. I am waiting for my copy to arrive. I have been doing a comparative examination of the Domain Management systems in another thread. I am sure there is an audience that would like to see a similar "report card" comparison of the Mass Combat systems (Cry Havoc, OMCSv2 from Strongholds & Dynasties, Empire, Miniatures Handbook, and Fields of Blood).

I have not had the opportunity to test the Mass Combat mechanics from any of them, yet, so I don't feel qualified to report on more than the content they cover (can't say much about how well they work in practice).

Topics I think would be good to cover, if someone wants to try, would be:

Supports Miniatures (A = makes great use of them, F = can't use 'em at all)
Requires Miniatures (A = they're optional and it works as well without them, F= they're required and it only works if you do 1:1 scale battles)
Quick-resolution or "cinematic" option
Strategic level (A = Offers guidance/rules on picking your fights, F = stand-alone battles only)
Supply rules (A=covers foraging and supply lines, F=ignores the topic)
Siege Combat rules
Terrain interaction (A=you can alter/damage terrain for tactical advantage, F=terrain is treated solely as static obstacles)
Magic rules
Unit advancement rules
Monster unit rules

[Edit: It might also be worth adding Testament's Army Combat resolution system to the list of things to compare.]

Psion · Dec 23, 2003

(Cry Havoc's rules only supported armies of up to a few hundred).

This is not accurate. Did you read all of Cry Havoc? It has both a mass combat system and a army combat system.

Arnwyn · Dec 23, 2003

Silveras said:
Agreed. I am waiting for my copy to arrive.

I'm waiting for your copy to arrive, too, Silveras!

dagger · Dec 23, 2003

Im not really in interested in the mass combat stuff, more interested in the management of kingdoms and the like. Hopefully it will be something I can use!