Dark Age (2002)

From publisher

Dark Age Games is a new gaming company that has produced a miniatures game based on the art and themes of Brom's Dark Age world. It's a dark and ruined world where different factions and different races battle to survive.

The game is a skirmish level game using a d20 for all dice rolls. It is designed for a two-player game of approximately 20 models aside to take an hour or less for experienced players to play. At the same time it gives you all the tactics and control of alternate activation with detailed control of each model's actions.

Summary of Game Mechanics and Product Design

Game Mechanics
All dice rolls are with a d20, low rolls are better, special rules for rolling 1's and 20's (criticals).

The measurements are in cm for greater detail and variety amongst units.

Play alternates between players with each activating a single unit at a time (individual or squad) and once all units have gone the turn is over.

This is designed for an average 750 pt game to require approx. 20 figures a side.

Each army plays different, each has a distinct appearance and background.

The majority of units are melee units with advantages stacked in favor of more aggressive play.

Additional rules cover malfunctions, spellcraft, special abilities, formations and many other advanced gaming features.

Dark Age is introduced in the book Genesis, which covers the forces of the Forsaken, led by St. Mark, and opens the setting of this world with their encounters against the non-human Dragyri.

The Story continues in Exodus, with the Forces of St. Mary battling the Skarrd, and Evolution, where the Devotees of St. John encounter the Brood.

The revised Core Rules and several scenarios are presented by themselves in Essence.

From Publisher's website:

Abandoned in the collapse of their star-spanning empire the humans of Samaria must battle for survival; against each other, the monsters they have created and the harsh planet itself. This is no place for weakness, only through courage and determination can a man hope to endure in the savage wasteland.

Dark Age is a gritty, D20 driven, post-apocalyptic skirmish miniatures game for your tabletop. The game contains rules that are easy to learn and get you into the action right away. You can tailor how you play your game by Activation Points and alternate activations. The game is illustrated by a number of top artists including the inimitable Brom; the world of Samaria is brought to life as never before.

Will you become just another victim of this Dark Age or do you have what it takes to survive the Apocalypse?

RULES - Currently there are two rulebooks for Dark Age: the Core Rules, and the Forcelist books:

Core Rules: This book provides everything you need to play exciting, fast-paced games of Dark Age. The core rules grant detailed tactical control of every warrior on the battlefield. Weather and terrain effects bring the nightmarish wastelands of Samaria alive on your tabletop. Scenarios give your warriors tactical goals which must be achieved to secure victory, even as vicious combat rages all around. Finally the Dark Age campaign system allows you to tie your battles together, every hard fought victory or defeat contributing to the greater narrative of the world.

Forcelists: Battles escalate into wars as the peoples of Samaria fight for survival. Forsaken crusades march into the wastelands, each led by a powerful Saint. Driven by personal ambition these unruly individuals struggle as viciously against their supposed allies as they do against the enemies lurking beyond the border. Packs of crazed, cannibalistic Skarrd howl in rage and hunger as they prepare for their long awaited revenge. In the pools of the southern swamplands the Brood are spawned; the ultimate warrior race evolving and degenerating over the centuries to create something truly foul and terrible. From the ruins of their subterranean cities the Dragyri march to defend their adopted home, driven by honor and the quest to restore the lost leader of their people. Trapped between the advancing Forsaken and the dangers lurking in the wilderness the tribes of Outcast scavengers know that they must fight to remain free or face extinction.
Within this book you will find all you need to know to raise an army from one of these warlike races and lead them to victory in the turbulent conflicts of Samaria.

DARK AGE MINIATURES - To play the game you need a number of Dark Age miniatures to represent your chosen Forcelist. Each Dark Age miniature comes with a round plastic base to not only help the piece stand, but also used throughout the rules to represent the Unit’s footprint on the Battlefield. There are five starter sets available to get you started playing right out of the box, or you can purchase miniatures in blister packs as shown in the various galleries on www.dark-age.com

BATTLEFIELD – You need something to play on, a table or any playing surface will do, typically 4’ x 4’.

TAPE MEASURE (FT) – Dark Age requires a standard Inches/Foot Tape Measure.

20-SIDED DICE – Used throughout Dark Age, roll twenty sided dice (d20s) to determine the outcome of statistic rolls and general game play. Multiple dice of different colors are preferable, making different rolls easier to distinguish.

COUNTERS, CARDS, & TEMPLATES – Dark Age makes use of various counters and templates. You can find these on this website, or in the back of the Core Rules book. If you decide to use your own Counters and/or Cards, ensure they are clearly representative, and that your opponent knows what they represent before setting up the game.

TERRAIN – To add life to your Dark Age miniature game you will want to use terrain such as miniature-scale hills, rivers, bridges, fences, buildings, and other landscapes.