First game of Ronin

[Pijlie]

Last night we played our first game of Ronin. I thought I'd share my first impressions with you.

We played two 130 point Buntai of Monks (a few elite warriors) and Bandits (a lot of rabble). I made some mistakes in the creating of the Bandits (one arquebus too many) but overall we managed to stick to the rules quite well.

Elite warriors in close combat are lethal. Shoot them from a distance!

Missile weapons are lethal. Teppo are quite balanced. Their armour-piercing shot is deadly but can only be fired every second turn. Bows are VERY deadly, since they can fire twice per turn and, when shooting only once, can move while shooting and reloading, unlike a teppo. With an opponent (like mine) who kept rolling 10+s my monks did not stand a chance.

Missile weapon ranges are appropriately long. So you need cover on your table. Lots of it. Maneuvering is a first priority, since most Buntai can field missile troops and will!

So don't run towards a bowman. He can shoot at you and walk backwards away from you at the same time and you have to run within close range in order to charge him.

The Combat Pool system is a nice find. You have to choose a tactical angle before the combat starts: agrressive, defensive or a bit of both, without knowing what your opponent will do.  You can trade safety in defensive power for reliance on your armour etc. I was afraid it would be very laborous but it plays quite fast.

High ranking warriors have a definite edge. However, numbers have an edge as well. Armour plays a major role to keep your men alive so it is worthwhile to spend points on it.

All in all a very enjoyable and intriguing game with lots of depth.

Now let's build a mansion and play the ninja raid !

[folnjir]

Good review.

I don't have much of an interest in the period, but was lucky enough to play some demos run by the author which I really enjoyed. Needless to say I'm painting up my first buntai now.

[Sendak]

Thanks for your review.

I think my droogies will enjoy Ronin skirmish.

[Axtklinge]

Nice report and thoughts, thanks for sharing!
Next time (if you can), feed us a pic or two!

Cheers!
A.

[Pijlie]

You will find soms pictures on my blog. After next weekend I hope to produce some more of the Ninja Raid demo which is to be played next Saturday.

[carlos13th]

Thanks for mini review.

[SotF]

Yeah, cover is a BIG thing with Ronin, and unless you're wearing heavy armor, getting shot is quite likely for the minis.

On the same hand, there's only a few rather broken things such as the peasant swarm tactic of maximum number of unarmed peasants to zerg rush the opponent.

[OSHIROmodels]

Do you have a blog link? 

cheers

James

[Pijlie]

Just click in the Little globe below my avatar.

[OSHIROmodels]

Thanks 

Never used the globe before.

cheers

James

[carlos13th]

Just click in the Little globe below my avatar.

I wasn't aware of that thanks.

[ork56]

Nice blog!