Saturday, April 27, 2024

Trojan War Skirmish Using Tribal Rules

Just got back from a game day up in Kent (Washington) at Wizard's Keep. This has been a monthly event for at least a couple years or so, but my first time there. It's only about 40 minutes away from my house, so not too bad. I was fortunate to get into a great Trojan War game using Tribal rules. There were six players, three each Greek and Trojans. I ran several Trojan units with two heroes, Hector and Aeneas, no less. These two heroes did well, Hector killing off Antilochus and Ajax the Greater, and even sending Poseidon scurrying off the field. Aeneas did well too in defeating Agamemnon in a round of combat, but succomed to injuries later in the game. My other spear units did well too - only one of four dying gloriously whilst defending Troy. The game was called at the end of turn 4, the Greeks only winning by a slight margin thanks to having only one more unit than the Trojans making across the center of the battlefield. My units had accumulated 18 honor points at the end of the game - the most of the players. This was only my second or third time playing the rules, but was able to pick up on them very easily - thanks in no small part to the host's awesome gaming aids including quick reference cards for units and heroes. Also, there were two other players who are experienced with the rules  - one being David Sullivan (I Live With Cats blog) and the other, Kevin Smyth (A Gamer's Tale blog). I'm sure they'll be posting about the game on their blogs too.  Here are a few pictures of the game, as well as the several other games hosted there. The other games were O Group, Clash of Spears, Battle Tech, and DBA. 

















All in all a great way to spend an otherwise gloomy, overcast day in the Pacific NW. ADDENDUM: I just ordered a copy of Tribal (2nd Ed) from Badger Games. Plan to try it out with my Gempei War/Heian Period, as well as my own Trojan War stuff.

16 comments:

  1. Great looking game Dean, good to see some Trojan War action! I have the rules but haven’t tried them, it uses playing cards?

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    1. Thanks, Mike! Yes, the figures and terrain - as well as gaming aids were awesome. My buddy who ran the game with his figures painted them years ago, but only now being used in games with Tribal. As for cards, yes, they are used for activation (highest to lowest order for units); combat - highest wins, black cards cause casualties, red ones can be used to change color of cards in the next turn (hearts for own units, diamonds for opponent's); and even movement - long edge used for normal moves in open terrain (2x for "run"), short edge for rough terrain (IIRC). Only shooting (bows, slings, javelins) use a longer measured device - either a measured dowel or something similar. There was absolutely no dice or tape measures for the few games I've played so far. Makes for a pretty neat look overall, IMO. Hope you get a chance to try the rules out sometime. Best regards, Dean

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    1. Thanks a lot, Michal. Great figures, fun rules, and good gaming buddies. Can't really ask more from the hobby. Kindest regards, Dean

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  3. The Greeks and Trojans look great Dean, and as you say, a perfect way to spend a day 😀

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    1. Thanks, Keith! Yes, the figures and rules, and players as well, made it quite an enjoyable game. I really like the rules - no dice or tape measures to clutter up the board. Warm regards, Dean

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  4. Great looking game. Tribal is ⁷Tribal is s g great game set

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    1. Thank you very much, Joe! Yes, the rules really fit the period ("Heroic") very nicely. Not complicated, but has enough details for a very interesting game. Kindest regards, Dean

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    1. Thanks, Andrew. The rules have a lot of possibilities for nay eras. Looking forward to getting the rules myself. Warmest regards, Dean

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    1. Thanks, Richard! Yes, a fun game, using a somewhat unorthodox system. Best regards, Dean

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  7. Looks great! Tribal seems like a really interesting set, too.

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    1. Thank you very much, Aaron. I think it'll be the ticket for a lot of smaller games I was looking for - such as Gempei and Trojan War stuff. Best regards, Dean

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  8. It does look and sound like a great game.

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    1. Thanks, Ray! Yes, looking forward to getting a copy of the rules next week. Also, went ahead and bought the main gaming mechanic aid - decks of cards :) Best regards, Dean

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