Mass combat - representing the combat

[Kevin O'Reilly]

Part III

What would you use to represent units in a mass combat game?

 

[Hygric]

I said counters or paper, simply because getting all those minatures for a very limited use is much more money than I have to spend.

 

[Kevin O'Reilly]

Hygric

What if those same miniatures could be used in roleplay and they where cheap enough? Save $1.50 each?

 

[bwgwl]

counters.

i can make counters myself. i need 50 more orcs? print out another sheet of counters. no need to go buy more miniatures.

(that said, i do collect miniatures when my income permits it. i just don't use them for gaming.)

 

[Tonguez]

a number

Bob the Barbarian is leading a band of 500 hardened warriors he gains a +15 to Attacks +15 to AC to account for his 'followers'...

 

[Umbran]

I voted "Counters or paper". What I usually use are candies. If the fight's that big, I figure I ought to give the players the extra thrill of getting to eat the enemy when they're done

 

[pogre]

I'm obviously in the minority here, but I love the look of lots of miniatures on the table. I also love to pull out miniatures I painted for that week's game to see the look on their face. They are always trying to con my wife out of info - "Hey, he's not painting any Mindflayers is he?"

I understand the limitations people have in terms of money and time though.

 

[Asheron]

Yep Mageknight miniatures. They're cheap and they will do, but we also use counters or paper......

 

[Bagpuss]

To be honest I'd much rather see D&D handle mass combat like Flashing Blades does. IE: No miniatures, no maps, just tables.

Players decided if they are going to act cowardly, timid, normal, brave, heroic.

This effects the chance of them getting a single combat, wealth gained on looting the battlefield, possibility of capturing an enemy standard, etc.

If they are commanding a unit then they get a chance of a brilliant tactical that could help change the out come of the battle.
The Army and Division commanders on each side effect the final outcome of the battle and the players actions depending on the results of their combats also effect the result of the battle.

If I want to play a wargame I'll play a wargame I want to be able to resolve mass-battle within normal play.

 

[CCamfield]

Hey, I should mine my copy of FB for ideas...

I'm very much for dramatic events on the battlefield without having to run the whole thing, unless the players are actually commanding troops. Take that hill, charge the enemy flag, try to capture an enemy officer, etc.