Tournament Booklet

Version 1 - November 2023

Version 1 - November 2023

 Saga Tournament Booklet
The purpose of this document is to provide you with the essential information you
need to set up a Saga tournament, as well as to propose 5 scenarios specifically
designed for such events.

It is by no means a definitive guide to setting We ask each player to fill in 2 warband rosters,
up tournaments, but a set of principles that we provided in the appendix. They will then have
use for our own competitions. Each organizer a copy to provide to their opponent.
is free to use it, be inspired by it, modify it or
Equipment options do not need to be
ignore it. We’re too lazy to scrutinize other
indicated. They can be freely chosen when
people’s tournaments, and we’re well aware
the warband is deployed. For Age of Magic, we
of the pitfalls that such a generic guide like
ask the players to choose their spells before
this falls into.
the tournament and indicate them in their
Please feel free to share your experience and roster.
comment on this document. The best place
We don’t allow legendary units in our
to do so is on the Saga Facebook groups,
tournaments, but we sometimes allow players
which we consult regularly.
from the Age of Magic to take advantage
There is no «right» or «wrong» way to of legendary warbands. But you can have a
organize a Saga tournament. After all, the different opinion, and it shouldn’t spoil the
point of such events is to meet new drinking fun either way.
buddies, right?
Rounds and organization
Factions and universes Depending on whether your event takes place
We generally recommend restricting the over one or two days, the organization may
universes of your tournaments. We ourselves vary. We recommend 3 games for one-day
divide the ages into broad categories that we events and 5 games if you have two days.
consider offer balanced and interesting games:
For a one-day event, it’s easiest to set up a
Ancient Ages: all factions from the Age of Swiss round.
Hannibal, the Age of Alexander and the Age
For two-day events, we generally run a Swiss
of the Caesars.
round for the first 4 games.
The Dark Ages: all factions from the Age of
At the end of the 4th round, players will be
Vikings and the Age of Invasions.
ranked according to the number of victories
Medieval Ages: all factions from the Age of and then the number of points they acquired
the Crusades and the Age of Chivalry. during their matches, and this will determine
the pairing for the 5th round. In the event
Fantasy Ages: all factions from the Age of
of a tie between two players, Resistance
Magic.
will be used with the player with the higher
Warbands Resistance being ranked ahead of players
with the same number of match points but
The organizer will decide on the budget for lower Resistance. Resistance is the sum of
bands. We recommend 6 or 8 points, bearing the tournament points of the 4 opponents he
in mind that 8-point games are significantly faced during the tournament.
longer than 6-point games. The final ranking will be based solely on this
We only ask players to provide a list of last game: the first two players will play off
how their points has been spent, but for 1st and 2nd place, the third and fourth
in the form of numbers of miniatures. players will play off for 3rd and 4th place, etc...
For example: «One Warlord, 8 Guards, 24 This avoids partially the ladder effects
Warriors and 12 Levies». In some cases, inherent in the Swiss round system.
with particular troops, such as ancient
chariots, or unit upgrades (such
as Viking Berserkers) that are
not equipment options, this
information should appear:
«One Warlord, 2 Elephants, 4 Light
chariots, 16 Warriors, 12 Levies».

Version 1 - November 2023 Version 1 - Novembre 2023

Tournament points TOURNAMENT SURVIVAL TOOKIT
OF THE PERFECT SAGA PLAYER
We use a tournament points system for matching. At the
Here’s what we ask each player to have with them during
end of each game, players consult the following table
the tournament:
to determine how many tournament points they’ve
won. The player with the most victory points deducts • Miniatures
his opponent’s victory points from his total to determine • Dice (Saga and D6)
how many points each player has won. • rulers
• Battle board
Difference in points Winner Loser • Rules and universe book
+0 • 3 objective markers (see below)
(first player is considered 10.5 10 • Pen
the winner) • Two copies of its warband roster
+1 à +3 11 9 • Terrain pieces
+4-+6 12 8
+7 à +10 13 7 Scenery and objective markers
+11 à +15 14 6 The scenarios use the scenery items described in the
+16 à +20 15 5 «Clash of Warlords» scenario scenery table in the rule
book. Each player will need a minimum of 3 small terrain
+21 à +25 16 4
elements and one large one. One or two more won’t hurt.
+26 à +30 17 3
Scenarios use objective markers. These are counters
+31 à +35 18 2 or round markers 3 or 4cm in diameter, subject to the
+36 or more 19 1 following rules:
• These markers cannot be moved, teleported or affected
by anything produced by the players’ disturbed minds.
Code of conduct They are placed as indicated by the scenario, will not
move and serve only to mark a point on the table.
A tournament should be a time for socializing. Despite • They are not miniatures: they do not block movement
being a competition, we expect players to behave like or impede movement, and a figure can be placed
gentlemen, and the fun and pleasure of meeting new directly on them.
opponents should be more important than winning your
game. At the end of the day, it’s all about passionate • When you need to measure a distance from an objective
adults playing with toy soldiers while throwing buckets marker, you measure from the perimeter of that marker.
of dice! Don’t forget that! So, if some players are taking Terrain items edployment is specified for each scenario.
the game a little too seriously, take them for a walk to In addition to the constraints imposed by the scenario,
the bar, let them have a drink and come back to the the following constraints always apply:
gaming table relaxed. Any inappropriate behavior should • No terrain element can ever be placed at S of an
be punished. objective marker.
There will most likely be tournament judges at your • No terrain element can ever be placed at S of another
event, who will act as referees for rules issues. Their terrain item.
judgments and rulings are final. And to be clear, Studio • If a terrain element cannot be placed, it is lost.
Tomahawk’s position is as follows:
«Referees and tournament organizers may make
mistakes, may have the wrong interpretation, as they are Extra-scenery items
likely to be tired after a day or two of play, and we hope they Some units or special rules allow for additional scenery,
will drink their fair share of beers during the event. But, notably in the Age of Magic, with special terrains. We
the golden rule during every tournament will be «Shut allow their use during the tournament, but they are
up, it’s magic». So, if after discussion and consultation, a placed after the terrain dictated by the scenario has been
judge rules and says that the Macedonians are shooting set up, starting with the first player’s terrain. Special and
fireballs out of all their orifices, the only question a player additional terrain cannot be placed at Sof a terrain item
is allowed to ask is, «What’s the range, sir?» or objective marker. If they cannot be placed, they are
This statement is law. Tournament organizers are simply lost.
devoted fans of the game, dear to our heart, and they
should be congratulated and respected rahter than
upset by some behaviours. No more Saga Dice, lad?
Should a warband start its turn without generating any
Saga die, the game ends immediately. This warband’s
player scores 1 point and his opponent scores 19.

Version 1 - November 2023

 Clash of warbands

SET-UP GAME START AND DURATION

Each player rolls a die, and the highest result chooses The game begins with the first player’s turn.
whether to be first or second player.
Before the first player begins his first order phase, the
Starting with the first player, each player selects a second player rolls a number of Saga dice equal to half
terrain element from the Clash Of Warlord universal the budget of the warbands (e.g. 3 dice in a 6-points
terrain table. Each player must choose either one «large» game, 4 in a 8-points game, etc…) and place them on
terrain element, or 3 «small» ones, and stops once they his battleboard.
have selected their elements.
After each player has played 5 full turns, the first player
The number of terrain elements of the same type cannot rolls a die. On a result of 4 or more, each player plays a
exceed the maximum indicated by the terrain table, so 6th and final round. Otherwise, the game ends.
each player may see his choices reduced as the elements
are selected. DETERMINING THE WINNER
Once the terrain elements have been selected, again At the end of the game, all units with at least one model
starting with the first player and alternating, each player within M of the table edge of the player to whom they
places one of his terrain elements on the table, with the belong are eliminated.
following restrictions:
Then each player counts the Slaughter points of the
1. T
 errain elements placed by a player must be at least eliminated enemy miniatures, according to the «Clash of
partially in his or her table half. Warlords» scenario in the Saga rulebook (2022 edition).
 o terrain element may be placed within M from
2. N See the victory table in the introduction to this document
another terrain element. to determine the tournament points earned by each
3. N
 o terrain element offering hard cover may be placed player.
within L of a player’s table edge.
Once the elements have been placed, each player,
starting with the first player may move a single terrain
element up to M. His final position may not cause him to
violate rules 2) and 3) above (but it is possible to move a
terrain element so that it is outside the table half of the
player who placed it).

DEPLOYMENT
Starting with the first player, each player deploys a unit
in turn, entirely within L of his own table edge. Once a
player has deployed all his units, each time his opponent
deploys a unit, he may roll a Saga die and place it on his
battle board.

Version 1 - November 2023

 Capture

M L+M M

MISE EN PLACE After each player has played 6 full turns, the victory
points are counted to decide the winner.
Each player rolls a die, and the highest result chooses
whether to be first or second player.
CAPTURING AN OBJECTIVE
We place 3 objective markers on the center line of the
table, as shown in the following diagram: From his second turn onward, a player may capture
objectives.
The table is divided into four equal quarters as shown in
During his activation phase, a player may declare the
the diagram.
capture of an objective if :
• t he first player places a small or large piece of terrain in
• One of his non-exhausted units generating 1 SAGA
the quarter table to the right of his table edge,
dice within VS of an objective.
• t he second player places a small or large piece of terrain AND
in the quarter table to the left of his table edge.
• No non-exhausted enemy unit generating 1 SAGA dice
•O
 nce both players have placed their terrain elements, is within VS of the objective.
each player, starting with the first, places a small terrain
Indicate the capture of an objective with a marker of
element in the table quarter diagonally opposite the
your choice. This marker remains with the player even
one in which he placed his element. Elements placed in
if the conditions no longer apply, or until an enemy unit
this way follow the same constraints as above.
claims the objective.
The elements selected must be taken from the tournament
Note that a unit can only claim the capture of an objective
terrain table of the Clash of Warlord scenario.
during its player’s activation phase and NEVER during an
Rough or dangerous terrain elements must be placed in enemy turn. It can claim capture at any time, after or before
their entirety more than C from any table edge and more the resolution of an activation, but not during it (i.e., it
than M from the middle line of the battlefield. is not possible to pass within VS of an objective, claim it
during the move and finish the move further away).
DEPLOYMENT
DETERMINING THE WINNER
The first player must deploy half his entire warband,
entirely within L on his own edge of the table. His From the 3rd round onwards, at the end of a player’s turn, his
opponent then deploys his entire warband. Finally, the opponent scores victory points for the objectives he claims:
first player deploys the rest of his units.
• 3 points if he claims 1 objective.
• 6 points if he claims 2 objectives.
GAME START AND DURATION • 12 points if he claims 3 objectives.
The game begins with the first player’s turn. It’s a good idea to keep a clear record of the victory points
Before the first player begins his first order phase, the scored by both players (we recommend that each player
second player rolls a number of Saga dice equal to half the keep a record for himself and his opponent).
budget of the warbands (e.g. 3 dice in a 6-points game, 4 in Then consult the victory table in the introduction to this
a 8-points game, etc…) and place them on his battleboard. document to determine the tournament points earned
by each player.
Version 1 - November 2023
 Conquest

L L L L

SET-UP GAME START AND DURATION

Each player rolls a die, and the highest result chooses The game begins with the first player’s turn.
whether to be first or second player.
Before the first player begins his first order phase, the
We place 3 objective markers on the center line of the second player rolls a number of Saga dice equal to half
table, as shown in the following diagram: the budget of the warbands (e.g. 3 dice in a 6-points
game, 4 in a 8-points game, etc…) and place them on
The second player chooses a terrain element and gives it
his battleboard.
to his opponent who must place it in the second player’s
half of the table, more than S away from any edge of the After each player has played 6 full turns, the winner is
table and the middle line. determined.
The first player then chooses a piece of terrain and gives
it to the second player. The latter must place it in the CONQUEST
first player’s half of the table, more than S away from any At the end of each turn, with the exception of the 1st and
table edge and the middle line. 6th, each player scores 1 Slaughter point for each of his
This process is repeated a second time. The second units that meets these three constraints:
element a player places must be more than L away from  he unit is within S of at least one objective marker.
•T
the first element he placed.
• I t generates 1 SAGA dice
The terrain elements selected must be taken from terrain
table of the «Clash of the Warlords», and the number of •T
 he unit is not exhausted or made up of mercenaries.
terrain elements of the same type may not exceed the A clear record should be kept of victory points scored
maximum indicated by the terrain table. by both players (we recommend that each player keep a
At the end of the terrain placement, the table will offer record for himself and his opponent).
4 terrain elements, two in each table half (and the two
elements in the same table half will be separated by at DETERMINING THE WINNER
least L).
Each player counts the slaughter points of eliminated
Once both players have placed their terrain elements, enemy miniatures, according to the «Clash of the
each player, starting with the first player, may move one Warlords» scenario in the Saga rulebook, and adds
of the terrain elements his half of the table up to M. He the victory points accumulated during the game for
may not place it within S of the battlefield centerline, but conquering objectives.
the other restrictions indicated above do not apply.
See the victory table in the introduction to this document
to determine the tournament points earned by each
DEPLOYMENT player.
The first player deploys half his units entirely within L
on his own table edge. His opponent then deploys his
entire warband, and finally, the first player deploys his
remaining units.
Version 1 - November 2023
 Advance
M

M+S M M+S
L+L

M+S M+S
C

Each player rolls a die, and the highest result chooses DETERMINING THE WINNER
whether to be first or second player. Start by placing 5
At the end of each of his turns, starting with his 2nd turn,
objective markers on the table, as shown in the following
each player scores victory points for the objectives he
diagram:
controls.
Starting with the first player, each player selects 1 or 2
To control an objective, the player must have a non-
small terrain elements and places them on the table, in
mercenary, non-exhausted unit generating 1 SAGA dice
their own half of the table, more than S away from any
within VS from that objective, and no non-mercenary,
objective marker.
non-exhausted enemy unit generating 1 SAGA dice
The number of terrain elements of the same type cannot within S of that objective marker.
exceed the maximum indicated by the terrain table, so
Victory points are as follows:
the second player will potentially be restricted in his
choices by the first player’s choices. • Objective marker placed in its table half: 2 points
• Center objective marker: 3 points
DEPLOYMENT • Objective marker placed in the opponent’s half of the
table: 6 points
The first player deploys as many units as desired in the
blue area of his table edge. His opponent then deploys A clear record should be kept of the victory points scored
as many units as desired in the blue zone of his own table by both players (we recommend that each player keep
edge. this record for himself and his opponent).

The first player deploys the rest of his units in the orange At the end of the game, the points accumulated by each
zone, then his opponent does the same with the rest of player are his or her victory points.
his units in his own orange zone. Consult the victory table in the introduction to this
document to determine the tournament points earned
GAME START AND DURATION by each player.
The game begins with the first player’s turn.
Before the first player begins his first order phase, the
second player rolls a number of Saga dice equal to half
the budget of the warbands (e.g. 3 dice in a 6-points
game, 4 in a 8-points game, etc…) and place them on
his battleboard.
After each player has played 5 full turns, the first player
rolls a die. On a result of 4 or more, each player plays a 6th
and final round. Otherwise, the game ends.

Version 1 - November 2023

 DESACRALIZATION

SETTING UP SPECIAL RULES

Each player rolls a die, and the highest result chooses One of the aims of this scenario is to desecrate the
whether to be first or second player. opponent’s objective markers. Starting with the 2nd turn
of a player, that player can attempt to desacrate markers.
Starting with the second player and alternating between
the two players, each player chooses 2 terrain pieces Opposing objective markers can be charged as if they
from the «Clash of the Warords» scenario terrain table. were enemy units. Melee is resolved normally, with the
Each player may choose only one «large» terrain piece. following special rules:
The number of terrain pieces of the same type may not
• The Objective marker has an armor of 5 in melee.
exceed the maximum indicated by the terrain table of
the Clash of Warlord scenario of the rulebook. • No advanced Saga ability can be triggered.
Starting this time with the first player and alternating, • The opponent can exploit the attacking unit’s fatigue
players place their terrain elements with the following to increase the marker’s armor.
restrictions. assigned to the players (the long table
• The marker always rolls a number of defense dice equal
edges).
to twice the number of hits obtained by the attacker. It
• Large terrain pieces must be placed with part of the will cancel a hit for every 5 or more obtained, and will
terrain in contact with a table edge. be destroyed if at least one casualty is inflicted.
• At least one of each player’s «small» terrain piece must • The attacker suffers no fatigue at the end of this melee.
be more than L away from the table edges
• All units of the player to which the marker belongs and
• No terrain feature may be placed within M from another which are within S of a destroyed marker suffer fatigue,
terrain piece. as if it were a friendly unit.
After setting up the scenery, each player takes 3 objective • If the marker is not destroyed, the attacker must
markers. Starting with the second player, players alternate disengage.
objective marker placement until each player has placed
• If the objective is not destroyed, note that you have
all 3 markers, with the following restrictions.
carried out an unsuccessful attack on an objective. Each
• All markers must be more than M from the side table objective can only be awarded one such marker per turn.
edges.
• The first marker placed must be more than M from its END OF GAME
owner’s table edge. After each player has played 5 rounds, both players roll a
• The second marker must be more than L from its die. On a result of 7 or more on the sum of the dice, each
owner’s table edge. player plays a 6th and final round.

• The last marker must be more than L+S

S from its owner’s At the end of the game, each player totals the Slaughter
table edge. points they have earned for enemy figures eliminated.

No markers may be placed in difficult or dangerous However, this total is capped according to the number of
terrain. enemy objective markers still on the table.

Remaining enemy Max number of Slaughter

DEPLOYMENT AND START OF THE GAME objectives points
The first player deploys at least half his units between M 3 10
and L on his table edge. 2 16
Next, his opponent deploys his entire warband, between 1 24
M and L of his own table edge.
0 Aucun
Finally, the first player deploys the remainder of his
The cap is increased by 1 for each unsuccessful attack
warband, between M and L of his table edge.
scored during the game.
The first player starts the game. He may not trigger any
See the victory table in the introduction to this document
advanced Saga abilities during this first turn.
to determine the tournament points earned by each
player.

Version 1 - November 2023