Song of Blades and Heroes

Song of Blades and Heroes is a simple, yet deep set of fast play skirmish rules written by Andrea Sfiligoi of Ganesha Games.

When I stumbled across this set of rules, I was looking for a game that:

• Was a small skirmish game
• Had simple rules so play was fast and decisive
• Had enough depth that held my interest
• Wasn’t fiddly with measuring
• Let me use figures that I already had and,
• Let me play a few games in a night.

After looking through the rules, it was clear to see that I had found my game.

Average games run with 6-15 models. Each figure has only two stats (Quality and Combat) and then some figures had special rules which increased both the variety and tactical nuances of the game. It uses measuring sticks (Short, Medium and Long) instead of using inches or centimetres and came with figure creation rules that let me field whatever figures I had.

Add to that, most 300 point games generally last around half an hour, so several games can be played in a night and I was sold.

Ganesha Games has also released an expansion – Song of Gold and Darkness, which introduces rules for exploring dungeons. They also have another expansion in the works called Song of Wind and Water which introduces rules for wilderness settings, detailed terrain rules and more scenarios.

Building on the Song of Blades and Heroes engine, Ganesha has also put out a post apocalyptic game called ‘Mutants and Death Ray Guns’ which I was lucky enough to help playtest.

Below you will find some of my warbands and terrain for use with Song of Blades and Heroes. The models have their associated stat line that I have created for them by using the design rules available on the Song of Blades and Heroes Yahoo group (in the links section) above the model’s photo.

Warbands:

Click any of the photos to enlarge them.

Frogfolk 28mm

Frogfolk Warband Group Shot (Large file, please wait to load after clicking on it)

Frog Veteran – 90 points – Q:3 C:2 – Amphibious, Leader, Tough, Shooter (Short)

Frog Hero – 76 points – Q:3 C:4 – Amphibious, Hero

Frog Reed Bearer – 24 points – Q:4 C:2 – Amphibious, Fearless, Standard Bearer (new rule from SWW)

Frog Drummer – 46 points – Q:3 C:1 – Amphibious, Leader

Frog Shell Crusher – 26 points – Q:5 C:4 – Amphibious, Savage

Frog Pikeman – 32 points – Q:4 C:3 – Amphibious, Free Disengage

Frog Spearman – 32 points – Q:4 C:2 – Amphibious, Acrobat

Frog Spearman – 32 points – Q:4 C:2 – Amphibious, Acrobat

Frog Musketeer – 26 points – Q:4 C:2 – Amphibious, Shooter (Medium)

Frog Musketeer – 26 points – Q:4 C:2 – Amphibious, Shooter (Medium)

Seven Year War Teddies – Photos soon

Turtles and Terrapins – more photos soon

The Turtle Terrapin army is built with the philosophy of Slow but Steady wins the race. They will activate fairly easily, but are hampered by their either Slow or Short Move specials. The leader was inspired by Leonardo (aka the Fearless and Leader specials) I hope you find them enjoyable to use.
I recommend the Eureka line of Turtles/Terrapins for these guys with the Reaper Tortoise monster model for the Giant Monster Turtle.

Turtle Rifleman Points 28 Quality 3+ Combat 2 Special Rules Heavy Armor, Shooter: Medium, Slow

Terrapin Spearman Points 26 Quality 3+ Combat 2 Special Rules Amphibious, Gregarious, Short Move

Turtle Bowman Points 28 Quality 3+ Combat 2 Special Rules Heavy Armor, Shooter: Short, Short Move

Turtle/Terrapin Sniper Team Points 44 Quality 3+ Combat 3 Special Rules Heavy Armor, Sharpshooter, Slow, Stealth

Turtle Standard Bearer Points 36 Quality 3+ Combat 2 Special Rules Fearless, Heavy Armor, Standard Bearer

Turtle War Drummer – Personality Points 50 Quality 3+ Combat 2 Special Rules Heavy Armor, Slow, Terror

Turtle Commander – Personality Points 76 Quality 3+ Combat 3 Special Rules Fearless, Heavy Armor, Leader

Giant Monster Turtle – Personality Points 65 Quality 4+ Combat 4 Special Rules Greedy, Group Fighter, Heavy Armor, Huge, Short Move, Tough

Sock Puppets – Photos when I’ve bought and painted them 🙂

Sock Puppet Light Infantry
Points 20	Quality 4+	Combat 2
Special Rules	Gregarious

Sock Puppet Light Cavalry
Points 40	Quality 3+	Combat 2
Special Rules	Mounted, Opportunistic

Zombie Sock Puppet
Points 8	Quality 5+	Combat 1
Special Rules	Evil, Savage, Short Move, Undead

Sock Puppet Foot Knights
Points 27	Quality 4+	Combat 3
Special Rules	Steadfast

Sock Puppet Mounted Knights
Points 36	Quality 4+	Combat 3
Special Rules	Mounted, Steadfast

Sock Puppet Commander – Personality
Points 56	Quality 3+	Combat 2
Special Rules	Dashing, Leader

Sock Puppet Smelly Standard
Points 33	Quality 4+	Combat 2
Special Rules	Distract, Standard Bearer

Night Goblins – Stats soon

Night Goblin Hero

Night Goblin Shaman

Forest Goblin Spider Rider

2’x3′ fixed terrain board

30mm Scale Paper Miniatures by One Monk

I made this Kobold using a TIFF file produced by One Monk Miniatures – very cool