Sword and Spear

We have been playing Mark Lewis‘ rules, Sword and Spear for some time now, mainly in 28mm but occasionally using 15mm. These have quickly become the Phillip Island Gaming Societies (PIGS) Ancient Wargaming rules of choice. Like all rules they have their good points and bad points, but I like the game mechanics with “innovative system for activating units that creates interesting and challenging decisions, keeps both players involved at all times, and has a lot of depth and subtlety” (see BD below). Battlefield friction is created by the activation system which means you cannot always do what you want when you want.

The Second Edition has been published by Great Escape Games.

There are many reviews about Sword and Spear so rather than create another one I will direct you to several that are already out there:

Tales of the Brummie Dwarf (I particularly like the Brummie Dwarf one), and Boardgame Geek and the Sword and Spear website.

The rule book is quite small (for these days) with about 40 pages. This is possible because they do not include army lists, which I think is a good thing. Over the years with the Wargames Research Group suite of rules we have grown accustomed to having things served up on a platter. This created the huge historical anomally of the the Light Medium/Light Heavy category of troop types which NEVER existed. However, for those of you who prefer to have a list designed for you rather than conduct your own research, Mark Lewis has provided them as a download for free.

The games stengths are that it gives an exciting, interesting and challenging experience, plays relatively quickly, and the rules are simple and easy to grasp.

Some pictures from our 15mm Early Greek versus early Persian game of last Wednesday night.

I have enjoyed these rules so much that I have ignored my painting plan (see last blog) and started painting my 28mm Republican Indian Army to fight Buckos Greeks and Persians.

Here are some of the cavalry that I have finished and are ready for flocking.