MASS COMBAT: Cry Havoc or WOTC Mini Handbook

[The_Universe]

Well, to respond to the original poster: I have no idea what you need... you didn't note very many conditions that you require for the rules to be useful to you.

Sorry!

I have lots of minis (around 200, I think) and so the dependence on minis isn't a big deal. I'm not really sure what my requirements are, really. I want something easy to run, and something where I can plop my players down in the middle of a battle and get that sort of visceral "Gladiator" feeling. I like the idea of something where the PCs can either be "supertroops" or commanders, or both...

Presumably, something that can handle a "Blood War" type scenario might also be able to handle a more modern battle...guns are *sort of* like special abilities....
Really, I was just hoping that you all would lay down each book's strengths and weaknesses, and then tell me which one you though was better, and why...

(which is exactly what I'm getting...so keep it coming!)

THANKS!

 

[Silveras]

Don't forgetTestament in your testing, drnuncheon. It has a mass combat system, too. It is more geared toward the epic-hero-slays-10-with-1-swing type of game, though, so I doubt it is quite what The_Universe is seeking.

 

[drnuncheon]

Don't forgetTestament in your testing, drnuncheon. It has a mass combat system, too. It is more geared toward the epic-hero-slays-10-with-1-swing type of game, though, so I doubt it is quite what The_Universe is seeking.

Well, I'd do it if I owned it, but my budget doesn't allow - so if anyone in the 'burgh has it and wants to participate...

J

 

[johnsemlak]

Birthright 3.5 fan conversion


J

Didn't know there was one. Can you provide a link for that?

 

[CRGreathouse]

I have lots of minis (around 200, I think) and so the dependence on minis isn't a big deal. I'm not really sure what my requirements are, really. I want something easy to run, and something where I can plop my players down in the middle of a battle and get that sort of visceral "Gladiator" feeling. I like the idea of something where the PCs can either be "supertroops" or commanders, or both...

Presumably, something that can handle a "Blood War" type scenario might also be able to handle a more modern battle...guns are *sort of* like special abilities....

Cry Havoc can certainly work with minis -- it does have grid-based terrain on both inside covers, after all. It assumes 10+ creatures per square (mini, etc.), though; less than that, and perhaps Chainmail/Minatures Handbook is the right resource.

Cry Havoc can handle a more modern setting, I think; certainly on the tactical level. It might cause problems on the strategic level (thousands per side), since only a few of the strategic options assume that ranged combat makes a large difference (hit and run, for example). It looks like you're going for a tactical level anyway, though, so it's good there.

 

[drnuncheon]

Didn't know there was one. Can you provide a link for that?

http://www.birthright.net

if I remember right, that is.

 

[Olive]

Thanks for this comarison guys. I was meaning to ask the same question myself... so I might buy the MH first, for the monsters etc. but I'll probably get Cry Havoc when big war becomes and issue.

 

[VorpalBunny]

A quick question for the Cry Havoc guys: Can CH handle handle a large a scale battle with an *army* composed of Red Wizards, gem golems, and demons? How about revenants?

I have a feeling I'm going to be needing some mass combat rules soon, and I need a system that can handle a "non-standard" army. I like what I read about CH, but I don't know if it can handle these types of battles. If it can, I'm ordering it right away.

 

[GruTheWanderer]

A quick question for the Cry Havoc guys: Can CH handle handle a large a scale battle with an *army* composed of Red Wizards, gem golems, and demons? How about revenants?

I have a feeling I'm going to be needing some mass combat rules soon, and I need a system that can handle a "non-standard" army. I like what I read about CH, but I don't know if it can handle these types of battles. If it can, I'm ordering it right away.

Yes, Cry Havoc can handle a unit battle (tens or hundreds) with units of wizards, outsiders, or golems. Skip does a great job of explaining the battlefield uses of most SRD spells and special abilities (extraordinary, supernatural, and the like). If you are using abilities and spells beyond the SRD, you may need to extrapolate some on your own.

Here's a link to compiled questions about Cry Havoc on Monte Cook's boards: http://pub102.ezboard.com/fokayyourturnfrm16.showMessage?topicID=750.topic

 

[Endur]

If you don't care about strict 3.0, you could go with:

Warhammer (any of half a dozen versions)

Chivalry and Sorcery (great mini fantasy battle rules)

Ral Partha

WRG

BattleSystem

etc.