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Please tell why do you like/dislike this title, why would you recommend it or not. What are its strenghts and the weak points etc. I will not tell you my gaming preferences as I want to hear your unbiased opinion about this game.

You really can not talk about Dragon Rampant without understanding Lion Rampant.

Here is my reviews:

Lion Rampant
http://bloodandspectacles.blogspot.com/2016/12/review-lion-rampant-osprey-wargame.html

Dragon Rampant
https://bloodandspectacles.blogspot.com/2016/12/review-dragon-rampant-osprey-wargame.html

However, I really like the rules and the ethos behind them.

We have played quite a few games of DR at out club and by and large enjoyed it.

It is very adaptable for lots of worlds, styles and units = games have been played with 40k scale, Epic Scale and everything in between, I have played a game of my Tyranids against a Friends Dwarfs and my Nymphs and Devourer Wolfen against Lizardmen.

It does have some issues and we made quite a few house rules:

The magic add ons and unit special rules range from good to worthless and the pts don't work for many of them especially since some may not even work in the game!
We added rules for Elite Missile units and War Machines - to cover stuff like Steam Tanks.
Most of us liked the Activation mechanic as an added tactical element but a couple did not.

I would recommnd it as a good, fun game with lots of options.

Thanks guys for your opinions


Automatically Appended Next Post:

 Mr Morden wrote:

especially since some may not even work in the game!

Which ones do not work and why?

My old group enjoyed both rules sets. It probably took the spot for my favorite company-level fantasy wargame though I only played a few times. It's fast and just abstract enough to keep you from getting bogged down in rules and stats.

As a basis for what I like in a game, my favorite warband and Battalion level fantasy games are Song of Blades and Kings of War respectively.

It's a bargain and I think it's hard to go wrong buying it even if you only play a few times.

 Shadow Walker wrote:
Thanks guys for your opinions

Automatically Appended Next Post:

 Mr Morden wrote:

especially since some may not even work in the game!

Which ones do not work and why?

Blessed / Enchanted Weapons

I have to admit, I do not like the "Song Of..." system. The two stats just is not good enough for me at creating variation. I also tend to prefer stat line variables instead of special rules for variation.

"Horses for Courses" and all of that noise.

I really do need to try out Kings of War. I have been meaning to for a while now.


Edit: I Expand a bit on my thoughts in my Of Gods and Mortals review....

https://bloodandspectacles.blogspot.com/2016/12/review-of-gods-and-mortals-osprey.html

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=obki4xx0KQI

Thats my review of every fantasy system that I have ever played, and why I rank it the way I do.

I didn't get into Dragon Rampant because the rules are way too simple to keep my attention. But it does what it sets out to do very well.

 Mr Morden wrote:

 Shadow Walker wrote:
Thanks guys for your opinions

Automatically Appended Next Post:

 Mr Morden wrote:

especially since some may not even work in the game!

Which ones do not work and why?

Blessed / Enchanted Weapons

And what is that makes them unworkable if you could explain?

I generally like simple rules systems but played a couple of games of Lion Rampant and found it too simplistic for my tastes.

 Shadow Walker wrote:

 Mr Morden wrote:

 Shadow Walker wrote:
Thanks guys for your opinions

Automatically Appended Next Post:

 Mr Morden wrote:

especially since some may not even work in the game!

Which ones do not work and why?

Blessed / Enchanted Weapons

And what is that makes them unworkable if you could explain?

Essentially you roll a die before the game, and on a 6 or a 5-6 the special rule activates. It isn't bad, and can have some in-game lore to it depending on how you imagine it.

I personally love the Dragon Rampant system. Have had tons of fun with it, even though it is the game system I do the absolute worst in when it comes to dice rolls for some reason haha. So uh, most fun I have ever had getting my butt kicked.

Only thing I suggest is to make every add on special rule besides Undead limited to being taken once for each 24 points in your army. I only say that because the add on special rules really aren't the most balanced, and that limitation creates far more diverse armies.

 Easy E wrote:
I have to admit, I do not like the "Song Of..." system. The two stats just is not good enough for me at creating variation. I also tend to prefer stat line variables instead of special rules for variation.

"Horses for Courses" and all of that noise.

I really do need to try out Kings of War. I have been meaning to for a while now.


Edit: I Expand a bit on my thoughts in my Of Gods and Mortals review....

https://bloodandspectacles.blogspot.com/2016/12/review-of-gods-and-mortals-osprey.html

That's s fair perspective. I think folks who like more detailed rulesets will likely never be satisfied with SBH and it's descendents. I also don't think it's likely to be anyone's only game.. Those looking to play only one game for a long time will likely look elsewhere.

However, I do think the it's very repayable, especially with good scenarios. In my club we played SBH for years. However we were also only playing every other week and our campaigns would only go for about 8 sessions with up to 2 games per night. I'd add also that while we enjoyed several of its derivatives, I still think the original and advanced SBH are the best of the batch.

Being SBH fans we played OGAM once or twice and enjoyed it...
https://www.chicagoskirmishwargames.com/blog/2014/06/grind-them-to-dust-ogam-battle-repor/
...but for company level fantasy combat we preferred Dragon Rampant.

To the OPs situation, it's likely they will play through a few different rulesets before settling on one that they like best. Dragon rampant is a great place to start for company level fantasy if only because it's well regarded and cheap.