Unit Battles

[Doug Taylor]

Have any of you run into the problems with the rules for Unit Battles in the Core Book?

I understand that there's going to be new stuff on that coming soon (I believe in the Helm's Deep Sourcebook), but the problem with the rules as presented is, frankly, that they pretty much don't work!

I ran through a few "mock scenarios" in preparation for our session next week, only to find that many units have no possible way to damage other units.

Have any of you come up with methods of dealing with Unit Combat, to help signify a grand battle with hundreds of combatants?

I'm already in the process of making my own modified rules for this (adjusting and tweaking the current system), but figure if any of you have already gone through the trouble, I could benefit from seeing what's already been done.

Thanks so much!

[Ineti]

I haven't had to make use of the mass combat yet, so I don't have any suggestions, I'm afraid.

Incidentally, Helm's Deep is available for pre-order from Decipher, but a release/ship date hasn't been listed.

[Doug Taylor]

Yes, I'd heard that, Ineti, and am very much looking forward to getting it!

I'm hoping that it will be in stores here, soon.

Until then, our next session is next Friday, so I can either completely change the conclusion of my story (and the last few scenes of the current Chapter), or I can try to make something that works in the meantime.

Thanks much, though.

[Ineti]

Just took a quick look at the rules in the core book. You're right in that it seems a unit wouldn't be able to damage another unit. It partly comes down to how good the unit leader's Siegecraft/Bearing score is.

Some options: how about making the TN to hit a unit just that unit's Toughness, rather than 10+Toughness? That should make it a little easier.

Alternatively, maybe roll 3d6 + Siegecraft/Bearing to hit?

[Phantom]

There should be an errata page on the boards somewhere under the Council of Elrond ,Official LOTR errata, part II that takes care of the problem with the mass combat system.

[Doug Taylor]

Yes, I got pointed to it by the folks on the other BBS (thanks Helegond!).

I feel stupid for not checking the errata first thing. I was looking things up before at work, where I only had my Core Book and FAQ with me.

Just to clarify, too, that the *To Hit* portion is not a problem. The only problem was in getting one Unit to do damage to another Unit, and that is resolved in the errata (thank goodness, as now I don't have to make up a system of my own).

I still don't think it's crystal clear how you do *Initiative* with Units, but that is an easy enough hurdle to overcome (I'll probably do a Swiftness test using the Unit's Mobility).

Thanks again to everyone for the help!

[Helegond]

No problem again!

Man, I'm feeling like the "Ever watchfull eye!!!"!!!



Cheers,

Helegond