tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38671384.post490171027493161637..comments2024-03-18T20:32:20.647-07:00Comments on Dale's Wargames: Saga Review and Test BattleDalehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13667428218897971037noreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38671384.post-53082591811038452762020-12-28T13:51:45.227-07:002020-12-28T13:51:45.227-07:00Yes, it is version 1 given that it was written in ...Yes, it is version 1 given that it was written in 2012. In 2018 I started looking at Saga version 2. https://daleswargames.blogspot.com/2018/03/playing-saga-2-part-1.htmlDalehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13667428218897971037noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38671384.post-76663774740659503142020-12-28T09:06:45.596-07:002020-12-28T09:06:45.596-07:00This review is based on the 1st edition of Saga. F...This review is based on the 1st edition of Saga. For those getting started (like me), be advised that the 2nd edition of the rules requires purchase of separate volumes for different historical periods. You need these to get access to factions-specific details as well as the colorful cardboard battle boards. While 'Age of Vikings' covers the Dark Ages theme of the 1st edition, they've also released 'Aetius & Arthur (for earlier post-Roman Empire collapse Dark Ages) 'Age of Hannibal,' 'Age of Crusades' and even a fantasy 'Age of Magic.' Each of these supplemental volumes is quite a bit more pricey ($45 US) than the basic rules ($18 US), but definitely well worth it. They've re-done the battle boards so that they are more clear, in my opinion, than the 1st edition. You also have the option of purchasing the various sets of dice ($20 US each). A note about the dice ... you actually use the same sets of dice to cover multiple factions (nations). For example, the "Irish dice" are intended for use with Irish, Scots, and Norse Gaels (but curiously, not he Welsh, which get their own set of dice). Or, you can simply use standard D6's with the numbers corresponding to the symbols. Another option is to download the symbols (provided by the publisher for free) and convert them into stickers. Overall, I find this set of rules very much fun for small-scale skirmish battles that are rooted in historical attributes of these different nations -- but not a replacement for larger, set-piece battles.Don_Wilbrahamhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14507127007553509703noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38671384.post-39662864365587531302012-12-11T01:53:35.963-07:002012-12-11T01:53:35.963-07:00Dale,
Excellent review of Saga, focussing on what...Dale,<br /><br />Excellent review of Saga, focussing on what makes it different form other games. And ta for the quick review on Wally Simon's books. I may have to get them. I was really just looking for an excuse, and you did not say they were bad. I also think I have an article of his from when I was on magweb in the 90s, but back then I was not a miniatures rules junkie - I got enough of reading manuals via work (I have come to realise that maybe I love reading rules and playing them is I used to get my fix for many years via work - reading lots of manuals, and now my work is not manual based - more about prior knowledge and experience. Shaun Travershttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05691522858410783769noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38671384.post-22434792984728012042012-12-10T04:49:58.319-07:002012-12-10T04:49:58.319-07:00And here I was happily ignoring saga. Now I'm ...And here I was happily ignoring saga. Now I'm wondering if it's too late to add it to the xmas list.Seanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15428727065347379281noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38671384.post-87919183096758127272012-12-09T23:16:37.374-07:002012-12-09T23:16:37.374-07:00Great review. Very informative.
In my opinion, y...Great review. Very informative.<br /><br />In my opinion, you can bump your scalability rating up to a 4. You can easily go down to four points (as you saw in your own game) and still have an enjoyable game. There are rules included for fielding warbands larger than 6 points and the eight point additions work well (the only ones I've tried). You can also include more players by just adding in additional battle boards. We've done this successfully and had some really fun games. I've also found that the point system works well for games with different numbers of players on each side. More players with smaller warbands can get an advantage in total Saga dice and will have greater access to the once/turn abilities by having more battleboards. Their risk is that they will generally be more fragile with smaller units and will not hold onto their Saga dice easily as their small units can be crushed and wiped out. A force with fewer, larger units will have fewer starting Saga dice and less access to the once/turn abilities, but will have larger units that have greater staying power, greater striking power, and lose Saga dice more slowly.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38671384.post-88928574521364419422012-12-09T22:55:43.961-07:002012-12-09T22:55:43.961-07:00One of the best reviews I have ever read. Great w...One of the best reviews I have ever read. Great work.Beccashttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00742953626769861778noreply@blogger.com