Pillage is a narrative-driven skirmish game set in the Viking Age and early medieval period, where every battle tells a story. Let’s take a closer look!
Victrix Limited, purveyor of some of the best historical miniatures on the market, have announced that they are releasing a wargame, their first! Pillage, as it is called, was developed in partnership with Guillaume Rousselot of French games studio Triskell Interactive, and he has been active on Victrix’s public facebook group for the game, answering loads of questions. Rousselot also has a YouTube channel titled Noodle Wargames where he plays a variety of historical wargames. Pillage focuses on small skirmishes in Dark Age Western Europe.
Victrix is going all out for this ruleset, teasing four different army boxes that will contain a mix of infantry, cavalry, missile troops and commanders. They are also showing off excerpts from their hardcover rulebook which features their trademark, best in the business photography, staging and paint jobs. This promises to be a gorgeous product!
But what about the game itself? Here are some bullet points from the page dedicated to the game on Victrix’s website:
- Average game duration: 1 to 2 hours
- Table size: 48″ x 48″
- Miniatures: 15-30 warriors representing one of the seven factions
- Bases Sizes: Infantry – 25mm round, Cavalry – 40mm Round (25mm x 50mm will also work)
- Designed for both new and veteran players
Mechanics:
- Pillage lets you set your own objectives — from open war to narrative-driven raids like looting monasteries. Capture treasure, search buildings and take hostages. Decide for yourself, or choose from the many scenarios provided.
- The game revolves around your warriors’ equipment. WYSIWYG (What You See Is What You Get) takes center stage.
- Equip your warriors with all the arsenal at their disposal: javelins, swords, Dane axes, crossbows, etc. Each weapon has unique characteristics.
- The combat system is based on your warriors’ equipment. The better equipped they are, the more powerful they will be. But beware, equipment is
expensive and heavy, and it slows down your troops… Will you choose speed or strength? Will you choose a small elite force, or large numbers of light troops? - Pillage allows you to field shield walls, berserkers, huscarls, or even supply wagons.
- You can also play naval battles or start fires that can spread. And don’t forget to keep an eye on the weather!
According to Victrix the (1st?!?) rulebook is already being printed and will be on sale in 6-8 weeks, but there will be a PDF version available as well. Fans have already been deluging the facebook group with questions about how best to prepare for the game, so Victrix has released the army lists for all 7 factions included in the rulebook for players to start assembling warbands.
What do you think? Will Pillage get you to buy a box of Vikings and sack the local church? Sound off in the comments!
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