Saga

Overview

Saga is a tabletop miniatures skirmish game set in the Dark Ages of Northern Europe, focusing on small warband battles between Viking-era factions. Published by Studio Tomahawk, the game uses a unique SAGA dice and battle board system where players roll faction-specific dice and assign them to activate abilities on their battle board. Games involve small forces of 30-40 miniatures, with battles revolving around tactical maneuvering, leveraging faction abilities, and overwhelming the enemy through clever use of dice and special powers.

Components

• Miniature figures (various infantry, cavalry, and hero types)
• Faction-specific battle boards (one per faction)
• SAGA dice (custom dice with faction-specific symbols)
• Measuring sticks (S, M, L distances)
• Terrain pieces
• Fatigue tokens
• Casualty markers
• Scenario cards or booklet
• Reference sheets

Setup

Each player selects a faction and builds a warband of 6 points. Units are split into three tiers: Levies, Warriors, and Hearthguard. Each point buys a unit of 4-12 models depending on quality. The Warlord (faction leader) is free. Set up terrain according to the scenario rules. Deploy forces in deployment zones as specified.

Turn Structure

Players alternate turns. Each turn follows this sequence:

1. Orders Phase: Roll your SAGA dice. Assign dice to your faction battle board slots. Each slot requires specific die face symbols and grants specific abilities.
2. Activation Phase: Use placed SAGA dice to activate units for movement, shooting, melee, or special abilities. Remove dice as they are used.
3. End Phase: Remove expired effects and prepare for the opponent’s turn.

Actions

Movement

• Spend a SAGA die to activate a unit for movement.
• Movement distances: Infantry move M (6”), Cavalry move L (12”).
• Units cannot move through enemy units.
• Moving into contact with an enemy unit initiates melee.

Shooting

• Spend a SAGA die to activate a unit with ranged weapons.
• Range depends on weapon type (javelins: S, bows: M/L).
• Roll attack dice equal to shooting models. Defender rolls defense dice.

Melee

• When units are in contact, both sides fight.
• Roll attack dice based on unit size and quality. Defender rolls defense dice.
• Remove casualties. Losing side may be pushed back or destroyed.

Battle Board Abilities

• Each faction has unique abilities on their battle board.
• Abilities range from combat bonuses to movement tricks to defensive reactions.
• Some abilities trigger during the opponent’s turn (Reaction abilities).

Rest

• Units accumulate Fatigue from combat and abilities.
• A unit may Rest to remove Fatigue tokens.
• An opponent may spend your Fatigue against you (reducing your armor or movement).

Scoring / Victory Conditions

Victory conditions depend on the scenario:

• Elimination: Destroy or rout the opposing warband.
• Objective-based: Control key terrain features, protect VIPs, or raid enemy assets.
• Slaughter Victory Points: Each eliminated model earns VP. The player with the most VP at game end wins.

Most games last 6-7 turns or until one side is effectively eliminated.

Special Rules & Edge Cases

• Fatigue System: Units gain Fatigue from fighting, moving multiple times, or ability effects. Fatigued units fight less effectively, and opponents can exploit your Fatigue to weaken your units.
• Warlord Rules: The Warlord is a powerful leader who generates bonus SAGA dice. If your Warlord dies, you lose dice generation and may lose the game.
• Unit Quality: Hearthguard are elite (better attack/defense but fewer models), Warriors are balanced, Levies are numerous but weak.
• Terrain Effects: Rough terrain slows movement and may provide defensive bonuses.
• Faction Diversity: Each faction plays very differently due to unique battle boards (e.g., Vikings are aggressive, Anglo-Saxons are defensive).
• Mounted vs. Foot: Cavalry move faster but may be restricted in certain terrain.

Player Reference

Unit Type	Models per Point	Quality
Hearthguard	4	Elite
Warriors	8	Standard
Levies	12	Militia

Distance	Measurement
S (Short)	4”
M (Medium)	6”
L (Long)	12”

Turn: Roll SAGA dice, assign to battle board, activate units, resolve combat.