Thursday 14 October 2021

Crescent and Cross a game of Saga

It has been ages since we saw a game of Saga in the dungeon. But with my work mate keen to try anything I thought I would try and hook him into Saga. I have had Crescent and Cross for ages but we haven’t really played it enough focussing in the past mainly on the traditional Saxon/Viking version. One issue of course is Crescent and Cross is based on the first version of the saga rules. This doesn’t matter to me as I actually prefer this version.

Anyway I  now have plenty of figures suitable for most of the factions in my Al Andalus collection. With this in mind and after a short introduction to the rules we jumped into a six point battle with Crusaders vs Saracens. I didn’t take many photos as we were spending plenty of time discussing the rules. But here are a few of the battle

The two forces line up fairly close as we wanted to get straight into the action
Some cavalry action on both wings and the crusaders get the better of the combats
Strange to be playing Saga with smaller units, but the rules some came back
Two units of a try crash into each other
After some fierce fighting in The centre the Crusader warlord finds himself isolated he only just survives by sacrificing three of his hearthguard
But then determine to be aggressive he charges in against the Saracen Warlord and finally gets the better of the combat.

A fun game with the crusaders getting the better of it. Nice to play these rules after a long period, they are very different from others but provide a fun and challenging alternative. We will be playing some more saga again soon.












22 comments:

  1. Always enjoy seeing this collection out on your handsome table. I was rummaging through packs of unpainted Spanish and Moors yesterday thinking that I ought to throw some into the painting queue.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank Jon yes colourful, I too am feeling the itch to paint some more moors, I have plenty for this collection waiting to be done.

      Delete
  2. You have so many nice collections, good to see these getting rotated onto the table. Good to see a work mate enthused.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Norm, quite a versatile collection with the same figures getting used at a number of levels skirmish upto mass battles👍

      Delete
  3. Nice game and figures Matt. Is that an LBMS banner in there? They always look nice.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Lawrence can’t remember where the banners are from but certainly I have some LMBS in the collection👍

      Delete
  4. A lovely looking and sounding game Matt…

    All the best. Aly

    ReplyDelete
  5. Very splendid indeed Matt, here's to Sunday.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Nice looking game Matt, but a set of rules I wouldn't touch with a barge pole!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks David, Saga I know not everyone’s cup of tea but makes an interesting change

      Delete
  7. Great looking game, sounds like fun, got the rules but never got going with them for some reason, sounds like you're making a good recruitment officer!
    Best Iain

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Iain definitely not everyone’s cup of tea but I have liked saga since it came out. I would play all the time but it gives a very different feel to a wargame and is a since change occasionally

      Delete
  8. Beautiful looking table and figures as always Matt and nice to see a different era/rule set. Well done on your missionary attempts to convert your work mate to the one true faith of wargaming!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Keith. Saga provides a different and interesting alternative.

      Delete
  9. Man! I haven’t seen a SAGA game in ages! Looks good. I just know I have those books around here somewhere…😀

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Stew, it is a while since we have played saga but it made a nice a change 👍

      Delete
  10. Late to the party, but another lovely looking game Matt. I have SAGA but have never given them a go for a variety of reasons. I think Lion Rampant works for me yet I can't resist a bargain as I got these for £5 inc p&p when the 2nd Edition came out!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Steve…I agree I have thoroughly enjoyed Lion Rampant since it came out. I guess the difference is Saga gives a much more thought provoking game with multiple complex choices and decisions. Not everybody’s cup of tea but it is fun sometimes as a change. I haven’t bothered with 2nd Edition as I’m not really sure the changes were for the better ?

      Delete
  11. Great looking game - I actually had that supplement when it first came out. It was very nicely illustrated and put together, from my recollection.

    ReplyDelete