One of the ways that the Triumph! miniature wargame rules allows for customization of troops is by the use of battle cards. These cards allow for troops to bend the rules because of some special ability, or give an army an advantage, usually for the cost of 1 or more points per stand.
As I’ve been putting together my Greyhawk armies for Triumph!, using battle cards seemed the best way to distinguish between humanoid and demi-human troops, as well as allowing for special abilities for other troops. I will probably use them when it comes to figuring out spellcasting, but for now I’m focusing on the troop type battle cards.
These are, of course, completely unofficial, and can further be considered in a draft form. I’ll be playtesting these rules myself over the next few months, but if anyone else happens to use them, I would love to get any feedback you may have.
A complete list of the current official battle cards can be found on the Meshwesh website.
DWARVEN TROOPS
Rules Change
All dwarven troops share certain characteristics in common.
- When being attacked by any stands of giant, ogre, or troll troops, dwarves get a +2 bonus to their combat factor
- When wholly or partially in steep hills, wooded hills, or rough terrain, they get a +1 to their combat factor
Timing
This battle card is mandatory for the impacted stands as indicated in the army list and is in effect when the stand is deployed
Cost
0 points
ELVISH TROOPS
Rules Change
All elvish troops share certain characteristics in common.
- When wholly or partially in woods, wooded hills, or marsh terrain, they get a +1 bonus to their combat factor
Timing
This battle card is mandatory for the impacted stands as indicated in the army list and is in effect when the stand is deployed
Cost
0 points
GNOMISH TROOPS
Rules Change
All gnomish troops share certain characteristics in common.
- When attacking kobold or goblin troops, gnomes get a +1 bonus to their combat factor
- When being attacked by any stands of giant, ogre, or troll troops, gnomes get a +2 bonus to their combat factor
- When wholly or partially in gentle hills or wooded hills, they get a +1 bonus to their combat factor
Timing
This battle card is mandatory for the impacted stands as indicated in the army list and is in effect when the stand is deployed
Cost
0 points
GOBLIN TROOPS
Rules Change
All goblin troops share certain characteristics in common.
- A stand of goblins that wins in close combat against gnomes must pursue
Timing
This battle card is mandatory for the impacted stands as indicated in the army list and is in effect when the stand is deployed
Cost
0 points
HALFLING TROOPS
Rules Change
All halfling troops share certain characteristics in common.
- When wholly or partially in gentle hills, woods, wooded hills, or ploughed fields terrain, they get a +1 bonus to their combat factor
Timing
This battle card is mandatory for the impacted stands as indicated in the army list and is in effect when the stand is deployed
Cost
0 points
LANCERS
Rules Change
Bad Horse with this battle card fight as follows instead of using the rules for Bad Horse:
- They have combat factors of +3 vs. foot, +2 vs. mounted, and defend at +2 against ranged combat.
- Move 6 MU.
- In all other respects, including all combat results (given and received), fight as Bad Horse.
Timing
The choice to use this battle card is made when the stand is deployed.
Cost
+1 point per stand
ORCISH TROOPS
Rules Change
All orcish troops share certain characteristics in common.
- A stand of orcs that wins in close combat against a stand of elvish troops must pursue
Timing
This battle card is mandatory for the impacted stands as indicated in the army list and is in effect when the stand is deployed.
Cost
0 points.
WOODSMEN
Rules Change
Woodsmen are at home in woodlands, and can melt into the forest. Foot stands with the Woodsmen battle card receive the following modifications:
- They are never shattered while wholly in woods terrain
- They get a +1 to their combat factor while wholly in woods terrain
- They ignore all effects of the enemy zone of control (ZOC) while fully in woods terrain
- The move normally (no extra command point cost) through woods terrain
Timing
The choice to use this battle card is made when the stand is deployed.
Cost
+1 point per stand
