Following up my recent review on the core SAGA rules, I thought I would do my next review on the SAGA Book of Battles. This is a supplement (like all the books) to the core rules and cannot be used as a stand alone. The book is a straight forward supplement that is not required to play the game or even desirable for some players. It does give the gamer some interesting options in game play that are definitely worth a look. Like the core rules, it is a soft cover book and rather inexpensive. With that said, let’s get into the product and see you many battle axes it deserves!
The book is broken down into multiple chapters, with each added a new flavor to the game. The first chapter is called “Skirmishes” and is basically provides a scenario generator for your games. You roll on five different charts using a D6. There is a chart for Scenery, Deployment, Game Length, Special Rules and Victory Conditions. The combinations are staggering in total and will make it unlikely that you ever play all of them. This is one of my favorite chapters, as you just need to show up with your troops, roll on the chart and have at it!
The next chapter is called “Battles” and provides additional rules that players an incorporate into existing scenarios. Basically, just adding another layer onto the game, if desired.
“Legends” is the next chapter and provides for three narrative based scenarios and special rules. Each scenario has special events and objectives, providing for a very Pulp feel.
After that, you have the “Mass Battles” chapter. This is basically a section that provides instructions for playing multi-player games. This is one of my favorite chapters, as what is more fun than having a table with six players in the same game making fun of each other!
The last chapter is called “Sagas.” This introduces rules for playing a campaign that includes gaining experience points for your Warlord. Basically, as you play games, your Warlord gains a set number of experience points for performing certain tasks during games (e.g. winning a game, fighting battles, Warlord fighting, etc.). You can use these points to purchase additional abilities for your Warlord. There are 24 abilities to choose from! Once your Warlord has reached 100 points, he must retire!
The Book of Battles is probably more for a player with a little experience under their belt with the basic rules, as it just adds layers onto the exiting game. Each section is straight forward to itself, but there is a lot of content squeezed into this book, so remembering all the sections will take a little practice. Due to all the variations and options, if have to give the supplement a 5 out of 5 Battleaxes for Flexibility and Variation and a 4 out of 5 Battleaxes for Ease of Play.
Presentation and Quality: The supplement book (lie the core rule book) is clearly laid out. There are many diagrams for the scenarios and easy to follow charts for the rules and abilities. You will not find the Scribe commentary that is prevalent in the other books (there is a little up front), but there is a lot in this book considering it is only 54 pages. Like the other offerings, it is loaded with great looking photos of armies and terrain to inspire any gamer. You can find a couple of game aids reference in the book on the ST SAGA website.
Since the book is soft cover and contained, the price is very reasonable. If you are into the options that it provides for in the game, it is a must purchase. As a stand alone purchase, I have to give the Book of Battles a 5 out of 5 Battleaxes for Presentation and Value.
Summary: Overall, one cannot complain about the quality of the product. It is a great supplement that adds a great deal potential fun and variation to the game. The print and editing quality is once again top notch. Overall, the Book of Battles offers the miniature gamer a a whole new level of dynamic skirmish game play that will provide for hours of enjoyment. With the all the scenario options, there is something for everyone.
You can find more about the suppliment on the Studio Tomahawk website, along with a number of game aids: http://www.studio-tomahawk.com/en/saga/
As this is an optional supplement, so it is of course not a must buy. If your happy with the core game as is, feel free to have at it. However, if you are looking to take the game to a new level or just want to get into multiple player games, you will not be disappointed in this book. Overall, I would have to give the game 5 out of 5 Battleaxes for the veteran SAGA player!
- Ease of Play: 4 out of 5 Battleaxes
- Flexibility and Variation of Play: 5 out of 5 Battleaxes
- Presentation and Value: 5 out of 5 Battleaxes
- Overall: 4.5 out of 5 Battleaxes
Mantueffel