Chaos Marauders
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Chaos Marauders | |
|---|---|
| Designer | Stephen Hand |
| Illustrator | John Blanche |
| Publisher | Games Workshop |
| Players | 2–4 |
| Age range | 10+ |
| Setup time | 1–5 minutes |
| Playing time | 0.5 hours |
| Random chance | Medium (Cube of Devastation, card drawing, luck) |
| Skills required | Dice rolling Counting Social skills Reactions |
| BoardGameGeek entry | |
Chaos Marauders is a card-based boardgame for 2-4 players designed by Stephen Hand, illustrated by John Blanche and was published by Games Workshop in 1987.
Contents |
[edit] Overview
The aim of the game is to create "battle lines" of orcs and a motley assortment of creatures from the Warhammer universe, including skaven (including the formidable Horned Rat Standard), goblins, hobgoblins, crummy snotlings slaves, an Orc War Wyvern and the eponymous Chaos Marauders. Once a line is complete, it can then 'attack' an incomplete battle-line of the opponent - the success of which is determined by rolling the awesome "Cube of Devastation" - a six sided dice with 5 sides emblazoned with an orcish eye, and one, with the Mark of Chaos.
Some of the cards have special abilities, or act as random events (such as Udlug Spleenripper, an ogre who might eat all your troop cards).
[edit] Critical Response
The game was enthusiastically received at the 1987 Games Day, with an over-booked tournament, and improptu games being set up around the official event.[1] A number of 'expansion kits' were planned, potentially featuring other armies and races from the Warhammer universe,[2] but none were produced.
[edit] Controversy
Whilst the game is credited to Stephen Hand, it bears a strong resemblance to the German board game Ogallala [2], designed by Rudi Hoffmann, where the player collects North American Indians and other characters in canoes, with front and back ends replacing the regimental standard and musicians. This similarity lead to accusations of plagurism being waged against Games Workshop in the gaming small-press and German media, leading to the subsequent withdawl of the game from Games Workshops roster.[3]
[edit] Collectability
Examples of Chaos Marauders in a good condition have fetched up to £25 ($50) on Ebay, it's limited run, fun-factor, and artwork making it a very collectable piece.
