SAGA Age of Invasions is a SAGA supplement which covers the era of the Great Invasions that ended in 476 AD when the last Roman emperor was dethroned.
Divided between East and West since 395, the Roman Empire was under pressure from the so-called “barbarian” peoples: Goths, Germans, Persians, Huns and many others. The threats were many. This is a great period to game in, the whole of the Roman Empire was in a period of complete chaos.
This little-known period has left its marks in our collective imagination, none greater than Arthur, the British chieftain who literary tradition raised to the rank of legendary king. It also knew its fair share of skilled generals and intrepid chiefs.
The book contains some background and information on the period and events that occurred in Europe during this part of history. This allows for play right across the European continent and the Roman Empire. There are eight forces in the book: Romans, Huns, Goths, Britons, Saxons, Picts, Franks, and Sassanids. There is also a section on mercenaries otherwise known as Dogs of War, Factions can make use of some the unit choices to bolster their own warband.
The book includes new rules/units such as the cataphracts which are armoured cavalry, and they don’t reduce their armour against shooting. Their movement distance is medium, whilst they can still charge, they don’t have the same movement as other cavalry because of the armour. Most factions can make use of them which is good. There is also the great war chariot, which can be used by Warlords, and they count as mounted.
A typical force size for Saga is around 4-6 points or 8 for a larger game. A point will get one of the following.
A hero (you get your leader for free)
4 hearth guards (elite troops)
8 warriors (trained soldiers and the backbone of your army)
12 levy (poorly trained and armed peasants)
Some factions will allow you add additional units such as a banner bearer or a ballista.
The Manuballista is an oversized crossbow and will count as 6 levies for vistory points and as a levy of 6 with missile weapons. It doesn’t add any saga dice to the pool, instead it does have a a special aggression rating. It’s range of two-times L, aggression is half the total of miniatures in the targeted unit. It also gains a +1 bonus to attack as well. This will definitely be added to my Late Roman force.
Saga has been written and designed to be played with 28mm miniatures, but it can be played with smaller or larger figures. It’s a skirmish game and an army are a small warband consisting of around 30-50 miniatures, though it can be played with less or any number to around a maximum of 100. You’ll also need a copy of the core rules as this book is just a period supplement.
The book also contains several Dogs of War units, along with four new scenarios. It also contains the Limes campaign system. This is definitely a book that most Saga players will want to grab a copy.
Musket, Sword and Paint 