How to Play Saga 2nd edition! Part 2 - Building a Warband. SAGA THORSDAY 90

[@panzerfaust6797]

Just played my first game this weekend and loved it. Thanks for posting and love your figs! 👏

[@RodgeRules]

Awesome, glad to hear!

[@ainstycastings1859]

Perfect series of videos for new players and players thinking of getting into SAGA but don't know what the game is about.

[@RodgeRules]

Thanks bud!

[@vorthrax2177]

Bit of clarification... The Warlord would have won the combat vs the Warriors because he caused one casualty while the Warriors caused none. The Resilience and Body Guards rules cancel casualties so, in effect, the casualties do not happen and so do not count toward winning or losing combat.

[@RodgeRules]

Thanks for chiming in! You are absolutely correct. We weren't playing it that way but the rules are clear.

[@Kokaine_kratos]

Thanks for the 2 awesome videos...learnt alot. I've just bought all the books, dice and models and can't wait to play

[@RodgeRules]

Huzzah! Glad to hear! Let me know how it goes BB!

[@Kokaine_kratos]

@@RodgeRules cheers!!! Gotta find someone to play with now 🤣

[@markmorris251]

I liked the information on how units can be formed in different numbers. I have not quite understood that before this vid. Thanks.

[@RodgeRules]

No problem! It is a fairly common beginner misconception. Often times you do end up leaving them in the 4/8/12 sizes you bought them in, but when you're getting 3-4 pts of a particular unit type, you've got a lot of flexibility in what you can do.

[@DavidSmith-te6cy]

Excellent video series on the hobby in general and SAGA more specifically. You have helped me with my understanding and appreciation of the beauty of the game system, so I ordered 2.0 and the applicable available faction universe. One question I have though, and this comes from not having read the rules completely, but I was under the impression that the shooting and melee's were done by unit and not by individual figures. In your shooting example at about the 16:00 mark, you indicated 2 levy were in range, so only 1 dice was thrown. Maybe I misunderstood. Thanks again. I subscribed to your channel and am now working my way through all the video's [at least the SAGA ones]

[@RodgeRules]

Thanks David! In Melee, the whole unit fights no matter how the individual models are placed. With shooting, you do need to confirm Range/Line of Sight for each individual model before adding their dice to the pool. In 1st edition, Melee was similar to shooting and each guy had to be within VS typically to fight. They changed this to making the whole unit fights to streamline things.

[@DavidSmith-te6cy]

Thanks for the reply. Yes, I found that section in the rules. Just got Version 2 and the latest stuff, so will convert some of my Nikephorian Byzantines to The Last Roman warband, and match them up with some Saracens that I have.

[@RodgeRules]

Sounds awesome! I'd love to see pics!

[@e-4airman124]

thank you

[@49SABRES]

Just in time for a saga game day this Monday!!

[@RodgeRules]

Woohoo! Let me know how it goes!

[@49SABRES]

Wisco Tabletop it went great! We had 10 people show up for some saga! It was the first time I every played and your videos def made me more confident playing a game I never played before. I’m rolling with Byzantines, Rome has been a passion of mine (special snowflake I know) and I feel my Byzantine history is lacking so this is a good chance to get some both. Plus the minis are very unique. Also, helps that you have a awesome Byzantine series that I am currently watching!

[@RodgeRules]

10 Players! That is awesome man! Hopefully everyone enjoyed their games! I think you'll have fun with the Byzantines. I'm really enjoying the mixed weapon/horse options as compared to plain footslogger Danes and Vikings. The Last Romans board is a little tame, IMO, but having a little bit of everything in your list goes a long way! Haven't tried the new Byzantines board from AoC yet but have heard good things about it!

[@jonathanowen9917]

Great series of videos on Saga. I thought you did an excellent job explaining the rules and how things play out on the table. I have a few questions, though. In this second part you feature two warbands (Vikings: 21 figures; Byzantines: 33 figures). Is this a small, medium, or large battle, and what are the min/average/max figures per side? Are armies point-buy, unit matching, random roll, or some other mechanic? Do the battle boards come with the book? Are the battle boards tear out pages, printable PDF, or separate card stock? Does the rulebook come with built in armies or battles to play, or do you have to get one of the ages books (eg. Dark Ages, Crusades, Magic)?

[@RodgeRules]

Thank you! These are smaller "starter" warbands. You can take a look at the "Getting Started with Saga in 2022" video (it's pretty much still applicable! :)

[@BrokenDice]

Very informative. Really enjoyed the video. Thanks.

[@RodgeRules]

Thanks for watching! Glad it could help.

[@lumpsoflead4812]

I like you're video. My friends and I are just getting in to SAGA. I like the bases you've used for the Cavalry and the Warlord. I especially like the slightly larger oval base that you've mounted the Warlord on. I know there are LOTS of companies that make bases for minis, but I'm not sure what the size\shape is for the base you've used with the Warlord. Could to tell me the manufacturer?

[@RodgeRules]

The Warlord is on a 45x60mm base and the cav are on 25x45mm bases. They were custom made by a bud of mine w/ a laser cutter.

[@F3EDER]

When you are talking about closing ranks and using the term "basic troopers" it sounds as if this rule is applicable only to warriors. Any troop that doesn't use; ranged or heavy weapons or mounts, may close ranks (unless of course there is a special rule stating otherwise).

[@RodgeRules]

Correct! One thing to note is that Warlords and other heroes can also close ranks if they are not equipped with ranged weapons, heavy weapons or mounts. It may seem counter-intuitive as they are a single model (who exactly is he/she closing ranks with?) but they are assumed to be heroic enough to manage it!

[@gadgeharvey5544]

@@RodgeRules i read that the 'warlord' is actually in some cases the warlord with a retainer or two or a banner bearer.. my warlords base has more than one figure on it.

[@benstewart8516]

Are there any rules differences for weapons apart from the heavy ones? Does a model with a spear fight different to one with a sword or axe, for example

[@RodgeRules]

Hi Ben! No difference between an axe, sword, spear. The other weapons are mostly missile weapons - javelin, bow, crossbow, composite bow, and introduced in Age of Magic we have Firearms.

[@andycowell608]

2:36 Am I missing something? The levies "...do have an Armor 4, like the Warriors..." Levies typically have Armor 3, correct?

[@RodgeRules]

Bows and other weapons will reduce their armor to 3. :)

[@andycowell608]

@@RodgeRulesGot it! Thank you! I bet I was looking at a specific army list, and not the standard stats in the rulebook. Clearly, Armor 4, like the Warriors.

[@trevorbuck2022]

is it just me or is this way better than warhammer

[@RodgeRules]

Not just you, Trevor! Thanks for watching!

[@bryanknecht6860]

Warhammer ancient battles is still epic😉

[@anderskorsback4104]

Would there be any issue with using models on square bases? I'm thinking of using some Gripping Beast miniatures for rank and file wargaming, would be convenient if they could double up for SAGA. Filthy casual here, not hardcore tournament player.

[@RodgeRules]

Hi Arius! I can't see any mechanical issues that would crop with using squares in 2nd edition and it's specifically allowed in the basing rules. About 95% of folks do you use rounds but if you'd like to keep your figs "legal" for another system with squares, go for it!

[@jgrasela]

Thanks for the videos. They have been very informative. I just played my first game of Saga yesterday with a buddy and we really enjoyed it. Did you make the Saga Dice in your “how to play videos”? They look great!

[@RodgeRules]

Awesome!! Glad to hear! How did the game go? Let me know if you have any questions! The Runic (Viking) dice were made by a bud. All the other ones you may see in my vids were made by me! There is a video specifically talking about them if you look back through the old Thorsdays.

[@Rapman21]

Where did you find your bases for your mounted units and mounted warlord?

[@RodgeRules]

They were custom cut mdf from a buddy of mine who owns a laser cutter. I typically snag a lot of my MDF bases off eBay but there is just not a great selection of ovals out there!

[@vladimirzzz979]

Does the attacker gets fatigs when Odin used against them befor they resolve the ranged attack?

[@RodgeRules]

Hi Vladimir! They get the fatigues immediately when the ability is triggered. The Viking player could spend them to increase his armor against shooting right then or leave them on the shooter to make sure the shooting unit can't be activated any more that turn.

[@vladimirzzz979]

@@RodgeRules i see, thank you

[@Jomsviking1245]

Is armor how difficult to hit or chance to live

[@RodgeRules]

Armor is what your opponent needs to roll to hit you and varies by troop type. After someone is hit they'll get a defence save against it, usually 4+ or 5+ for everybody depending on Melee vs Shooting, Closing Ranks, and various Saga abilities kicking in.

[@sportsbanter3885]

Nice video, have been looking for a good medevil table top game, Hail Ceasar, Field of Glory ect ect, so far I like the mechanics/looks of this game more than others, just a question, once you use the abilities on the Saga board, do they renew each turn or are they exhausted? Also, are there any other games of this genre that you would recommend, thanx and great video again!

[@sportsbanter3885]

Okay scratch the 1st question, I didnt realize I was watching part 2 of the series, went back and watched part 1 and got my answer, however, would still like to know of any recommendations of games from this time period, thanx!

[@RodgeRules]

SportsBanter 38 Thank you! Besides what you mentioned, the only other game that comes to mind is Swordpoint, which is the in-house game from Gripping Beast, so all the same figs, etc. would be useful. I haven't tried that one, though! Hopefully some other folks can chime in here!

[@paolocurreli2866]

Very helpful vid, thank you. It's me or the Romans are very under other factions? their SAGA abilities look very useless compaired to the incisiveness of the others.

[@RodgeRules]

Thanks for watching, Paolo! In my opinion, the Last Romans from Age of Vikings are underpowered due to trying a little bit of everything. I think the western Romans from Age of Invasions and Byzantines from Crusades are competitive, but require loads of levy to get the most out of 'em.

[@paolocurreli2866]

@@RodgeRules uh ok, thanks for the int! noobie question now, you cant cross the various expansion packs? vikings vs western romans and so on? what about the magic factions?

[@MarcusTullman]

But they were, all of them, deceived-- for other battle boards were made.

[@RodgeRules]

Hehe!

[@davidfunkhouser516]

Soooooooooo

[@RodgeRules]

Thaaaaaaaaaanks David!

[@davidfunkhouser516]

@@RodgeRules all sillyness aside, I love the videos keep up the good work.

[@john-lenin]

It’s pronounced “harth” - and put the camera on a tripod.

[@RodgeRules]

Thanks for chiming in!