Some simple questions

[isnak]

Hi, just a few easy questions about some options for armies in SAH.

1. Will there be a provision for single mighty characters that won't form part of a unit? Say a singly based infantry model representing a very powerful warrior/mage?

2. Will there be rules for artillery weapons like cannons and catapults? Will they be quite abstract or more simmy because of the way they effect entire units?

3. Most 28mm games use a formation of 10 models with 20-25mm base as a default size, will it be possible to use this size in SAH or will it have to be more like 12-16 due to the square stand rules (two 20mm based models will be a rectangle)? This is mostly because 28mm models are sold in packs of 10-20 or there abouts.

[croaker]

I would like to add another question:

Setup for question - One of the things I like about C:AoR and Warmachine is how only certain units march in a strict formation. Usually an ability like shieldwall or such. The rest of the army is in loose formations that have to stay within a certain distance of other models in its unit and/or within a certain distance to the leader.

My question is therefore will there be any option/format where some units in the army can operate in a skirmish type formation? Moving units around on large square/rectangle pieces of plastic/cardboard have never been a plus for me. I think that was one of my biggest complaints about WFB.

[boromirandkermit]

Isnak and Croaker, the scope of the game is huge massed battles, entire armies and is on a much larger scale than that of Warmachine (which is really a big skirmish).

To answer the questions:
1) All characters are based independently (usually a 20mm round base - for 6,10,15mm). They can attach to a unit to lead from the front and provide bonuses in combat.
Heroes can engage in combat against other character units and mage/wizards can cast spells, but there is no such thing as a Mighty Character that on his own cuts swaths through entire units on his own. The scale is too large for that. (Again, think Warmaster scale rather than Warhammer or Warmachine)

2) Yes there are rules for artillery weapons. They have several options and can be used to damage not only units, but camps and strongholds too.

3) Stands are square (but we are playtesting rectangles as well and they work ok so far). A unit is made up of between 1 and 7 stands. To do this game in 28mm, you either need to keep your stands small or have a 4x6' board.

The only single based figures in the game are characters, artillery, strongholds, camps and monsters.

This is a mass combat situation where a stand would represent 1000s of creatures/people. It seems as though you have the wrong idea of the scale of the game. This is a much larger scale game than Warmachine or Warhammer Fantasy. There are no single unit casualties. Casualties are by the stand. Think Warmaster and you get the general idea of scale intended.

That being said as long as the figures are in stands, you could have however many figures you like on there. Numbers aren't prescriptive.

I hope that helps,
Cheers,
Ben.

[croaker]

Thanks for the reply. The gears in my head are turning... if the stands do represent 1000s of troops and whole units come off together it seems adaptable to any format. I am going to keep my fingers crossed that I can make this rule set work for what I have in mind.

[warhound]

I'm really looking forward to this, any news on a possible release date?.

[isnak]

Thanks for the answers!

I'm still looking forward to this because Andrea is really good at writing very elegant rule systems but there are some small doubts in my mind. Large units at 28mm, even when on a movement tray, can become unwieldy quite quickly.

I'll get the rules when they come out and see how it works out, and I'm sure they'll be plenty of discussion on here and the mail list to answer any of my concerns.