Fighting a Battle

In this section we will introduce the battlefield and how forces are deployed and prepare for battle.

Warbands are mustered, swords have been sharpened, shields strapped, and quivers filled with arrows; it is time to draw first blood!

Army Lists

Both Players independently Muster their Warband to an agreed points value as detailed in the Mustering a Warband section of this book.

Scenarios

The circumstances of how and why your Warband is facing off against your opponent's is referred to as a Scenario. Scenarios dictate victory conditions, how your forces are deployed, and what twists of fate affect the battle. Scenarios are available to be downloaded from our website.

Battlefield Size

Typically, Games of First Blood are played on a 4'x4' Battlefield. However, depending on the point value of the game being played, a smaller Battlefield may offer a better experience if agreed upon by both players or implemented by an event organizer. Small skirmishes of 500pts per side may fare better on a 2'x2' or 3'x3' Battlefield.

Set Up the Battlefield

Both Players arrange the Terrain from their collection to best facilitate a bloody (but fair!) battle.

Rolling for Priority

Both Players then Roll-off to determine which Player has the upper hand! The Winner of the Roll-off is the First Player and will choose their Deployment Zone and place the first Command Card during the Deployment Phase.

Tactics

Each scenario includes a series of Tactics that both players may employ to help influence the battle in their favor.

Starting with the First Player, each player will choose a single Tactic that they will utilize in this battle. Each player must select a different Tactic.

Deployment

Starting with the First Player, alternate Placing a single Command Card face down wholly within your Deployment Zone further than 9" from all Enemy Command Cards.

Command Cards may be Placed in any orientation as long as the entire card is within your Deployment Zone and not on top of any non-zonal Terrain or another Command Card.

Revealing Command Cards

Players then take alternating turns individually Revealing their Command Cards. The First Player Reveals a Command Card, removing it from the Battlefield and simultaneously Placing all Warriors of the Command Card's profile wholly within 3" of its original location.

Warriors may be Placed beyond their Deployment Zone but may not be Placed onto other Command Cards.

Example: You reveal your Men at Arms Command Card. Place all your Men at Arms wholly within 3" of the Command Card.

Surrounded!

In the rare chance that a Warrior finds itself unable to be Placed wholly within 3" of their Command Card due to other Warriors or Terrain, Warriors of this Command Card must be Placed wholly within your Deployment Zone, as near as possible to the Command Card's original position.

Fight the Battle!

The Battle can now begin! Players Roll for Supremacy and let First Blood spill! Each Scenario will specify the duration of the battle and how to achieve Victory!

Most Battles of First Blood will last for 6 Rounds, as indicated within the Scenario being played.

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