* * * Wizards Community Thread * * * -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- Thread : Need an easy mass combat system for 2nd edition AD&D Started at 01-10-07 07:30 PM by dontheox Visit at http://forums.gleemax.com/showthread.php?t=770005 -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- [Post 1] Author : dontheox Date : 01-10-07 07:30 PM Thread Title : Need an easy mass combat system for 2nd edition AD&D Hello All, I need some ideas or suggestions on how to run a low detail mass combat involving an army of around 500 troops, attacking a small fortified town using the 2nd edition AD&D rules. If you need more details about the scenario let me know, I will post them later as I need to get to work right now. -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- [Post 2] Author : sgt_d Date : 01-10-07 08:35 PM Thread Title : Re: Need an easy mass combat system for 2nd edition AD&D There's always the BattleSystem rules. I've used them in the past, and they've worked fairly well. Although, the books are hard to find. -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- [Post 3] Author : exorb Date : 01-11-07 01:09 AM Thread Title : Re: Need an easy mass combat system for 2nd edition AD&D I think the "greyhawk wars" box set was used for even larger scale. (2ED rules) TSR put out a game called "Battlesystem" as sgt_d said: the battlesystem game is hard to find. TSR later added Battlesystem Skirmishes ( 2ED rules to add PCs (converted) into the battles - as well as rules for PCs commanding troops - spell rules and other stuff included) - you should be able to find this one online! I've never used either of these. If you check out or use Battlesystem Skirmishes let us know how it went. -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- [Post 4] Author : ozbirthrightfan Date : 01-11-07 01:11 AM Thread Title : Re: Need an easy mass combat system for 2nd edition AD&D If you PM me your email address I can send you an overview of the skirmish rules from the Birthright campaign setting. These don't require the use of miniatures, cards, battlemat or anything beyond the normal stats of the individuals that make up each unit. -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- [Post 5] Author : stefan_mi Date : 01-13-07 02:35 AM Thread Title : Re: Need an easy mass combat system for 2nd edition AD&D The battlesystem rules are not easy to learn nor fast to play --- I'd consider using something else. -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- [Post 6] Author : Fulnitus Date : 01-15-07 02:27 AM Thread Title : Re: Need an easy mass combat system for 2nd edition AD&D I'd go with ozbirthrightfan's suggestion: get a copy of the birthright campaign setting and use those rules. -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- [Post 7] Author : Llwch Date : 01-15-07 09:22 AM Thread Title : Re: Need an easy mass combat system for 2nd edition AD&D I'd go with ozbirthrightfan's suggestion: get a copy of the birthright campaign setting and use those rules. Oooh... Forgot about the Birthright stuff... Definitely, go with that. Simple, slick and entirely believable when it comes to running large pitched battles. Bought most of the BR stuff when it first came out, and have never had a chance to play it... :weep: -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- [Post 8] Author : Glgnfz Date : 01-15-07 09:53 AM Thread Title : Re: Need an easy mass combat system for 2nd edition AD&D i'd prefer the system in the mentzer-d&d-companion boxed set! -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- [Post 9] Author : Agathokles Date : 01-15-07 11:01 AM Thread Title : Re: Need an easy mass combat system for 2nd edition AD&D i'd prefer the system in the mentzer-d&d-companion boxed set! With an average of 500 troops on each side, the OD&D system may be too much -- it's better for larger battles, where you want to quickly solve the battle with a single die roll, and let the PCs play out their roles. The Battlesystem and the Birthright system are IMO better for low-scale battles, where you want to play the battles on a tactical scale (using squads of 10-20 units, or companies of 100-200 rather than full armies). -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- [Post 10] Author : elondir Date : 01-15-07 11:10 AM Thread Title : Re: Need an easy mass combat system for 2nd edition AD&D We tried doing a massive battle back in 1995 using Battlesystem. We got about five rounds in after the three hour setup before we got bored. I reccommend the Quick Battle Rating system in the OD&D Rules Cyclopedia, Chapter 9. It really glosses over combat though, so it's kind of not detailed enough. However, I like it for simulating a whole war in which several battles are fought, since it calculates how far the enemy retreats, and things like that. -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- [Post 11] Author : RobertFisher Date : 01-16-07 03:34 PM Thread Title : Re: Need an easy mass combat system for 2nd edition AD&D As long as most of your troops don't have special abilities... Each 1 HD in one force destroys 1 HD in the defending force. Or if you want some chance: Roll 1 die for each HD in each force. An even result destroys 1 HD in the opposing force. Or you could do it along the lines of Risk. Or use the odds table from an old AH or SPI or GDW game. Favorable/unfavorable conditions give a modifier to a force's HD. -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- [Post 12] Author : paladin2019 Date : 01-20-07 10:24 PM Thread Title : Re: Need an easy mass combat system for 2nd edition AD&D What's wrong with Battlesystem 2nd ED (the blue book, not the red box)? It's only got 5 stats. -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- [Post 13] Author : ozbirthrightfan Date : 01-21-07 04:32 AM Thread Title : Re: Need an easy mass combat system for 2nd edition AD&D What's wrong with Battlesystem 2nd ED (the blue book, not the red box)? It's only got 5 stats. The OP asked for "low detail" I have the 2e Battlesystem book and I wouldn't call it a low detail system. -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- [Post 14] Author : khyron1144 Date : 01-21-07 02:47 PM Thread Title : Re: Need an easy mass combat system for 2nd edition AD&D The OP asked for "low detail" I have the 2e Battlesystem book and I wouldn't call it a low detail system. That and in a scenario like the OP's with Battlesystem's 10 guys= 1 figure system, you need 50 figures to represent that agressor force plus whatever you need for the city's defenders. I mean you can use poker chips or plastic army men or other econimical alternatives, but 50+ "figures" to keep track of can be a bit much. The OD&D mass combat system is from what I can remember much more manageable becasue for one thing it meant to be done in an entirely pencil and paper way without moving figures around terrain and so on. -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- [Post 15] Author : wushufunk Date : 01-21-07 07:11 PM Thread Title : Re: Need an easy mass combat system for 2nd edition AD&D my sugestion for a cost effective way, go with the rules in the maztica boxed set, wich you can download free off of the websites download section. i haven't looked through it thuroughly but i'm sure it's just fine.:cool: -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- Downloaded from Wizards Community (http://forums.gleemax.com) at 05-10-08 08:21 AM.