Melee (1977)

Microgame #3 in the Metagaming Microgames series is a board game of pre-gunpowder individual combat. On a paper hex map representing an arena, players fight it out with thin cardboard counters. Fighters are rated for Stength and Dexterity and can carry weapons and armors of various advantages/disadvantages.

Included a A 32-page booklet, about 4" by 8", with a 12" by 14" hex map and counter sheet.

Microgame #3 was released with three different covers, the first two both appearing in 1977 and the third in 1979. All were released in plastic bags. In 1981 there was a fourth edition which was boxed with a cover almost identical to the second edition (lettering changed from red to white).

This system was later developed into Advanced Melee, one of the three books of the The Fantasy Trip role-playing system.

After Steve Jackson and Metagaming had parted ways he lost control of his creation. He remedied this by coming up with an entirely new system: GURPS, the Generic Universal Role Playing System.

This game is also in the RPGG database: Melee.

Microbadge:

Melee fan
Melee fan (Kwanchai redesign)
Metagaming fan