The focus really is on tactics on the tabletop, rather than choices made before the battle even begins As I made the first steps into Games Workshop's
universe, I was always drawn to the fantasy armies; preferring swords
and shields to the mechanical madness of the 41st millennium.
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Chris Peat |
But even in those early days of exploring the hobby, there was always a lingering idea that, instead of orcs, elves and dwarves, what if it was 'real-world' warriors? Where every model on the tabletop represented someone that could have been an actual person, from the historically well-documented leaders down to the lowly footsoldiers?
In late 2018, Spalding Wargames Club re-fought the Battle of Hastings using Warhammer Ancient Battles. In that game, Duke William was not so much a conqueror but conquered. However, you don't have to be completely historically accurate with Warhammer Ancient Battles. Want to know how late Imperial Romans would fare against the English forces that fought at Agincourt? Could a Biblical Egyptian force take on the horse warriors of the Huns and win?
If you ever played earlier incarnations of Warhammer Fantasy Battles, then you already have a good grasp of the rules. You roll d6 dice to hit and then to wound, with the defender rolling to save. The game's 1st print in 1998 was based heavily on Warhammer Fantasy 5th edition, just with the magic removed, but the 2nd edition (from 2010) has moved further away. It is a game largely based on manoeuvring large formations of troops. Each represents a band of warriors in your army; whether an unruly rabble of Celtic clansmen or the disciplined ranks of Roman legionaries
If you ever played earlier incarnations of Warhammer Fantasy Battles, then you already have a good grasp of the rules. You roll d6 dice to hit and then to wound, with the defender rolling to save. The game's 1st print in 1998 was based heavily on Warhammer Fantasy 5th edition, just with the magic removed, but the 2nd edition (from 2010) has moved further away. It is a game largely based on manoeuvring large formations of troops. Each represents a band of warriors in your army; whether an unruly rabble of Celtic clansmen or the disciplined ranks of Roman legionaries
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There are a lot of back-and-forth actions in the game. Units are not locked in combat, grinding away at each other until one side is eventually wiped out. A group of warriors can suffer a thrashing, taking numerous casualties, and lose its nerve on a failed morale check and be forced to flee from the fight. Their enemies can then pursue. If the fleeing troops manage to outrun their pursuers, they can form up again, ready to step back into the fight
There are no massively powerful individual models either, there are no 'bring this model if you want to win the game' options. No one in history had the strength to tear through iron armour like butter! The focus really is on tactics on the tabletop, rather than choices made before the battle even begins.
