Let's talk Battlelore

[theRogueRooster]

Two weeks ago when this thread was new, BGG had about 6-8 pics, not 100+, and only 1 or 2 showed unpainted figures. I never implied the manufacturer was trying to pull a bait'n'switch. In fact, the only link provided in the OP were to reviews, not to an official website, and since BGG was the only one I regularly visited, that's where I went.

Not to keep singling you out, but if you click on "Browse Images" on BGG you can see the date when each picture was uploaded to the site. I think you'll notice tons of pics uploaded way back in September and October, and in most of the images showing the figures (except for 4) they are unpainted. Now I'll doff my nitpicking hat since I'm not actually trying to pick a fight (honest!). I apologize if it appears that way.

I paint metal minis (and have for years) as a part of my D&D hobby. I also played (past tense) mini games in which you had to paint your army yourself. I also play mini games now with prepainted figs. Given my limited play time, I'll not be painting any figs unless they are major characters in an RPG I'm playing in, and with the ever improving quality of prepainted paint jobs, I won't be dropping a ton of cash on a game without them in the future. Heroscape, Star Wars, D&D minis, all have decent paintjobs and high production values. And I can always repaint any I don't like.

If the lack of painted minis is the only thing holding you back from BattleLore, have you considered replacing them with the extras from your collection of Heroscape/D&D minis? It'd give you another use for that mountain of commons you've no doubt collected. Just a thought.

Of course, if you're already collecting Heroscape, Star Wars, and D&D Minis, you may not want another money-sink. BattleLore is slated to have (non-randomized) monthly releases to expand the game. If you're a completist like me, you may be better off to not start down this road and save your money for your other gaming interests.

As for me, I fully expect BattleLore to be my only gaming interest for a long while to come. My Hill Giant told me so.

-tRR

 

[Philotomy Jurament]

I have Memoir '44 and think its a great basic-level wargame. I've seen the previews for this and I'll be all over it when it's released.

 

[Twowolves]

Not to keep singling you out, but if you click on "Browse Images" on BGG you can see the date when each picture was uploaded to the site. I think you'll notice tons of pics uploaded way back in September and October, and in most of the images showing the figures (except for 4) they are unpainted. Now I'll doff my nitpicking hat since I'm not actually trying to pick a fight (honest!). I apologize if it appears that way.

I didn't look at all the pics on BGG under "Browse Images", I just looked at the thumbnails on the front page. I concede that there may have been many more uploaded that I just didn't see, and those that I did see were almost entirely painted.

If the lack of painted minis is the only thing holding you back from BattleLore, have you considered replacing them with the extras from your collection of Heroscape/D&D minis? It'd give you another use for that mountain of commons you've no doubt collected. Just a thought.

Of course, if you're already collecting Heroscape, Star Wars, and D&D Minis, you may not want another money-sink. BattleLore is slated to have (non-randomized) monthly releases to expand the game. If you're a completist like me, you may be better off to not start down this road and save your money for your other gaming interests.

Ain't that the truth. While I can appreciate the continuted support (and a fantasy army themed game is just begging for it), I already quit buying randomized packs of minis for both Star Wars and DDM (eBay is your friend!), but I suspect SW Starship Battles will break that trend. As it stands, the only thing missing from my Heroscape collections is one pack of elves from the expansion wave that literally never hit the stores here. It's like they all skipped over that one. While Heroscape isn't a super-involved tactical wargame, it's close enough, I didn't have to paint anything, and my wife loves it, so I actually get to PLAY it more than once or twice a year, unlike all my other (non-D&D) games.

 

[Mystaros]

BattleLore is excellent. I got an early, complete copy for review, and have enjoyed playing it immensely (the review will be in Scrye #105).

It could readily be used as a D&D mass-combat emulator, with the proviso that at this time, there are only three races: humans, dwarves, and goblins, plus the giant spider (Shelob-sized) and Hill Giant. Of course, with the right mix of your own 15mm minis, some adaptation of the magic system, and a bit of work, you can use just about any races and monsters you like. The system is eminently adaptable. Of course, if you are a nit-picker for exactingness of the rules with d20 and whatnot, it will not be your kind of game for D&D battle emulation; but for us fuzzier-rules types, it works nicely.

I've been a huge fan of Borg's Command & Colors system since BattleCry, and I couldn't be happier that it has experienced such growth, between DoW's Memoir '44 and GMT's Ancients, and now BattleLore. BattleLore takes the Co&Co rules and mixes them very nicely with medieval and fantasy ideals. If you are on the edge of deciding yea or nay, try to find a game with someone who has it already; I'm sure you will be convinced. I'm going to buy a second set myself, for larger battles. The back of the board is such that it combines for a really, really BIG battlefield.

 

[johnsemlak]

A recent episode of the Dice Tower podcast, 74 (linkie at top of thread) gives a full description of the contents of the game, so it's worth a listen if your on the fence and the quality of the contents is a big issue for you.

The minis are all the same color. Attachable banners are used to differentiate the armies.

This may be a deal-breaker for some people but the game reviewers that I have listened to all say that the game's banner system works extremely well.

 

[Thanee]

This game looked interesting... until I realized that the minis come unpainted.

If you want pre-painted miniatures in a full-fledged table-top game... AT-43 from Rackham (it's science fiction, though).

Bye
Thanee

 

[Twowolves]

Wow, that does look nice. If I were into sci-fi mini games, I'd definately give that one a look. How much is 80 euros in american dollars? Close to $100?

Now, if they would just start a fantasy game like that... well, another one besides Heroscape.

 

[Nikosandros]

If you want pre-painted miniatures in a full-fledged table-top game... AT-43 from Rackham (it's science fiction, though).

I had just recently seen an ad for this (probably in Dungeon) and it sure looks intriguing...

 

[Thanee]

Wow, that does look nice. If I were into sci-fi mini games, I'd definately give that one a look. How much is 80 euros in american dollars? Close to $100?

Yeah, about that. It's just an initiation set now with more simple rules, the full rulebook isn't even out yet (it will be published in early 2007 most likely). Seen it on a large games fair here and the miniatures really look like they are on the pictures, which is pretty cool for prepainted.

Now, if they would just start a fantasy game like that...

Rackham started with a fantasy game (Confrontation), but it's more traditional TT with unpainted lead (or whatever substitute metal they use these days) miniatures (their miniatures (you can see them here) are absolutely gorgeous, though), so it seems obvious to put out a science fiction game now (I also think sci-fi appeals more to the younger audience, which might be the prime target for this game), but who knows... if it sells really well, they might expand it and make prepainted fantasy miniatures as well in a few years.

Anyways... back to topic, I guess.

Bye
Thanee