(MODS: Please delete, starting new Poll) Choose the best d20 mass battle rules

Bagpuss · Oct 13, 2004

I do like Mongoose's OMCS which was used in the Slaine RPG, it works well for combats of a few hundred troops on each side. Fields of Blood isn't bad. I wouldn't use Cry Havoc its far too numbers heavy IMHO.

Calico_Jack73 · Oct 13, 2004

Personally I like one that you didn't mention. In Green Ronin's Skull & Bones there is a great system for combat between the crews of opposing ships. While abstract it does take into account the differences in crew quality and the leadership of the captain. What I like about it is that it doesn't get bogged down into moving ships models around a battlemat. You can handle what the PCs are doing and then with a couple dice rolls figure out how the rest of the crew is faring. It is very easy to convert to any combat situation. I voted for Testament because I figure the systems are probably similar even though I've never touched the book. Consider it a vote for Green Ronin.

Psion · Oct 13, 2004

Calico_Jack73 said:
Personally I like one that you didn't mention. In Green Ronin's Skull & Bones there is a great system for combat between the crews of opposing ships. While abstract it does take into account the differences in crew quality and the leadership of the captain. What I like about it is that it doesn't get bogged down into moving ships models around a battlemat.

I beleive that is actually from Seas of Blood, which is basically a retooled version of OMCS.

jester47 · Oct 13, 2004

I do my own. Its called Chess. If I have time, I play a game and record the moves and this is the outcome. However, a faster way is to use a book of recorded chess games and asign the winner in advance. Then, you make the pieces represent certain parts of the armies, with the non-pawn pieces being the hero figures of the battle. I suppose checkers might be simpler if you want to play the game out at the table.

Aaron.

Arnwyn · Oct 13, 2004

Another vote for Eden's Fields of Blood. Good stuff.

In second, is Mongoose's OMCS(2) from Strongholds & Dynasties.

Plane Sailing · Oct 13, 2004

My vote goes for my d20 rendition of the Bushido mass combat system.

My second place vote goes for Wulf's system from the forthcoming "Slavelords of Cydonia".

Most people haven't seen either of those though

dreaded_beast · Oct 13, 2004

Interesting,

When I first started this poll, Cry Havoc and Fields of Blood were neck-and-neck. Slowly, Fields of Blood pulled ahead.

Now, checking the results, it seems as if Cry Havoc has a sizeable lead.

On another note, the Miniatures Handbook had little votes for a while, but seems to be gaining a few.

Gundark · Oct 13, 2004

dreaded_beast said:
Interesting,

When I first started this poll, Cry Havoc and Fields of Blood were neck-and-neck. Slowly, Fields of Blood pulled ahead.

Now, checking the results, it seems as if Cry Havoc has a sizeable lead.

On another note, the Miniatures Handbook had little votes for a while, but seems to be gaining a few.

I like fields of blood, I didn't like cry havoc (too #'s orientated). I also didn't like the OMCS, at least the one in the QW was too abstract, I havn't seen the 3.5 update. I got the impression that you were wanting to know which was the best one to buy. If this is so then what kind of campaign are you running?

irdeggman · Oct 14, 2004

Captain Howdy said:
I really like Fields of Blood as a whole, and the mass combat rules are great. I don't have it in front of me right now, but I seem to remember some sort of system where each player contolled a realm in a campaign world, and the rounds went by like seasons, or something to that effect. A group doesn't even need a DM. That's a different game entirely, though. But the basic mass combat rules are really good, too. Check it out if you see it.

The game was (is) Birthright and it was published by TSR.

It is still alive at the Official fansite Birthright.net.

Here are various links that may prove useful/interesting.

The BRCS-playtest. The first 3.0 version attempting to be the sanctioned and “Official” Birthright 3/3.5 version.
http://www.birthright.net/download/brcs-playtest.zip

The sanctioned version of Chapt 2 (Bloodlines) {Basically the “Official” version of the chapter}
http://www.birthright.net/forums/index.php?act=Attach&type=post&id=25154

The most recent version of Chap 1 (all sanctioned except for the noble class, skill, feats and equipment).
http://www.birthright.net/forums/index.php?act=Attach&type=post&id=29614

From what I've read of Fields of Blood it seems awful similar (bordering on plagerism - but I can't really say that since I haven't read the book yet) to the Birthright setting.

The Birthright setting had the old gods dying and imbuing the mortal survivors with traces of their blood. Granting them abilities (blood abilities).

There was also a system of ruling with domain actions and regency (a system of collecting something from those being ruled which aiding in performing domain actions.)

There was also a system for handling mass combat, since war was a common theme.

Read the info from the links I've provided and let me know how "similar" Fields of Blood really is.

Note that the BRCS-playtest was first posted Feb 2003 (and announced on this web site by the way).

The rest of the progression to the current 'product' has been posted constantly.