Lone Delver blog

[ProfGremlin]

The magic aspect as a physical bolster is much along the lines I was thinking of, Danhem. Why exclude structural integrity and yet allow flight? One could help the other.

Thanks for the suggestion, Sonofliefeld. I'll have to get my hands on a copy of that at some point. Interestingly the M6E reads 1+1 for Fairy Con. I like the 30th anniversary ed. option better.

Incidentally, Danhem, if you like I can pass the number of dice along the M6E states the main five kindred receive. The M6E also codifies Kindred characteristics.

[danhem]

Thanks for the offer ProfGremlin, but I do have a copy of the 6th edition. My intent in the Evolution blog series is to cover the official rules prepared by Ken. Trying to cover all of the house rules out there as well would make my head explode.

The alternative rulebook included with the 7th edition (30th anniversary tin) does include very detailed descriptions of the various kindred as well as extremely detailed descriptions of their special abilities. It's definitely worth checking out, but again I did not include it because it is not part of the official line of descent (plus the exploding brain thing).

You can download a pdf copy of the alternative rules for free from Trollhalla. If you're not a member ProfGremlin, I can send you a copy.

[ProfGremlin]

Oct 27, 2010 8:39:02 GMT -5 danhem said:

Thanks for the offer ProfGremlin, but I do have a copy of the 6th edition. My intent in the Evolution blog series is to cover the official rules prepared by Ken.

I understand, Danhem. I also realized as I started comparing the M6E against what you had listed that comparisons would be difficult at best due to the different mechanic involved, i.e. multiples of dice rather than a dice multiplier.

danhem said:

You can download a pdf copy of the alternative rules for free from Trollhalla. If you're not a member ProfGremlin, I can send you a copy.

I'd appreciate that, Danhem. I checked yesterday(?) and saw that the generic login had, indeed, been disabled. Since the walla is a format that confuses me greatly I haven't had any desire to create an account over there. Perhaps Ken would give permission to publish that pdf to Blue Frog Tavern or some other place manned by a stalwart of his?

[danhem]

There's a new post over at the Lone Delver. This one covers some house rules for dual wielding weapons.

danhemsgamingblog.blogspot.com/

[danhem]

I've posted the second installment in my "Evolution of T&T" series at The Lone Delver. This time I discuss how character types have changed from the 1st to 7th editions.

danhemsgamingblog.blogspot.com/

[oskkorrei]

I'm really digging your blog Dan. I'm especially finding your posts on creating solos very interesting and inspiring.

[danhem]

Thanks Oskkorrei, I appreciate it.

I've posted a Simple Weapons and Armor chart for use with 5th and 7th edition T&T on my blog following my last post. I welcome any comments or suggestions.

danhemsgamingblog.blogspot.com/

[danhem]

I've got a new post up at The Lone Delver, a discussion of the underrated common spear and some house rules.

danhemsgamingblog.blogspot.com/

[zanshin]

Just caught up with a month of your blog danhem. Great writing. I particularly enjoyed the eulogy to Fang the Delectable - hes pretty iconic for me too . Thank you.

[cartomancer]

Couldn't post this over at your blog unfortunately but, here's my two cents (and an exalt!):

A really nice article. Having a little experience with spear fighting in the real world i can certainly vouch for just how menacing they can be and, a spear wall behind a shield wall can be devestating!

As a point of interest, you may wish to know that when fighting with a spear, the wielder will often hold a dagger in thier back-hand in case their spear is pinned or an opponent has closed to the point that they cannot be harmed by the spear. As the close, pinning the spear, the dagger is brought down into the neck / collar bone of the attacker, forcing them back or killing them and releasing the spearman to attack again.

Another common use of the spear in group combat is to open up the shield of an attacker by placing pressure on the outer side, which in turn pivots the shield and exposes the attacker for a spear thrust to the chest or gut of another spear wielder.

[zanshin]

Another common use of the spear in group combat is to open up the shield of an attacker by placing pressure on the outer side, which in turn pivots the shield and exposes the attacker for a spear thrust to the chest or gut of another spear wielder.

I guess thats why phalanxes would normally collapse on their right side , as that was the weak side defensively when they lost the shield push.

Spears are far stronger as a collective. Historicaly though, short sword and shield (Romans and Spanish sword and buckler units) were the counter to the very long spear, as once a longspear/pike unit becomes disordered it is far more vulnerable to people with short stabby blades.

Its the traditional rock-paper-scissors - spears beat cavalry, cavalry beat sword armed infantry, sword armed infantry can beat spears.

There is also the optimal spear length issue - the longer the spear, the better against other spears, but the more vulnerable to outflanking or closing the distance.

I love the Great Battles of History series of wargames by GMT (Alexander, SPQR, Caesar et al), they explore the battles of the ancient era brilliantly.

[cartomancer]

Mar 31, 2011 4:52:50 GMT -5 zanshin said:

Its the traditional rock-paper-scissors - spears beat cavalry, cavalry beat sword armed infantry, sword armed infantry can beat spears.

That would make for a great light skirmish game Zanshin! Nice simple rules, throw in a little bit of dice rolling and a few minatures and you're away.

Maybe something like 3D versus a unit you are strong against, 2D versus a unit where neither side has the advantage, 1D versus a unit you are weak against. Each dice rolled that is higher than your opponents highest roll removes one unit. All that needs figuring is the movement really, which isn't too hard... But i digress, Lol.

I forgot to mention a dirty tactic of spearmen that we don't use for battle re-creation but almost certainly would have been used at the time, which is to stab an opponent in the foot. In the worst case scenario, you take one man down, in the best case scenario, it'll take two men to carry him back and you've effectivly removed three men from the battle!

That relies on a certain level of loyalty to your fellow warriors that a band of goblins may not possess however. ;D

[hrrrothgarrr]

DBA boils down to just these sorts of interactions. The original 2 page version, iirc on the St Helena wargamers page, is much easier to read than the current text.

The Phalanx also showed a distinct tendancy to creep to the right as each man tried to edge just a little further under his neighbor's shield.

[fellgore]

Danhem,

I don't normally follow blogs, but I checked yours out when you posted about spears over on Trollhalla. Then I got curious and read all your posts on house rules. I really liked your shield rules too. I'm going to incorporate most of your shield and spear rules into my own games. Thank you!

I've never done this before, but I'm going try out the exalt button!

[danhem]

I'm glad you liked my house rules Fellgore. Let me know how they work out; and thanks for the Exalt.