Budget Battlefield 2.0 is MicroTactix’ revision of its Origins-award nominated table-top miniatures wargaming rules set. If you’re looking for a fast, fun, easy-to-learn, and dirt-cheap wargaming system, then Budget Battlefield is for you. This review covers Budget Battlefield 2.0 and a brief overview of the existing Army Packs as of this writing.
PRESENTATION
Budget Battlefield (hereafter referred to as “BB”) is distributed solely as an electronic document using the Adobe PDF format that has become so prevalent over the last few years. The game sells for $9.00 and consists of several files: the main rules, a full-color cover, two scenarios, a handy reference pullout, and two armies of standup figures and accessories to get you started. Aside from the color cover page and the army figures themselves, there is no art to speak of. This doesn’t bother me in the least, since I’d rather spend my time downloading rules and crunchy bits than pretty pictures. The text is laid out in an easy-to-read two column format with large headings so it’s easy to find what you’re looking for.
THE RULES
The main rules document is 26 pages long, and that’s after you add in the two appendices, the table of contents, and the cover page. The first few pages introduce you to wargaming and the specific conventions of BB. This information is useful and a quick read.
In BB, each individual miniature or paper standup is called a Figure, and several Figures (two to twenty-four, usually) of the same type make up a unit. All Figures in a Unit must be within one inch (1") of each other at all times, in any formation. It is recommended that all figures have a 1" square base, though you can fiddle with this if you like. A Figure has several stats, including Training Level (Green, Line, or Elite), Move in inches, Hit Factor (essentially an armor class), Morale, an Attack Roll chart, and a Purchase Cost. Each type of figure (infantry, bowmen, cavalry, etc.) is represented on a Unit Card. Unit cards list each figure type’s statistics and serve as a handy reference in play. They are sized to fit in a baseball-card plastic sleeve so you won’t destroy them during gameplay. Of course, even if you do spill your Pepsi on them, you can just print out a zillion more at your convenience.
Building an army is pretty straightforward. You and your opponent simply choose a point level cap for your armies and select figures that do not exceed those levels. It’s quite easy, therefore, to customize your army according to your own tastes or the strengths and weaknesses of the terrain you’re playing on. Plus, the ease of making cheap new figures (see THE ARMIES, below) won’t frustrate you or break your wallet. 700-1000 points is the standard for fantasy-themed armies, while 2000-6000 points in the standard for sci-fi armies.
Combat in BB is handled in the following order: Initiative, Movement, Attacks, Second Movement, Morale, and Casualties. Combat is consider simultaneous, though the side with the higher initiative has the advantage of moving last and attacking first.
Initiative is rolled using 1d10 and adding your Commander’s Command Bonus to the roll. The higher roll wins Initiative. Command units have a Command skill level rated as Familiar, Capable, Professional, or Expert, granting their side 1 to 4 on Initiative rolls. Only one
Commander per side can influence Initiative.
The loser of Initiative moves his troops first, followed by the winner. Units move a number of inches equal to their Move score. (A tape measure is of great use here!) Again, individual figures in a unit must remain within one inch of each other, but otherwise you can change formation at will. A unit’s move score is reduced when traveling through difficult terrain such as Woods or Uphill.
There are two types of Attacks in BB: melee and missile. Melee combat occurs when one figure’s base touches (“is in contact with”) an enemy figure’s base. The winner of Initiative gets first attack. Attacks are resolved by rolling 1d10 and consulting the figure’s Attack Table on the unit card. The roll yields a damage number, and if this number exceeds the target’s Hit Factor, then the target is killed. Missile combat is similar, with hit penalties for long range attacks and concealment. Once the winner of Initiative has attacked, the loser gets his turn. One important thing to note is that figures belonging to the loser that were killed can still attack, since combat is simultaneous.
After all sides have finished their attacks, the winner of Initiative moves again and then the loser does the same. Any units that are trying to recover Morale from last turn may now do so, and any units that suffer 1/4 casualties must make Morale checks or flee the battle. Casualties are then removed from the battlefield. The turn sequence is then repeated until one side achieves victory.
The exception to the figures rules are Commanders and Heroes, which act as independent troops. Heroes can dish out damage to multiple enemies in one attack and have more than one hit point. They are powerful - and expensive - units that can help your troops rally as well as wreak havoc on enemy forces. Commanders have Command Levels that help them rally troops, split up units, and influence initiative. The ultimate force on the battlefield is a Hero with Command ability.
Rules are also provided for creating Vehicles, which are essentially made up just like Heroes.
Creating custom figures is a snap with BB. Some simple addition and multiplication, along with the included charts, and you can create stats for any metal miniatures, cardstock standups, action figures, plastic army men, or anything else you can get your grubby little hands on. As Budget Battlefield is a subset of the PlainLabel Game System, you can also easily convert your RPG characters from Simply Roleplaying to BB.
In version 2.0, skirmish and structural damage rules have been added. The skirmish rules allow you to play with small squads of individual troops rather than massed armies. The structure rules help you determine just how much damage a building can take from your heavy weapons.
The BB rules stress speed, simplicity, and fun. If you don’t want to get bogged down looking for rules in a book all day long, you’ll find BB is a godsend. BB’s rules-light nature makes it an excellent introductory wargaming system for first-time players.
THE ARMIES
The basic set includes two fantasy armies (Royal Army and Undead Army) and two Sci-Fi armies (Planetary Army and Mercenary Army). Just print out as many troops as you want, assemble them with tape or glue, and go to war. Alternatively, you can use the included TIFF files and a program like Paint Shop Pro to color the figures and then print them out. I prefer black-and white with colored bases, but it’s your call. The basic set also includes an assortment of fantasy graveyard buildings and sci-fi outpost buildings.
Royal Army: This army consists of infantry, pikemen, archers, cavalry, and a commander. You could call the Royals your “standard” fantasy army. They’re well-rounded and fairly tough.
Undead Army: The Undead Army consists of infantry, pikemen, archers, undead wolves and wolfmasters, and a commander. The Undead army isn’t as tough or as mobile as the Royals, but they don’t cost as much, either, so you can field more troops.
Planetary Army: This army consists of regulars, elites, a general, a planetary scout hero, armored grav cars, and gravity platform mortars. Now we’re talking fun! The scout has jump jets, allowing him to zip over obstacles on the battlefield, while the great-looking grav cars and mortars are too-cool-for-school.
Mercenary Army: Same as the Planetary Army, but tougher.
In addition, Microtactix has really supported BB by rolling out seven more armies and two filler packs. And of course, they’re cheap, cheap, cheap! Here’s what they are and what you get with ‘em.
Amazons: Warrior Queen, champion, light infantry, heavy infantry, shortbow archers, longbow archers, spear warriors, archer cavalry, and chariots. The chariots are the standout pieces of this set! The Amazons rely heavily on missile power.
Dwarves: King, hammer infantry, mace infantry, warhammer elites, battle axe elites, halberdiers, crossbowmen, and a cannon and crew. The dwarves are high in point costs and low in number, but they are tough!
Tribal Elves: Tribal Lord, infantry, flailmen, scouts, warriors, archers, cavalry, and an elven princess hero. You also get some tents and tribal accessories with this set.
Barbarian Horde: Warlord, infantry, battle-axe heavy infantry, greatsword heavy infantry, lancers, archers, fire-archers, fire-archer commander, catapult, and warbeast. The catapult is a wonder of card-stock engineering that looks quite impressive on the table. And you just can’t help but want to deploy a warbeast.
Orcs: Chieftain, recruits, regulars, elites, crossbowmen, berserkers, berserker captain, goblin infantry, and goblin cavalry. The orcs have the cheapest troops and you can deploy a couple-hundred in a 2,000 point game.
Fantasy Filler: captain of the guard, town guard, townspeople, halfling warriors, halfling archers, centaurs, minotaurs, ogres, trolls, and ratzs. These units are meant to bolster the existing armies. This set is also available in color as well as black and white.
The sci-fi armies are available in both black and white and color. While I prefer black and white with the fantasy armies, the Sci-Fi armies look great in color.
Powered Armor Troops: Company Commander, special ops trooper, special weapons trooper, heavy weapons trooper, light infantry trooper, heavy infantry trooper, light infantry scout. In addition, a vehicle pack is available: low-altitude strafer, troop transport, and gravity assault tank. This army is available in several color schemes as well. I personally prefer the Knights of Vengeance color scheme (white and red).
Shee’tok Legion (aliens): Commander, first officer, light infantry, heavy infantry, heavy weapons, gravity balls, and gravity mortars. Again, a vehicle pack is available: strider tank, gravity platform, and flyer. The Strider Tank is a fantastic, fun-to-build cardstock creation that looks really cool on the table, especially the color version.
Squarn Battalion (aliens): Commander, champion, light infantry, heavy infantry, heavy weapons troops, vat beasts, grenadiers, and mobile recoilless cannon. While meant as a filler pack, the Squarn could be fielded as their own army if you had enough of them.
THE OTHER STUFF
Don’t get me wrong, I love Budget Battlefield. I have every army pack fully assembled and ready to wage war at a moment’s notice. However, there are a few things missing:
More Scenarios: The basic rules come with two pre-made scenarios: one fantasy and one sci-fi. I was hoping to see at least three scenarios for fantasy and three for sci-fi. None of the army packs come with scenarios, either. I think a Scenario Pack would be a good addition to the line.
Magic: The basic rules have no rules for magic wielding figures like wizards, priests, etc. This will be remedied by an upcoming supplement, but until that appears, you’re on your own.
More Army Packs: The last army pack to be released was the Amazon Army, and that was in December 2001. To keep things fresh, I hope the gang at MicroTactix starts churning out a few more armies. Samurai, U.S. Civil War, Napoleonic Wars, Aztecs, etc., are all interesting choices.
FINAL THOUGHTS
Overall, Budget Battlefield is a great game. It plays fast, is very inexpensive, and it takes little time to set up an army. I recommend this game to anybody who doesn’t want to make a huge investment in time and money and would like to give wargaming a try. When combined with MicroTactix fine line of cardstock buildings and terrain, you’ve got a great selection of gaming components in your asrsenal.
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