Welcome to Rogue Hammer Strike Leader!
Based on the Rogue Hammer game system and “oldhammer” gaming, Strike Leader takes the action down to the individual soldier.
The rules use the familiar 2D6 bell curve, but where Rogue Hammer used units as a single entity, in Strike Leader a squad consists of 3-6 figures that can each move and fire individually, with detailed weapons.
Tactical options revolve around Command Points. As a squad activates, the squad leader generates command points which can be used for a range of options, like bolstering firing, setting overwatch or conducting covering fire to pin down enemy figures.
Your army captain has a similar resource, allowing them to rally up troopers and grant bonus movement.
Instead of strict cohesion rules, each army has its own rules for command and control: Orcs for example are likely to go pick a fight on their own if they stray too far from the Squad Leader, while the elite Star Knights are only cut off from receiving Command Points if they stray beyond the control distance.
If you are already a Rogue Hammer player, Strike Leader allows you to get personal as troopers are Shocked or Stunned by weapons fire, following fire weapons bang out salvos of gunfire and trooper Jenkins provides covering fire, while the rest of the squad engages in hand to hand combat. You will be able to use the same units you have already collected and painted.
If you are an Oldhammer player, Strike Leader offers a great tactical experience that plays quickly despite having loads of finesse. Unit and weapon profiles are easy to learn and easily fit on index cards and you can mix your original armies with new figures that you like. Of course the Roguehammer universe is not limited to just oldhammer armies either.
If you come from another similar game, like OPR, then Strike Leader offers a different approach to the same style of gaming: Focusing on more detailed encounters between smaller forces, allowing you to experience the full range of tactical futuristic warfare.
Rogue Hammer Strike Leader also comes with new fluff text for the armies (1 page for each of the 5 starter armies, plus a page each introducing the rogue universe and the embattled world of Last Hope) which is original to this game.
A typical starter army might be 2 squads and a character, so you can get started easily. Most importantly, unit sizes are the same as in Rogue Hammer so you can use troops you already have!
The rules are usable with both “oldhammer” figures as well as any other figures you like out there. Also plays very well in 15mm. Since squads are 6 figures or less, a single box of 28mm figures or bag of 15mm figures can often provide multiple units for your game.
When you purchase, you get the game rules covering infantry and vehicle battles, psionics and a standard game scenario along with a “first taste” of the armies, covering 5 iconic forces (Star Knights, Imperial Legion, Space Orcs, Space Elves and Crawler Hordes). Each force comes with a few units and characters and a vehicle (where appropriate). Units can be customised with upgrades as well.
More importantly, as with Rogue Hammer, the rules will be updated over time. The aim is to eventually include all 23 Rogue Hammer army lists and all of the units on a roughly weekly basis. Since this is well over 400 units, it will be an exciting trip!
While we hope to release scenario packs and other new content, rules updates will be free to obtain.
As with Rogue Hammer, the rules will be adjusted based on player feedback to help make them as fun and cool as possible. So as you play, if you have any feedback at all, please get in touch as it will be taken into account. That’s the thing with Nordic Weasel Games: Our games are very close to the audience and everything we do has the mark of players who have provided feedback and suggestions. You have a chance to get involved and be heard.
Also included are a tease for the upcoming “Patrol Mode” which will allow solo and cooperative play where the enemy is represented by Blips. Hardcore fans have already seen a preview of how this mode functions.