SAGA Challenge

So with a unit already effectively destroyed, the Anglo-Saxons had a lot to do to repulse the Vikings from their shores.

In SAGA the dice determine what a player can do each turn, but it also demands that you think ahead to anticipate future actions (The Gods being willing, of course!)

As a consequence, the Anglo-Saxons used this turn to maneuver their units and Warlord into a more attacking position for, hopefully, an advantageous dice roll next turn.

The SAGA Battle Board has two portions. The top row is for common Activities and where you can place dice to enable you to activate (ie. move) your units.  The lower portion allows you to make special actions, specific to each of the armies involved.

The next turn involved more Viking attacks on the poor Levies, but the Anglo-Saxon Warriors finally getting into the game.  The use of the fatigue markers is interesting and I’m not sure we got this 100% correct, but essentially the first move is ‘free’, but any subsequent action gets a marker.  Also BOTH sides in a melee receive markers at the end of the melee, irrespective of who charged into battle.

If a unit ever gets three fatigue markers, they become exhausted and MUST stop for a turn to remove a fatigue before continuing. Some SAGA skills allow you to also remove markers

One Viking unit of Hearthguard rushed across a field and into a unit of Anglo-Saxon warriors. One again the Gods were being capricious, much to Anton’s annoyance (he’s usually extremely lucky with the dice and found this turn of fortune particularly annoying).

Hearthguard get 2 attack dice per man, and Warriors 1 per man. So we both had 8 dice. Each unit had a fatigue marker and they effectively cancelled each other out the Hearthguard decreased my warriors armor, and I increased it again.

Amazingly I managed to inflict three casualties, almost wiping out the Hearthguard, but in return I also suffered hugely taking SIX casualties.  A return to the Gods’ favour for the Vikings. So the warriors retreated and in the process I lost another SAGA dice as the unit was under half strength.

With his remaining move Anton finally bought his Levies out of the woods.

So onto the Anglo-Saxons turn.

In a rush of blood my Walrord decided to take matters into his own hands and rushed like a maniac at the sole remaining Hearthguard. What could possibly go wrong?

Warlords are single figure units and in melee attacks wield eight dice. Against a single Hearthguard (with only 2 dice) I was onto a winner!

I incurred a fatigue with the double move, but I could take that risk.

After defeating the sole remaining Hearthguard, I move my depleted warriors and Levies up as a bit of a protective “barrier for my Warlord. It was too early on to risk him further.

So the turn comes to an end with casualties on both sides. (SAGA is a bloody game!)