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2021/05/28 11:25:23
Subject: Reign in Hell - indy campaign skirmish game (quick review)
I have zero affiliation other than being an occasional watcher of Adam's but it sounded neat so I bought the pdf.
First impressions, in a nutshell it's a better Warcry. You make a warband of demons fighting in a post-apocalyptic hell (which is to say, an actual Hell where the humans invaded and wrecked gak up and now demons are trying to survive/rebuild/revenge/suicide). Warband creation starts with a bunch of choices. First, you pick one of 6 philosophies. Each comes with a unique power for your leader, a unique tactical or strategic ability for your whole warband, and a unique profile and power set for your lieutenant. Then you pick one of 3 leaders, each has its own statline and one built in power, and can then take 1 item from each of two upgrade lists (essences and relics). Up to this point everything is free. Now you have some souls to spend on filling your remaining warband from a pool of 6 lesser demon types, who have evolution paths into greater and superior demons during campaign play.
Model activation is a bit fiddly with each player rolling a D12 for each model and arranging them in line, then spending those dice to activate models one at a time at each step from 12 to 1. Statlines are simple, just a speed stat, a hit point stat and a combat skill stat. Attacks are Warcry like, compare stats and roll D6s, needing either a 2+, 3+ or 4+ depending on whose is higher, but the target also rolls and each 6 negates one hit.
Campaign play is pretty reminescent of Necromunda and the likes, with an "injury" table for demons who were slain. Interestingly, there is no permadeath. A slain demon will always respawn, but might change in some way, sometimes even for the better. If someone does deteriorate into uselessness, you can dismiss them for a 50% cashback. You also collect XP and treasure (non-transferrable essences and transferrable relics) in much the usual way. In addition, your guys can earn Titles by completing in-game achievements like killing 5 ememies in one game and this also gives them a small boost. Your models of course level up and gain stat boosts, with lesser demons also ranking up to greater demon or superior demon status with additional abilities, and high level warbands can also recruit from 3 unique types of greater demon and 3 unique types of superior demon.
Finally, the book has 10 scenarios that are mechanically fairly typical for campaign skirmish games, like collecting loot, controlling the board, hunting an NPC, rescuing an NPC, etc.
Final thoughts, after like an hour with the pdf, it's a slick indy wargame dripping with flavour. Of course all the GW Chaos tropes are represented from rage demons to sexy demons to fat demons to madness demons and more. Rules quality seems above average, with streamlined combat mechanics that are expected in modern non GW games but an unusually high level of customization and special rules. 10/10 on first impressions, before playing.
This message was edited 4 times. Last update was at 2021/05/28 11:55:52
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2021/05/28 13:38:13
Subject: Re:Reign in Hell - indy campaign skirmish game (quick review)
2+Tough goes into it a bit more here as well. There should be some gameplay videos coming from a Tabletop minions
I ordered a printed copy and the pdf without even looking at it just to support Adam and Vince. €17 including postage. I’ve loads of demon minis so I’m sure I’ll give it try at some point.
$10 watermarked pdf only or $15 + shipping for printed plus pdf
This message was edited 1 time. Last update was at 2021/05/28 13:41:24
2021/05/28 13:52:14
Subject: Reign in Hell - indy campaign skirmish game (quick review)
It was 19€ for me, hopefully I don't get harassed by some illiterate customs official and charged 10€ to prove the value is under 22€. Time to break out all my GW, Bones, Helldorado etc. demons.
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40k Potica Edition - 40k patch with reactions, suppression and all that good stuff. Feedback thread here.
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2021/05/28 13:53:35
Subject: Reign in Hell - indy campaign skirmish game (quick review)
Went in for the book and PDF, very reasonable price, just under 17 euro including postage to Ireland. Had a quick glance and it looks good so far. I have a few demons models that should be a good fit for it.
2021/05/28 21:35:35
Subject: Re:Reign in Hell - indy campaign skirmish game (quick review)
sh4mike wrote: Picked up a copy. Combat value feels overly-dominant in the stat line, but overall impression is good. Production value is better than expected.
Same thought. Having more dice gives you more dice... AND you hit easier? I guess they want to make it fast paced and bloody...
At Games Workshop, we believe that how you behave does matter. We believe this so strongly that we have written it down in the Games Workshop Book. There is a section in the book where we talk about the values we expect all staff to demonstrate in their working lives. These values are Lawyers, Guns and Money.
2021/05/29 08:25:42
Subject: Re:Reign in Hell - indy campaign skirmish game (quick review)
No permadeath sounds a lot like Brutality: Skirmish Wargame, where warband members are immortal, but dying and respawning can make them go a bit....insane over a campaign. If I remember right there is even a possibility they become leave the warband and become a wandering monster in later games.
"By this point I'm convinced 100% that every single race in the 40k universe have somehow tapped into the ork ability to just have their tech work because they think it should."
2023/07/28 11:59:51
Subject: Reign in Hell - indy campaign skirmish game (quick review)
Watched Adam's video on it and was pretty much sold on the concept; sounds like a fun game. Haven't picked it up yet, but honestly something like $20 shipped for the physical book + pdf is a bargain. That's basically two meals at McDonald's right there.
2021/05/29 18:33:20
Subject: Reign in Hell - indy campaign skirmish game (quick review)
Honestly: at that price it's worth getting just to support Vince and Atom making games.
It happens to look awesome though!
Light and fast; with a dark and BRUTAL premise.
Which is what I want out of a skirmish game, but is surprisingly rare. There seems o be an idea that less models means more rules /detail.
Rihgu wrote:I guess they want to make it fast paced and bloody...
That's what they mean when they describe the game as "brutal".
Nightstalkers Dwarfs
GASLANDS!
Holy Roman Empire
2021/06/16 07:10:09
Subject: Reign in Hell - indy campaign skirmish game (quick review)
I've since received the physical book, original version with the flipped Devout table. Could have easily been half the footprint with the same layout, the font is like size 14 or 16, like a book for 1st graders, it's silly.
Brought up all the demons from the bitz basement, I can probably make all 6 warbands with distinct sculpts even for the minions without too much sweat.
Lords of Hell leader and devout, by Reaper Bones
(should we get this moved to Other Fantasy?)
This message was edited 3 times. Last update was at 2021/06/16 07:11:43
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2021/06/17 16:21:21
Subject: Reign in Hell - indy campaign skirmish game (quick review)
lord_blackfang wrote: I've since received the physical book, original version with the flipped Devout table. Could have easily been half the footprint with the same layout, the font is like size 14 or 16, like a book for 1st graders, it's silly.
Brought up all the demons from the bitz basement, I can probably make all 6 warbands with distinct sculpts even for the minions without too much sweat.
Lords of Hell leader and devout, by Reaper Bones
(should we get this moved to Other Fantasy?)
You started the thread, so if you PM a MOD or click the yellow triangle in the top of your post and let them know you want it moved I'm sure someone will do it.
LOL, Theo your mind is an amazing place, never change.-camkierhi 9/19/13
I cant believe theo is right.. damn. -comradepanda 9/26/13
None of the strange ideas we had about you involved your sexual orientation..........-Monkeytroll 12/10/13
I'd put you on ignore for that comment, if I could...Alpharius 2/11/14
2021/06/18 08:29:03
Subject: Re:Reign in Hell - indy campaign skirmish game (quick review)
Left to right, Leader, Devout, and each type of lesser in order.
Minis a mix of Deep Madness and The Others: 7 Sins board games and Mantic Nightstalkers
Automatically Appended Next Post: For the rest, I'd go with classic looking devils for Lords and Brokers, using Mantic Abyssals, Reaper Bones, Frostgrave Armoured Demons and other generic sculpts. GW Nighthaunts for Judges for sure as they literally have one with an executioners axe AND a gallows on his back. Not supre about Earth-bound. A horde of casually dressed Succubi?
This message was edited 1 time. Last update was at 2021/06/18 08:32:27
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40k Potica Edition - 40k patch with reactions, suppression and all that good stuff. Feedback thread here.
Gangs of Nu Ork - Necromunda / Gorkamorka expansion supporting all faction. Feedback thread here.
2021/06/18 14:01:09
Subject: Reign in Hell - indy campaign skirmish game (quick review)
marxlives wrote: Why would I play this when I have Warcry and GW support?
'cause it's cool?
You know, like supporting creators you like doing indy rules.
It's also inexpensive, accessible and looks like fun.
Maybe because GW "support" means constantly buying expensive models, updates and extra books; assuming they aren't ignoring your thing for several years before discontinuing it or maybe redoing it in way that expects you to spend money.
Not to mention that their rules writing and balance are terrible.
For me it's mostly the first things I said, but helped by being so fed up and salty regarding GW that I wouldn't play their games again if you paid me.
Salt I usually (try to ) keep in the shaker, but you asked.
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Holy Roman Empire
2021/07/09 09:01:34
Subject: Reign in Hell - indy campaign skirmish game (quick review)
marxlives wrote: Why would I play this when I have Warcry and GW support?
That's an oddly high level of corporate simping for someone named Marx Lives but here's a few pros of indy gaming:
- use any miniatures you like
- actual finished product without a constant stream of compulsory DLC to stay legal/competitive
- games designed for playing, not for selling you models
- creative freedom not present in a corporate environment where product has to accomodate the lowest common denominator (ie. be appealing to idiots) and where accountants can overrule designers
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2021/07/09 13:38:41
Subject: Reign in Hell - indy campaign skirmish game (quick review)