Sweeeeeet! Who's the Sculptor? I will get a quiver if it's Steve Saleh!
(http://sphotos-d.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-prn1/535465_586090188086554_1219251612_n.jpg)
We are taking pre-orders for the game now, but holding your details, we won't take any money until the release date.
http://www.northstarfigures.com/prod.php?prod=5298
I know we are a little more expensive than a certain online retailer, but I would ask you to place your orders with us.
Why? It's cheaper elsewhere, we all want the best deal, I buy from that retailer myself when perhaps I should travel into town to support the bookshops and music stores.
The reason I ask is because when you buy from 'them', the money leaves the hobby. It goes into the pockets of shareholders. When you buy from North Star, sure some of the money goes in my pocket, but a bit goes in Mr. Salehs so he can keep sculpting, into Mr Dallimores so he can keep painting etc etc. I know I'm asking people to be a bit altruistic by spending £3 more on a book than they have to, but it does have consequences.
And, Osprey themselves make more money on a sale to me rather than 'them', so again it's money that goes into future rule set.
Sermon over. lol
We are taking pre-orders for the game now, but holding your details, we won't take any money until the release date.Point considered, link removed! :)
http://www.northstarfigures.com/prod.php?prod=5298
I know we are a little more expensive than a certain online retailer, but I would ask you to place your orders with us.
Why? It's cheaper elsewhere, we all want the best deal, I buy from that retailer myself when perhaps I should travel into town to support the bookshops and music stores.
The reason I ask is because when you buy from 'them', the money leaves the hobby. It goes into the pockets of shareholders. When you buy from North Star, sure some of the money goes in my pocket, but a bit goes in Mr. Salehs so he can keep sculpting, into Mr Dallimores so he can keep painting etc etc. I know I'm asking people to be a bit altruistic by spending £3 more on a book than they have to, but it does have consequences.
And, Osprey themselves make more money on a sale to me rather than 'them', so again it's money that goes into future rule set.
Sermon over. lol
We are taking pre-orders for the game now, but holding your details, we won't take any money until the release date.
http://www.northstarfigures.com/prod.php?prod=5298
I know we are a little more expensive than a certain online retailer, but I would ask you to place your orders with us.
Why? It's cheaper elsewhere, we all want the best deal, I buy from that retailer myself when perhaps I should travel into town to support the bookshops and music stores.
The reason I ask is because when you buy from 'them', the money leaves the hobby. It goes into the pockets of shareholders. When you buy from North Star, sure some of the money goes in my pocket, but a bit goes in Mr. Salehs so he can keep sculpting, into Mr Dallimores so he can keep painting etc etc. I know I'm asking people to be a bit altruistic by spending £3 more on a book than they have to, but it does have consequences.
And, Osprey themselves make more money on a sale to me rather than 'them', so again it's money that goes into future rule set.
Sermon over. lol
Any chance of seeing some of the figures / more on the game at Salute? Or is the Japanese table posted on these boards for another game?
Isn't he a nice man :)
..but I think it'd work we'll for musketeers or something quite swashbuckly...
Ninja
Ninja were spies, saboteurs and assassins. Although popular culture depicts them dressed in black, in reality they would have taken on any guise necessary to fulfil their mission. So if you field a Ninja, it can take the form of a specific model in your Buntai, leaving your opponent guessing as to who it is!
Special Rules
You may only ever field one Ninja, but you do have the option of fielding it as disguised or undisguised. If you are fielding an undisguised Ninja, then use the profile below. After both sides have deployed, you may place the Ninja model anywhere on the board, provided it is not within 6 of an enemy model.
If you are fielding a disguised Ninja, then it will take the place of a Rank 0 or 1 model of your choice and will be deployed with the rest of your Buntai. You do not need a special model for a disguised Ninja it will appear exactly as a normal model of that type. Before the game starts, you must declare that you are fielding a Ninja and set aside a piece of paper with a description of which model is the Ninja. Of course, you may also choose to declare that you are fielding a Ninja even if you are not, just to give your opponent some food for thought! However, this will earn you a -1 Victory Point penalty at the end of the game. You may choose to conceal the Ninjas identity for as long as you wish, even to the extent of under-representing the Combat Pool and Fight Characteristic of the Ninja in combat. You can at any point declare the presence of the Ninja, confirming this fact by showing the note you had written before the game. If the Ninja is in combat with any model at the moment of its declaration, the opposing model (or models) immediately loses one counter from its Combat Pool of your choice.
(http://img819.imageshack.us/img819/5533/ronin1.png) (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/819/ronin1.png/)
A Sample Buntai
A player decides to build a Bushi Buntai starting at 100 points, which he will later expand. His first selection is an Ashigaru armed with a teppo for 18 points. He then adds an Ashigaru with yumi for another 18 points and two Ashigaru with yari for 36 points. He has 28 points left and so selects a Samurai with Kenjutsu for 27 points, who is also a logical leader for his Buntai. His Buntai consists of the following models:
- 1 Ashigaru with teppo 18 points
- 1 Ashigaru with yumi 18 points
- 2 Ashigaru with yari 36 points (18 points each)
- 1 Samurai with Kenjutsu 27 points
- Total 99 points
To expand his small force up to 200 points, he decides to add a Hatamoto with naginata, Naginatajutsu and the Powerful Ability, and a Samurai with yari and Sojutsu. These expensive but potent models come in at a total of 65 points. To add some additional support, and to make the list conform to its composition rules, he includes another two ashigaru one with a teppo and one with a yumi for another 36 points.
- 2 Ashigaru with teppo 36 points (18 points each)
- 2 Ashigaru with yumi 36 points (18 points each)
- 2 Ashigaru with yari 36 points (18 points each)
- 1 Samurai with Kenjutsu 27 points
- 1 Samurai with yari and Sojutsu 30 points
- 1 Hatamoto with naginata, Naginatajutsu and Powerful 35 points
- Total 200 points
1. Will there be a campaign/experience system/advancement system for individual figures, a la, say, Necromunda/other skirmish warband games?
Here is the Bandit Gang.oh they're nice. Did Mr Dallimore paint them and will they be appearing in the rather excellent Northstar Magazine?
(https://fbcdn-sphotos-d-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-prn1/535465_586090188086554_1219251612_n.jpg)
Yes there is, but there's also a degree of variation and personalisation available from the outset. Starting characters aren't just distinguished by their weapons (although there's a fair bit of choice in that department), and even some mid-level character archetypes can choose from a range of skills (on top of any they may start with as standard).
Although popular culture depicts them dressed in black
I see the pre-order is up. Will there be any sort of a Nickstarter including the figs? If so, I'd like to hold off on the Pre-order of just the rulebook.
What is that a new samurai movie?? :-*
It's called '13 Samurai' and is few years old now. It's not bad really but gets a bit over the top at the end. Watchable nonetheless :)
How can you prefer other rules when you haven't tried this one yet?
I agree fully with what you say. Needs a different half hour at the end.
What's the table size for this game? Will 90x90cm be enough?
I want to be ready :D
Board sizes vary a little depending on game size. 2'x2' for small games, 3'x3' for medium games and 4'x4' for larger games. 90x90 will be fine for the majority of your games.
A tad pricey :(
cheers
James
Wow--those are stunning! I didnt realize the WF stuff could look so good! I think the Northstar figs are quite reasonable priced for the quality and the bundle factor. No ninjas? Seems like a missed opportunity--everyone loves ninjas! ;)
If they're Perry Koreans I'll have them off you :)
We'll add them to the list then ;)
The first 4 box sets are up for pre-ordering. I've put together a post free deal for those of you who want one of everything.
http://www.northstarfigures.com/list.php?man=152&page=1
We aren't the cheapest figures, it is a licensed range after all, but we aren't the most expensive figures either. What does make us good value is the fact each box set is a ready made army. If you are thinking of getting into Ronin, you'd have to buy multiple packs of cheaper figures to make up the army.
For example, here Kev Dallimore has done a Bushi 125pt army from the cheap Wargames Factory plastics. But to get the right make up he's had to get three box sets at £16.50 each, when the North Star metal set comes out it'll be £22.
(https://fbcdn-sphotos-b-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-frc3/979890_628056077223298_1204772405_o.jpg)
(We plan to get a 'build and paint WF plastic Samurai article in the Kev Dallimore magazine')
How about some more details on the way combat works, ok d6 but that says nothing at all other than GEEE we use d6, which of course tells nothing, is it a bucket full of die per combat is it a couple per combat, so which is it for gods sakes. The blurb sounds like every other game that comes out that promises to be unique, balanced etc etc. But rarely do they meet those promises.
How about details on the turn sequence, the morale system, the combat system, what are these unique character traits and how do they affect the game, how is the difference between the lowly ashigaru vrs the trained samurai handled?
COMBAT EXAMPLE
In this example, a Samurai armed with a naginata (controlled by Player A) is fighting 2 Ashigaru, one armed with a yari and one with a katana (controlled by Player B).
...
Well I'm sold. Time to preorder the rules and the 4 starter armies. I have some questions to help me plan out what to buy:- Yes there's a selection of counters included in the book, for photocopying, and I'll try and get them up online somewhere for printing. In addition to the combat pool, there's two wound levels, stunned and slain. If players can come up with an alternate convention for remembering these things (e.g., stunned = face up model, slain = face down) or opt for paper record-keeping, you can really work with no tokens at all.
-You mentioned black and white tokens and slain markers. Are there any other tokens used in the game that I can start looking for now?
-Are there rules for civilians in the scenarios? NPC bystanders? Perry has some neat villagers I was thinking of getting if they would be used by the rules
-Rules for models on horseback?
- Yes there's a selection of counters included in the book, for photocopying, and I'll try and get them up online somewhere for printing. In addition to the combat pool, there's two wound levels, stunned and slain. If players can come up with an alternate convention for remembering these things (e.g., stunned = face up model, slain = face down) or opt for paper record-keeping, you can really work with no tokens at all.
- I know there are stats for peasants etc., and at least one of the scenarios has NPC-style peasants (if memory serves). It shouldn't be too hard to incorporate NPCs into the game if you want them.
- Absolutely. Cavalry receive certain bonuses in basic terms (movement, melee modifiers etc.), but also have the option of some special combat maneuvers that should prove fun.
Speaking of fantastic- you know what? I bet this'd make a great Kung Fu movie skirmish game! It'd need rules for magic and the over-the-top powers that are endemic to the genera, but I bet it'd be awesome! I can just see it now; "'Wu-Xiu', the new Kung Fu skirmish game from Osprey Publications. With rules for Wu-Xiu fighting, chi-powers, Shaolin monks and legendary warriors". There'd have to be some kind of Chi mechanic to power the over-the-top moves, maybe some kind of ante system, but its something I'd love to play! Just my wild imaginings...
Finally! 'Big trouble in little China' brought to the tabletop. ;)
Planning them now..
As long as you make an ol' Jack Burton figure I'll be happy. ;)This. I've been trying to convince Kev White to make one for years, but he claims to have no interest in the movie! :'(
As long as you make an ol' Jack Burton figure I'll be happy. ;)
Is this drifting off topic? ;)
Oh, okay.
Here's the Bushi painted by Kev Dallimore
Eyepatch man is the Sensei of the Koryu.
Here's a group shot.
(https://fbcdn-sphotos-c-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-frc1/1006144_648842308478008_1400107001_n.jpg)
From that angle, the eyepatch leader kind of looks like The Dude.And that guy peed on it.
"That tatami mat tied the room together, man!"
The swords look fine. The figures are stylized and the swords fit the style. These are sculpted artwork not photographs and the design was clearly intentional and not due to the sculptor's lack of ability or ignorance. Sure, some may not like the style, but to say they are "wrong" or "inaccurate" is incredibly prosaic. It's like critiquing a figure from Kuniyoshi for being too pale or for the eyes being too wide. I love Saleh's style and will be picking up the figures.
Ax
Completely un-samurai related, but rules related... Would you be able to convert the rules to something more Western Medieval instead. I think swashbuckling had been mentioned earlier but I'm considering some good old Technicolor knights fighting it out on the tabletop. Possibly Barons war. Weapons would translate fairly easily (leaving out firearms) and I think you could bodge the archetypes...
???
Awaiting mine eagerly :D then to save for some oshiro terrain 8)
Right, I've read through the 12 plus pages of this topic and I'm pretty sure I haven't missed mention of this but does anyone know what the other factions are in the rules? Is there a specific faction of westerners?
Anyway, here are the factions from the Sengoku Jidai period:
Bushi
Ikko-Ikki
Sohei
Koryu
Bandits
Koreans
Ming Chinese
Peasants
There is also a category called "swords for hire." These cover different types of troops, (i.e. ronin, ninja, etc.) and they are available to different factions in various combinations.
In the Kamakura period, some lists are adjusted, some eliminated, and the Mongols are added.
In the Late-Edo period, some lists are adjusted, some are eliminated, and the Shinsengumi, Imperialists, Shogunate troops, and Yakuza are added.
If you don't like 'em, don't buy 'em. :?
Ahh I thought the sohei monks were the ikko ikki. Now that you mention the Ming chinese I do recall seeing that they were included.
Is there an actual release date yet?
Still think there was a missed opportunity with a ninja faction ...Buncha guys with swords and no armor? Use the Koryu list and modify if needed.
Just got my copy in the post - ta Nick! :D
I'd be glad for short review :D
Glad to hear they are arriving!!Also the stuff to germany???
All the pre-orders have left now. If you've ordered a full deal, make sure you don't throw the Ninja out with the packing.
Depends on the band, pts value and the choices you make but it's generally under 10 figs for a mid sized game.
Under 10 minis sounds really great! I am a slow painter, so anything that doesn't require miniatures by the dozen is perfect for me! lol
We've not shipped to US stockists yet, that'll be early next week.
However does any one know if OSPREY will provide a PDF of the cheat sheet, and perhaps the log sheets also?
Yep I'm going to maintain an archive of OWG resources at this link until I can get a more permanent solution up and running:
http://www.ospreypublishing.com/articles/osprey_wargames_resources
I have a rules question - Does a model have to have already purchased a weapons Bujutsu to get advanced Bujutsu? Only one of them actually says that there's a requirement. The rest don't suggest it - and there's no actual explanation of the advanced Bujutsu's....just a list of them.
Well, two out of the four state that they need a prerequisite - one in kenjutsu and one in any of the bujutsu. So I have taken it that the other two can be taken without a prerequisite.
... a mythical Japan supplement?
I'd REALLY love to have this, and I'm sure others would too (hey others, would you like to have this?).
Thanks Rich, that was my take too, aside from the 2 with pre-requisite skills, I was wondering what the difference between Advanced and normal was, but it seems nothing. Abilities from the list can also be taken for the 3 points correct?
I'll speak to the author about the possibility of a mythological add-on no promises, mind you!
Our club played Ronin for the first time last night. Did a multiplayer game representing the final battle for the village in Seven Samurai and it was fantastic. I believe everyone had a fun time and this game will be a keeper.
He just said that because he got away with one of the prisoners....
It really plays smoothly once you get the hang of the mechanics (and that doesn't take long!!)
Check this out
Probably a packing error - contact Nic at Northstar and I'm sure he will send the other out to you mate.
Just the 26 points. The rules don't say anything about adding the point costs together.
I also have a question about the rules - what is the Morale rating for a Shugyosha?
Bill.
1) For fighting in buildings, are the modifiers supposed to be cumulative with the weapon's normal ones, or replace them? That is, would the Naginata be 'canceled' down to 0/0, or penalized to -1/-1?
2) Are the Yari and Naginata supposed to have some version of the 'second round' penalty as well? Because otherwise, I don't see why you would ever choose a weapon other than those. Were they known as clearly superior weapons at the time? That would surprise me, but even so, why don't they cost more points?
The 'indoors' modifiers are cumulative with any others so the naginata is effectively running at 0/0 (assuming no further modifiers are relevant).
The weapons are correct, as far as I can tell. They are effective weapons, which is why they were the weapon of choice for many in the period (sohei used naginata extensively, for example).
However, bear in mind that to use them properly requires not only the expenditure of additional points to purchase the weapon, but also to acquire the appropriate bujutsu. A katana can be buffed for just +3pts (kenjutsu), and the model's combat pool can be increased by 1 for another +3pts (niten), so that could be another way to go.And that would be a good example. :)
Speaking for myself, I tailor my lists around what figures I have, or what I think looks cool (i.e. tetsubos)!Oh, I understand, but that's actually what tends to set off my imbalance detector more than actively min-maxing. I was sifting through a box of old Clan War minis, pulling out models that looked cool, and filling out a buntai roster as I went. I set down one guy with a tetsubo, another with a naginata. The first guy gets -1/+1, the second gets +1/+1. They cost the same. So that's when I start thinking, "What am I missing here?"
@Smith-companies like Osprey and board members like you and Craig (is the Craig of IHMN the same Craig as Ronin?) are the reason I disdain playing anything with a Games Workshop logo on it now. It thrills me to NO END that I, as a player, can ask for material and have my voice heard! I'm aware that I may not get what I want, but to have an actual voice that is paid attention to by the publishers and game designers is awesome. I own Ronin and all four Buntai, In Her Majesties Name and two gangs, will immediately purchase the supplement book to IHMN when it comes out, and am already saving for Fist Full Of Kung Fu and the minis Nick will bring out for that. I'm a fan of you, Osprey, and I'm glad you're brining out these skirmish games.
As for the supplemental material Smith mentioned above-excellent! Perfect! All I want is a way to get my Tengu, Oni and undead Samurai on the board and I'm happy. I'm looking forward to it. Thanks again for listening and engaging!
Andrew
(is the Craig of IHMN the same Craig as Ronin?)
I have two questions, one for Nick and one for the forum. Nick, as regards Factions makeup, on page 26 of the Osprey rules under Model List, it says that each Buntai is to have a Leader who will be the highest ranked model (if two models have the same rank, the player chooses which is the Leader). For the Bandit faction, on page 36 under Composition, it says that there may only be one rank 3 model in a Bandit Buntai. Also on page 36, it says Bandits may hire Ronin. On page 43, the lowest ranked Ronin is a 3. Does that mean that if Bandits hire a Ronin, he is the only rank 3 figure and therefore the Buntai Leader? Also, not a question, but how about adding: iron war fans (for Hatamoto, could use to block attacks), jitte (for Koreans, Ninja, Koryu - could be a skill like Niten, for the off-hand); Sumo wrestler (as a "Sword"" for Hire?)?
Forum members: I have some of the old War of Legend of the Five Rings miniatures (only those that looked like real samurai and Japanese civilians; not those in fantasy "amalgams" of Japanese and Mongol armor). As I might like to supplement those for play with Ronin, what manufacturers scale up with them? The Perry Japanese are fantastic, but Perry figures are usually a bit "slight" to stand alongside many 28mm figure lines.
Forum members: I have some of the old War of Legend of the Five Rings miniatures (only those that looked like real samurai and Japanese civilians; not those in fantasy "amalgams" of Japanese and Mongol armor). As I might like to supplement those for play with Ronin, what manufacturers scale up with them? The Perry Japanese are fantastic, but Perry figures are usually a bit "slight" to stand alongside many 28mm figure lines.
Is the basing size a big concern in ronin? I want to base my models on 20mm washers. Will that make it difficult to play?
(https://fbcdn-sphotos-b-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-frc3/979890_628056077223298_1204772405_o.jpg)
(We plan to get a 'build and paint WF plastic Samurai article in the Kev Dallimore magazine')