I’ve been thinking about ways to incorporate the flavour, narrative, and cooperative fun of a game like Rangers of Shadow Deep into mass fantasy battles. Here, instead of playing against one another, two players can take charge of one army against an opposing force controlled by the game’s “AI”.

Most rulesets usually have their own solo modes built in now, and this isn’t an attempt to write a new game. My thinking here was literally to create a set of event cards that could be drawn between each turn and work with pretty much any system, from Warhammer Fantasy Battles and Kings of War to Hobgoblin, Oathmark, and Mayhem.

If you’re playing a game that doesn’t have any solo rules, then John Lambshead has come up with a cool system in his Sci-Fi Skirmish Scenarios book that I think could be adapted well to the movement of regiments. This involves rolling for each unit before it moves.

1. they panic and move backwards
2. they stop and move into any nearby cover
3. they move straight down the table
4. they move down the table at 45 degrees right
5. they move down the table at 45 degrees left
6. they charge anyone within charge range

More explanation is given by John in his book (which I’d highly recommend), but this offers a really good starting point if we want to avoid a wall of troops moving towards our own in an entirely predictable and methodical fashion.

This, combined with the following event deck, could bring in a whole new level of chaos, unpredictability, and challenge to a solo or co-op mass battle. In order for it to work, you’d just need to assign a number to each unit, then have a dice on hand to roll and see which unit is going to be affected.

Solo/Co-op Rank & Flank Battle Game Event Deck

At the beginning of each turn, draw one card.

1. Missing Orders

Confusion reigns as orders fail to reach a unit on the battlefield.

“Where are our orders? We’re stranded out here!”

Effect: Roll to determine which friendly unit is affected. This unit must miss its next turn and cannot move, attack, or perform any actions. If applicable to your game-specific system (GSS), it may still defend itself if it is being attacked.

2. Frenzied Unit

One of your units becomes frenzied and uncontrollable, fighting with reckless abandon.

“Madness has taken them! They charge with no regard for strategy!”

Effect: Roll to determine which friendly unit is affected. This unit remains under your control but follows the AI system’s actions for the opposing army for the next two turns.

3. Blocked Horn

The commander’s musician’s horn is blocked with mud, requiring immediate assistance.

“Blast it! The horn is useless. Get someone here to clean it!”

Effect: The nearest unengaged friendly unit to the command group must move towards the command unit and spend one turn in base contact, unable to perform any other actions until the next turn.

Yes, this is a bit of a farcical one, but it riffs off the “incompetent leaders” theme that often forms the basis of Joe Abercrombie’s stories.

4. Ranged Ambush

An unseen force launches a ranged attack from off the table.

“Arrows from nowhere! Take cover!”

Effect: Roll to determine which friendly unit is affected. This unit suffers a ranged attack with damage determined by your Game Specific System (GSS).

5. Panic

Panic spreads through a unit, causing them to flee from the nearest enemy.

“Panic has seized them! They’re running for their lives!”

Effect: Roll to determine which friendly unit is affected. This unit spends the next two turns moving directly away from the nearest enemy unit and cannot attack.

6. Supply Line Shortage

A disruption in the supply line means no ammunition for ranged units.

“We’re out of arrows! Hold your fire and prepare for melee!”

Effect: All friendly ranged units cannot fire this turn but can still move and engage in melee combat.

7. Animosity

Tensions flare between two friendly units, forcing them to stay apart.

“Keep them separated, or they’ll be at each other’s throats!”

Effect: Roll to determine which two friendly units are affected. These units must remain at least 20 inches apart for the rest of the game.

8. Targeted

The enemy focuses all its efforts on a single unit.

“All enemy eyes are on us! Hold the line!”

Effect: Roll to determine which friendly unit is affected. All enemy forces target this unit exclusively for the next two turns.

9. Terrified Horses

An unseen force terrifies all horses on the battlefield.

“The horses are spooked! They’re bolting in all directions!”

Effect: All friendly cavalry units move in random directions this turn. Roll for each unit to determine their movement.

10. Misinformation

False orders cause confusion, leading to a unified but misguided movement.

“We’ve been misled! Everyone, move out!”

Effect: All friendly units must move in the same randomly selected direction this turn, regardless of their current situation.

11. Halted Movement

The commander calls for an immediate halt to reassess the battle strategy due to new intelligence received.

“Hold your positions! We need to rethink our strategy.”

Effect: No friendly units may move this turn, except those already under another effect. Units can still shoot and engage in combat.

12. Inspired

A heroic deed or rallying cry inspires a unit to greater feats of strength.

“For glory and honour! Forward, brave warriors!”

Effect: Roll to determine which friendly unit is affected. This unit receives a significant boost to its combat effectiveness for the remainder of the game.

13. Enemy Reinforcements

The most recently defeated enemy unit returns to the battlefield.

“There’s more of them on the horizon!”

The most recently defeated enemy unit is restored to the table as reinforcements, deployed at the enemy’s table edge.

14. Drunkenness

A unit is found drinking on duty, impairing their abilities.

“They’re drunk! They’ll be useless in this state!”

Effect: Roll to determine which friendly unit is affected. This unit’s stats are reduced for the remainder of the game.

15. Primary Objective

A critical order is received to eliminate a specific enemy unit at all costs.

“That unit must fall! All efforts on them!”

Effect: Roll to determine which enemy unit is the target. This unit becomes the player’s primary objective until it is defeated.

16. Friendly Reinforcements

The most recently defeated friendly unit returns to the battlefield.

“Reinforcements have arrived! We’re not done yet!”

Effect: The most recently defeated friendly unit is restored to the table as reinforcements, deployed at your table edge.

17. Impending Doom

A report indicates enemy reinforcements approaching from behind.

“Enemy reinforcements from the rear! We need to fall back!”

Effect: All friendly units must now attempt to escape off the (randomly determined) top left or right corner of the table.

18. Out of Ammo

Supplies run out, and no more ranged attacks can be made.

“No more arrows! We’ll have to fight up close!”

Effect: No friendly units can make ranged attacks for the rest of the game. They can still move and engage in melee combat.

19. Out of Water

A lack of water causes fatigue and lowers effectiveness.

“We’re out of water! The troops are exhausted!”

Effect: All friendly units suffer a reduction in their overall abilities/stats for the remainder of the game.

20. Friendly Fire

Confusion leads a ranged unit to accidentally fire upon allies.

“Hold your fire! That’s our own men!”

Effect: Roll to determine which friendly ranged unit is affected. This unit fires at the nearest friendly unit, causing damage as determined by your GSS.

21. Old Comrades

A soldier spots an old comrade among the enemy ranks, leading to an unexpected truce.

“Is that you, old friend? We can’t fight each other!”

Effect: Roll to determine which friendly unit and which enemy unit are affected. Both units refuse to fight one another for the remainder of the game and cannot engage in combat against each other.

22. Corruption and Betrayal

One of your units turns traitor, joining the enemy ranks.

“Treachery! They’ve turned against us!”

Effect: Roll to determine which friendly unit is affected. This unit immediately becomes an enemy unit and will be controlled by the AI system for the opposition for the remainder of the game.

23. Offer of Alliance

A cunning offer persuades an enemy unit to defect and fight for your cause.

“Gold and promises sway even the staunchest of foes!”

Effect: Roll to determine which enemy unit is affected. This unit immediately switches sides and becomes a friendly unit, under your control, for the remainder of the game.

24. Scouting Report

A scout brings vital information about enemy positions.

“We have the intel we need. Let’s use it wisely.”

Effect: You may reposition one friendly unit or gain a strategic advantage as determined by your Game Specific System (GSS).

25. The Soldiers Due

Thanks to Cam in our Discord community for this one!

The army’s pay has been in arrears for months. Any time they defeat an enemy unit, they pause to loot the corpses.

“Now let’s see what he’s got in his pockets, shall we?”

Effect: After defeating an enemy unit roll a 1D6.

1-3: The victorious unit misses its next turn as it stops to thoroughly search the defeated unit for coins and valuables. They may defend themselves if attacked.

4-6: The defeated unit was well-heeled! The attacking unit gets double movement next turn as they rush forward to see if more loot is to be had.

26. Encirclement Fear

Paranoia sets in as rumours of enemy reinforcements arriving from all sides spread through the ranks.

“They’re surrounding us! Stay close and hold together!”

Effect: All friendly units must group together and remain within 30 inches (adjust relevant to your preferred scale) of one another for the remainder of the game. Units outside this radius must move to join the group immediately. This excludes units already under another effect.

27. Stray Puppy

A stray puppy wanders onto the battlefield, causing a temporary ceasefire as everyone tries to ensure its safety.

“Hold your fire! There’s a puppy on the field!”

Effect: All combat ceases for this turn as units ensure the puppy’s safety. No units can engage in melee or ranged attacks, but they can still manoeuvre. Combat resumes once the puppy is safely out of sight.

28. Discordant Melody

The enemy’s musicians play a horrendously out-of-tune cover of “Mustang Sally,” disrupting your forces’ focus.

“What is that noise?! Make it stop!”

Effect: All friendly ranged attacks must now be directed at the enemy command group until they are eliminated. Units without ranged attacks are not affected by this event.

With thanks to the almost biblical-sounding quartet of Ed, Mark, Luke, and Jason for putting this post together.

“HOW IT ALL CAME TO BE…” – THE PREAMBLE

Just after Christmas, several members of the Bedroom Battlefields hobby community decided that it would be brilliant to put on a big multi-player game of Warhammer – the kind of thing that would look right at home in the pages of White Dwarf, back in the golden age!

A central location was chosen, with the majority of the interest parties being based in the UK, and community member Mark managed to hire his local village hall at bargain-basement prices – less than the price of a box of Age of Sigmar golden space marines for the whole day 😉.

Jason, Knocker-down of Internal Walls, answered the call to be the ultimate Games Master; not only providing two HUGE 8,000+ point Empire and Orc & Goblin Armies but also enough terrain to fill a 15’ x 6’ table!

Not content with providing sufficient 28mm miniatures and terrain to open his own GW shop, Jason also devised and prepared a fantastic baggage train ambush scenario, ‘Through the Barrow Downs’, that was full of fantasy flavour and fun surprises – all using the fast-moving Warhammer Fantasy Battle 6th Edition rules.

With the date set to Saturday 13^th April, two more community members, Luke and Ed, jumped on board, travelling to Staffordshire from Yorkshire and Sussex for nine hours of pure retro Warhammer goodness. A day fueled by nostalgia, enthusiasm, packed lunches, some very nice alcohol-free Cava, (courtesy of resident sommelier Ed), and a multi-pack of Frazzles (which GM Jason requested on his rider).

“…AND HOW IT CAME TO PASS” – THE BATTLE REPORT BY JASON STOCKWELL

Entering the Barrow Downs…

Forward scout parties had discovered evidence of massed goblinoids on the main path. They estimated numbers in excess of one thousand… 

Engineering guild representatives decided to seek an alternate path through the Barrow Downs. Advance scouting parties were sent out to explore the possible paths and establish their threat levels. Many parties did not return. 

Of those that did, reports were made of large, heavily armoured Orcs in massed ranks advancing over the slopes. One long-disused path through the old river valley was estimated to have the least concentration of these foul creatures. But the guild must advance now as the Orc scouting forces had spotted the Empire scouts and had surely reported back. Who knows how many would concentrate their numbers, descending on these valleys in the days ahead? The guild scouts had not completed their work, but time was against the marching column, and a decision had to be made!

Once the column had reached the head of the old river valley, it was suddenly apparent that something crucial had been missed from the initial assessments; in the base of the valley, the river had dried up into a stinking marshy swamp. Fortunately, the bridge was still in place, but the orcs had started to crest the neighbouring hills. There was only one choice that could be made; the guild must dash to the opposite ravine and reach open country at the foot of the dwarf holds. 

With Sigmar’s will, the guild could only hope they could do so before reinforcements arrived.

Objective for the Orcs: capture supply wagons and gun limbers. 

Objective for the Empire: deny the enemy supply wagons or get them off the board at the north end of the road for victory. 

As a pre-game setup we randomly drew out some magic items from the 4th edition magic set, this magic set was the best magic system GW ever produced (in Jason’s opinion) and works brilliantly in other editions too. It was also used to draw for the wizards’ spells. Two commanders per side donned their hats of office and decided on their colleges of magic. Each side had a Level 4 magic user and a Level 2. 

Neither side knew what magic the other had until the game revealed it to them during play. Using the old power card system created a great sense of a game-within-a-game with some proper moments of tension waiting for reveals and lots of ‘should I do this now or not’ moments thrown in.

Magical highlights included: 

• Double bluffs on power card betting to destroy enemy spells.
• Whole units being rendered immobile through ice storms.
• A thoroughly luckless boyar suspended in mid air for three turns!! He watched his unit of winged hussars run around like headless chickens and get cut down before he was released to run about, narrowly avoiding massed goblin artillery which missed him!
• The giant Cromwell steam tank being raised in the air and held there by the very same spell!

The Empire deployment was predetermined; the Orcs could pick and choose where to send their troops in the respective deployment zones. Tactics would shift radically depending on Orc commanders’ choices. 

Other pregame moves included secret recorded deployment of scouts; where were they!?!? Oh bloody hell, they were hidden on the rocks at the end of the paths!!

After deployment, outriders got some free manoeuvres to put pressure on straight away. The warg outriders lept towards the mid-column, forcing a response immediately in turn one. The engineer guild outriders sped forward in the hope of bloodying the orcs’ noses and stemming the tide long enough for the head of the column to get off the bridge and make a proper show of itself. 

The wargs did their job perfectly; the Empire minced towards the enemy and missed every shot for two turns in their wild-eyed panic at finding they were utterly useless in real battle. They should have stayed at home for their sakes and, more importantly, for the sake of their comrades’ morale. It was pathetic watching them fail in such a mediocre fashion. They later died out of hand.

But not to worry! The orcs had decided they hated themselves, and a round of terrible animosity rolls (cheers, Luke!) had the effect of showing us one unit of Uruk-hai really disliked the pikes in front of them. They killed the whole regiment to an orc. 👍

Lee, the giant, bravely died on a steam tank and, in his death throes, fell on it to damage its hull quite disastrously. 

The head of the column had largely collapsed by Turn 4, but no wagons had been captured. Plenty had been blown up by misfire rolls or by enemy artillery. The only chance for the orcs to gain victory was to capture one of the central war wagons. Enter the valiant Hussite hero, known here as Stalwart Stan, who thoroughly saved the day by being the most impossible nut to crack against a horde of black orcs. Completely improbable defence was made!

In other news, a load of spiders had found the empire surprise of a howitzer hidden in a supply wagon, manned by two arachnophobic halflings!

The rear of the Empire column had finally started to catch up when two things happened: the night goblin reinforcements arrived. Took a look. And half of them ran away! 🤷🏻‍♂️

The night goblin reinforcements were just about to lure the Empire to turn and face them. BUT! As the Empire came about, the Stargate activated and some strange looking fellows arrived with magic staffs and blasted molten fire upon everyone in sight!

Finally, alas, the elven host sent to scout out this unusual orc activity by their high elven master, stumbled across the beleaguered Empire column too late to aid any victory. 

The result was an inconclusive engagement; neither side gained victory, neither side lost everything. The first big engagement of the Wizard’s War has concluded. The dwarfs are unsure if business with the Empire can be as reliable as it once was.

The Orcs had proven their capabilities in war, now the continued advance into the Count’s border territories can begin. Three areas are now under threat from orcish invasion, 

• The Norscan sea ports at the river mouth were relied upon for fishing, which fed the populace of the northwestern plains. 

• The dwarf mines of Mount Zee-Da-Guld, responsible for the stable imperial mint. Losing this would force the count to dangerously destabilise his currency and many peasants could starve in the resulting inflation. Not to mention the loss in trade from the very miffed dwarfs who expect their mine protected by the counts forces!

• The sacred Temple of Amon Hen is at risk of falling to enemy hands. Such a wealth of ancient artefacts and power would surely be a boon to any necromancer wishing to rob the graves of millennia in the temple crypts. Rumours of armies buried alive long ago exist around that holy place’s history. 

To be continued…

“WENT THE DAY WELL?” – REFLECTIONS FROM THE PARTICIPANTS

Jason, Empire co-commander, said, “The scenario turned out very well. It had a few options of tactics for both sides and would allow us to replay it and get a very different game each time. I would try to link up the Empire forces next time, and use the wagons as defensive points to rally around. Weaken the Orc forces then attempt a breakout manoeuvre later in the game to dash a supply wagon or two to the finish line. I found the game thoroughly enjoyable and flowed really well, it was great to meet chaps who like to game narratively and it made it a winning experience of a tabletop battle spectacle for me. I look forward to the next engagement in our tale! The roll out mats from Lidl recommended by Dr Spork are a winner! We used only 5 in this game to make a 6×15 foot board. A 6th mat exists which would give us a 6×18 foot table but we would need more players for that!😉. Finally, sorry I ate all the Frazzles, chaps. They were lovely though!”

Luke, Orc co-warlord, said, “I came to this game not knowing much about Warhammer 6th edition, I haven’t played in years and my hobby time is aimed more toward the collecting and painting side, so I was a little apprehensive about joining a massive game like this! Thankfully Jason was a great teacher/Games Master and pointed us all in the right direction. My first impression of the table was that it was so massive that we wouldn’t have enough men to fill it, but on cue jason produced box after box of stacked units (on movement trays for our convenience!).  Ed and I worked together on the side of destruction with an army of Orcs & Goblins. Ed was a great player and a quality team mate, we talked through the options on deployment and his familiarity with the game’s principles really helped me immerse myself in the game. The game was thoroughly enjoyable and watching our miniature army perform pitched battles against the backdrop of an expansive and visually appealing gaming table really made it something special. Some of the highlights (or lowlights!) of the game for me was when the orcs managed to charge their own unit of pikemen (and wipe them out) in a badly rolled moment of animosity; when a stone thrower misfired and all the crew were tragically lost; and then near the end when one of the objective wagons looked like it it could be rallied and potentially give the imperial army a victory point,  Ed’s trebuchet performed a superb shot across the table and destroyed it in its thundering tracks. Well, ‘if we can’t have it, no one can!’. Overall it was a great experience with a great group of people, thank you Mark and Jason for inviting me, and I’m really looking forward to the next one!”

Ed, Orc co-warlord, said, “What a fantastic day of gaming. My first time playing Warhammer Fantasy Battle and we went straight to a roughly 8k point massive battle. Thankfully with Jason’s calm and helpful guidance and knowledge of 6th ed WFB the whole day was a breeze. Once the board was built and the armies prepared the teams were chosen. Luke and I both wanted to play the Horde and ambush those measly little hummies! The animosity between the orcs was on display early on as they broke ranks and killed each other before a move could be made. Whilst this internal animosity was prevalent on the table it never came between the players, who all added moments to the battle with the choices they made and the spirit in which they played the game. I learnt the importance of positioning units in the game, that movement can make or break a battle plan before contact with the enemy, that the magic system in 4th edition rocks and that a well timed use of an artefact can turn back even the greatest knights in the realm. I look forward to the next opportunity to play with Jason, Mark and Luke, who all brimmed with enthusiasm for the hobby and were great fun to spend the day with. Sorry I had to cut and run at the end, next time I promised I will stay and help pack up!”

Mark, Empire co-commander, said, “Well. What an amazing experience! This was my first time playing Warhammer for over 30 years, and quite possibly my first time playing by anything close to the rules! Great fun was had by all, and the visual spectacle of this amazing game is going to lodge in my memory for years to come. Who said big games are dead?!”