Killer Katanas 2 Rule Review

[@davidribeiro1064]

KKII is a ruleset I frequently see recommended for the historical info, but to use with other rules.

[@horuslupercal9936]

I never fully bought into the rules but the rule book itself (+ the scenario books) are a WEALTH of information on army building in the Sengoku Jidai. Definitely worth buying regardless of what rule set you use.

[@WilliamsburgLegati]

Unfortunately KK2 is not truly a revised second edition of the original game. It's more of a reskin with a nicer cover, but the overall mechanics of the system are still focused around game theory of the late 90's versus modern game design. Certainly think there would be an opportunity for this to be tackled in a new and innovative way.

[@davidbest4908]

I started with KK and used them for a number of years. Brian was very helpful and easy to communicate with. Since then I switched to Chipco's Chrysanthemum Throne. It has a lot of flavour and moves nicely. I find them easy to learn for people when I run battles at conventions. Bases are 40x40 so you can put 6mm or 10mm or 15mm on them and it works well. Highly recommend them.

[@TheEriegpman]

Im very interested in the feudal Japan warfare scene, have had 2 different PC/Playstation games covering it. Would like to see Steve's version of the Altar of Freedom for Samurai Wars

[@MrElliptific]

I am so happy I went with Battles in the Age of War instead.

[@DominusRexDK]

its interesting to get some eyes into different wargames, even if im generally not into samurai era battles, as it is in this case.

[@MAHillsgrove]

I use Might of Arms for my big battle Samurai. Not specific to the period but it does work with a bit of effort.

[@DG-ky2cu]

Nice review. Have you guys tried 'Field of Battle' - a boiled down version of Piquet? Now there's a set I'd love to hear you review.

[@michaelcaudron9883]

The Chrysanthemum Throne from chipco games hasn't been mentioned yet. Similar to Days of Knights regarding movement mechanics.

[@davidribeiro1064]

I bought it from Curtis at the start of confinement along with their other rulesets and they have alot going for them. I think they would have benefited from borrowing the personality traits from DoK, and suffer badly from a lack of historical information and context. Not convinced that altering the demoralization system was a good idea either.

[@kenkrout3314]

Every reference of 1980's rules or Advanced Squad Leader is a plus to some of ancient gamers. Any chance you guys could play the same battle with 2 (or more) rules sets and compare? Same armies, different rules. Interesting points on the way games have changed, your perspectives are great to hear. Nice video, once again.

[@gordonyork6638]

I like that idea.

[@hangarflying]

I’d be interested on your take of the Warfare in the Age of Reason rules.

[@DreadPyriteBob]

Thank you!! I've been wanting to play 6mm and have been looking for a review of this game!

[@Diabolik771]

That font is like "Bad American Chinese Food Font"

[@andrewshaw6063]

Please try ‘Battles in the age of War’ by Peter Pig. Best Samurai rule set.

[@LittleWarsTV]

We do hope to have a review of PP "Battles in the Age of War," as we've played it many times here in the club. It's incredible fun (as most PP systems tend to be) but it's not well suited for setting up historical scenarios. Each of the big systems available right now have some important trade-offs.

[@WARdROBEPlaysWWII]

What are some of the other rule sets you would choose over these? Never mind, I see you answered this in another comment.

[@talesfromshedhq5208]

ItinerantHobbyist also Banzai by 2d6 Wargaming

[@AlfonsoTheTraitor]

Great review guys thank you !

[@stevenverdoliva6217]

I believe it was originally written back in the 80's

[@dylanotto949]

I wish I lived in Pennsylvania. Would love to try Samurai in tabletop gaming. Plus it would be awesome to see another region of the world represented in your large scale games since there's a lot of Amerocan/European campaigns. That's not a bad thing at all because I've noticed a majority of historical games are based on Europe/America. But a Japanese campaign wpuld be so popular, especially with how popular Japanese history is with Otakus. If you read this comment, I HIGHLY reccomend a campaign set in Japan. For a battle, I'd probably reccomend one sent in the 1860s because it cpmbines modernized military weaponry and traditional while for a campaign, the Ikko Ikki or Oda Nobunaga's campaigns would be vastly interesting to watch. Thanks again for this video though! First time I got to see a Samurai themed rule book which made me interested in trying historical tabletop gaming.

[@oliverludwig6148]

There's a Command & Colors: Samurai Battles getting released by GMT Games.

[@gordonyork6638]

I am extremely interested in Sendoko Jidai. I have the first ed. of KK. I agree combat mechanics are clunky, I like the command and control. I HATE, I go u go. The reference material is great. I comes down to ONE question. And that is.... When is Steve going to write his own ruleset and make everything better?

[@alexwitzaney9018]

Are you considering setting up then Battle of Sekigahara 9October 21, 1600)?

[@warlord9759]

Pike & Shot by Warlord Games could be used for this period, but I doubt it gives the unique historical flavor needed for large battles in feudal Japan. WG does not carry the old Wargames Factory 28mm samurai figures.

[@steveholmes11]

Lovely hats guys.

[@HakimB67]

Hi, Could you make a review about Peter Pig rule : Battle in the Age of War, which is also specific about Sengoku jidai era ? Thanks !! Regards from France :)

[@LittleWarsTV]

That is absolutely on our list to review! We have played it many times in the club. Like many other Peter Pig rule sets it's incredibly fun as a game, while not being well suited to historical scenarios.

[@HakimB67]

Little Wars TV thanks for your answer ! If you have to choose between KK2 and BAW, which one would you take to play ? I presume we can take KK2 supplements with BAW.

[@LittleWarsTV]

@@HakimB67 I'd pick BAW for pure fun!

[@HakimB67]

@@LittleWarsTV thanks !!! Hope to see BAW review in a few days 😁👍👍

[@afetbinttuzani]

Hi, guys. Thanks for the helpful review. I'm considering getting into this period in 6mm, so I'm casting about for a good ruleset. Have you, or anyone else reading comments tried "Banzai: Age of the Country at War" by 2d6? If so, what are your thoughts?

[@LittleWarsTV]

Over on our Patreon podcast LWFM we recently reviewed and did a direct comparison of Banzai, Taiko and Battles in the Age of War. We had some pretty clear thoughts on all of them. The quick summary of that one hour podcast is that each of the options has major pros and cons and the rules you will wind up liking may depend heavily on what you want to achieve. If you're looking for a detailed, crunchy historical simulation, go Killer Katanas. If you're in the mood for a lighter, beer and pretzels approach, go Taiko. If you want a very attractive book for your shelf, go Banzai. And if you don't care as much about historical scenarios and just want a really fun game, Battles in the Age of War. We've played them all!

[@robertjohnson9971]

As LWTV avoided your question, I'll answer. Avoid. Age of the Country at War needs more playtesting, more editing and more coherence. I'd rate them 4/10. Peter Pig's Battles in the Age of War are not much better.

[@levsharus5899]

Have you also tried Taiko rules? Can you share your views on them if you did?

[@LittleWarsTV]

Yes, and we do have plans to talk more at length about some of the other samurai big battle options like Taiko, Battles in the Age of War, Banzai, etc. We've played them all and each have some very distinct pros and cons.

[@levsharus5899]

Little Wars TV thanks, I will look forward to a video on them. But in short: is Taiko worth buying and trying in comparison with KK2? (Because I will not go for KK2 from what I saw in your report).

[@richmcgee434]

FWIW, I played a fair amount of Taiko back when it was new-ish and found it quite enjoyable as a game in the genre, much more so than KK. KK is a much more impressive piece of research and the scenarios are very good, but Taiko is more playable all around albeit perhaps lacking in simulation value by comparison.

[@redmist1122]

Well...does Killer Katana's 2 inspire me to get into feudal Japan...nope. I've only played two feudal Japan games with the rule system call, "Taiko - Samurai Warfare". I thought they were ok, and played well. There were quite a bit of units on both sides for a four-player game. I enjoy the "grand battle" like most, and it was really cool to see the game play out. I'm curious how you guys would have rated the rules when they first came out back in 2011? I ask, as now a days, rules system which come out have all the cool pics and diagrams and so forth, with a possible option for a pdf copy. I think for an 'old school set of rules in their hey-day might have scored better from you guys. With modern day tech...we gamers have a new expectation of what rules systems should be and look like. Further more, the support. I'm a big fan of the TFL rules systems. I really like watching their vids on KZbin which reinforces my game play and knowledge of doing stuff right. As far as feudal Japan, I've always had an interest for the period, and can sustain the painting regiment required for the figures...but there is no "wow" out there to get me interested in the period now. Great vid and review. Thank you!

[@timkellogg8708]

Really good review. Wy did you chose these rules to play if your view is so negative? Perhaps the guy that has the figs likes them, or something like that?

[@trooperdgb9722]

Might be a case of "Not great but still the best rules for large scale samurai battles"

[@bernardputersznit64]

OY VAT!! -- that is all - thanks

[@jeffhess4650]

[@steveholmes11]

How interested am I in FJW? Not very.. * Variety of opposition - incredibly low. * Number of significant battles - quite low. * Impact on world history - interesting debate, but it's no Mongol Conquest or Rise of Islam. I'm also rather sceptical about war manuals containing tens of different formations. It's similar to the Ming manuals of hundreds of military weapons made from chains, ropes and articulated blades. Lovely theory, dubious whether it really happened. I'll enjoy the period as Kurosawa movies.