The Warfare of Barsoom in Miniature

Tactical Studies Rules also publishes this miniatures rules booklet by Gary Gygax and Brian Blume for a "period" that lies along the border between fantasy and science fiction: Edgar Rice Burroughs's BARSOOM. It is a 5 1/2" x 8" booklet with 56 pages, plus covers, of TSR's usual high quality, and very nicely and thoroughly illustrated by Greg Bell. Somebody, I know, is making Barsoom figures, but I don't know who. I saw some at the Command Post in San Diego (see above).

Never having read any of the Barsoom books I am unable to comment on the "authenticity" or "realism" of the rules. I can say, however, that they are quite thorough. To quote from the Introduction,

"These rules are designed to fit multiple levels of play, either separately or in combination with each other. Thus, it is possible to use these rules to fight large-scale actions between opposing armies, including aerial combat, to concern play with individual figures only - again including aerial combat, to include a referee and stage campaigns, or to do the same but instead of campaigns to use the referee to set up the scenario for individual adventures! In fact, all of the above can be combined into a complex campaign game with many participants ... What has been provided is a multi-purpose set of guidelines for whatever ube is most desirable to those who employ them... (but) Generally speaking the parts of the rules are not inerdependent." Land warfare is covered in two separate scales: For small actions, where each minature figure represents only one man/creature a ground scale of 1" = 6 feet and time scale of 1 turn = 10 seconds are used. For major battles 1 figure = 50 men, the ground scale is 1" = 10 yards and the tine scale is 1 turn = 1 minute. Either scale can use a split alternate move system as in FAST RULES, or, with the 1:50 scale written orders can be used, and executed simultaneously.

Combat is very similar to CHAINMAIL, but of course with provisions for the special weapons and types of units of Barsoom. The "Individual Adventures" rules are along the lines of DUNGEONS & DRAGONS but somewhat simpler.

Basically the players set out in hopes of gaining in status by gaining experience in combat with men or animals, rescuing,prisoners, andacquiring treasure. Aerial warfare uses a scale of 1" = 1,000 yards and 1 turn = 1 minute.

There are provisions for air-to-ground combat and ground-to-air fire, also. There is also a section of "Notes on Personality figures, Barsoomian races and animals." If you are a John Carter fan by all means don't miss this one! If not. but you dig fantasy miniatures or D&D and want to expand your horizons a bit, pick up on this and a few ERB paperbacks - I plan to. Meanwhile I'll try to get information on the figures by next time. WARRIORS OF MARS sells for $5.00 and is available from PANZERFAUST.

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