Game: BattleLore: Epic BattleLore

Thread: BattleLore: Epic BattleLore: my view.

RobM — 2008-08-26T19:35:03+00:00

Preamble.
When this expansion came out, I didn’t buy it at first. I was completely content with the standard size battlefields and always wanted to engage in two player games, so I saw no need for a larger board or more players. I ended up tagging it onto the end of a larger games order just for completeness since I already had all the other Battlelore expansions.

Components.
This expansion comprises: an additional map board; 19 additional lore tokens; 36 alliance tokens; 4 player turn markers. There is also a 20+ page rule book, with 7 epic adventures.

This expansion retails for 15 Euros, or about £10, which is probably about right given that you get an extra board.

Gameplay.
This expansion allows for Epic play, where two standard boards are turned 90 degrees and then combined to create a 13 x 17 hex battlefield. Up to 6 players can take part, each commanding a section of one side of the battlefield. Set up is similar to the standard game, except that a rack of three command cards is placed to the side of the board (called the Epic Command rack), for all players to see. During a turn, a camp may play up to two section cards (one each from their command rack and the Epic command rack) or a single tactic card (from either rack). Cards are replenished in a similar way to standard rules except that the Epic rack must contain at least one section card.

There are rules for playing using Call to Arms, and rules for a 4-player variant called ‘Reluctant Allies’ where both Camps and individuals within camps can play for victory.

So, What Do I Think?
I think this expansion is okay, and consequently give it 6 out of 10. It definitely falls under the banner of ‘will play now and then’ for me. I prefer playing Battlelore against just one opponent at a time, and we usually like to play 2 or 3 games in a row. Occasions when I want a longer game, larger battlefield or more players are rare. However, if you can handle the slightly longer set up and play time and/or you regularly have larger groups wanting to play, then this expansion would be invaluable, and you may well rate it more highly than I do.

Thread: Re: Colour Variation

spaztian — 2008-07-28T14:03:48+00:00

If there is someone else you know that has the game, see if they want to trade with you! It wouldn't matter if their board was different, and if they DID get the Epic Expansion, it would match anyway.

Of course, finding another owner could be a stretch. It would be for me.

Or maybe you could find someone here.

Thread: Re: Colour Variation

oneilljgf — 2008-07-28T12:25:27+00:00

I would hesitate to go down the second game track as it took me two years to paint the first lot.

Thread: Re: Colour Variation

ColtsFan76 — 2008-07-28T11:46:52+00:00

Yes. Mine was the same way. But I already had a second game so I just put the Epic board in storage. I don't think mine was quite as pronounced either but it was obvious. I guess the grass is greener on the other side....

Thread: Colour Variation

oneilljgf — 2008-07-28T09:05:52+00:00

I have been playing Epic BattleLore for some time now and recently took the image below when I was playing an "Epic" Battle Cry variant.

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The variation in colour between the boards is quite pronounced. Funnily enough, this doesn't bother me but I could see it being a bone of contention for some. It seems to show up more in the image than in the flesh.

Has anyone else noticed this?

Regards,

Jim
Est. 1949

Image

Schuk — 2008-07-19T20:03:39+00:00

French version

Thread: Re: Free Epic?

rooboomr — 2008-04-09T23:14:22+00:00

ColtsFan76 wrote:
I can't find the exact link (I thought it was mentioned on the blog somewhere). But if you are logged in, have both sets registered, and try to "buy" Epic from their store, it should show up as "free."

I can't get you to the exact link of the product, but here is the link to there store. You will just have to navigate to the BattleLore section and select Epic.

https://www.daysofwonder.com/en/buy

I realized I probably can't get the free epic because I bought a used copy for my second copy. It had only been played twice but appears the owner had registered because I couldn't register this set. Bummer. Didn't even think of that at the time.

Thread: Re: Free Epic?

ColtsFan76 — 2008-04-03T19:28:29+00:00

I can't find the exact link (I thought it was mentioned on the blog somewhere). But if you are logged in, have both sets registered, and try to "buy" Epic from their store, it should show up as "free."

I can't get you to the exact link of the product, but here is the link to there store. You will just have to navigate to the BattleLore section and select Epic.

https://www.daysofwonder.com/en/buy

Thread: Re: Free Epic?

ColtsFan76 — 2008-04-03T15:12:45+00:00

No, it is an actual free copy of the Epic set (retail version). You may need to pay for S&H. I'll find the link. You basically order it from their store but have to have both of your Codes entered already.

Thread: Re: Free Epic?

clloyd09 — 2008-04-03T14:41:04+00:00

Hmm... Couldn't seem to find an email address on their web site, but here's the number for their US Sales: 866-WONDER8 (866-966-3378).

Edit: This page seems to suggest that you can just download the rules. Maybe that's the "free" offer?

http://www.daysofwonder.com/battlelore/en/content/epic/

Thread: Re: Free Epic?

clloyd09 — 2008-04-03T14:37:00+00:00

You know, I vaguely remember seeing that somewhere. Your best bet is to send email directly to Days of Wonder. They got back to me pretty quickly when I contacted them about something before. Good luck, and let us know how you make out.

Thread: Free Epic?

rooboomr — 2008-04-03T14:29:46+00:00

I just bought my second set of BattleLore to play with two boards and to be able to play RA. I've read somewhere that DoW will send free Epic if I own two sets. Do I have that right? If so, what do I do to get it and what do I get? Thanks!

Thread: Re: Is this worth it without a second set?

ColtsFan76 — 2008-03-21T01:40:22+00:00

Yes. DOW said they would do their best to make Epic battles so that you would only need the basic game. However, they have violated this self-imposed rule once: Epic Agincourt requires a few more units and terrain than available in the base game.

All other official Epic scenarios can be played with one base game.

EDIT: In repsonse to John - RA can be played with a single set so far. The only thing you are short is needing a 2nd creature as both scenarios require 2 spiders.

Thread: Re: Is this worth it without a second set?

jearles — 2008-03-21T01:37:05+00:00

When I first heard about Epic it was low on my list, as I thought it just a multiplayer expansion.

However, I can state that when my friend and I (who had been playing through the standard scenarios) switched to the Epic board I was pleasantly surprised. The larger board made the proper support of your units critical, because the extra room meant that other support was that much further away. Additionally, the addition of the Epic Command Rank (as a shared card supply) adds another way to mitigate bad card draws or obtain a useful Command card.

In my opinion Epic is very much worth obtaining just for the enhanced 2-player game.

However, on top of the benefit to the core 2-player game you also get the 4-player Reluctant Allies variant, which does require an extra Spider (thanks, Brian).

One minor issue is the lack of extra "official" Epic Scenarios. With "The Hundred Years' War" you do get Epic Agincourt, but beyond that they may only be Epic "fan" adventures. I hope that Epic gets a bit more attention in the future, as it definately deserves it.

Thread: Is this worth it without a second set?

jeff brown — 2008-03-21T01:03:45+00:00

I never have any intention of getting a second set. Is it worth it to get Epic Battlelore to have the larger field to play with? Are there enough armies in the base game to make it worth it? Just curious what people perceptions are.

Thread: Re: General Question

goldenboat — 2008-01-23T00:04:57+00:00

nichos wrote:
I actually find BattleLore more enjoyable with Epic sized maps. I think the scale works better for my eye... I have no real logical reason for it. Of course, you do get more units, and the scenarios for Epic do require more points to win. I think it's mostly because the game becomes slightly more of a planning game in Epic, and, the greater number of required points to win also give you a bit more of a cushion to the luck factor.

Again, this also could just be me compensating for the fact I like the look of the big board better, lol.

The battle lines start a bit further away from each other in Epic, leading to more maneuver before the first clash of arms. The importance of missile units are also increased. And the victory conditions are less fragile in Epic. I agree -- Epic is my preferred means of playing, especially given that the standard scenarios seem so similar in the first place. Might as well have a big, resilient, generic scenario rather than a small, fragile generic scenario.

Thread: Re: Reluctant allies tip to get rid of these $%^ tokens

tom-le-termite — 2008-01-20T21:45:32+00:00

huhu...

I am about to finish the paint for the expensions... I think that's enough for me already...

Thread: Re: Reluctant allies tip to get rid of these $%^ tokens

ColtsFan76 — 2008-01-20T19:35:19+00:00

You mean you didn't paint a 2nd set to be different? You're slipping in your old age.

Thread: Reluctant allies tip to get rid of these $%^ tokens

tom-le-termite — 2008-01-20T16:33:02+00:00

If you are just like me when you play with the reluctant allies rules, very upset with the setup and all these stupid tokens that indicate "who is who", I came out with this simple way to be able to make the difference on the battlefield:

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By simply addind a small rubber band on the banner, you can see if the troop is yours or one of your allie.

No more of these annoying shield tokens to manipulate!

Image

tom-le-termite — 2008-01-20T15:55:09+00:00

Simple way to recognize your troups from your allies'

Thread: Re: General Question

nichos — 2008-01-19T17:13:31+00:00

I actually find BattleLore more enjoyable with Epic sized maps. I think the scale works better for my eye... I have no real logical reason for it. Of course, you do get more units, and the scenarios for Epic do require more points to win. I think it's mostly because the game becomes slightly more of a planning game in Epic, and, the greater number of required points to win also give you a bit more of a cushion to the luck factor.

Again, this also could just be me compensating for the fact I like the look of the big board better, lol.

Thread: Re: General Question

kostek — 2008-01-19T01:20:53+00:00

I haven't gotten to play yet, but I hope to fix that soon.

No doubt the Epic version will take longer to setup and tear down. More units, more terrain.

The extra depth in the battlefield will heighten the difference between slow units, cavalry, and ranged units.

The larger battles and need to win by two should put more emphasis on good tactics and maneuver. A lone wolf attack is even less likely to work in Epic than in basic.

Finally, the ability play 2 cards should lead to a bit more control over your forces.

Overall, these all seem like good things to me. I like basic BL a lot, and I am hopeful that Epic will take it to another level.

At the same time, however, all these changes strike me as incremental versus a major, dramatic shift. I can imagine that some folks will regard this as "more of the same". For them, the extra setup/play/teardown time might not be worth it.

Thread: Re: General Question

JYoder — 2008-01-03T18:45:40+00:00

Thanks for all the input. Guess I'll not bother with it then since I'm content with the regular BattleLore and I only have 1 guy I play with anyway. Plus, Epic would take far longer to setup and breakdown for what essentially sounds like the same game.

Thread: Re: General Question

ColtsFan76 — 2008-01-03T17:55:35+00:00

Most of the C&C games have an "epic" version which allows you to put two boards together and play with more units. In Ancients and Memoir, the boards are placed side-by-side on the short edge of the board to give you a long 26 x 9 hex board. BattleLore rotates the board 90-degrees and put them togethre along the long edge to give you a more square board that's close to 18 x 13 hexes (give or take 1). This orientation i salready printed on the back of the board that came with the game so you just need 1 more board to match up to it (which is why Epic expansion comes with one more board).

There are 2 versions of Epic: standard and Reluctant Allies. In Standard, it is one camp vs. another. 1 Person is the overall commander for the side and his partners carry-out the orders in their section. The is probably one of the worse multi-player versions of the system. It is very easy to play this with 2-players and is probably the only real merit of this version - giving you a larger battlefield for 2 players.

The other is Reluctant Allies which actually pits 2 players against 2 players with each player controlling their own army (the 2nd army on the same side is designated by a card board marker for each unit). Each player has his own War Council, his own hand of cards and controls his own units. He can also move his allies units (relucantly!) by paying an extra order to do so. So with a card that grants 3 orders, you could move 3 of your guys (1 order each) or 1 of yours (1 order) and 1 of his (2 orders). This is probably the best of the "epic" rules across the board. But this is probably only suited for 4 players. Though I am sure you could make it work with 2 by alternating between armies when you move.

In both cases, rules are modified a bit. In addition to drawing cards fromt he deck, you have the option to draw cards from a "communit rack" instead. Some of the cards have to be modified slightly for use. In basic Epic, I think you can play up to 2 command cards a turn vs. 1 in the other games. Some other minor modifications, like you do not collect Lore tokens when you roll Lore in Ranged attack, but the basic principles are still there.

Thread: Re: General Question

clloyd09 — 2008-01-03T15:47:01+00:00

I believe it's just an additional board and some extra rules, etc. In other words, it's regular BattleLore on a bigger scale.

Edit: It allows you to play with more than two, but doesn't necessarily require it.

Thread: General Question

JYoder — 2008-01-03T15:25:56+00:00

I've never seen Epic BattleLore, so what exactly is it as compared to the base game? Is it the same game but on a bigger scale that can still be played by 2 players? Or does it have to be played with more than 2 and they are on two teams? Are the rules different?

Most importantly, is it more fun than the base game, or is essentially the same thing, but in super-sized form?

Thread: Re: Epic or Two Base Sets?

izack — 2007-12-16T12:37:00+00:00

dcorban wrote:
I will also conclude that friends who own two base sets between them (a more likely scenario than one person owning two copies) are getting the shaft, since they cannot get the free copy of Epic (for the alliance tokens) but could easily take advantage of Epic and Reluctant Allies.

here's what me and my friend did, we registered both sets under my name, so we still got the Epic set. Neither of us are really interested in the online games DOW offers.

I would say retailers are really getting the shaft, they get stuck with a product no one buys because it is given out free.

Thread: Re: Epic or Two Base Sets?

dcorban — 2007-12-09T17:03:18+00:00

The Epic expansion appears to me to be a rather odd decision. At the very least, the Reluctant Allies requirement of two base sets seems is out of place. I will attempt to explain.

Who is the target audience for the Epic expansion?

People with two base sets only "need" Epic for the Reluctant Allies alliance tokens. So the rest is pretty much a waste. Is Days of Wonder wasting money sending full copies of Epic to these people?
Conversely, people without two base sets cannot even play Reluctant Allies, so Epic just gives them an extra board to play the plain Epic scenarios. Is this enough to warrant a purchase?

So there is a strong incentive for people with Epic to buy another base set, and a huge incentive for people with two base sets to not buy Epic. It's a circle of obsolescence.

Therefore, anyone with one base set and Epic who wishes to take full advantage of Epic (Reluctant Allies) should buy another base set. However, this obsoletes their purchase of Epic, which means they wasted money. To take this another step, one would conclude that the owner of one set and Epic should not buy another base set to avoid rendering their Epic purchase pointless.

Also, anyone with two base sets can get Epic for free, so they may as well do that, which means Days of Wonder is wasting money sending full Epic sets to people who could easily be appeased with a PDF of the rules and a handful of alliance tokens.

My conclusions are:
If you are planning to buy Epic, you should just buy another base set, since even if you never use it, you will get Epic for free and could resell/trade your extra base set, and;
Days of Wonder should have just offered a rulebook & alliance token package on their website for a reasonable price.

I will also conclude that friends who own two base sets between them (a more likely scenario than one person owning two copies) are getting the shaft, since they cannot get the free copy of Epic (for the alliance tokens) but could easily take advantage of Epic and Reluctant Allies.

Thread: Re: Equal to Command

ColtsFan76 — 2007-09-10T20:06:46+00:00

When playing straight up Epic, all players on one side share the same command cards. So "Equal to command" equals ALL the cards that one camp has.

When you play the Reluctant Allies version of Epic, each person has their own command cards so "equal to command" only equals the cards they hold themselves, not their ally's cards.

I think this is the correct reading. However, there is no mention of it specifically and the general rule is that whatever is not mentioned defaults back to standard Epic rules. But in RA, everything else is separate, units, war council, # of command cards. So I think Equal to command is separate as well.

Thread: Re: Equal to Command

Firepigeon — 2007-09-10T17:22:27+00:00

IIRC that's your Command, not your sides total Command!!

Thread: Equal to Command

SquarePegIX — 2007-09-10T14:58:34+00:00

If I'm reading the rules correctly, the phrase "equal to Command" means the number of Command cards held by the entire Camp. So in a Reluctant Allies scenario, this can mean ordering as many as ten units (five cards for each of the Camp's two players)? Seems excessive, but possible.

- IX

Thread: Re: Where do you keep Epic Battlelore?

slith — 2007-08-28T10:38:39+00:00

I ended up getting a fishing tackle type clear plastic box with 16 internal compartments of different sizes. I put all of the figures from Battlelore including the hill giant and earth elemental in the plastic box. Everything else from C2A and EBL (bar the board) is bagged and inside the original BL box. I'll definitely need another tackle box for all the new figures from the 4 specialist expansions and the rest should fit inside the BL box. I'm pretty happy with this solution. Setup time is a fair bit quicker.

Thread: Re: Where do you keep Epic Battlelore?

remus — 2007-08-17T11:22:16+00:00

I've removed the black plastic, bagged everything and have crammed the following into the original box:

BattleLore
BattleLore: Call to Arms
BattleLore: Epic BattleLore
BattleLore Hill Giant
BattleLore Earth Elemental

It is crammed mainly because I have the BattleLore: Call to Arms box inside the original box. If I bag the BattleLore: Call to Arms components and get rid of that box, It'll probably fit snug, but good.

Thread: Re: Epic Strategy vs Standard BattleLore Strategy

goldenboat — 2007-08-12T23:38:40+00:00

I've only played Epic once but I think it is going to be my preferred mode going forward. I like the extra separation of battle lines afforded by this mode, as it allows for additional maneuver before the first clash of swords and shields. This seems to open up new tactical opportunites to use light troops for screening, or to conduct early operations with cavalry that didn't present themselves in the basic game.

I agree that command seems more plentiful with the shared rack of cards. I have noticed a bit of a meta-game in terms of keeping an eye on the tactics cards sitting on the shared rack. Certainly having a "counterattack" card sitting out there in the public pool influences what you are willing to play out of your hand.

I didn't notice lore having any greater or lesser impact on the game in the single time I played.

The other big difference, for me, is the requirement to "win by two." This makes the game less fragile overall and I think encourages for conservative play. Standard games can come down to last-move gamesmanship where you concentrate everything on taking out one weak unit without regard for what it does to the rest of your line. In Epic you can't afford to go for a last-turn rush like this unless in doing so you will also win by two.

Thread: Re: Epic Strategy vs Standard BattleLore Strategy

blindspot — 2007-08-12T21:13:25+00:00

Alright, I've since encountered the part of the Epic rules that state:
The Epic BattleLore rules wrote:
In Epic Adventures, the scope of the battlefield is so large that Lore tokens are gained only when rolled in Melee Combat (including Point Blank), but never when rolled in Ranged Combat.
I guess we had been playing it wrong yesterday. Still, this reaffirms the fact that a lot of lore can be generated in Epic. It makes me want to try and get my units engaged with the enemy sooner so that I can dictate and take advantage of lore-generating opportunities to tip the balance in my favor.

Thread: Epic Strategy vs Standard BattleLore Strategy

blindspot — 2007-08-12T20:50:27+00:00

So what do people think of 2-player Epic in terms of how to play and win compared to standard BL? I've played 4 times and have some thoughts so far.

The hand management aspects that are important in standard BL seem less important when playing Epic. The Epic Command Rack, with its three extra cards and automatic reset on the presence of three tactics cards, seems to always offer a wide variety of choice. It seems there is hardly ever a time when you can't get at least a little bit of control to apply just about anywhere on the board you might need it. So to me, good hand management seems less important in Epic. Because of this there seems to be a bit more ease of control.

The ease of control that you get means that you can more easily direct troops to where you need them. So you aren't just getting easier control, you get more control over your plan. Because the playing area of Epic is double the size of standard, you really need this control because Epic demands movement prior to units locking into combat. In comparison to Epic a game of standard BL will now feel as if players start virtually on top of each other. This new requirement of movement and positioning, while introducing a new level of planning and control, now lengthens the game by a number of additional turns which has also has an impact on the use of Lore.

While you are taking turns moving your troops you are gaining lore. If you take a LV3 Cmdr, you can dramatically increase the average number of units you get to order per turn. The top end becomes 12 units (!) with two equal-to-command section cards. The increase in number of units ordered increases the number of units in combat. This in turn creates more dice rolls and more opportunities to collect lore. More lore means more lore cards being used. More lore cards being used adds more surprise events for your opponent to deal with. For them, or you on the receiving end, this adds more randomness.

My point is that the same force that creates more control also generates even more randomness than in the standard game. I'm finding that Lore plays an even bigger role in Epic than it does in standard and that winning is greatly helped along by getting the upper hand in the Lore game. This seems to counter what I've been hearing in a lot of the early praise of Epic.

Other thoughts?

Thread: Re: Epic Battlelore Map compatible?

ColtsFan76 — 2007-08-12T11:43:02+00:00

Buying a 2nd Epic board does you no good. If you can afford it, I would consider buying a 2nd base game (so you have plenty of figures) and then get the Epic expansion for "free" at DOW. You just have to pay shipping. The Epic expansions gives you a 3rd board in this case but has the markers and rules you need to assist with the epic games.

Thread: Re: Epic Battlelore Map compatible?

Grubsnatcher — 2007-08-10T06:37:41+00:00

Is the Epic Battlelore map compatible with the one from the original game?(to get more depth!)

The Epic board is just a second board. That's right, just like the one that you received in the base set.

Should I buy two epic battlelore games?

This is a very subjective question, but one that depends on your group. You can only play new offical variant, Reluctant Allies with a second copy of the orignal Battlelore set. This varient forces you to buy a second set but is a bit more conflict oriented, pitting you even against your own allied side in a way.

Hope that helps.

Thread: Epic Battlelore Map compatible?

pomakli — 2007-08-10T05:58:57+00:00

Hello!

Is the Epic Battlelore map compatible with the one from the original game?(to get more depth!)

or

Should I buy two epic battlelore games?

Thanks

Pomakli

Thread: Re: Where do you keep Epic Battlelore?

Echtalion — 2007-08-04T20:56:18+00:00

Actually, the only expansions on the horizon that we know of are this month's new releases: Hundred years war and Goblin marauders.

We also know there is a Heroes of Uchronia coming out this year.

And that's it

Thread: Re: Where do you keep Epic Battlelore?

slith — 2007-08-04T07:57:14+00:00

Thanks for your responses guys. I'm sure that a complete storage solution for Battlelore from DoW is on the cards. The thing is with so many expansions coming out will it ever be big enough?

Thread: Re: Where do you keep Epic Battlelore?

blindspot — 2007-08-03T17:28:34+00:00

Up until recently I'd been able to keep everything in the original box, sitting nice and pretty on my game shelf. This week I received Epic and the two specialist expansions. They aren't all gonna fit, which of course I knew would be the case.

Looks like I'll be ditching the original box which had actually begun to show serious signs of wear after about 2 dozen trips to game night. I'm determined to fit it on the shelf with my other games. So I'll be appropriating a bigger sturdier cardboard box which I'll be wrapping in some printed BattleLore art obtained variously from DoW and battleloremaster.com. The intent is that the whole thing will sit on my game shelf just as before and still look like just another game. It will just be bigger. We'll see.

If DoW produced a total storage solution for BL, I swear I'd be the first in line to buy. But until then, I'll just create my own.

Thread: Re: Where do you keep Epic Battlelore?

mrbeankc — 2007-08-03T12:12:23+00:00

I have two containers that hold my Battlelore material. The first is the original box which contains the two mapboards, rules, cards, dice, small counters in small ziplock bags. The other is a plastic storage tub which holds all the figures separated into their own ziplocks.

Basically when I got Battlelore and heard about all the future plans for it (which so far DOW has failed to live up to) I thought about what I was going to need to store it all farther down the road after a few expansions. I went out and got myself a medium sized storage container that the original box could sit on top of. Now instead of trying to fit it all back into the original Battlelore box I simple put the bulkier items in the tub which has plenty of room for future expansions. The smaller more delicate stuff I keep in the original box. Mind you I did a similar thing with Memoir '44.

]]>

Thread: Where do you keep Epic Battlelore?

slith — 2007-08-03T06:58:09+00:00

The packaging (or lack thereof) for Epic Battlelore seems to suggest that you put the bulk of the components into the main Battlelore box, and perhaps keep the board separate. Is this the case? How do you store all the components that come with Epic Battlelore?

Thread: Re: Vassal?

ColtsFan76 — 2007-07-30T04:04:20+00:00

Eventually. I just asked the author about it a couple of days ago. He is having trouble implementing the Reluctant Allies portion of it (with 4 player trays) into the current BL module. If worse comes to worse, it may have to be its own module (instead of an add-on extension).

Thread: Vassal?

r3gamer — 2007-07-30T01:17:21+00:00

Does anyone know if this is coming for Vassal?

The current module works perfectly BTW.

Thread: Re: SNEWfest! My first play with the Epic rules.

Brudha — 2007-07-25T12:50:54+00:00

Yes, with my limited experience, I have to agree that creatures can be hard to kill.

I have noticed though that if a creature is being advanced on its own, it might be worthwile to go after it with a few units of your own. If it is moving in a supported formation, better form a solid defense and try to loose a couple of arrows on it, hoping for the lucky critical hit.

Having your frontline supported to get a battle back is a given versus any unit type, creatures or other.

Image

Masa — 2007-07-25T11:43:45+00:00

What you get

Thread: Re: SNEWfest! My first play with the Epic rules.

blindspot — 2007-07-24T03:42:58+00:00

nix342 wrote:
Well, I'm still trying to figure out the best way to tackle creatures and was frustrated by having some good units utterly crushed when they attacked the giant. So, I attempted to surround the giant and after moving the light infantry were the only units capable of attacking the giant that turn...and I got lucky, no doubt about that.

I'm now beginning to think that the best way to deal with creatures is to always try to make it so they are attacking bold units and attack them with as much ranged fire as possible. Almost never attack them outright in melee. Always try to battle back against them. It's bad enough when they stomp you when they attack you...it's terrible when they stomp you when you attack them.
Good, good. I have seen, time and again, a creature hold down an entire section on its own. My creature credo: you can't stop them, you can only hope to contain them. Probably best done with less important units.

Thread: Re: SNEWfest! My first play with the Epic rules.

nix342 — 2007-07-24T02:29:46+00:00

blindspot wrote:
nix342 wrote:
I could not allow the giant to have his way in my center, so I tried once again to attack him, this time however, with weak light infantry. Much to my delight, my green infantry turned out to be giant killers as they scored the much needed critical hit.
A suicide mission...turned joyful? Was it only your intention to slow the Giant's advance, with very little chance to kill him, but you came up lucky?
Well, I'm still trying to figure out the best way to tackle creatures and was frustrated by having some good units utterly crushed when they attacked the giant. So, I attempted to surround the giant and after moving the light infantry were the only units capable of attacking the giant that turn...and I got lucky, no doubt about that.

I'm now beginning to think that the best way to deal with creatures is to always try to make it so they are attacking bold units and attack them with as much ranged fire as possible. Almost never attack them outright in melee. Always try to battle back against them. It's bad enough when they stomp you when they attack you...it's terrible when they stomp you when you attack them.

Thread: Re: SNEWfest! My first play with the Epic rules.

blindspot — 2007-07-23T23:27:07+00:00

nix342 wrote:
I could not allow the giant to have his way in my center, so I tried once again to attack him, this time however, with weak light infantry. Much to my delight, my green infantry turned out to be giant killers as they scored the much needed critical hit.
A suicide mission...turned joyful? Was it only your intention to slow the Giant's advance, with very little chance to kill him, but you came up lucky?

Thread: SNEWfest! My first play with the Epic rules.

nix342 — 2007-07-23T17:33:52+00:00

I definitely enjoyed my first play using the Epic rules for BattleLore. I had played BattleLore many times, but never with the Epic rules. Epic adds a bit more besides the larger play area. There are a few rules tweaks, but the most significant is the addition of a common card area. Three cards are visible to both players and each player can chose to play one from the common rack during their turn. If playing a basic tactics card (tan background), players can play one from the common rack and one from their hand. If playing a grey background strategy card, only one can be played. This helps move the action along since there are more units and more space in the epic game.

In our scenario, Constantine had a Hill Giant and goblins accompanying his forces while the stalwart dwarves aided mine. Constantine chose a balanced war council with 1 level of every type, while I focused on Commander and Warrior, chosing level 3 of both. This got my specialist buildings, although I forgot to place the one for Commander. A level 3 Warrior brings a Training Camp, which I placed on my right side. I had heavy cavalry and heavy infantry, as well as dwarves on that flank and hoped to upgrade a unit and make a big push with those strong units.

The first few turns saw us shuffling forces and adjusting our lines. I did end up moving a medium cavalry unit to my training camp and then upgraded it to heavy cavalry, so my hammer (two heavy cavalry, a heavy infantry, and a contingent of dwarves) was ready to strike. Before I could do this, however, Constantine attacked with a mounted charge. This had mixed results and some units were driven back from whence they came (including goblin cavalry which took panic losses) but was highly successful on my left flank. Constantine continued to push with this cavalry unit on my left, destroying two units before I could finally nearly surround and eliminate it. Meanwhile, the hill giant marched forward attacking my center. Things were going according to plan on my right flank, however, with my heavy units doing serious damage to his left flank. I concentrated some forces against the hill giant, only to have them be brutally squashed by the monster. I could not allow the giant to have his way in my center, so I tried once again to attack him, this time however, with weak light infantry. Much to my delight, my green infantry turned out to be giant killers as they scored the much needed critical hit. At this point, I had dealt with the two major threats to my line (aggressive cavalry on my left and the giant in the center) and was pushing hard on the right. With things largely stabilized for me and my strong troops advancing, I was able to get the flags I needed for the victory, winning 8-6.

Epic BattleLore makes a fun game bigger and even more fun. The common cards give additional tactical options and are a nice new feature.

Thread: Re: [Review] BattleLore: Epic BattleLore

Sturmkraehe — 2007-07-12T08:16:17+00:00

(quickly hiding my screen so the wife doesn't see...)

B..b..but...the painting...modelling...$12,000.00 addition to the house for miniature storage is the best part!

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jwboone — 2007-07-10T01:47:50+00:00

The Red Baron err Knight Decimates my Forces

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jwboone — 2007-07-10T01:47:08+00:00

Opposing Forces Line Up for Epic Battle!

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Firepigeon — 2007-06-26T20:24:39+00:00

Starting up

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Firepigeon — 2007-06-26T18:46:12+00:00

Hummm. Maybe this card is better.....

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Firepigeon — 2007-06-26T18:44:04+00:00

What to do? What?

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Firepigeon — 2007-06-26T18:43:13+00:00

The lines are closing

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samoan_jo — 2007-06-24T15:20:02+00:00

"Episches Battlelore" - Days of Wonder - German box back