Post by gabus on Jul 25, 2013 23:14:49 GMT -5
So Matt and I finally got around to playing kings of war from mantic games. We both backed the kickstarter last year, and he got his models already, mine come next month.
I would describe the game as warhammer lite. The basics are there, moving, shooting, close combat, like you would expect from a square based game. Pre-measuring is in the game, everything is measured from the unit leader, like line of sight and ranges.
The major differences:
1) movement. Most units can only pivot ONCE during their movement, up to 90 degrees. Not wheeling, pivoting around the center. Lining units up properly is a crucial skill in the game.
2) moves are done in any order, not charges first. You CAN actually screen properly in this game, unlike warhammer.
3) charging. There are no charge reactions in the game. Your only option is to stand and take it. This threw me off having played warhammer for 25 years. A big part of the game looks to be setting up the countercharge.
4) combat. Models are not removed individually. A unit has a wavering point and a rout point based on its size. Wounds on the unit + 2d6 and beat the score to rout it. Made cleanup a breeze since there was no deadpile. There are various ways you can heal wounds back.
5) dicerolling. The player whos turn it is does all the die-rolling. This was wierd at first, but speeds the game huge. A unit has x number of attacks. Not for each model, for the unit. I have a roll to hit based on my melee score, and a damage roll based on the enemy defense stat. Apply wounds. Roll break test (2d6 + wounds vs nerve stat for unit) There are very few modifiers to these rolls. It took no time to have my stats and Matts stats memorized.
6) magic. All magic is a shooting attack. You either shoot the enemy (zap) or your friends (heal) or in the case of undead, move your units around. No game breaking magic phases, magic fits into the core rules.
7) characters do not join units. They provide support buffs (inspiring to units around them) or magic support, or combat power as a unit by themselves. Very different use from warhammer.
8) army construction. Very few limits, can make any kind of army you want. Limit one character, and one warmachine for each "solid" unit. (Usually a 20 man infantry or 10 man cav unit) leaves the door open for themes. Can ally with any army of the same alignment or neutral, so again, very open build options.
9) speed. The game is very fast. matt and I knocked out our first game in an hour. 8 turns, 1,000 points total noobs. (My elves would have been about 1500 points in wfb, and taken 2 ish hours to play) We were done so fast, we played another game. In the same evening session. Tournament play is 1800 - 2000 points. I had about 90 elves on the table, matt had about 100 undead? 9 units for me, same for matt. The game would support huge fantasy battles for our collections.
10) rules and basic army lists are available online for free. Another plus.
Definately fun, and worth adding to our repitoire. Not a full on replacement for wfb, but a good alternative and worth learning/ playing.
Next game I play I am going to take the orcs for a spin under the mantic rules.
Sent from my iPod
I would describe the game as warhammer lite. The basics are there, moving, shooting, close combat, like you would expect from a square based game. Pre-measuring is in the game, everything is measured from the unit leader, like line of sight and ranges.
The major differences:
1) movement. Most units can only pivot ONCE during their movement, up to 90 degrees. Not wheeling, pivoting around the center. Lining units up properly is a crucial skill in the game.
2) moves are done in any order, not charges first. You CAN actually screen properly in this game, unlike warhammer.
3) charging. There are no charge reactions in the game. Your only option is to stand and take it. This threw me off having played warhammer for 25 years. A big part of the game looks to be setting up the countercharge.
4) combat. Models are not removed individually. A unit has a wavering point and a rout point based on its size. Wounds on the unit + 2d6 and beat the score to rout it. Made cleanup a breeze since there was no deadpile. There are various ways you can heal wounds back.
5) dicerolling. The player whos turn it is does all the die-rolling. This was wierd at first, but speeds the game huge. A unit has x number of attacks. Not for each model, for the unit. I have a roll to hit based on my melee score, and a damage roll based on the enemy defense stat. Apply wounds. Roll break test (2d6 + wounds vs nerve stat for unit) There are very few modifiers to these rolls. It took no time to have my stats and Matts stats memorized.
6) magic. All magic is a shooting attack. You either shoot the enemy (zap) or your friends (heal) or in the case of undead, move your units around. No game breaking magic phases, magic fits into the core rules.
7) characters do not join units. They provide support buffs (inspiring to units around them) or magic support, or combat power as a unit by themselves. Very different use from warhammer.
8) army construction. Very few limits, can make any kind of army you want. Limit one character, and one warmachine for each "solid" unit. (Usually a 20 man infantry or 10 man cav unit) leaves the door open for themes. Can ally with any army of the same alignment or neutral, so again, very open build options.
9) speed. The game is very fast. matt and I knocked out our first game in an hour. 8 turns, 1,000 points total noobs. (My elves would have been about 1500 points in wfb, and taken 2 ish hours to play) We were done so fast, we played another game. In the same evening session. Tournament play is 1800 - 2000 points. I had about 90 elves on the table, matt had about 100 undead? 9 units for me, same for matt. The game would support huge fantasy battles for our collections.
10) rules and basic army lists are available online for free. Another plus.
Definately fun, and worth adding to our repitoire. Not a full on replacement for wfb, but a good alternative and worth learning/ playing.
Next game I play I am going to take the orcs for a spin under the mantic rules.
Sent from my iPod
