Kings of War Week: Background Chat
October 28, 2013 by warzan
Welcome to Kings of War week here on Beasts of War! Coming up we'll be looking at all of the factions from the great Kings of War game, giving away some epic prizes, and giving you the low down on what this world is all about.
To get things started Warren and James sat down for a first look at the background of the Mantica world and get a little chat about the events that led the world and the game to where it is today.
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The story seems a little generic, but it’s not too bad, good enough excuse to set a few armies on the table.
My thoughts exactly. The game is neatly backed by the story, just enough to bring flavour onto the tabletop.
I like the space there is. Fluff from the likes of GW and PP is impressive (and tremendous fun to read), but at the same time oppressive. With backstories less set in stone, I feel KoW offers a bit more encouragement for creativity.
yay kings of war, backed the kickstarter and ended up with about 1000 points of freebies
DAMN YOU MAN!!!
Oh goody more prizes!
I always liked the concept of the “gods” splitting into their aspects. I am however finally seeing the end of the tunnel on cleaning up my kickstarter models, just have my orc chariots, goblin mincers, elf stormwind calvary andTwilight kin calvary, and the heroes to clean up. after everything is cleaned I’ll probably go back and finish off all my orc infantry (pretty much just need a dip at this point). Hope the armies go to someone who needs them, the undead look great and the ogres are phenomenal…. though it would be a tough tossup between them and more abyssal dwarves now that they have the golems, gargoyles, and new immortal guard…. not that I really need more : )
I look forward to hearing about the different races and how the game plays out. I’ve heard its quite a fast paced game and easy to get a game done quickly. Mantic have really peaked my interest in their games since backing Deadzone.
Potentially an interesting back story. This is what always sells me on a game so I might have to check it out in more detail
Looking forward to this one, havent looked at kings of war since before the hardback rulebook came out.
I have 250 Mantic Undead models already… but I could always use MORE.
Excited to find out more about King’s of War. Definitely something I’m considering getting into, already have a few of Mantic’s fantasy minis.
I just got an email today saying that my KoW two player starter set was on its way to my loving hands. The fact that it’s KoW week on BoW makes this week even better! You know what would be the cherry on top…Winning more KoW stuff!
This looks to be a good series. I missed the kickstarter and would love to get into this.
woop woop! been looking forward to this for weeks now
That sounded very interesting.
Another great week.
I would love to have more undead and i’m seriously interested in getting some of those Basileans, but i still need to finish painting a lot of my stuff… so yeah…
Love the open possibilities that Mantica leaves for DIY armies
This sounds very interesting, i love this background I wish I had been part of the kickstarter. Because these war games have such wonderful fluff I would like to see one release as both a war game and a RPG at the same time so that one would lead people to play the other. the only system I can really remember trying this was Battletech and compared to other RPG systems of the time it was clunky.
looking to start a new game but im torn between Flames of War and this, spoiled for choice
looks like its going to be a good week
Kings of War looks like an interesting game, looking forward to seeing more videos about it
Will we see a battle played out? That would help me decide if I should jump in.
I miss the old background. 🙂
Always a good day for a prize. Looking forward to your coverage of this game.
I do like the look of their undead models
V excited by this, if I don’t win a prize I’m probably gonna buy!
Finally Kings of War week has arrived. 🙂 Very good miniatures from very good price. Nice and unique background. Sometimes I feel myself in the golden age of the early GW when I’m reading/watching Mantic related stuffs.
Make sure the Mantic Mug gets a feature video please.
Been looking forward to this!
Looks like a great game with an interesting background. I’ve been buying the troops for Dwarf Kings Hold and skirmishing but the battle game sound’s interesting.
this week couldnt of started at a better time just started getting into KOW this month
I played my first game of KoW at the grumpy old wargamers conventin this year and it was really cool. Lots of cinematic moments and units asking as they should from the background. Here’s for the best for this game.
Love the fast paced nature of KoW 😀
Nice looking range. Might be time to start a new collection..
don’t know much about kings of war, but the minis look great. and the world sounds really interesting
A really interesting take on fantasy tropes!
Hearing that Guy Haley is involved makes me REALLY want to read some KoW books!
I bought acouple of boxes of this from our LGS just for the fact that I loved the models and wanted to paint them.
They turned out great, I can see me buying into this game but would love to see the game play never have taking the time to search it out but will do so now.
Questions if BoW is looking to gather a few
Is this game geared towards the tourney player or more for the beer and pizza crowd ?
in reference to the rules.
Will you be playing an actual game this week from start to finish so we can get a feel for it ?
Will there be army list suggestions for each faction based on whatever the standard size may be?
This would be helpful when buying units.
Is this a large battle game with loads of troops or small to medium scale one ?
Just a few things I am pondering while watching this video
Mantic Pathfinder swooping in on Elohi wings!
1) Both. The game is simple and quick to play, so you can happy just cruise through one lightly, whilst imbibing the mead of your choice. However, there is a growing tournament scene, where players who know how to get the most out of the rules try to out maneuverer each other on the table top – less list building, more tactical thinking. So it’s really up to you which place you engage in.
2) Err…BoW question.
3) Again down to Beasts of War, but most games are played at between 1600 an 2,000 points. 1000 is a good start, or 500ish if you’re new, but of course you can go so much bigger. 4,000 points could easily be played in a few hours, if you know the ruleset.
A good place to start with purchases is either a one player battleset (£30) or a £50 box from your army of choice. Or you can team up with someone else and split a Two player starter set, which is featured in a another video from KoW week. The rules are a available online (minus magic items, and extra rules like sieges) for free on Mantic’s website.
4) Large battles. BIG. Oodles of models. Have a look at some of the £150 deals on the Mantic Site for what I mean.
Ok. I’ve decided that I have to buy a bunch of these models. The rules on Mantic’s website are simple and straightforward and the models look great.
Beasts of War gonna drag me screaming through another themed week. Noooooooo
Ok then, I’ll come quietly.
This is a great game, easy to play and a fantastic alternative to certain other fantasy games out there. All the family play this one so some more minis would be great 🙂
Love me some James M. Hewitt. Phlegm and all.
been looking foward to this week been having a good hard look at the ogres since the starter unboxing and between them twilight kin and undead i’m rather keen! like the background and would love a more in depth look guessing it’s all currently in the rulebooks?
Looking forward to watching this week of video’s,the chance to win shinies is always an added bonus!
Some painting tutorials would be awesome too =D
Great background for a really fun and quick game!
I have been looking forward to your KoW coverage. I am really keen to get into this. I detect a lot of classical flavour in the background there. I would have preferred a more intricate plot.
But the minis look great and can’t argue with the price.
I can’t decide which army to start though.
What a delicious problem to have 🙂
I’ve been counting down the days to this week of coverage, been thinking about getting into Kings of War and wanted to know more about it.
I like the background. Different and interesting
I love the little bits of flavor in some of the factions, like the Goblin wizard. They really add to the feel of the game and make so much fun.
So is it safe to assume the background storyline will be dynamic instead of fixed at one point in time?
Looks very fun.
I love the ideas in the background. It creates a real feel to the game and the armies, and the whole concept is unique in the current wargaming genre. So glad I backed this on Kickstarter.
Kings of War is a great game. easy to learn and fast to play and above all a fun game to play with my gaming club!!!!
go orcs
Woohoo! Another theme week!
The Mercs theme week really got me into watching Beasts of War, and here’s hoping this one’s just as good!
We’ve got the charming and enthusiastic co-host, we’ve got the great looking game, we’ve got the great giveaway loot.
Now if we can only have James M Hewitt win a game on BoW… or is that hoping for too much?
Ha! “Charming”. There’s a first time for everything!
As for winning a game… well, you’ll have to wait and see! (I’ll have you know I beat Warren in one of the DBA vids, though. Check it out!)
I was actually quite surprized, when I read the background for the world.
It is a surprisingly interesting read, with enough original stuff to make the world stand out from the rest of the fantasy worlds.
I just hope they get more into the invasion of Winter in future expansions as I felt the part in the book was a bit short.
To be brutally honest, there really aren’t any games I got into because of their background story… but then again it hasn’t really stopped me playing any of them either. I’m an old school player from days when games were published as rules only and you were supposed to make your own worlds (sure they started selling pre-packaged ones soon, but they were not an integral part of the actual rules), so I’ve never really got into this “official backstory” bit.
But Kings of War is definitely a game I’ve been planning to check out. I’d like the occasional fantasy battle, but I don’t want to re-learn warhammer (and I have the wrong models on wrong bases etc.)
Awesome I love Mantic games Stuff!
I’ve always been intrigued by Kings of Was might have to give it a shot
This look cool and i might be tempted to get into this, though i would need to find out more about the factions
Your in luck as this week is all about that!
I can’t wait for more videos of KoW. Seems like a more fast paced game than WHFB I’m used to.
Great stuff, give me some!
Lol. It’s called “Mantica”?
Yup.
Really enjoying playing KOW, only mass battles game that doesnt leave me drained afterwards! We play in 10mm at the moment, converting inches into centimetres. Makes for a much cheaper start!
I posted on the Mantic forums as well but is there any work being done on a Kings of War RPG and how would I get involved in such a project if it did exist or it was something you wanted to explore? Thanks Crimsonsun
Hello! Awesome question. Nothing’s planned as yet, but that would be quite cool, wouldn’t it? It’s definitely something we might explore in future. For now, though, we’re all about the minis 🙂
That is totally understandable from my point of view as someone with permanent ‘Shiney’ syndrome I am never far from blowing my rent money on new toy soldiers. On the other hand as someone who is very heavily into writing fan products for RPG systems in support of the main lines this is screaming at me like a blank canvas of true wonder.
Its a setting that though is set out in the global sense it is such a gold mine of creative options for RPG material, who really look at the towns, villages, cities, class systems, racial points of view. ecology & Eco-system’s, transport net works, folklore, traditions, law of the setting from the prospective of those living there and there ideological points of view, and that is just the very faintest scratches of the surface of what could be explored.
Generally as someone wishing to write for an RPG you can either build on what has already been created by someone else, or you can create your own setting from scratch but that has no fan base or following – the chance to really help define and craft a established setting is not only a very rare opportunity but more so a dream come true.
If you didnt guess, if it happens I would happily donate bodily parts for the chance to get involved… Thanks for the reply… crimsonsun 😀
Great background.
mantics dwarfs and undead are really very good miniatures
I am not overtly excited about this background story, sounds bit too much like GW, but I did like “celestials” splitting into two kinds, sounds bit more like a Greek Mythology, which I likle.
Gimme, gimme, gimme!!
Prizes? Oh, yes please. :p
Loving these videos, heard about the KoW week after it was posted on the mantic forums, will throw a link on Dakka to let people know.
At last, been waiting for this
i was looking for something that would get me away from GW products so i cant wait for this week to prove to me that this is way better than GW products
KoW rocks! I have been playing it since it was a system on the web. I have been through, and greatly impressed by,the kick starter. It has really good rules that are fairly easy to comprehend.
Their models are also very nice.
Nice to see some background for the game!
Waiting on Mantica terrain!
I like the back ground story! I am a GW 40K player for the most part but Would like to try this game system instead of going the warhammer fantasy route. Think I would like the dwarfs
Been looking forward to this coverage.
I have been looking forward for BoW doing a Kings of War week!
Cool ive never really heard the background for kings of war, i’m intrigued.
I’m really looking forward to this, I’ve not seen much about Kings of War, so this is gonna be a nice week to show interest me thinks.
Damn Elves ruin it for everyone! But not bad story fluff over all.
I have a couple of Mantic’s undead kits for KoW, very good mini’s. I’d love a few more to make them into an army.
I predict within the next five years Mantic will be all I buy. I have already limited my purchases from the other guy to monsters and special units not available. Can’t wait for the next kickstarter.
Def warming more towards KoW recently – great timing for this week 🙂
Finally, a game I already have!
I quite like the openness in Kings of War lore, it’s going to be interesting to watch it develop.
James is looking quite professional! 🙂
Thanks for doing this week of KoW goodness guys!
Really interesting background, quite a few original twists on the traditional fantasy setting, and lots of scope to expand.
Been toying with getting into this since the Deadzone KS dropped, Very interested to see the gameplay video.
top stuff guys changed my oultlook on non GW systems and even if i dont win i will be getting an army or four to play with
Check you the blog post too
http://wolvesinarms.blogspot.co.uk/2013/10/kings-of-war-on-beasts-of-war-plus.html
cheers
El reevo
An affordable alternative to Warhammer that plays faster? Rock on! Make my second army Ogres if you please.
Lots more videos of box openings and battles is very welcome
Keep them coming
The elves are messing it up for everyone again.
I have enjoyed the success of mantic Games and their models.
It’s sad to see Yet Another Tolkienesque Fantasy World in this day and age, but using the name “Morgoth” for an evil corrupting entity is going a bit too far, in my opinion.
The game may be awesome, though.
Although I knew a little about Kings of war this background info. is new and welcome.
Entry 2!
I like the story behind the abyssal dwarfs best.
I actually like that you guys are stepping away from GW. Love the minis but other companies need our support, just hope they don’t turn on us later on… 🙂
Never been into fantasy but this game intrigues me. Might be the first step. Great coverage guys.
I can already see the other members in my club rolling their eyes… “YOU WANT ANOTHER GAME?!” Haha!
The basilean models look great
It’s great that you’re doing this, Beasts of War. I love Mantic, and Kings of War!
Cool. Love the look of these minis and the Lore is truly intriguing.
Always thought the FoW minis were nice, the Vampire Counts player in my playgroup uses their undead minis
Guy Haley has created some fantastic mythology for Kings of War.
freeeeee stufff
Great models, great prices, a simple rules set and some interesting fluff. What more could you want?
I really like the background, refreshing to have a very high fantasy origin and a positive outlook on the future! I’m not happy about the copy-and-paste origin of the vampires though.
Nice models
Yet another game I’d like to try. I have way too many on my list and not enough time or money to play them all 🙁
Kings of War has been gaining ground steadily. Not the rapid spread of Dreadball, but still good ground. Mainly looking forward to Deadzone from Mantic though, really high hopes for it ; )
I really love Mantic products.
Interesting video. Not what I expected but a tad genaric. But I do like that they try and break the stereo types and make them different from most other fantasy stories.
Elves destroyed everything essentially? Man, that is quite different.
so a post apocalyptic fantasy game? sweet
I wish I would have caught the Kings of War kickstarter. I spent a ton on the Deadzone kickstarter. Not only does Mantic have pretty awesome games, models, and are themselves an awesome company, they sure know how to run a kickstarter! I have backed quite a few kickstarters/indiegogos at this point and the Deadzone kickstarter was definitely the most fun to follow.
I think Kings of War has a decent background and will get fluffed out a little more with time. Lovin’ it so far!
I’m not that interested in beast of war and why hasn’t the GW legal war-machine crushed them yet?
I assume you mean you aren’t that interested in Kings of War?
GW would probably immediately try to crush Mantic if they thought they could. I get your question, because GW are bullies and a lot of Mantic’s range has very similar ideas but in the end, if you really look at them, they are different. Things like just having dwarfs, elves, ogres, etc, are not something that GW can sue for, they have to actually have GW properties of some sort copied in their game/art/etc… The games themselves are TOTALLY different. The models are also quite different, for example, the dwarfs in Mantic actually have legs, whereas WH dwarfs are practically just feet. Artistic differences on classic themes that are not copyrightable.
As long as Mantic doesn’t literally steal anything directly from GW IPs, they should be okay. Though it won’t surprise me if GW slaps fruitless lawsuits onto Mantic overtime just to cost them money and keep them down…because that’s the kind of A holes GW now seem to be.
I can’t believe I missed the very first Video from Kings of War Week!! – If it were not for my current Lack of Telly I might never have seen the Background Video (although, it is sorta covered as you go)
Loving Mantica – Definately want to see a Roleplaying Game in the Setting!!
I’d love to be able to play this game. Unfortunately in my area it’s like 95% warhammer and 40k, 5% warmachine and hordes and nothing else. Hopefully this will change eventually.
looks nice
I’ve always avoided fantasy war gaming, (for no real reason), but seeing the models for this and the community. I think I may have to pick up a box set and give it a try.
I like Kings of War its simple and fun to play. I like the elves the best.