Raiders of Éireann

I started designing ‘Raiders of Éireann’ almost two years ago, when I’d recently become a father. I had come to feel that I would never have any time anymore to play any wargames, so I set myself the task to think up the fastest wargame possible. Now that I have the basics out there, I’m curious as to what others think of it.

In Raiders of Éireann players take control of a small warband of Iron Age warriors led by a mighty champion. With them they take part in skirmish warfare activities, such as cattle raids and plundering villages.

Raiders of Éireann is envisioned as a wargaming fix for people that find they don’t have the time anymore to play tabletop wargames like they used to. The game can, of course, be enjoyed by anyone who has a life often too busy for traditional wargames, or, of course, if they enjoy the challenge of a game of intense fast-paced skirmish warfare.

The key feature of PWG is that players have a limited amount of time to complete their turn. Each miniature has a specific number of seconds for movement, combat and any abilities. How many seconds depends on the miniature. A quick-witted faerie warrior will have much more time to weigh their options than a simple-minded brute, who has so little time that they are driven by little more than their base instincts.

The time for each action is tracked through an app. This app helps the players keep the game quick and short and puts pressure on them to let them feel some of the stress their warriors are under. It also allows players to influence the game by activating their heroes’ special powers.

• Download the Beta test Rules (v 0.10) here.
• Go to http://pwg.arlinus.com/ to visit the accompanying web app (best viewed on handheld device!).
• A walkthrough of the app is provided here.
• If you do decide to play a game, please consider filling out this feedback form afterwards 🙂