Mordheim: Last Warband Standing | Kriegsspiel PvP

Creating your character

No character creation is required. Each player will command one of twelve complete, pre-generated warbands created specifically for Last Warband Standing. Every warband has its own commander, troops, equipment, strengths, weaknesses and tactical character. The forces are deliberately asymmetrical. Most warbands contain five fighters, while others rely on greater numbers or individual power: the Skaven field seven, Goblins and Halflings field nine, the Vampire commands two, and the Ogre enters the city entirely alone. Players will receive their complete warband roster and briefing before the first turn. No Mordheim rulebook, Kriegsspiel rules knowledge or character-building software is required. Players are responsible for command decisions rather than managing game mechanics. Tell the umpire what you want your warband to attempt; the Kriegsspiel system determines what your warriors can see, what happens and what information returns to you. Warband allocation will take place before the campaign begins.

Preparing for the session

No previous experience of Kriegsspiel or Mordheim is required. Before the event begins, players will need to: • Join the Kriegsspiel Studio Discord server using the invitation provided after booking. • Read the short event briefing and Kriegsspiel player guide. • Receive their assigned warband, roster and private command channel. • Familiarise themselves with their fighters, equipment and starting situation. • Be able to check Discord regularly during the campaign and submit decisions/orders when each new turn is announced. The event is asynchronous, so there is no requirement to be online at the same time as the other eleven players. Approximately five turns/sessions will be processed each week. You do not need to buy a rulebook, download a VTT or learn a complicated combat system. Your job is to command your warband and make decisions. The umpire handles the mechanics.

What Pete the Elder brings to the table

I will provide everything required to take command of your warband. Each player receives: • A complete pre-generated warband with individual fighters, equipment and abilities. • A private Discord command channel for communicating with the umpire. • An illustrated starting report describing what your warband can see and knows. • Maps, images and battlefield information when your warriors are in a position to observe them. • Regular turn reports describing movement, encounters, combat, casualties and changes in the environment. • Umpire adjudication of movement, combat, visibility, uncertainty and interaction with other warbands. • A short Kriegsspiel guide explaining everything you need to know to play. Last Warband Standing is built around imperfect information. You will not have a god's-eye view of the battlefield. You know what your warriors know. Enemy warbands may move beyond your sight, sounds may warn you of something nearby, and what appears to be an empty street may not remain empty for long. The city itself is also an enemy. As the campaign progresses, fire advances from the outer districts and steadily reduces the playable area, driving the surviving warbands towards one another. My role is not simply to apply a set of visible rules. I act as the umpire and eyes of the battlefield, translating your decisions into events and giving you the information your commander would realistically possess. You are in command. Not in control.

Homebrew rules

This game uses Kriegsspiel Studio's umpire-led rules rather than the standard published Mordheim rules. Players do not need to calculate modifiers, measure movement, roll combat dice or consult rulebooks. Instead, you describe what you want your warband to do and the umpire resolves the outcome according to the situation, your fighters' capabilities, terrain, visibility, opposition and chance. Key principles include: • Imperfect information — you only receive information your warband could reasonably know. • Simultaneous action — all twelve warbands are operating within the same evolving battlefield rather than waiting for everyone else to complete conventional tabletop turns. • Umpire adjudication — uncertain situations are resolved behind the scenes. • Fog of war — enemy location, strength and intentions may be unknown. • Progressive fire zone — the burning city steadily closes in, preventing permanent hiding and eventually forcing the surviving warbands together. • Permanent consequences — casualties matter. There are no convenient respawns. • One victory condition — be the Last Warband Standing. The rules are intentionally easy for players to interact with. You concentrate on decisions; the umpire deals with the mechanics.

How Pete the Elder creates a safe table

Last Warband Standing is a competitive PvP game, but competition between warbands must never become hostility between players. Before play begins, I will establish clear expectations for respectful communication, good sportsmanship and the distinction between in-game rivalry and out-of-game behaviour. Players may contact me privately at any time if something in the game is making them uncomfortable. Because the campaign is run asynchronously through Discord, concerns can be raised privately without interrupting or drawing attention from the wider group. We will use Lines and Veils before play to identify material players do not want included or would prefer to remain off-screen. I also use an Open Door policy: players may step away, pause their participation or contact me privately without having to justify themselves. The game contains combat, casualties and player-versus-player conflict, and a warband may be eliminated from the event. These are expected parts of the game and will be made clear before players join. At the conclusion of the event I will provide an opportunity for debriefing and feedback, particularly because this is an introductory Kriegsspiel event and I want players to feel comfortable discussing both what they enjoyed and anything that could be improved. Harassment, personal attacks, discriminatory behaviour or attempts to turn in-game conflict into out-of-game conflict will not be tolerated.