• Registered: 2006-01-10
  • Posts: 71

Topic: A question about morale.

Okay a question. I finally read through the Ares book I got awhile back and the only thing that made me say say "YOW!" was the section on morale checks.

A single model makes a morale check every time it takes a wound, yes? And I realize it's per incident of being wounded, not for every point of a wound.

I've yet to play anything but it just seems like the vast majority of models would spend their time being shaken, based on the highest morale rating I noticed in the army lists at a 5.

From anyone that's played a bit, how does this usually play out? Lots of rally actions?

And I know that some game mechanics or concepts are borrowed from historicals or another game the designer might like or something. Is this how this detail came about or did you come up with this one yourself Cricket? I'm not complaining or knockin' it, just curious.

  • Registered: 2005-03-28
  • Posts: 287

Re: A question about morale.

Well, assuming you models pass your checks...

But yes, once the blood starts flowing I remember my figs being shaken a fair bit.

  • Registered: 2005-06-12
  • Posts: 27

Re: A question about morale.

Yes, morale checks in Ares are or can be VERY tough.  However, remember that a shaken unit can still act, just not TWICE, meaning they are by no means out of the fight.  Also, we usually let units of figs get bonuses to individual morale checks based on being hit if there are other unit members nearby, or give them a bonus to rally based on the same thing.

But just remember: shaken is only half the battle.  I've had shaken archers sit back and do just fine at making the enemy keep their heads down.   

You can also be cheap and design one-wound models, so that when they get hit, well, morale is a smaller issue than mopping.

Glad to see someone else out there is playing!

On a general note to the ARES board:  I love the scifi variant that was up on the Yahoo group...but we never played much of it because designing our troopers without the aid of a spreadsheet was a hassle.

Any interest in designing or altering an XLS for longer ranged weapons and/or multishot weapons?

  • Registered: 2022-11-15
  • Posts: 1,286

Re: A question about morale.

I just got to say it...

Defender:  Better shaken than stirred.

Attacker:  Shake...then bake!

*bows* thank you...thank you...I'm here til Tuesday...try the veal!   lol

  • From: Denver, CO
  • Registered: 2005-03-27
  • Posts: 3,578

Re: A question about morale.

tabascojunkie wrote:

I've yet to play anything but it just seems like the vast majority of models would spend their time being shaken, based on the highest morale rating I noticed in the army lists at a 5.

From anyone that's played a bit, how does this usually play out? Lots of rally actions?

It actually doesn't work out to be that intrusive. Several models at any given time will be shaken once the battle has been joined, but it's hardly a "vast majority".

And I know that some game mechanics or concepts are borrowed from historicals or another game the designer might like or something. Is this how this detail came about or did you come up with this one yourself Cricket? I'm not complaining or knockin' it, just curious.

As far as I know, the morale system in ARES is unique. smile

Daniel Kast
Majestic Twelve Games
cricket@mj12games.com

mj12games's Website

  • Registered: 2005-06-12
  • Posts: 27

Re: A question about morale.

One of the email only responses to this thread has confused me a bit.

I've played ARES a good deal, and I was always under the impression that the tests for being wounded but not killed, having fear cast upon you, etc were all taken on the individual model's morale number.  The total unit morale was useful only for tests when a single member of the unit dies and the others have to test, or similar circumstances.

Have I had this wrong the whole time?  If so, it will make a the whole game very different -- large units will be able to surge consistently across the board under fire instead of getting fragmented by individually shaken models, etc.

-Adso

  • From: Denver, CO
  • Registered: 2005-03-27
  • Posts: 3,578

Re: A question about morale.

BrotherAdso wrote:

I've played ARES a good deal, and I was always under the impression that the tests for being wounded but not killed, having fear cast upon you, etc were all taken on the individual model's morale number.  The total unit morale was useful only for tests when a single member of the unit dies and the others have to test, or similar circumstances.

You had it right, in that tests are taken on the figure's morale value; however, you had it wrong in that the figure's morale value is based on the unit as a whole; from the ARES rulebook:

All of the figures in a unit (see Units, below) have the same morale score; this is determined by the sum of the morale ratings of the figures in the unit. For example, a unit made up of 6 foot soldiers with a morale of 1 and a morale 3 knight would have an overall score of 9 (6 x 1 + 3).

So yes, I guess you've been doing it wrong... smile

Daniel Kast
Majestic Twelve Games
cricket@mj12games.com

mj12games's Website

  • Registered: 2006-01-10
  • Posts: 71

Re: A question about morale.

So in your example above, if one model in said unit takes damage then he will only fail his morale check on a 10 or better, right? Even though he himself has a morale of 1 on his card he still takes his check at the current unit rating of 9, right?

If so, that makes a big difference.

Sorry for asking for someone to draw me a picture, I just wanna make sure I've got it right  big_smile

  • From: Denver, CO
  • Registered: 2005-03-27
  • Posts: 3,578

Re: A question about morale.

tabascojunkie wrote:

So in your example above, if one model in said unit takes damage then he will only fail his morale check on a 10 or better, right? Even though he himself has a morale of 1 on his card he still takes his check at the current unit rating of 9, right?

Yes, you are correct.

The idea was that there is confidence in numbers... and that figures with higher morale values can exist in smaller units (and thus give more tactical flexibility).

Daniel Kast
Majestic Twelve Games
cricket@mj12games.com

mj12games's Website

  • Registered: 2006-01-10
  • Posts: 71

Re: A question about morale.

Cool. Then you can officially put Ares as my #2 favorite game I've discovered lately, right under Starmada.

Being a big HERO System fan I like the build-it-yourself set-up.

  • Registered: 2005-06-12
  • Posts: 27

Re: A question about morale.

Wow!  This does indeed make a big difference.

Now if only we had a good points spreadsheet for firearms.... <nudge>

-Adso

  • Registered: 2006-01-10
  • Posts: 71

Re: A question about morale.

Yeah, I was thinking morale checks were at the model's number.

Imagine that game- "okay I'll just plink away at the advancing warriors with my archers and with their morale of 2 they'll all be routed by the time they get anywhere near me."

Yeah it makes a big difference.