According to the BoB if a Knight has a hate of greater than 16 then they must use it against the first enemy of that type that they meet. If they don't want to then they can attempt a Prudent Roll followed by Reckless to avoid it.

Do people play it that way?

On the one hand it makes a lot of sense for Knights to use it the first chance they meet a hated foe.

On the other hand when facing an all Saxon foe there's a fair chance that the Passion will end up being spent on a minor unit rather than at the more dramatic moment of meeting an enemy leader.

Would allowing players to hang on to their Passion until they want to use it unsettle things?

Yes, we use the rule as written. It works just fine for us.

According to the BoB if a Knight has a hate of greater than 16 then they must use it against the first enemy of that type that they meet. If they don't want to then they can attempt a Prudent Roll followed by Reckless to avoid it.

Do people play it that way?

On the one hand it makes a lot of sense for Knights to use it the first chance they meet a hated foe.

On the other hand when facing an all Saxon foe there's a fair chance that the Passion will end up being spent on a minor unit rather than at the more dramatic moment of meeting an enemy leader.



For some reason our DM (Sorry Greg...) never puts us up against our toughest foes the first round of battle and Hate:Saxons 24 seems to be wasted on Javelineers or Young Warriors. Maybe it is that 4 Prudent that is screwing me as well.

I don't like not being able to save it for "the big one", but I respect the RAW and attempt to RP my PK as his Passions and Traits dictate.


Would allowing players to hang on to their Passion until they want to use it unsettle things?


IMO, yes.

I use the RAWhere, too.

I think it makes sense. That is why they are called passions. A player might logically want to do something differently, but his emotions take over.

My players have noticed that passions are a mixed blessing. Whiole theyey are great for more glory and inpsiration, they often get them into trouble.

I'm looking ahead to the Battle of Lincoln, which will be my first battle using the Battle System and I'm just trying to work out some of the questions that I feel will come up.

After a player has used a passion to be inspired would it then be reasonable for me to call upon that passion again later? In particular I'm thinking of when the chance to fight Octa arises. Some of my players really hate the Saxons (16+), would it be "fair" to force a passion roll, backed up by a failed prudent, to see if the Knights go for him?

My concerns with using the passions aren't so much about "gaming" it but more about spending them on attacking footmen could feel less dramatic compared with being consumed with your passion and taking on a Saxon King.

I'm looking ahead to the Battle of Lincoln, which will be my first battle using the Battle System and I'm just trying to work out some of the questions that I feel will come up.

After a player has used a passion to be inspired would it then be reasonable for me to call upon that passion again later? In particular I'm thinking of when the chance to fight Octa arises. Some of my players really hate the Saxons (16+), would it be "fair" to force a passion roll,


Force! Heck no! Just quote the rules!! :D



backed up by a failed prudent, to see if the Knights go for him?


Of course it is--you are the gamemaster.
But I would not ever allow it

think about it:
is that something the players would want or allow if it was used against them?

Alternative, to be SURE they get an impassioned chance Octa: Sit in the Reserves, and hope 1. he shows up; 2. there is no crisis before that, to use YOU up



My concerns with using the passions aren't so much about "gaming" it but more about spending them on attacking footmen could feel less dramatic compared with being consumed with your passion and taking on a Saxon King.


Is it an accident that the Saxons send mediocre troops against your best, or might it be a plan?

Reserves, my man: the eschille leader uses it for his Battle skill, everyone else for Lance

For some reason our DM (Sorry Greg...) never puts us up against our toughest foes the first round of battle and Hate:Saxons 24 seems to be wasted on Javelineers or Young Warriors. Maybe it is that 4 Prudent that is screwing me as well.

I think you guys faced berserkers during the first round at Lindsey. They just didn't seem that tough when you had a mounted bonus + lance bonus + passion bonus, putting your skill close to 40.

Note that passions are much more useful during an extended round, since you'll usually get a chance to apply the bonus to more than on roll. If a PK wants to be able to save his passion for the big fight, he just need to work on being a little more prudent.

For some reason our DM (Sorry Greg...) never puts us up against our toughest foes the first round of battle and Hate:Saxons 24 seems to be wasted on Javelineers or Young Warriors. Maybe it is that 4 Prudent that is screwing me as well.



The knight with the highest glory in our //eschille// has a Prudent of 18. He's got it so under control.

I believe the first round charge opponent is 14 + 1d6, pretty much guaranteeing a big baddie is facing off on you.