Tooth and Claw

[Boggler]

New rules from Chris Peers:

http://www.wargamesillustrated.net/newsitem.asp?id=175

Interesting :roll:

[Tas]

Sure is - Chris Peers was the author of Saurian Safari and Mammalian Mayhem so there is some high expectations for these rules.

Yours in a White Wine Sauce,
Paul

[Tas]

I emailed WI about the absence of dinosaurs from the hunting prey list and they said:

"Hello Paul, it’s just ‘Mammalia Megafauna’ hunting. Including Mammoths, Cave lions, Smilodons, Dire Wolves, Rhinos, Gigantopithecus and Terror Birds to name but a few."

Anyone got a copy yet?

[Boggler]

Yes me!

Here's a quick review of the Tooth and Claw rules, bearing in mind I
haven't actually played any games with them yet.

The rules are in glossy colour format throughout although the rulebook
is quite slim, more like a magazine supplement in fact. There are 31
pages of text and a large double spread centre section featuring a
game in progress. The last couple of pages are adverts for WI, Dee Zee
and Copplestone which seems a waste of space.

The contents page on the inside front cover is a welcome addition if
you're familiar with Chris Peers rules! There are 10 chapters covering
introduction to the game, setting up, crreating characters, sequence
of play, positioning of animals, human movement, spotting and
shooting, animal attacks, animal statistics and scenrios plus a page
of alternative settings at the back.

The rules are written in the usual extended prose 'narrative' style
favoured by the author which can make finding specific rule references
a bit hit and miss. However, they do read well and are clearly
explained, with some nice photos and contemporary drawings to add colour.

The mechanics are very similar (if not virtually identical) to Saurian
Safari although there are a few nice touches such as personal traits
for characters e.g. nerves of steel, rules for gunbearers, stalk
movement, snap shooting and so on. The game sequence follows the
familiar rolls for animals to appear, rolls to determine priority of
movement, rolls for spotting and shooting plus effects of hits and
animal reactions. These are largely the same as Saurian Safari
including misfires, reloading etc.

The animals are well covered and include a wide(ish) range of Ice Age
/ Prehistoric beasties. If you have a look at the DZ miniatures range
you won't be surprised to find them all featues in the rules, together
with a few additions such as Terror Birds, giant gorilla type things
etc. There's plenty of variety and the reaction tables give a nice
randomising effect when it comes to their behaviour.

As expected there are a few things missing, most notably a QRF
(although I suspect someone will produce one sooner or later).

One thing I noticed was that there are also no rules for terrain affecting movement e.g. snow, swamp, etc or for vehicles of any kind, unlike Saurian Safari.

Overall, a set of rules with some good familiar features which should
help speed play but perhaps a little too glossy at the expense of
innovation.

Worth getting if you haven't tried to play Saurian Safari or as a
change from your usual hunting party v. dinosaurs scenarios.

Jim

[Tas]

Thanks very much Jim!

[Tas]

Jim,

having read your review again in detail, it would seem to me that those of us who already own Saurian Safari wouldnt be gettibng much new material, except perhaps for some of the characters' persoanl traits section.  Is that about it?

cheers
Paul

[Boggler]

No problem,

I think that if you're after something different then T+C isn't it.

On the other hand, the mechanics of the game are not entirely the same as SS so might provide a clearer and more focussed alternative e.g. the rules for placement of animals seem to be much more detailed with less left up to the umpire to decide.

With regard to the animals themselves the biggest difference from SS is the use or a Priority stat for each creature which determines it's order of movement. I'm not sure but I think this might be a Mammalian Mayhem system?

The other characteristics are Flight (used in the initial positoning of the animals to ensure they aren't too close to hunters), Movement, Strength and Attacks. I'm sure that these could be worked out for the SS dinosaurs and vice versa. Each creature also has it's own notes which determine it's reactions, behaviour etc.

There are some useful rules for the different types of creatures including gore and toss attacks for Jumbos and Rhinos, which could be crossed over into Saurian Safari too. This would add a lot more detail to the game which is either a good or bad thing I guess.

Jim

[Tas]

Thanks again Jim - that is great information

[Grimm]

I realy was disappointed  as I get the Darkest Africa and The C.little Armys sme years ago .
They were to expensive f0r a few ``stitched together`` copys  and I must say that the Rules where not my cup of tea .
After all there were some nice Ideas (like the rules for Offboard ordnance ) and background information of the forces .

The price diden´t let me buy Saurian Safari but I was allwas interesting in the rules and how they work.
What can yu guys tell me about them ?
how did they work and it is posible to use them with other rules ?

[Tas]

Grimm,

I posted some information on Saurian Safari on my blog here:
http://pauljamesog.blogspot.com/2006/12/lost-world-safari-tours_29.html

And you will find a review of it here:
http://prehistoricpulp.blogspot.com/2007/10/saurian-safari-by-chris-peers-2002.html

I love your Lost World stuff Grimm, its very inspiring!

[Grimm]

Thanks very interesting stuff and I diden´t mean only the Dino stuff :wink:

[twrchtrwyth]

Thanks for that review.