I wonder how many people got Dragon Rampant over Christmas a lot I guess. We finally managed to get it out and some fantasy figures on the table. Luckily we have a lot to choose from and having checked the points we decided on a 32 point battle to start with....this would be quite a lot in Lion Rampant but didn't seem to translate to the horde I was expecting.
It did make me want to try and stretch the fantasy theme rather than role out the strongest combination I could think of. So I picked a fully mounted retinue with the nominal title the Knights of the Golden Griffin.
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| Knights of the Golden Griffin ride forth |
My retinue consisted of a Lord (elite rider) with a special rule avoiding wild charges, A griffin warbeast (Greater Warbeast) although he has a rider this didn't count as anything. Three Griffin Knights (elite riders with fear). A unit of 6 Heavy Knights and a unit of 6 cavalry with ranged weapons (pistols in this case).
They were up against a Chaos Warrior army (see Paul's Hobby Horse blog for more details). Our first scenario saw us play the Defender of the Ring scenario where the Knights had captured a secret magic item this was hidden on one unit and this had to be protected at all cost. Quite a fun scenario which ended in a draw. Our second scenario was more challenging and probably less balanced with the knights protecting a central cross.
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| Defenders of the cross |
This felt and turned out to be almost impossible for the knights to win, although to give them their due the game only finally turned on a failed test by my lord. Overall the game is really just a tweek on LR in fact the strength points approach is something we had already played with Lord of the Rings figures some time ago. I used the fly special rule for my Griffin and wondered if there is an error in the rule book as it appears to give almost no practical benefit ? The game does offer a chance to get small collections of fantasy figures on the table, I think if we play again we would move up to 40 Points. Slightly underwhelming for me.
Do love dragon rampant. Cool looking battle as usual Playing today with my samurai and some T'ang Chinese.
ReplyDeleteNot all bad I was expecting more of an evolution I guess.....good luck with the t'ang
DeleteDo love dragon rampant. Cool looking battle as usual Playing today with my samurai and some T'ang Chinese.
ReplyDeleteI love the way you can pretty much make up anything you want...and so easily. Great looking game...sorry to hear it was a bit underwhelming for you, though!
ReplyDeleteThanks G ......... It may simply mean I have too many figures. I quite like Lion. Rampant and like the simplicity of the mechanics, I guess I was hoping DR would bring a bit more new to the game. If gets figures on the table it can't be all bad.
DeleteIt's quick and easy for sure, ideal for low fantasy. It doesn't have the extra level of detail that games like Saga and Warhammer contain. Pros and cons, like every game we play.
ReplyDeleteI wonder if we shouldn't try an Arthurian/Nordic legendary version, there is a campaign system in one of the magazines , Vikings etc fighting each other with just the occasional troll, dragon , I have a few nice figures which just need a reason to be painted.
DeleteWould certainly give me another excuse to paint up my Blood Rage figures!
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