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Miniatures Adventure => Medieval Adventures => Topic started by: matakishi on July 30, 2013, 04:06:44 PM

Title: SAGA at the Shed, Vikings! Even more pics page 2
Post by: matakishi on July 30, 2013, 04:06:44 PM: Yesterday I had my first game of SAGA courtesy of Eric and his wonderful Shed.
Vikings against Anglo-Danes.

(http://www.matakishi.com/SAGA%2001%20600.jpg)

(http://www.matakishi.com/SAGA%2013%20600.jpg)

(http://www.matakishi.com/SAGA%2018%20600.jpg)

(http://www.matakishi.com/SAGA%2020%20600.jpg)

(http://www.matakishi.com/SAGA%2024%20600.jpg)

Many more pictures (and some words) here:
http://www.matakishi.com/saga1.htm
Title: Re: SAGA at the Shed, Vikings!
Post by: Poiter50 on July 30, 2013, 04:11:49 PM: Marvellous looking game, Paul.
Title: Re: SAGA at the Shed, Vikings!
Post by: Dr. The Viking on July 30, 2013, 04:21:11 PM: Was it any good?!

I've had a couple of games with Normans against Welsh and Vikings.. didn't stand a chance!

Not the best intro to the new game..
Title: Re: SAGA at the Shed, Vikings!
Post by: Captain Blood on July 30, 2013, 04:30:23 PM: So you quite liked it then?

I've had the rules for a while, because they looked quite different and interesting, but have yet to play it.

Soon...
Title: Re: SAGA at the Shed, Vikings!
Post by: Eric the Shed on July 30, 2013, 04:40:38 PM: Captain Blood - promise to invite you over soon - ;)

If I get the chance write up on the blog soon....
Title: Re: SAGA at the Shed, Vikings!
Post by: Mason on July 30, 2013, 04:46:16 PM: :o

Now THAT is some serious eye-candy.
:-* :-* :-*

Quote from: Captain Blood on July 30, 2013, 04:30:23 PM
So you quite liked it then?

I've had the rules for a while, because they looked quite different and interesting, but have yet to play it.

Soon...

Me too.
I would be curious on your thoughts regarding the system.
I am putting together some SAGA bands in the autumn and wondered how the game actually 'worked'.

I have the rules but am refusing to read them until I am ready to start the actual project.
I know what a butterfly I am, so am not tempting fate.
::)
Title: Re: SAGA at the Shed, Vikings!
Post by: Eric the Shed on July 30, 2013, 05:26:02 PM: Thanks for the write up Matakashi

Given that I have now played about a half dozen games of Saga I’ll try and share my experiences. All the games we have played only involved Vikings & Danes

Positives

•   They capture the flavour of the period very well
•   Forces do play differently and there are many subtleties with each force
•   They are fast playing and you do need to plan ahead
•   The mechanics are very simple
•   Table space can be kept to minimum (eg 4ft x 4ft will suffice)
•   Number of figures manageable typical forces about 40 figures strong)

Negatives

•   The games can be a bit you bash - I bash – you can get round this by using more scenery than recommended
•   It takes time to learn the subtleties of play – I have been using the danes for all my games and have won only once!
•   Luck can play a major role – although you could argue the number dice rolled evens this out
•   The best games I believe will be typically one on one.
Title: Re: SAGA at the Shed, Vikings!
Post by: matakishi on July 30, 2013, 05:46:06 PM: I found the rules simple and, for the most part, elegant. A lot of variation and subtlety is encapsulated in the SAGA dice mechanic.
The rules fall in the 'allowing you to do stuff camp' as opposed to the hideous 'you can't do that' rules sets that people keep producing (yes, Cutlass, I'm looking at you). There is minimal combat dice rolling, I roll to hit, you roll to weasle out, you fail and die.
There is tactical thinking to do each turn but the options are limited by the SAGA dice each time so it doesn't become overwhelming or too slow for the other player(s) while you micro manage your resources. A good understanding of your army will allow you to combine their particular skills occasionally into strokes of tactical genius (sometimes you'll be able to kill lots of stuff quickly).
All-in-all a good but pricey set of rules, the supplements are a real price gouger but probably an unnecessary purchase. The dice are costly too but nice and it's not like you're spending much on the figures is it?
Title: Re: SAGA at the Shed, Vikings!
Post by: Captain Blood on July 30, 2013, 06:41:30 PM: Thanks chaps. A useful and insightful overview. Better get on and start painting my early Saxons... :)
Title: Re: SAGA at the Shed, Vikings!
Post by: Dr. The Viking on July 30, 2013, 06:48:28 PM: Quote from: Captain Blood on July 30, 2013, 06:41:30 PM
Thanks chaps. A useful and insightful overview. Better get on and start painting my early Saxons... :)

Early?! Isn't Saga meant for regular year 900+ Saxons?!
Title: Re: SAGA at the Shed, Vikings!
Post by: Elk101 on July 30, 2013, 06:52:40 PM: Nice looking set up! I'm also in the 'have the rules but have never played them camp'. They've kind of fallen by the wayside to other genres. I thought the battleboards might be a bit gimicky but picked up a cheap(ish) copy on ebay. There looks to be some good mods on the SAGA forum for other periods too, such as El Cid and the Crusades.
Title: Re: SAGA at the Shed, Vikings!
Post by: Eric the Shed on July 30, 2013, 07:03:44 PM: I have just discovered that there is potential Robin Hood Battle board knocking around - I think the Saga rules would work well for this period as well....
Title: Re: SAGA at the Shed, Vikings!
Post by: Elk101 on July 30, 2013, 07:24:19 PM: Mr Shed, I note that you are on the SAGA forum and wondered if you had seen this:

http://studiotomahawk.freeforums.org/men-of-sherwood-t1796.html

Cheers, Steve
Title: Re: SAGA at the Shed, Vikings!
Post by: Eric the Shed on July 30, 2013, 07:40:24 PM: Cheers Steve - this is the one I saw

thank you

Giles (aka Eric the Shed)
Title: Re: SAGA at the Shed, Vikings!
Post by: Elk101 on July 30, 2013, 07:46:11 PM: No bother mate, it was the same one I remembered seeing!
Title: Re: SAGA at the Shed, Vikings!
Post by: matakishi on July 30, 2013, 07:54:21 PM: Does this mean I'll be keeping my Robin Hood figures? (linky to the Robin Hood sheet please?)
Title: Re: SAGA at the Shed, Vikings!
Post by: Eric the Shed on July 30, 2013, 07:59:41 PM: looks like it.... :(
Title: Re: SAGA at the Shed, Vikings!
Post by: Eric the Shed on July 30, 2013, 08:22:27 PM: Paul - Can you modify title with update

Hi Folks

Have added loads more piccies to the blog - www.shedwars.blogspot.com

Here is a sample

(http://i1082.photobucket.com/albums/j375/ErictheShed/Saga%2030%20July/cv2_zps17ef0d1f.jpg)

(http://i1082.photobucket.com/albums/j375/ErictheShed/Saga%2030%20July/cv5_zps5be2de77.jpg)

(http://i1082.photobucket.com/albums/j375/ErictheShed/Saga%2030%20July/cv13_zpsf34c8b04.jpg)

(http://i1082.photobucket.com/albums/j375/ErictheShed/Saga%2030%20July/cv16_zpsa1de013b.jpg)

(http://i1082.photobucket.com/albums/j375/ErictheShed/Saga%2030%20July/cv10_zps850f3cea.jpg)

Cheers Guys
Title: Re: SAGA at the Shed, Vikings!
Post by: Elk101 on July 30, 2013, 08:27:16 PM: Nice to see someone else using the PMC buildings. I've got a few myself. Your wattle fences are very nice.
Title: Re: SAGA at the Shed, Vikings! Even more pics page 2
Post by: Eric the Shed on July 30, 2013, 09:22:17 PM: Home made... lol :D
Title: Re: SAGA at the Shed, Vikings! Even more pics page 2
Post by: Elk101 on July 30, 2013, 09:32:23 PM: I thought they might be. I like 'em. I'll have a look on your blog as I'm guessing they might be there? :)
Title: Re: SAGA at the Shed, Vikings! Even more pics page 2
Post by: Eric the Shed on July 30, 2013, 09:47:10 PM: Just google 'shed wars wattle fences' and that should so the trick
Title: Re: SAGA at the Shed, Vikings! Even more pics page 2
Post by: Elk101 on July 30, 2013, 09:53:45 PM: Quote from: Eric the Shed on July 30, 2013, 09:47:10 PM
Just google 'shed wars wattle fences' and that should so the trick

Found it! I'll have to have a go at that. Your palm tree collection is something else, by the way. You didn't happen to get them from we-honest on eBay by any chance?
Title: Re: SAGA at the Shed, Vikings! Even more pics page 2
Post by: Eric the Shed on July 30, 2013, 10:01:10 PM: The palms were sourced on ebay....
Title: Re: SAGA at the Shed, Vikings! Even more pics page 2
Post by: Elk101 on July 30, 2013, 10:04:02 PM: I bought a load from them last year with a view to a Vietnam setting. They're pretty good and very reasonably priced. I was a bit worried about them getting 'lost' but they arrived in about 3 weeks.
Title: Re: SAGA at the Shed, Vikings! Even more pics page 2
Post by: Eric the Shed on July 30, 2013, 10:40:00 PM: I always buy a small amount first and then go for big order
Title: Re: SAGA at the Shed, Vikings!
Post by: Mason on July 30, 2013, 11:23:36 PM: Quote from: Captain Blood on July 30, 2013, 06:41:30 PM
Thanks chaps. A useful and insightful overview. Better get on and start painting my early Saxons... :)

Seconding the thanks, chaps.

Off to look at those LotR boards that Frank has done.

I think Mordor shall be first, followed by Gondor, Lonely Mountain and Army of the Dead (which may prove tricky... ::)).
Title: Re: SAGA at the Shed, Vikings! Even more pics page 2
Post by: Elk101 on July 31, 2013, 07:00:00 AM: Quote from: Eric the Shed on July 30, 2013, 10:40:00 PM
I always buy a small amount first and then go for big order

A good plan. I've been considering an order for some lighting from them and was wondering if you had ordered from them recently, hence the slightly cryptic (niw I read it back!) post!
Title: Re: SAGA at the Shed, Vikings! Even more pics page 2
Post by: Iain R on July 31, 2013, 04:08:09 PM: Stunning looking game there, guys!
Title: Re: SAGA at the Shed, Vikings! Even more pics page 2
Post by: Eric the Shed on July 31, 2013, 10:29:14 PM: Thanks Iain - and thanks folk for visiting

Eric
Title: Re: SAGA at the Shed, Vikings! Even more pics page 2
Post by: Sixmilletoe on August 01, 2013, 11:09:52 AM: Love your set up Eric, figures and terrain look great. I will have to give this Saga game a try sometime. Looks like a lot of fun.

Thanks for sharing

Chris