Core Rules · v1.1.2
Concepts
0.0 - Components
To fight a battle, you will need a few things. They are all listed here, but most of them will be explained in more detail later.
0.1 - Players #
Two. Yourself and an opponent.
0.2 - Time #
About an hour. For your first few games, and for more complicated games, you might need a bit longer.
0.3 - Space #
A flat, rectangular area roughly 12” wide and 16” long (about the size of an A3 sheet of paper). This is the playing area on which the action will take place, referred to as the battlefield. You will also need some space at the sides for cards, tokens, and tools.
0.4 - Fighter Pack #
You and your opponent will need to choose a fighter pack. A fighter pack contains rules for different types of fighters. These are called fighter profiles. The fighter pack will also specify how to assemble these fighter profiles into a warband.
At present there is only one fighter pack available: Tempest Crusaders. More fighter packs are planned for the future…
0.5 - Scenario Pack #
You and your opponent will also need to choose a scenario pack. Each scenario pack contains several scenarios to choose from when starting a battle. A scenario is a set of special rules for the battle, with its own unique twists and victory conditions.
At present there is only one scenario pack available: Into the Tempest. More scenario packs are planned for the future…
0.6 - Dice #
Magewinds uses six-sided dice, also known as D6, to resolve all dice rolls. 10 should be more than enough for most dice rolls in the game.
0.7 - Measuring Tools #
All measurements in the game are in inches (“). You will need a ruler or tape measure marked in inches. As many of the measurements in the game are quite short, a 3” ‘combat gauge’ of the sort commonly used in miniature wargaming is recommended.
0.8 - Models #
There are three kinds of models used in Magewinds: fighters, terrain features and objects.
0.8.1 - Fighters #
Magewinds is played with 28mm-scale models mounted on 25mm-wide circular bases, referred to as fighters.
If you wish, you can use larger or smaller scale models, or even standees, to represent your fighters. The important thing is that they are all based on 25mm-wide circular bases, or on bases that fit within a 25mm-diameter circular footprint.
Each player will need enough fighters to fill a warband, but how many that is exactly varies depending on the fighter pack and scenario pack being used.
0.8.2 - Terrain Features #
A terrain feature is any model that is part of the scenery of the battlefield. You will need a handful of models to use as terrain features.
For example, a terrain feature could be a tree, a ruined wall, or a strange obelisk. Terrain features serve a rules purpose, blocking visibility and movement, as well as an aesthetic one, bringing you into the location of the battle.
If you don’t have any appropriate models you can use, it is perfectly acceptable to repurpose household objects such as books, upturned cups, and boxes.
0.8.3 - Objects #
An object is any model that is not a fighter and is not a terrain feature, for example an item of treasure. An object should be kept on top of a 25mm wide circular base. When the rules call for the use of an object, they will usually specify what it ought to look like.
0.9 - Playing Cards #
A 52-card deck of regular playing cards of the same sort you would use to play a traditional card game such poker, blackjack, or hearts. Remove any jokers before playing – this is serious business!
These cards are used to represent the titular winds of magic. They are referred to as magic cards and the deck is referred to as the magic deck. During the battle you will channel them and use them to power spells!
0.10 - Attack Choice Cards #
To play, you will need 3 attack choice cards. These are identical on the back side and each display one of three options on the front: Light Attack, Heavy Attack, or Feint. You can print these from the downloadable file available at magewinds.com/files or make your own.
0.11 - Action Counters #
You will need counters to keep track of how many actions (up to 2) each fighter has performed. You will need enough for each fighter in your warband. You can make your own or use similar counters from another game.
0.12 - Damage Counters #
You will need counters to keep track of how much damage each fighter has taken. You can use dice as damage counters, if you make sure you don’t get them mixed up with the dice you use for rolling! Alternatively, you could use appropriate numerical counters from another game.
0.13 - Miscellaneous Tokens, Counters and Markers (Optional) #
Sometimes in a battle there are effects and points on the battlefield that may need to be kept track of, so they are not forgotten about. For these it is useful to have a few extra playing pieces to hand. You can make your own or use pieces from another game.