BIG Ruckus IV

 

Bristol Independent Wargaming an excellent venue for a tourney!

A splendid day was had by all at the latest BIG Ruckus, which was notable for its cosmopolitan air.  We had players from all over the place, Telford, Tewkesbury, Poole, Swindon, Bath even that there London (I didn’t ask which bit), I think it’s fantastic that folk are prepared to travel to play my game. I felt flattered and a teeny bit humbled.

The Retinues were also well travelled. As well as the usual WotR standard Ruckus bands we had two Spanish Retinues, Irish, Robin Hood and his Merry Men, Fighting Monks, the Big Bad Barons Men and even Blackadder and company.

Unfortunately, two players couldn’t make it, I hope you are both feeling better now, which meant that I had to take a place myself, which meant that I had a great day of fun, but was unable to circulate answering questions and taking pics. Fortunately, Ruckus players are quite able to look after themselves and there were very few questions for me to answer, in fact, if I had just been in the TO role I would have soon become bored! I did forget to take pics of the various Retinues though…d’oh! and the obligatory group photo...

The BIG Bad Baron and Henchmen

I fielded the Big Bad Barons Retinue and had a great day of Ruckus!  My first fight was against the Irish of Thomas Johnston, an excellent game, a real nail biter, which I lost quite decisively in the end. Thomas is a Ruckus newbie, but he has a firm grasp of the game play and took an early lead in the tourney…the Irish are my favourite Retinue and he used them very well.

The Baron became an early target for pesky Kerns who took it in turns to run up, hurl a  javelin or charge into melee. The Baron took an early Wound from this behaviour but took out three Kerns who charged him...

...he then dealt a killer blow to the Chief of Kerns

However in the centre field Tom's Captain, Stanley was taking out my squires...

...one at a time...

...before winning the final duel 

The Irish are an excellent attacking Retinue and Tom played to their strengths, a well deserved victor

The first game of the day is always Ruckus staple "Get Orf Moi Laaand!" but the two games after lunch, a very fine BIG lunch, can be one of several different scenarios

 Urban Brawl, an encounter game where the Retinues meet with all kinds of adventures i the buildings

  A more rural version of the same

The nearer board was the setting for "Fog of War" a devilish game of being lost and seperated...everyone expressed their displeasure at this scenario which makes me think its a keeper

"Take the Bridge" a deadly meeting engagement with one goal

 "A River runs through it" a game of ambushes and Outlaws

pic Flasheart is ambushed by a drunk Man at Arms in the Smithy in Urban Brawl

Next, I played the very affable Pete O’Loughlin who brought Blackadder to the table. Pete had sent me his idea for this Retinue a month or two ago and we agreed a set of rules for them, they are very flavourful and have positive and negative traits to reflect the roles of the various characters on screen. I particularly like the idea of Baldrick carrying an arrow with his name on it in the belief that if he owns the arrow with his name on it, he can’t be shot by it! This was a very close game that we had to call a draw in the end as we were the only two still playing and I had to admin the other games results.

My final game of the day was against the ever cheerful Chris Foster and his band of Merry Men which I won somehow! This was fun game of ambushes by Peasants and featured the glorious sight of Robin Hood running away from an enraged mob of the Poor that he is supposed to help!

Another Ambush!

I scored very highly in my first game, thanks to the Baron, and so after three games found myself in the lead and the potentially embarrassing position of winning my own Tourney. Luckily, I was pipped at the post, and the eventual winners beat me by a clear three points. Note to self…if this circumstance should arise again, play as a place holder and do not score your own results…

Marcus Lane and Richard Fox tied for first place, Richard gallantly decide that Marcus should take the main prize as Marcus had beaten Richard in their game. both players of course, recieved prizes.

In what was a close fought contest, Lloyd Lewis won the prize for the best painted Retinue for his gorgeous Spanish Retinue, I wish I had a pic to post

Peter O’Loughlin quite rightly win a prize for the most unusual Retinue

Lloyd Lewis bore away the “Most Supportive Player” award.

Best of all I made some new friends and had fun with old mates, all had a great day, and I personally cannot wait for the next one!

BIG Ruckus V will be held at Bristol Independent Gaming onSunday 23rd November 2025