Victrix - Pillage, ransack the Middle Ages

[qwaqwe]

What I didn’t like was the payment for the warriors in gold.

Historically, it would have been more accurate to pay with a silver mark or dirhams.

[Mount_Franklin]

What I didn’t like was the payment for the warriors in gold.

Historically, it would have been more accurate to pay with a silver mark or dirhams.

Yea I thought the same. I guess it's simple enough to say silver instead of gold.

[Maxromek]

What I didn’t like was the payment for the warriors in gold.

Historically, it would have been more accurate to pay with a silver mark or dirhams.

Yeah, I cannot help but think this is a result of slightly half-bothered "authentication" of what normally is abstarcted as "points".

The game looks at-least heavily inspired by Middle-Earh Strategic Battle Game, which by itself is quite a good ruleset for a game of legendary heroes leading units into smallish scale battles. I don't like how it tries to artificially force distinction between the different peoples of early middle ages by restricting the access to equipment. I understand it's in the name of interest and game balance, but it's sometimes silly, like Welsh not having access to armour, or slings costing 5x more if you are a Frank.

[RedRowan]

I think using coins for recruitment is to do with what the author has in mind for the campaign system from what I have read. Whether it’s called silver or gold doesn’t really bother me.

In terms of the force list, I’m sure there is a generic force builder in the rules so there’s nothing stopping people from using that to design a faction the way they want.

Steve

[Ultravanillasmurf]

Those medieval animals look good, I guess there is a lot of exfil the livestock involved.

[Ultravanillasmurf]

What I didn’t like was the payment for the warriors in gold.

Inflation ^__^

[frank xerox]

👏 Well Played!

[WorkShy]

The game looks at-least heavily inspired by Middle-Earh Strategic Battle Game, which by itself is quite a good ruleset for a game of legendary heroes leading units into smallish scale battles. I don't like how it tries to artificially force distinction between the different peoples of early middle ages by restricting the access to equipment. I understand it's in the name of interest and game balance, but it's sometimes silly, like Welsh not having access to armour, or slings costing 5x more if you are a Frank.

MESBG was a very good rules set for it's time. But taking a second look at the gold pieces you pay for various items, I see what you mean. Armour unavailable to Welsh, 30gp for Picts/Irish, 15gp for Bretons, yet just 5gp for Saxons/Vikings/Normans/Franks. Armour is the same price as a shield for Germanics and half the price of a hand weapon. We'll end up with totally armoured "Germanics" vs. totally unarmoured "Celtics". Not for me. Nonetheless, still happy Pillage is coming out since, on the back of it, we get Pict, Irish and Frank minis.   

[mikedemana]

I'm interested to read (or watch on YouTube) some game reports from players before deciding it it is for me. The bit about different armor costs by faction seems rather unbalancing, unless the rules mechanics make an unarmored warrior relatively equal to an armored one...?

Mike Demana

[Ultravanillasmurf]

Well North Star have it in their catalogue https://www.northstarfigures.com/prod.php?prod=19355

On the Victrix site there is a quick reference sheet and lists for Rus, Magyar and Byzantine factions.
https://www.victrixlimited.com/collections/pillage-ransack-the-middle-ages
The render of the Irish in furry costumes is a bit odd.

[Maxromek]

In a very recent discussion on the Pillage Facebook group it came to light that the authors used Midjourney AI for some of the art in the book. Looks like there was an information about the use of AI in the original French version of the product, but apparently that's not the case in the English translation published by Victrix. I don't have the book, so can't confirm, but if anybody with it can check the front matter and see if there is a mention of AI there?

If that's not there, it's hard to assume it was a mistake while translating, especially since appropriate credits are quite crucial in publishing. Did Victrix then consciously decided to omit the AI-disclosure? I wouldn't want to think so, as I like the company, but if they did, that's a massive damper on the game for me.

[Ninefingers]

I wouldn't want to think so, as I like the company, but if they did, that's a massive damper on the game for me.

Same.

[Torben]

That AI-art was used in the first place was a huge dampener for me - so much so, that I'd not even bothered reading through it, had I known. Poor form, especially because the pictures of the miniatures in the book are absolutely gorgeous!

But yes, there's no mention of Midjourney at all in the credits for the english translation published by Victrix - which is even more poor form. It's not like people wouldn't find out, is it? They've gained nothing from trying to hide the fact.

[Maxromek]

Looks like that whole thread has been deleted form the Facebook group. At least two people confirmed some of the art has been done with AI - one recalling the creator being open about it and another saying the French version has the Midjourney credit.

I wasn't excited for this game, as I felt it wasn't overly revolutionary and with only a hardback ruleset, beyond what I'd like to spend. But now I'm just disappointed with Victrix. Maybe they will clarify the situation, but not disclosing AI use to me is just shady, like they wanted to hide it knowing it will have its opponents (which was most of the people who commented under that original Facebook thread). Just hope the thread was deleted because it was getting personal, not because Victrix is trying to sweep the whole thing under the rug.

[Mikai]

That AI thing would be a bugger for sure. I hope as well that they don't try to hide the facts.

Callandor already created a list builder in case someone wants to give it a try:
https://callandor19.github.io/pillage-list-builder/