Song of Billy No Mates

[MysteryMachine]

This battle report is amazing - fantastic miniatures and terrain, and a very entertaining narrative.

I picked up Advanced Song of Blade and Heroes as a good starting point for skirmishes as my collection grows. Is there a big difference between ASOBH and SOBH? Or do people use them interchangeably. I have yet to try it.

[DivisMal]

This battle report is amazing - fantastic miniatures and terrain, and a very entertaining narrative.

I picked up Advanced Song of Blade and Heroes as a good starting point for skirmishes as my collection grows. Is there a big difference between ASOBH and SOBH? Or do people use them interchangeably. I have yet to try it.

It’s mostly details. For instance, interrupting moves, more spells and rules for some weapons. I’m not convinced it’s a better game, though. I prefer SoBH (vanilla) and add rules from the other sets.

[Hobgoblin]

I picked up Advanced Song of Blade and Heroes as a good starting point for skirmishes as my collection grows. Is there a big difference between ASOBH and SOBH? Or do people use them interchangeably. I have yet to try it.

The big difference is that ASOBH allows reactions. So if your opponent fails with an activation attempt, you can attempt a reaction (an action that takes place in his turn). This is great for a two-player game, but a bit convoluted in a multi-player game. But you can simply drop them in a multi-player game.

Other than that, the main change is that some traits have been 'disaggregated' in ASOBH (so the negative and positive aspects of certain traits might be split out into separate rules, for example). So not every trait is exactly the same in both games (though a lot are), and there are lot more traits in ASOBH.

(And what DivisMal said!)

[DivisMal]

The big difference is that ASOBH allows reactions. So if your opponent fails with an activation attempt, you can attempt a reaction (an action that takes place in his turn). This is great for a two-player game, but a bit convoluted in a multi-player game. But you can simply drop them in a multi-player game.

Other than that, the main change is that some traits have been 'disaggregated' in ASOBH (so the negative and positive aspects of certain traits might be split out into separate rules, for example). So not every trait is exactly the same in both games (though a lot are), and there are lot more traits in ASOBH.

(And what DivisMal said!)

Reactions! That’s what it was called, not interrupts. I feel that high Q models are already badly off and this is another penalty.

It works great with Sci Fi though giving a little Infinity feel.

[Gibby]

I largely agree that regular SBH gives a smoother, probably better, game than Advanced. As you point out, DivisMal, reactions probably work great for some genres. Sci-fi is a good shout. Fistful of Kung Fu uses them too, which really gives that furious fighting feel. Well, so I assume, I still have yet to play it 

[Hobgoblin]

I seem to remember that ASOBH also inclines the player towards a slightly smaller warband (with more personalities and traits): that is, the example profiles tend to be more expensive, and up to half the points can be spent on personalities (rather than a third?).

That's probably a good thing - while both versions probably work best with five to ten figures a side, ASOBH might be optimal nearer the five-a-side end. If you were going up to 15 or so, basic SOBH is your.best bet, I think.

I think Fistful of Kung Fu also encourages a smaller gang of characters.

It occurs to me that I haven't bought Fear and Faith - must put that right!

[DivisMal]

Lol! And I will treat myself with a Fistful of Kung Fu. Got those TMNT lying around for ages…

[tikitang]

up to half the points can be spent on personalities (rather than a third?)

This is correct; standard SBH recommends 300 points with a strict 33% limitation on Personality traits. Advanced SBH recommends 400 points with a 50% limitation.

Personally, while I generally find standard SBH the preferable of the two, due to its less "bloated" nature than its Advanced cousin (mostly in terms of traits, but also the wholly unnecessary and honestly not-very-good fantasy setting), I do like that adjustment to the warband points/personality ratio, and will likely borrow it for games of standard SBH.

[6mmfan]

Fantastic looking game. Your great figures and scenery really lift the game.

SoBH is still one of my favourite games and it does play very well solo too (I use the Lone Blade solo rules). Its great you can use any spare figures from your collection.

I tried the advanced version but like others, i found the original a smoother game. But I've played a lot of Sellswords and Spellslingers since playing ASoBH, so maybe the reactions won't be as jarring as before.

I do borrow some traits from ASoBH for my warbands and I find it gives them a bit more flavour. I'm usually hosting a game so the traits and stats don't get abused.

[sir_shvantselot]

Lovely scenario. Must finally play a game of Gods and Mortals.

[blacksmith]

Beautifully painted minis