Dragon Rampant test game

[chris]

Hi folks

Stephen and I tried out Osprey's new fantasy skirmish game rules, Dragon Rampant, tonight.

I really enjoyed it!

the simple ruleset made the game flow along well. I was crippled slightly at the beginning by bad order roles meaning that my unrulely band of orcs stood about arguing for some time.

However things broadly evened out and the result was a light game full of interesting decisions and fun narrative.

Some photos below. I think Stephen and I are planning another try in a fortnight. it was great to get my old warhammer orcs out again! Many thanks to our resident quartermaster for the quick reintroduction to the layout of the store room.- it has been a while since I've used any of the wargaming stuff!

Gutrot Whitetoof's band of orcs form up into a disorganised rabble. I roll badly on my leader power roll meaning that my leader's quality is "insipid" - he inspires no courage in his followers at all!

Stephen's dwarves advance with discipline and steely determination

My orcs stand there busy doing nothing and trying to find lots of things not to do ....

[chris]

More photos:
The orcs move forwards a bit and stand there for 3 turns as the dwarves get closer and closer At this point I remember that no unit should be within 3" of any other - we both resolve to spread out as soon as possible.

My orcs are expertly peppered with gunshot and leg it.

The boar riders on my right flank cease their internal arguments and actually decide to attack something. They choose some dwarf infantry and chew through them like a group of raving orcs and boars should ! Yay!

[chris]

Last two photos:
The victory is short lived however as the dwarves systematically take Gutrot's war band apart unit by unit until only he and the goblin launcher is left. He repels several charges from Stephen's leader before being summarily killed in action. (Partly aided by my forgetting to reduce his number of dice when his strength points had reduced to half - oops sorry Stephen!)


The goblin launcher stands firm in the face of a charge from 10 slayers and manages to heroically (or perhaps desperately and luckily) fight them off.


The battle ends with the launcher crew being inspired by their hated leader's death and managing to miraculously see off two more dwarf units but inevitably the remaining dwarves claim a well deserved victory

All great fun

[morgan]

Very good to see this review. I picked up the rules over Christmas but hadn't had an opportunity to read them in detail until today. Time to dust off my "Fat Old Bretonnians" and see if they continue to disappoint with this rules set :-)

[Damon]

You can get a paper copy of the rules on Amazon for under £8 posted!

Clickety click click!!

D

[chris]

My paper copy arrived today in a thematic package alongside the last hobbit film - lots of dragons!

Given 7TV is cancelled on Sunday we could play a game or two of Dragon Rampant. Anyone up for it?

[Damon]

Was going to have a blast of IHMN with Carl instead but will bring some Goblins along too - IHMN is fairly quick too so may get to swap around a bit...

D

[morgan]

I'm game for a game.

[Stephen Mawson]

I'm happy to have another go as well.

[mike]

I'd also be up for giving this a try – could be a change to dust off all those elves I haven't done anything with the last couple of years

[chris]

Good stuff all

If I get my giant stuck together in time that'll give him a choice of rat, human or elf to eat. I suspect he'll be hungry as he has been in metal bits in his box for a decade at least....

[chris]

"Hungry!"

[morgan]

Bring a can-opener. My troops come encased in tin!