Tactical Combat During The Wars Of The Roses RULES & SCENARIOS Table of Contents 1.0 Introduction ............................................................ 2 8.0 Special Cards ......................................................... 8 2.0 The Cards ............................................................... 2 9.0 Scenarios ................................................................ 9 3.0 The Battlefield ....................................................... 4 Game Credits .................................................................. 15 4.0 Initial Deployment ................................................. 5 Designer’s Notes ............................................................. 18 5.0 Victory Conditions ................................................. 5 Detailed Example of Play ............................................... 20 6.0 Initiative ................................................................. 5 Bibliography ................................................................... 24 7.0 Terrain .................................................................... 8 GMT Games, LLC • P.O. Box 1308, Hanford, CA 93232-1308 www.GMTGames.com 2 Sun of York Rules & Scenarios Manual • Men-at-Arms: Professional soldiers with better (read: any) 1.0 Introduction training, often with previous combat experience in Europe. Sun of York is a card game depicting combat during the English • Knights: Noblemen, highly trained and experienced, “Wars of the Roses” that took place during the latter half of complete with retinues and the best equipment. These were the 15th Century. These wars for the English Crown can best the men who directly offered their service to a political faction be described as long periods of peace punctuated by extreme for political gain. Many of these noblemen and their families violence. This game represents the exclamation points. Players ceased to exist as a consequence to their allegiances. take command of Yorkist and Lancastrian forces facing off on 2.1.3 Missiles: These cards the field of battle. Each victory strengthens claim to the throne! represent units with the ability to hit targets at Components long ranges, prior to direct • Two decks of 110 cards each (one Lancastrian and one contact. Yorkist) • Half-sheet of 140 status markers • Longbowmen: The most prevalent type of unit during the • Rulebook wars, often at a ratio of seven- or eight-to-one. They were plentiful and cost-effective. • Two Player Aid Cards • Five six-sided dice • Crossbowmen: These units represent paid troops from the Continent. Their arms were more effective against the armor If you have any questions or comments about the game or its of the period (plate armor having replaced chainmail to a components, please email them to [email protected], large extent), and the units were better trained. or you can post a message to the Sun of York discussion board • Handgunners: Still fairly rare for the time, but becoming on ConsimWorld.com or BoardGameGeek.com. more common. Like crossbowmen, these units represent paid troops from the Continent. These units were used as a first blow, but then had to resort to standard hand-to-hand combat 2.0 The Cards owing to slow reloading times. Each player works from his own deck of 110 cards during play. 2.1.4 Polearms: These cards represent The cards in each deck are numbered from 1 to 110. They depict units with long arms of varying the noble leaders involved in each conflict and the various types lengths. These units were generally of combat units under their command. There are also varieties more effective on the defense, par- of terrain types depicted, as well as a collection of “special” ticularly against cavalry. cards that provide historical flavor. • Billmen: The most common type of polearm-armed units. 2.1 Card Types These units were armed with short spears. The following types of cards and their variations are included: • Pikemen: These cards also represent paid troops from the Continent. They are highly skilled and armed with very long 2.1.1 Leaders: These cards depict the spears. nobles in command of the warring factions. They include both noblemen 2.1.5 Cavalry: These units represent mounted and kings. Noblemen are typically forces. Given the nature of combat during the pe- represented by their coats-of-arms. riod, most units equipped with horses preferred to Portraits depict kings. Players will fight dismounted (Men-at-Arms units can be con- note that some royalty have two cards, one as nobility and one sidered dismounted cavalry). There were several as a king. Such was the nature of the Wars of the Roses! Lead- occasions where mounted troops were used effec- ers have the ability to command units in combat. tively. The only types of cavalry units available in the game are “Spears.” These represent mobile but lightly armed and 2.1.2 Footsoldiers: These armored cavalry formations. cards indicate standard infantry units. They are 2.1.6 Terrain: These cards represent broken down into several various terrain features common to the categories, depending on battlefields. Towns, churches, hills, quality and availability to woods, streams and bridges are in- nobles seeking to assemble armies. cluded. • Levies: Farmers, tradesmen and other locals gathered together under the flags of local gentry. These were often little more than mobs with only the most rudimentary weapons. © 2011 GMT Games, LLC Sun of York Rules & Scenarios Manual 3 2.1.7 Special: These cards are pro- • Move: This icon indicates the number of adjacent positions vided to add historical flavor to the into which a unit may move when receiving orders. A single game. Each provides a specific effect box indicates only one position. Two boxes indicate that a that either favors or hinders one of the unit may move up to two positions. warring factions. The details on how to use each Special card are provided in a later rules section and summarized on the card itself. Unit Class Card ID Number 2.2 Card Effects Unit Type In the lower right corner of each card is an indication of the Weapon deck to which it belongs. A white rose represents the Yorkist Class Icon deck. A red rose indicates the Lancastrian deck. Each card is also noted with different ratings as follows: Ability Rating Illustration Name & Card ID Title Number Cohesion Rating Number Veteran of Orders Portrait or Status Coat of Arms Ability Rating Move Faction Leadership Battles Rating 2.2.2 Combat Units Royalty or • Name: Includes the unit class and the unit type. An icon is Loyalty printed below the unit name to indicate its class (Missile, Indicator Polearm, Footsoldier or Cavalry). Some units are also Number designated as “Veteran” next to their class (e.g., “Veteran of Moves Faction Crossbowmen”). • Ability: The number or less required on a combat die roll to 2.2.1 Leaders cause a hit on an opposing unit. Note that missile units have • Name: The name and title of the leader. two ability numbers. The secondary (red) number is for use in long-range attacks. • Orders: This bannered number is the number of orders provided when the card is used as an Orders card. • Cohesion: The number of dice rolled in combat as well as an indication of how many hits the unit can take prior • Ability: Leaders roll a single die when committed to combat. to routing (being discarded). Each hit sustained reduces a This value indicates the number result (or less) required to unit’s Cohesion by one. A unit that has taken a hit must also inflict a “hit” on an opposing unit. make a Morale Check die roll less than or equal to its current • Leadership: A cumulative modifier deducted from a combat Cohesion to keep from retreating during the Morale step. unit’s Morale Check die roll when the leader is present in the • Veteran Status: As noted above Veteran units are indicated same battlefield position. in their unit class. In addition, these units are depicted with • Royalty: A small crown ( ) on the card indicates the leader a “–1” icon ( ) adjacent to their Cohesion as a reminder is royalty (or may as well be, in the case of Warwick). Royalty that their morale die rolls are reduced by one, in addition to is immune to the effects of the “Treason” and “A Warwick” other modifiers. cards. • Move: This icon indicates the number of adjacent positions • Loyalty: A small “true-blue” heart icon ( ) indicates that into which a unit may move when receiving orders. A single the leader is loyal. Loyal units are also immune to the effects box indicates only one position. Two boxes indicate that a of the “Treason” and “A Warwick” cards if a loyal leader has unit may move up to two positions. been deployed in the opposing army. Not only were the royal heirs feuding during the period of the Wars, but so too did many families take the opportunity to settle old scores and grudges. • Battles: Indicates the scenarios in which the leader may actively participate. Unless playing a non-historical “random” scenario, leaders not available for a specific scenario may only be used as Orders cards. © 2011 GMT Games, LLC 4 Sun of York Rules & Scenarios Manual Card Type Card ID 3.0 The Battlefield Number Terrain Type Unlike most wargames, Sun of York does not use a printed map- sheet to regulate movement during combat. Instead, cards are Number played in an organized fashion within the constraints of your of Orders game table. Generally, at least a 3' by 4' area is necessary, or things may be a little too cramped. Illustration 3.1 Battlefield Layout Card Effect Summary The battlefield is organized per the diagram below. Cards are played into three wings (known as “battles” in the period ver- nacular) each of which includes three positions. There are also two flank positions where cards can be deployed during play to perform flank attacks into the middle ground and rear positions. Faction Leaders and Combat unit cards are moved forward or backward within their battle. Combat units (only) may move from their 2.2.3 Terrain friendly flank position to the enemy flank position. Combat units • Orders: Like the Leader (and Special) cards, this is the may be moved from a flank position into a battle position, but number of orders provided when used as an Orders card.