Thank you Richard! I'll try em out this weekend. Good to see signs of life for beloved BL.

Z

For my part it is hard to see how a game with such a simple set of unit statistics and basic rules will be able to accomodate such an immense variety of races and units without the units feeling somehow similar (in practice, not in chrome) or without having to rely on special rules and features that will create a very complicated rules / exceptions landscape.

But I'll bite my tongue till the expansions roll out.

Truth be said however, the feeling from the older expansions (save CtA) has been that the new units failed to enrich the game to the extent it was expected.

As regards Heroes, since we are talking 100 years war here, I'd like to see the oriflamme implemented somehow. Oriflamme was a French banner that was carried to the battlefield and, when flown, indicated that no quarter was to be given and which was captured twice by the English in Poitiers and Agincourt (with presumable devastating effects). Could be a card, could be a hero artifact.

Constant Whinner said:

Getting around to responding to this on its month anniversary, but I've never been one to be in much of a rush The last comment puzzles me, in that it seems to me it gets repeated over and over without much support other than to express disappointment over unmet expectations, without detailing how the expansion falls short. I have issues with the format in which the figure expansions were rolled out - I would've much preferred them to be released as "complete" armies/factions with Call to Arms Deployment decks included, then perhaps some specialists trickling out later. However, the figures themselves all have interesting and fun impacts on the game play. I have no complaints in that department whatsoever. Also, in my opinion, not a stinker in the bunch for the adventures that come with each of the figure expansions, and the inclusion of Medieval Lore rules is not to be discounted.

As to the existing ruleset supporting variation amongst factions/races, I find it easy to see that this is readily achievable for at least a handful, if not several distinctly performing armies. The variations for creatures being tenfold that. Between morale, movement, and dice (both number and affect) modifiers, plenty to tinker with while keeping rulesets relatively simple. Heroes will push the ruleset boundaries a bit, but will also show creative and interesting ways that figures/units/armies can be tweaked to create intriguing ingame situations.

As I've been ending many posts lately: I am very excited to see the affect Heroes has on the game. I really believe it is going to open it up greatly, paving the way for the army/figure expansions I expect to follow. If that doesn't occur, then I will be the one suffering unmet expectations

toddrew said:

While I completely sympathize with those who prefer entire armies to be released in a single package, I think I prefer the smaller packages. Buying one of each typically fulfills the needs for any campaigns that the BL creators have put together, and this would be the case in an army pack, but in non-campaign games it slightly reduces the customizability of armies. I don't mind paying a large sum for an army box, but having to pay it twice to get some dupes of a unit or two I like can be frustrating. I don't know how economically feasible it is to do both army boxes and "squad" boxes -- and it probably makes predicting sales next to impossible -- so I'll settle for the smaller boxes.

That said, I'd love to see some elves and some more "historical" campaigns.

Can we get this 'stickied'?

Chris

I still get a little excited when I read this thread. I am such a sucker.

I wouldn't if I were you, just seen a link to here: new.fantasyflightgames.com/edge_news.asp I'd say BL is done now except for a token release now and again to 'retain IP' (also includes what I read as a bit of a knuckle rap for Richard to boot)

Chris

I guess my meaning isn't coming through...

I get it now, I blame 15 nights of 4 hour sleep and it being 3.45 am over here lol

I want Mr Borg to start selling PDFs of his ideas ($10 a pop with bare bones cards - no artwork or what not) 10 odd races for $100, and we can then slowly find minis for them (someone might even spot a niche and produce them). I won't be following FFG in their brave new BoW direction and wait to see what non Mr Borg idea they are working on (with Mr B) to make my final decision....

As I said on BGG I got my mind for rules and google for minis and a small spark of hope for what BL could yet be,

Chris

Elberon said:

It would be ironic closure for me if the next "real" BL expansion were a battle map and a large-breasted minotaur for $35.

What a pity !

BoW ? not for me !

BoW isn't BattleLore, but it doesn't mean it's going to be a bad game. May be very good in fact, though I strongly feel they should take the "BattleLore" brand off it, call it "The Westros Series" or something.

But I'm still hopeful that Richard's original vision can find some fulfillment at least at FFG. CP's statements were both distressing ("we only wanted the brand name, not the system or Richard's vision") and hopeful ("we see BattleLore continuing as a fantasy themed medieval battle game" and "we've got new releases being worked on right now with Richard for the future") [none of these are exact quotes].

So, Richard, is there anything you can say at all about the new direction for BL. Is there any hope that new races will appear, new magic, new lore, new...well..anything?

And besides, I still feel there should be a science fiction C & C system ("BattleTech" or "BattlePsi" or something).....

I agree with you David. The whole comment about FFG's vision really ticked me off. This was Borg's game, his vision, his success. FFG just got lucky with Days of Wonder not having room for it. Last time I heard the words 'the company's vision' was when FOX took over for Wolverine Movie and we got Deadpool "the merc with a mouth" without a mouth. Blades in his arms. And too top it off eye beams...

Sorry for being a bit skeptical but I hope Borg still has full control over the game. My friend made a good point. I wonder how Christian would feel if Days of Wonder decided his vision for Twilight Imperium wasn't good enough for Days of Wonder's vision.

I agree with David that BoW can be a really wonderful game. I'm thinking about buying it later on. I just ordered a Battlelore box from Noble Knight 'cause the one my group of players play isn't mine and I just don't want to miss it later...

And that's the sad picture. I hope BL still gets some room, even if not what we all expected. For the "half full pint" point ow view, I do like to know FFG won't be investing as much as we fans would have liked, because maybe then they can invest in things that would really make our day when they finally release it. What I'm trying to say is, if we know there won't be many new releases, if they know it, they could try to move with grace still and take care of the BL fans as best as they can.

Part of the sad picture is that, the way BoW was released, with a BL brand, it's just competing with BL in our hearts and minds. It looks like it's taking BL space. And that look should be avoided, in my opinion.

David Spangler said:

Oh, I would love to see a BattleTech board game with rules like C&C!