Battles of Medieval Britain: A Solitaire Wargame (2022) Board Game

Battles of Medieval Britain is a solitaire wargame that allows players to experience the strategic challenges faced during medieval battles in Britain. Designed by a self-published designer, this game provides a unique gaming experience for history buffs and wargame enthusiasts alike.

Game Components of Battles of Medieval Britain: A Solitaire Wargame

Book Format: An 8.5 by 11 inch, 44-page paperback booklet.

Rules Section: 10 pages detailing the game mechanics.

Scenarios: 12 battles from medieval British history, each spanning two pages.

Dice: Requires at least 4, but preferably 6, standard six-sided dice.

Counters/Markers: Players need to provide their own, though a counter sheet is now included in some editions.

How To Setup Battles of Medieval Britain: A Solitaire Wargame

To set up the game, lay the book open on your table, referencing the adjoining pages for each scenario. The first page of each scenario includes a brief introduction, necessary charts, combat modifiers, and victory conditions. The second page features the game map with random setup numbers for enemy forces, ensuring variability in each play. Players position their units according to the scenario instructions and use the provided tracker to keep tabs on the turn and enemy reinforcements.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Turn Sequence: Roll for enemy reinforcements (if applicable), activate a unit by rolling D6s, perform actions based on the roll, and have enemy units attack your units in range.

Unit Activation: Roll 3 (infantry) or 4 (cavalry) D6s to determine actions, which can include move, attack, or form a shieldwall.

Combat: Roll 2D6 to hit; a roll equal to or greater than the unit’s To Hit value eliminates the target unit.

Victory Conditions: Either eliminate all enemy units or kill the enemy leader, depending on the scenario.

Player Experience

**Battles of Medieval Britain** offers a quick and engaging solitaire experience, with each battle playable in 20 to 30 minutes. The game’s simplicity and random setup ensure high replayability. Players must strategically position their units to maximize attacks while minimizing enemy counterattacks, making each game a challenging puzzle to solve.

Pros

Quick to Learn: Simple rules allow for fast entry into gameplay.

High Replayability: Random setup of enemy forces and reinforcements add variability to each scenario.

Historical Context: Covers key battles from medieval British history, providing a sense of historical events.

Portable: The game is contained within a single booklet, making it easy to take and play anywhere.

Cons

Limited Unit Actions: Unit actions are strictly determined by dice rolls, which can sometimes feel restrictive.

Static Enemy Units: Enemy units do not move, although this is mitigated by the arrival of reinforcements.

Simplified Combat: To Hit odds do not account for the target’s armor or other factors, simplifying combat mechanics.

No Included Counters: Players must provide their own counters or markers, though some editions now include a counter sheet.

Personal Thoughts on Battles of Medieval Britain: A Solitaire Wargame

This game is ideal for those interested in medieval history and looking for a quick, challenging solitaire wargame experience. It is perfect for players who want to dive into historical battles without the complexity of more advanced wargames. However, it may not satisfy those seeking highly realistic or complex game mechanics. Overall, it is a fun and engaging way to explore medieval British battles in a compact and accessible format.

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