Righto ... lets make this brief. After buying Baron's War II at Xmas time, I've finally invested enough effort to read and comprehend the rules during the Easter school holidays. I'd tried to read it twice before but found it difficult to approach. My main impression was a set of rules that was written using far too many words and repetition (I'm specifically looking at you 'line of sight.') In any case, I soldiered through, making my own summary pages (as I found the supplied QRS quite lacking) and then army lists. Oh, that's right ... army lists ... my god what a bloody obtuse exercise in frustration they are! Pages and pages when you chase backwards and forwards to find point costs and special ability rules within varied tables. This section needed a much more plug and play type layout with a single large alphabetical list of abilities ... please. I have the feeling these rules could be a generic Medieval rules systems with very little tweaking (from Late Rome to War of the Roses.)
In any case, I came to the conclusion Baron's War II was a decent set of rules hidden underneath a significant pile of obsfucating wordage.
Here are a limited couple of images of the first game. I used the Conquest supplement as I like the Dark Ages and I really like my recent painting + basing upgrade of these figures. The game played well but I needed to teach it to my opponent who, despite having owned the rules for longer than I, doesn't read rules. Actually, I don't really know why he buys them at all!!!
The rules played well and my favourite part was the command rules surrounding orders and the ability to give actions or reactions to other troops. The commander really is a support piece without any more ability to fight or defend himself than a usual elite, well equipped warrior. I like this. Games seem like they'll be quite brief for several reasons including the commander's fragility but also the small table size (only 4' x 3') ensuring combat comes quickly. This also means you don't need too much terrain (if carrying the stuff to play elsewhere.) I envisage two games a normal eve is well within probabilities.
It is most definitely an objective game. You play the objectives or lose. Also, as was the case in this game, killing your opponent's commander is a fairly decent tactic t grab success. He must be defended well but the unit he inhabits is also, likely, your most potent attacking force. This creates a wonderfully tense decision process for the player. The exact type of rules I enjoy - force decisions from the player ... but each at a cost.
Bowfire doesn't seem too horrible but I limited the selections in this battle.
An iron clad rule I've long found ... skirmish games are easily ruined by selecting too many missile troops. The fun and drama lies firmly in the cut and thrust of melee.
The battle was to claim a central objective but it was decided when my Saxons slew the Viking Hesir and his second in command failed to win the loyalty of the remaining Norse warriors who fled for the longships.
I did learn the benefits of a thoroughly organised army list which is vital in this game. Modify all your unit and commander stats based on the weaponry and armour purchases. Have all ready to go - including ability summaries succinctly for all under each unit for easy reference. This way, you can easily focus on the rules.
And that sums up my experience with Baron's War II. It plays well but demands a high price in commitment of time and thought to set the game up beforehand.
So I rewarded myself with 4 beers from my favourite breweries in Newcastle. Above is an IPA I enjoyed while (Across the Desert West Coast IPA) sitting at the front of Method Brewery watching the traffic and reading Adam Nevill horror short stories. Here I also enjoyed a New World IPA and a Red IPA. Method is just the best!
But for atmosphere, I really like Good Folk brewing. This gem is hidden behind a secret door pretending to be a vending machine in a street front pizza shop. Behind is the wonderfully bluesy bar. I have purchased the IPA which was on song this day! Huzzah!
They'll be more Baron's War II in future ... I'm thinking Northern Crusades (same time period as the Baron's War in England) to replicate some skirmishes as the Sword Brothers push inland from their main base at Riga up the Dvina River againsts the Livonians ... or was it Lithuanians ... or Semigallians ... oh, I forget!
