Buccaneers and Cavaliers play test

Musketeers! Come out to play-yay!

We had a great swashbuckle-y game Thursday night. Not only did the play test of the rules work out, but we saw a visit from now Colorado based Basement General Bill.

This scenario saw the Cardinal's Guard (boo, hiss) collecting "taxes" from the locals. Meanwhile, the King's Loyal Musketeers were grabbing the loot Robin Hood style before the Cardinal could get his grubby hands on it.
Both sides were split into two groups. They each had a Captain leading and a special troop type like "Dregs" or "Shooter". Each miniature had at least one skill (except the Dregs, of course).
Each group made a straight shot for the closest house, or in the case of the Cardinal's men, straight for the local abbot.

Shaking down a man of the cloth, for shame!

The road became a shooting gallery, while the open field became a battle ground.
The game had a time limit of t least 6 turn before the local Constabulary showed in force to break things up. This forced both sides to close quickly.
It looked good for the Musketeers at first. They grabbed some loot (to hide away of course) first.

Dregs face off

Soon, however, the Cardinals men started putting the Musketeers to the sword. The game swung heavily in favor for the boys in red.
When turn six rolled around, there weren't men Musketeers left standing.
Great game! Felt very genre without slowing down. Favorite moment had to be when a lowly Dreg brandishing a club and rolling a d8, dropped a veteran (d12) swordsman in the last turn. Just have to polish up the scenarios, and this baby is ready for press.

Gaspard is reminded of his own mortality...

Buccaneers and Cavaliers play test2

With just a few of the Basement Generals able to make it Thursday, I thought it would be a great chance to play test Buccaneers and Cavaliers, a supplement I'm working on for Fistful of Lead: Horse & Musket. B&C adds a little to flavor to rules to give them a more swashbuckley feel, but you can easily add them to your French and Indian fights if you want.
I had the boys make up a Troop, led by a Captain, rolling for traits instead of picking just to speed things up.
The Captain of the Loyal Musketeers had to get the Abbot to a secret meeting place before the Cardinals Guard could intercept them. With only a few ranged weapons on the board, this would be a brawl.

With the majority of the musketeers as a screen, Gaston takes the Abbot on a flanking move.

 The White mask spots a few Dregs hiding in the woods.

One hill in particular (just like last game) became a meat grinder. The rules work very well showing the back and forth of swordplay. Not as bloody as Fistful of Lead.

It came down to a mad dash to the Inn. I had reserved my "Streetfighter" musketeer for this very reason. With this trait he doesn't get the penalty for being out numbered. However, it wasn't enough and he was eventually overwhelmed and the Abbot captured by the Cardinal's Guard.
Overall, a great game. Got some good feedback on tweaking some rules and traits, especially the Dregs rule.

Buccaneers and Cavaliers: a supplement in progress for Fisrtful of Lead

I've been tinkering with a supplement for Fistful of Lead: Horse and Musket for a while now. As soon as H&M came out, I got asked if it would work with Pirates. It does, but I wanted a more nuanced game befitting the swashbuckling combat of the era. Thus was born Buccaneers & Cavaliers.
To test it out, we played a 4 player game, the Cardinal's Guard vs the gentlemen of the King's Musketeers.

Each player controlled a "Troop". A Troop is made up of a Leader who has 3 Traits, a Second who has 2 and rest are filled out but Regulars and a new class: Dregs.
 The Musketeers had to get the Dutch ambassador to the Inn of the Crown and Cock. There they would await instructions.
The Cardinal's Guards had to intercept and steal any information.

The game started with Anton, leader of the troop of Musketeers escorting the Ambassador, making straight for the Inn while the White Mask, leader of the other troop moving down the hill to help.
Meanwhile the Cardinals men tried to take the high ground.
A musket armed trooper of the Mask's group quickly dropped one of the Cardinal's men. Sgt. Francois detached his dregs to take care of him.
The hill overlooking the Inn soon became known as "Murder Hill" as flashing blades soon became wet with blood.

Anton carved his way through the fray and delivered the Ambassador to the Inn, only to find his lady love, Claudette, waiting for him. Claudette is a lady-in-waiting to the Queen. She exchanged a package with Ambassador and announced Anton needed to get her back across the river!
For most of the battle, the Cardinal's men had taken a beating, but as Anton and Claudette emerged, things swung back in the favor of the men in red.
Enemies all around, Anton hacked his way to freedom, saving the day.
It was a close game. At one point only on of my Cardinal's men could get to Anton. I attacked but it was a tie, locking up Anton until next round and hopefully gettiing more of our crew in the fight. But

I got greedy. I used my second action to attack again, and this time Anton smashed me to the ground. He was free.
I felt really good about the game and will be be releasing it soon!