Alternative Vassal Module for Cry Havoc

While looking around for new counters to enhance my cry havoc game, I came across the Samurai Blades Engine Module. The author definitely put alot of work into the module.

He has custom icons for the buttons and also included a feature to have a mini-map of the game. However, the vassal module looks alot more complex than the original Cry Havoc module.

The bare bones feel of the original module inspired me to try and take it to another level. This module looks a bit intimidating. Definitely useful as a source of inspiration.

Vassal: Song of Blades and Heroes

The Song of Blades and Heroes caught my attention when it got nominated at Origins for Best Miniature Game.

The rule set fits my needs for being elegant and concise while still giving a variety of tactics. There is a core set of simple rules which are modified by specials to give individual units more characters. The rules are also nicely illustrated and edited. All this for $4.00 ;)

As I noted earlier, the Cry Havoc module is nicely written for simple d6 based man to man combat. You just need to download the main module, a few maps and the Dragon Noir setting to have some fantasy troops for your online fantasy skirmish map.

To playtest my idea, I setup the Cry Havoc module using a Song of Blades and Heroes. To give some element of randomness when solo gaming, I quickly added the reaction charts from Mayhem Warrior Heroes. It actually worked out pretty good but required some quick decisions.

I'll do a separate post with my notes for combining the two.

The SBH system works pretty good.

Vassal: Mayhem Warrior Heroes 2

The Mayhem Warrior Heroes rule set is great for solo gaming. The chain reaction forces the characters to react in unpredictable ways which allow for opportunities for story telling.

Thorin assembled a small party to search for the lost Battlehammer of his famed clan. In an earlier encounter in the Silver Hills, Thorin's party was ambushed by the Red Orc clan. His good friend was brutally slain and the party routed.

A month later, Thorin has assembled a new party to hunt down the Savage orc who killed his good friend. They trailed the savage orc with the help of the hunter Jon and attacked in a small clearing.

The hail of arrows only sparked anger in the huge orc who charged the elven archer. She was the first to fall to his mighty axe. Thorin and Uzun tried to take the orc down but Thorin routed under heavy orcish arrows. As they fled back into the woods, the orcs charged and slowly took them down among the trees.

Mayhem Warrior Heroes review:
* The rules are not very clear about alot of points. It definitely needs to be organized and edited better.
* The whole reputation idea with passes is confusing. However, once you get the hang of it it does flow.
* The chain reaction system is nice and definitely great for solo gaming.
* I'm not too excited by the combat resolution. I had quite a few passes where both combatants made their passes and no result happened.

Vassal: Mayhem Warrior Heroes

I tried out playtesting Mayhem Warrior Heroes ( Two Hour Wargames) using Vassal Module: Cry Havoc.

The Cry Havoc is a great Vassal Module. The game has alot of nice counters that can represent characters in different states.

In the scene above, a party of adventurers has ambushed an Orcish raiding party. Unfortunately for the adventurers, MWH is a brutal set of rules and the small party will soon be overcome by the Savage Orc.

PBEM: Vassal + Special Forces

So far, Vassal has been the big success to get my daily gaming fix. Its relatively easy to setup once you get the hang of it.

I think the Battle Cry module is well written and has a relatively simple interface. It helps that the rules are basically UGO/IGO which makes it easy to adapt for PBEM.

We've finished 2 games in the last 2 weeks and are starting the third game.

I also looked at DVG's special forces vassal module. I like the module clean looks,the design and the setting:modern day squad combat.

The module has good clean graphics. The rules look pretty straightforward with a simple one die resolution system. I'm not sure how well it will play PBEM because there is a reactive element to the play.

My other problem is the price tag at $10.00. It looks like you need two registered ids to play the game which puts it at $20.00 for 2 gamers. Its hard to say if its worth $20.00 for a virtual game with roughly 5 scenarios.

Maybe I'll look at it again later.

PBEM - Vassal Modules

So I'm back to looking at Vassal modules for games. I own quite a few games, so I have the rules for a vast majority of simple wargames.

At a glance, these systems look to be the right mix of complexity and simplicity:

* Battle Cry
* Command and Conquer: Ancients
* Battlelore
* Cry Havok - I intend to use the hexmap and counters to run "A Song of Blades and Heroes" if I can teach my friend the rules online.
* Manoeuvre(http://tnfc.blogspot.com/). I have this but haven't played it. The simplicity of the rules appeal to me.
* Epic Duels - There are large number of custom decks. We used to play this alot before Heroscape
* Heroquest - I think I can convert the module into a simple skirmish game if my friends are interested.