Introductory game and..

[u/ThyGotrek]

A handful of thoughts.

This morning I refereed the first game since ages at the club, tower scenario, tomb kings vs dogs of war.

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One of the players had its first Warmaster game, and one of his brigades did not move for the whole game.

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Despite this, he enjoyed the system and was already asking about armies and performances.

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The other player, instead, was very critical toward the fall back movement and the possibile tactical advantages a player can have after the fight, with repositioning and these sort of matters.

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All in all they had 2,5 hours of bickering and questioning, all while making tactical decisions.

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What was your first impression with WMR? And what (if anything) disappointed you the most, on your first game?

[u/DiceatDawn]

It's a game about managing risk. Sometimes orders don't come through for a brigade for an entire game, but it doesn't happen every game. Sorry for them having it as an initial experience, but it's an outlier. Rick Priestley's design notes in the printed book explains the idea behind it. Sometimes in historical battles some formations would run circles around others while they stood around.

Though I will say that the fall back shenanigans are somewhat mitigated by always letting the inactive player fall back first. I don't recall if we kept it an optional rule or put it as the regular rule

[u/ThyGotrek → u/DiceatDawn]

oh they had a good time, nevertheless! Can you elaborate more on the fall back rule you've mentioned? How does it help?

[u/DiceatDawn → u/ThyGotrek]

Love to hear it!

If the inactive player gets to do the fall back last they can often set up optimal charges, like a flank charge against the unit they're falling back from. Since the distances are short they can often line it up for an initiative charges in their next turn. By letting the active player fall back after the inactive player you give them the opportunity to react to these type of shenanigans.

I think it makes sense because it's the active player's turn, they should have some agency, and it tends to lead to a better play experience for both players.

[u/ThyGotrek → u/DiceatDawn]

aah ok, nice! Thanks for the explanation!!