Hey there fellow players! I would like some opinions from you.

I really enjoy historical wargames. But my main focus had been, so far, WWII, with BA and FoW. I use both systems because I like playing campaigns, where there are major battles, but also skirmishes that might alter the outcome of a major battle and the grand scheme of a war theater. I used that approuch in a campaign using as theater the conquest of Italy in WWII, and I absolutely loved the result. Of course, I made some balance mistakes involving the effects of some victory conditions that skirmishes granted to one side or another (allies or axis) on the major battles, but overall it was a lot of fun and me and my group really enjoyed. I now have to make some adjustments on the balance according to our group observations, but I put it on hold because of the subject of this tread.

I am a huge fan of WWII era. But I am truly passionate by the medieval era. It might have something to do with the fact that my father had a doctorate in Medieval history and I grew up reading and hearing tales of knights, castles, chivalry and messy medieval politics. A few months ago, I saw a few things about Saga (from Gripping Beast), because of the launch of its second edition. Altough there is surprisingly not a lot of material on the internet about the game (battle reports, rules tutorials and etc.), I fell in love with the miniatures and, for all I read so far, the system seems pretty solid. And, I discovered that Gripping Beast also have a large medieval battle system: Swordpoint (not only medieval, but it is the era I am interested in). I haven’t been able to read the rulebook yet (but I have ordered it), and there is just almost not any material about that system on the internet (it might be that I’m not looking for it right, I’m not sure).

So, I would like to know you fellows opinions on these systems (Saga and Swordpoint), because I am going to make a grand campaign with the Third Crusade theme. From the battle of Hattin (in 1187), which opened the way to Saladin to conquer almost all crusader states and Jerusalem itself, leading to the call of the Third Crusade. I intend to do a campaign with both skirmish and major battles, that is why I am looking for different systems.

If you can leave some background on these systems or others, I would be tremendously grateful.

P.S.: If any of you like the era and the crusades, there is a lot of excelente material on the Wargames Soldiers & Strategy website (and other ancient eras too – https://www.karwansaraypublishers.com/wss-mag/), on the youtube channel Real Crusades History (https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCpiumHmUE5EZeLTftxv9qGw), on the Osprey books (I am reading the book “Osprey – Campaign 161 – The Third Crusade 1191), and other sources as well.

P.P.S.: I am already buying Hirst Art molds for the terrain, speacially the castles and city walls for the siege battle. I am currently finishing a remodelling of my home, so if all comes togheter (financially and with the time factor), I might make a tread on the terrain and forces making.

P.P.S.: I don’t want to get too ahead of myself, but after the Third Crusade, I will do a grand campaing about the Reconquista os Spain.