Sword Forms are an integral part of close combat in the Wheel of Time universe. Similarly, when playing the Wheel of Time Skirmish game, a large number of models are likely to have access to Sword Forms. They can add a great deal of character to the game, but they are also capable of causing quite a few headaches. The following How-To Guide is designed to answer questions that may arise concerning how to use Sword Forms. Remember, however, that it is only a guideline. You are encouraged to come to an amicable agreement with your opponent about the affects of Sword Forms whenever a question arises.
If you find that using Sword Forms is detracting from the
enjoyment of your games, you should also feel free not to use them. If you
decide to do this (and we certainly hope you don't!), a simple replacement
would be to grant all models with Sword Forms the Expert Swordsman skill from
the standard Mordheim Combat Skill table. Nowhere near as characterful, but
much easier to work out!
Without further ado, let the
guide begin:
·
At the start of each round of hand-to-hand combat, both players should
write down which Sword Forms (if any) they will be using. Reveal them
simultaneously.
·
If two sword forms would clash (i.e. they are contradictory - both
cannot physically happen at once), the model with the highest Initiative gets
to use his sword form, and the model with the lower initiative does not. If
this is still a tie, highest WS wins. If this is still a tie, charger goes
first. If there is still a tie, each player should roll a D6. The highest roll
wins.
e.g. An Asha'man is charged by a
Warder. The Asha'man player writes down that he wishes to use Hummingbird
Kisses the Honeyrose (meaning he will strike first despite being charged). The
Warder notes down that he wishes to use The Wind Blows Over the Wall (which
means that no blows are struck this round of close combat). Clearly, these two
Sword Forms clash - the Asha'man can't strike first in close combat if no blows
are actually struck. Since the Initiative of the Warder is higher, his Sword
Form takes effect, and the Asha'man doesn't get his opportunity to strike
first.
·
Most Sword Forms are considered to be in effect for the entire close
combat phase, regardless of who strikes first.
e.g. 1. An Asha'man is
charged by a Trolloc. The Asha'man player decides to use The Falling Leaf
(allowing him to re-roll failed parries). Since the Trolloc charged, he gets to
attack first, but the Asha'man may still use his re-roll failed parries
ability, even though he has not yet had a chance to attack.
e.g. 2. The same Trolloc
and Asha'man are still engaged in close combat. This time, the Asha'man decides
to use The Cat Dances on the Wall (which reduces his opponent's attacks by 1).
The Trolloc has gained a few Initiative advances, and so strikes first. He
still suffers from the -1A penalty, even though the Asha'man has not yet struck
any blows.
·
Sometimes, it will be necessary to work out the order in which Sword
Forms take affect. In these cases, the affects of a Sword Form are worked out
when the model using it attacks.
e.g. 1. The same Asha'man is now engaged in combat with a Warder. The Asha'man player writes down that he wants to use The Grapevine Twines (allowing him to attempt to disarm his opponent). The Warder notes down that he wishes to use Leopard in the Tree (which grants +1S, but forces him to attack last). Because of the Warder's choice of Sword Form, the Asha'man player gets to attack first. If he successfully disarms the Warder, the Warder will not be able to gain his +1S because he will no longer be armed with a sword.
e.g. 2. In the next round
of combat, the Asha'man decides to use Seamstress Skills (forcing the two
swordsman 1" apart if successful). The Warder uses The Boar Rushes Down
the Mountain (meaning his attacks cannot be parried). This time, the Warder
strikes first, so the Asha'man does not get the opportunity to break out of
combat until it is his turn.
e.g. 3. Instead of using The
Boar Rushes Down the Mountain, the Warder decides to use Leopard in the Tree
again (+1S, attacks last). Again, the Asha'man uses Seamstress Skills. Since
the Asha'man is now striking first (the Warder is forced to go last because of
his choice of Sword Form) he will have an opportunity to break out of combat
before his opponent can strike him.
·
When a Blademaster combines two obviously contradictory sword forms,
the worst affect of the two is the one by which he must endure. Most times,
this will make some combinations of Sword Forms pointless for a Blademasters.
e.g. A Blademaster is charged by an Asha'man. He decides (foolishly)
to use the Sword Forms Leopard in the Tree (+1S, must strike last) and
Hummingbird Kisses the Honeyrose (strikes first when charged). These two Forms
obviously conflict - one allows you to strike first, the other forces you to
strike last. In this case, he is forced to accept the worse of the two, meaning
he must strike last in the next turn of close combat. He should have chosen his
Forms more wisely!
·
Multiple combats may appear, on the face of things, to be massively
more complicated. If you stick to the rules given above, though, they are
relatively simple to work out. All participants note down which Sword Forms
they are using and reveal them simultaneously. If any of the Sword Forms would
clash, work out which warriors gain precedence (highest I, then highest WS,
then roll a dice). Work through the attacks in Initiative order, resolving
their affects as you go. Simple!
If you wish, you can break
Sword Forms into two categories:
1. Sword Forms whose affects last for the
entire close combat phase in which they are used (regardless of when the
swordsman actually attacks), or
2. Sword Forms whose affects are only worked
out when the swordsman attacks.
The following lists break all
the existing Sword Forms into these two categories. These lists might be a
useful reference in case of any disagreements between players. Remember,
though, that particular cases can force players to treat Sword Forms from the
first category as Sword Forms from the second category and vice versa - these
lists should only be used as a guide.
Category 1 Sword Forms: Blademaster, The
Boar Rushes Down the Mountain, Cat Crossing the Courtyard, The Cat Dances on
the Wall, The Falling Leaf, Heron Spreads its Wings, Hummingbird Kisses the
Honeyrose, Leopard in the Tree, Lizard in the Thornbush, Low Wind Rising,
Striking the Spark, Swallow Rides the Air, Thistledown Floats on the Whirlwind,
Twisting the Wind, Wind and Rain.
Category 2 Sword Forms: The Grapevine
Twines, Parting Silk, Seamstress Skills, Sheathing the Sword, The Wind Blows
Over the Wall.
Cat Crossing the Courtyard is
a special case in that it is not an actual Sword Form, but rather a way of
moving to help a swordsman avoid danger. It is used in a similar fashion to a
Sword Form - in any close combat phase, the swordsman notes down that he is
using Cat Crossing the Courtyard, and then reveals this information to his
opponent.
The exceptions to the usual procedure are that a swordsman
does not have to be engaged in close combat to use Cat Crossing the Courtyard.
He may declare it at the start of any
close combat phase. Also, the benefit from Cat Crossing the Courtyard (an
unmodified 5+ save against shooting and hand-to-hand combat attacks) lasts
until the start of the next close combat phase. At that time, the swordsman may
declare that he is continuing to use Cat Crossing the Courtyard, or may change
to another Sword Form.
Note that as long as a swordsman is using Cat Crossing the
Courtyard he cannot use any other Sword Forms (unless he is a Blademaster). It
is considered to be your one Sword Form per turn.