+Glenmore92 Glad you enjoyed it. Part Two is uploading at the moment, but as I have such a poor internet connection it will not be available for a few hours yet.
Thanks for these videos Ralph. I bought the first edition of Sword and Spear as a download and read it on screen, which is never a good idea. I got the impression that they were something pretty different from everything else I've encountered over the years, but it was only watching your presentation that made me think that I really need to get my copy printed and start using them. Watching your step by step run through the phases made everything really clear and highlighted just how different these rules are. I particularly like the activation mechanisms and the way they keep both players involved throughout the game turn. Your battle certainly shows how important the pre-game set up is! I always tend to skip over this when I read through a set of rules. I'm currently painting up two armies (Batavian Revolt Germans and a later 13th century English Feudal host) and couldn't really decide which rules to base them for... Impetus was the front runner before I sat down and watched your battle. Thanks again for putting in the time and effort to put this up on You Tube, and for inspiring a renewed painting burst. Might need to acquire some new brushes!
Thanks Philip. Be aware that I make a few mistakes in these videos so don't take them as gospel for rule interpretation. The same goes for the Dark Age game that I put up which I personally feel is a better demo. Also, if you buy the second edition there is a mistake in the movement chart so download the corrections and QRS from the Polkovnik forum. As the basing requirements are pretty flexible there is nothing to stop you basing your figures for another set of rules and playing both. I don't feel the need to stray from S&S now as it ticks all the boxes for me. Happy wargaming.
I have just recently purchased this set of rules to use with my Wars of the Roses armies. This first part was not only a very enjoyable watch, it has taught me a great deal too. I look forward to following parts.
+TheDiomedef16 Thanks Ian - I have been following you on TTC and was hoping you would catch this. Unfortunately I have been having major technical issues and it has taken me ages to upload this. The second part won't be available for at least a day, by which time you may be having your op. The battle certainly heats up in part two when the two sides clash. All the very best for your stay in hospital and look forward to your return to You Tube in the near future.
+Ralph Astley Hi Ralph, first of all thanks for the good wishes, but the hospital rang me yesterday afternoon, Wednesday, to cancel to the operation! I will be undergoing a different procedure which doesn't involve carving open my chest. Secondly, posted a link to this excellent tutorial on TtC and spoke about it at length on last night's chat. Really looking forward to the next parts.
+TheDiomedef16 I have decided to watch this series again, for the third time! before starting on turn four of my WotR battle. I really need to nail down the rules properly.
+HeresyProducktionz Thanks. Originally I had the whole thing as one long video and had included some shots where I had added the sound effects of a medieval battle, but the whole thing failed to load and after over a week of failed attempts I took the sound effects out and split it into three. That seemed to do the trick but I am aware that it is still a little hard to digest all in one go.
+Mini Warzone Thanks Pete - The lighting wasn't that good due to typical Plymouth weather of late. I may try to post some battle reports using other figures that I have, and concentrate on the narrative of the game rather than an explanation of the rules when the daylight is a little brighter.
I would say it has stood the test of time in that I know some people that I introduced the rules to who are still playing it, but I myself don't get many games at all and haven't played it for a few years, but that's true of all rules, not just this.
+Maxyshadow They're a great set of rules. You don't need much to try them out, and don't have to play in any particular scale, or with any particular unit sizes. For instance, if you have twelve elements for a 15mm DBA army, you could call each element a unit, halve the unit's frontage to give you a DU of 2cms, and just add a couple of individual pieces to represent commanders. Or if you don't have any figures at all print them out from Junior General and play with paper or card.
Thanks Ralph. I think you've helped me see the point of these rules with this vid. I'm looking for new Ancient rules esp for ones that will suit my Bronze age armies. Currently trialing Hail Caesar with test a couple of weeks ago and definitely will try Sword and Spear now. Do you know if it will allow light Chariots to skirmish/evade etc?
+Maxyshadow I have a New Kingdom Egyptian 15mm army and was thinking of doing a video game using them. That army obviously includes chariots (although I don't believe the rules distinguish between heavy and light chariots other than differing strengths and discipline levels). The trouble is that I only have Imperial Romans to oppose them and I hate ahistorical battles unless compelled by tournaments, and I only take part in Saga tournaments as they are well mannered and laid back. Chariots are classed as 'mounted' rather than 'skirmishers', but you can effectively skirmish with them as they have a low discipline number and a long movement distance. You have to try to keep within bow shot of the enemy and activate your chariots to move backwards on a D3 facing before the enemy are within movement distance and charge you on a D4 or D5 facing. If the worse comes to the worse and they contact you, if you survive the first round of melee you might be able to break off. I didn't show an example of breaking off in these HYW videos, but there is one coming up in a future video.
Hi Tommy. The deployment zone is measured in DUs. A DU is half the unit frontage. The deployment zone is on your side of the table and stretches from the base edge up to 4 DU away from the centre line and 6 DU away from each side.
Thanks very much Ralph. I was asking because in none of the rules quick reference sheets that I've seen did they mention deployment zones. I'm planning to have a solo game of Sword and Spear in the near future. Tommy.
For scouting, why not roll the dice you bid to randomize the result? Higest total is the winner. That way, the chance exists that a bid on 1 dice could outscout a bid of 3 dice if they roll 1s & the single dice rolls a 4/5/6.
As a rule I'm never very keen on house rules such as this - my attitude is that the game creator should have finely crafted the rules. I know this is rarely the case but in the case of Sword and Spear I prefer to leave it untouched.
Hopefully that might happen but nothing seems to move very fast with this game - for instance it is taking an eternity for the fantasy version to be released. I see you are attempting to prompt them on the polkovnik forum and hope you have success.
I too have recently bought these rules and thoroughly enjoyed your video. I am looking forward to part 2. Thanks
+Glenmore92 Glad you enjoyed it. Part Two is uploading at the moment, but as I have such a poor internet connection it will not be available for a few hours yet.
Thanks for these videos Ralph. I bought the first edition of Sword and Spear as a download and read it on screen, which is never a good idea. I got the impression that they were something pretty different from everything else I've encountered over the years, but it was only watching your presentation that made me think that I really need to get my copy printed and start using them. Watching your step by step run through the phases made everything really clear and highlighted just how different these rules are. I particularly like the activation mechanisms and the way they keep both players involved throughout the game turn. Your battle certainly shows how important the pre-game set up is! I always tend to skip over this when I read through a set of rules. I'm currently painting up two armies (Batavian Revolt Germans and a later 13th century English Feudal host) and couldn't really decide which rules to base them for... Impetus was the front runner before I sat down and watched your battle. Thanks again for putting in the time and effort to put this up on You Tube, and for inspiring a renewed painting burst. Might need to acquire some new brushes!
Thanks Philip. Be aware that I make a few mistakes in these videos so don't take them as gospel for rule interpretation. The same goes for the Dark Age game that I put up which I personally feel is a better demo. Also, if you buy the second edition there is a mistake in the movement chart so download the corrections and QRS from the Polkovnik forum. As the basing requirements are pretty flexible there is nothing to stop you basing your figures for another set of rules and playing both. I don't feel the need to stray from S&S now as it ticks all the boxes for me. Happy wargaming.
I have just recently purchased this set of rules to use with my Wars of the Roses armies. This first part was not only a very enjoyable watch, it has taught me a great deal too. I look forward to following parts.
+TheDiomedef16 Thanks Ian - I have been following you on TTC and was hoping you would catch this. Unfortunately I have been having major technical issues and it has taken me ages to upload this. The second part won't be available for at least a day, by which time you may be having your op. The battle certainly heats up in part two when the two sides clash. All the very best for your stay in hospital and look forward to your return to You Tube in the near future.
+Ralph Astley Hi Ralph, first of all thanks for the good wishes, but the hospital rang me yesterday afternoon, Wednesday, to cancel to the operation! I will be undergoing a different procedure which doesn't involve carving open my chest. Secondly, posted a link to this excellent tutorial on TtC and spoke about it at length on last night's chat. Really looking forward to the next parts.
+TheDiomedef16 Good news indeed, and thanks for promoting the video. Part two should be uploaded by tonight.
+Ralph Astley I am looking forward to the next part, will keep my eyes on the notification panel.
+TheDiomedef16 I have decided to watch this series again, for the third time! before starting on turn four of my WotR battle. I really need to nail down the rules properly.
discovered this video on ttc.
really informative. really like it.
look forward to next one.
thanks
+Almighty JT Thanks JT. Part two is now uploaded. Hope you enjoy.
I must admit I am only about 2/3 through and have to watch the rest later but I love the presentation great job.
+HeresyProducktionz Thanks. Originally I had the whole thing as one long video and had included some shots where I had added the sound effects of a medieval battle, but the whole thing failed to load and after over a week of failed attempts I took the sound effects out and split it into three. That seemed to do the trick but I am aware that it is still a little hard to digest all in one go.
You are the Rules Master Ralph. A very good video indeed.
+Mini Warzone Thanks Pete - The lighting wasn't that good due to typical Plymouth weather of late. I may try to post some battle reports using other figures that I have, and concentrate on the narrative of the game rather than an explanation of the rules when the daylight is a little brighter.
Interesting video Ralph. So has this set of rules stood the test of time? Do you still play it?
I would say it has stood the test of time in that I know some people that I introduced the rules to who are still playing it, but I myself don't get many games at all and haven't played it for a few years, but that's true of all rules, not just this.
Very interesting. I have the rules but haven't road tested them yet.
+Maxyshadow They're a great set of rules. You don't need much to try them out, and don't have to play in any particular scale, or with any particular unit sizes. For instance, if you have twelve elements for a 15mm DBA army, you could call each element a unit, halve the unit's frontage to give you a DU of 2cms, and just add a couple of individual pieces to represent commanders. Or if you don't have any figures at all print them out from Junior General and play with paper or card.
Thanks Ralph. I think you've helped me see the point of these rules with this vid. I'm looking for new Ancient rules esp for ones that will suit my Bronze age armies. Currently trialing Hail Caesar with test a couple of weeks ago and definitely will try Sword and Spear now. Do you know if it will allow light Chariots to skirmish/evade etc?
+Maxyshadow I have a New Kingdom Egyptian 15mm army and was thinking of doing a video game using them. That army obviously includes chariots (although I don't believe the rules distinguish between heavy and light chariots other than differing strengths and discipline levels). The trouble is that I only have Imperial Romans to oppose them and I hate ahistorical battles unless compelled by tournaments, and I only take part in Saga tournaments as they are well mannered and laid back. Chariots are classed as 'mounted' rather than 'skirmishers', but you can effectively skirmish with them as they have a low discipline number and a long movement distance. You have to try to keep within bow shot of the enemy and activate your chariots to move backwards on a D3 facing before the enemy are within movement distance and charge you on a D4 or D5 facing. If the worse comes to the worse and they contact you, if you survive the first round of melee you might be able to break off. I didn't show an example of breaking off in these HYW videos, but there is one coming up in a future video.
+Ralph Astley Thanks Ralph that's very interesting. I look forward to watching the second part. Pity I can't fax my Canaanites over for you to use.
+Maxyshadow The example of breaking off isn't in the second part - it's in a video I haven't uploaded yet of a Dark Age game. Sorry to mislead you.
What is the deployment zone in Sword and spear? Tommy.
Hi Tommy. The deployment zone is measured in DUs. A DU is half the unit frontage. The deployment zone is on your side of the table and stretches from the base edge up to 4 DU away from the centre line and 6 DU away from each side.
Thanks very much Ralph. I was asking because in none of the rules quick reference sheets that I've seen did they mention deployment zones. I'm planning to have a solo game of Sword and Spear in the near future. Tommy.
For scouting, why not roll the dice you bid to randomize the result? Higest total is the winner. That way, the chance exists that a bid on 1 dice could outscout a bid of 3 dice if they roll 1s & the single dice rolls a 4/5/6.
As a rule I'm never very keen on house rules such as this - my attitude is that the game creator should have finely crafted the rules. I know this is rarely the case but in the case of Sword and Spear I prefer to leave it untouched.
Wish the rules were still available as a pdf!!!
Hopefully that might happen but nothing seems to move very fast with this game - for instance it is taking an eternity for the fantasy version to be released. I see you are attempting to prompt them on the polkovnik forum and hope you have success.
Ralph Astley thank you for the work on this series. Very well done and enjoyable. I love your wonderfully painted collection!