First thing I did was search the forums and came up with the following threads that haven't yet (for me) clarified for me the BoB 1.0 rules.

http://nocturnal-media.com/forum/index.php?topic=1306.msg10391#msg10391
http://nocturnal-media.com/forum/index.php?topic=748.0
http://nocturnal-media.com/forum/index.php?topic=837.msg7240#msg7240
http://nocturnal-media.com/forum/index.php?topic=461.msg3481#msg3481

I seem to have a block in my comprehension of why, when I was a player battles were extremely difficult, while, now, as a GM, now they're cake for my PKs. (I just added 20 to the initial intensities in the last 2 battles so the PKs wouldn't steamroll a battle again.) Trying to instill the sense of danger--any/every fight could be a knight's last. Hope that spare is ready or that heir is of age!

To the math for Carlion (y510). Using only the BoB 1.0 rulebook that I have access to.

Battle size: Large (30)
Starting Conditions: Arthur is outnumbered -5; Arthur is aided by Merlin +5; Knights desert King Lot and join Arthur +5
Battle events: +2 (IIRC)
Unit Cohesion: Disengaged -20
Battle Zone: Your Second Rank +5

Gives me a total of 22 for First Charge Intensity, yes? Since this is less that King Lot's battle skill of 25, Arthur his 7 battle skill opposing the 25 and fails.

No first charge bonus for the PKs, correct?

PKs triumph anyway on the charge for -2 intensity and move two zones forward to enemy second rank.

Trying to figure out my second round battle intensity exploded my brain. Last round's Battle intensity is 22? minus 2 for triumph with the charge? Meaning 20? Added to this is the battle events of -5 makes the second round battle intensity a 15? Terrain modifier is zero in this case. Zone Modifier becomes +10 and engaged is 0.

So the Eschille leader rolls his battle of 10 against 25 (?) battle intensity.

After this my GM's Battle Record Sheet only had names of opponents per round on it. The battle did go on, though.

The assistance of those of you with the ability to see my flaws in logic and/or application of rules would be greatly appreciated.

First thing — run, don't walk — to get Book of Battle 2nd Edition. If you bought the 1st Edition on DriveThruRPG.com you'll get a substantial discount.

The new system was revised for clarity and improved by the discussions on these here forums. It is well worth it, IMO.

I haven't played the 1st Edition in so long that I'll have to go back and revisit the ruleset before I can answer your questions. I'll be happy to do that—but I can't just now, seeing as how I'm at work and all. So just a quick note to say I highly recommend the new book! There hasn't been much buzz about it, since it hit DriveThru shelves last December, but I can tell you it's quite a worthy upgrade. But the discount's only available for a limited time — middle of March, IIRC.



Best,


T.

OK, so in play last Friday it was pointed out to me that there is a separation between Battle Intensity and Unit Intensity.

That is what I was not wrapping my head around.

Battle intensity seems to be only affected by the 3d6-10 rolls and unit combat results and then every round (without carryover) unit intensity is modified by cohesion, battle zone, etc.

Additionally, I now understand that it is ONLY the Battle Intensity that matters for battle outcomes. End unit outcome has no relevance.

Likely I'll have more questions at some point in time--should I start new thread or re-post to this one? (Asking because different forums tend to have different mores regarding post resurrection or spamming.)

A. Battle Intensity (now more accurately called "Army Intensity" in BoB II) = Final Battle Intensity from Last Round + Battle Events (3d6-10).

B. Unit Intensity = Battle Intensity (newly calculated for this round as above) + modifiers for Terrain, Battle Zone, and Unit Cohesion.

C. You figure the Final Battle Intensity (of this round) by referring back to (A) and modifying by this rounds Unit Results. Then you roll that number (Final Battle Intensity) over to the next round.

Repeat until you have an outcome. Note that the Battle Intensity in Round 1 (the First Charge) is calculated slightly differently. But then all other rounds starting with Round 2 work as described above.


I hope that helps. (And I hope I reconstructed it correctly — but I think I did!)

Note the BoB II does away with the concept of Battle Size in the First Charge calculation. So you can dispense with it now, if you want. Going forward, Battle Size only influences the Glory calculation.


Best,


T.

Likely I'll have more questions at some point in time--should I start new thread or re-post to this one? (Asking because different forums tend to have different mores regarding post resurrection or spamming.)

start a new one, please

First thing — run, don't walk — to get Book of Battle 2nd Edition. If you bought the 1st Edition on DriveThruRPG.com you'll get a substantial discount.

The new system was revised for clarity and improved by the discussions on these here forums. It is well worth it, IMO...

...T.


Done and done. Still only perusing the book at the moment, and I would posit that, like BoB1, it will take some experience with actual play and additional questions on the forums to grasp the system entirely.

Thank you both for help and advice.

Done and done. Still only perusing the book at the moment, and I would posit that, like BoB1, it will take some experience with actual play and additional questions on the forums to grasp the system entirely.


No doubt. But, trust me, you'll be glad you really got going with this one. I struggled quite a bit with the 1st Ed. This one's much easier to wrap your head around.


Best,


T.