Mayhem

The MAYHEM Battle Chest edition contains both the core rules and the STRONGHOLD expansion.

MAYHEM is a 'fantasy mass battle' combat game played on the grand scale. Here generals lead armies of their own creation on the field of battle in search of victory and glory. Not just for wargamers, MAYHEM is perfect for roleplayers looking to integrate a customizable set of mass combat rules into their campaigns and adventures.

Core game features overview:

• custom points based army construction
• uses d4, d6, d8, d10, d12, and d20 dice
• rules for war machines
• sorcery system featuring spells like blink, magic missile, summons, and time stop
• VERSUS game engine [including Deadlocks and Overdrive]
• play at any scale including 6mm, 10mm, 15mm, and 28mm
• players can use armies based for other systems
• no casualty removal
• includes quick reference sheets, army construction worksheet, and General’s Compendium
• official support from popular miniature manufacturers

MAYHEM gives you complete control over building your army from the ground up. After creating core profiles and heroes, you have over 60 options at your disposal that can be used equip and upgrade. These include unit designations, weapons, armor, standards, traits, abilities, and gear.

The VERSUS game engine layers mechanics and interactions in such a way as to provide a truly innovative and unique gaming experience. To begin with, stats in the game are not based on fixed numbers but on die types instead. Anytime that you are called upon to roll dice, you may instead choose to take the default; this is equal to half the value of the die. This choice of risk versus reward is behind every decision in the game.  These die types can be improved in steps depending on which weapons a unit is equipped with and what type of unit it is combating. This system of soft and hard counters means no complicated tables or stat lines are needed, yet it rewards the application of both tactics and strategy.

The game can be played at any scale, and players may use armies already based for other popular mass battle systems. Speaking of basing, there is no individual casualty removal in the game so hobbyists are free to make each unit a mini diorama. And, after you've mastered the basics of battle, the STRONGHOLD expansion awaits!

The STRONGHOLD expansion includes rules for:

• advanced terrain options including the garrisoning, attacking, and burning of structures
• new designations like scout, skirmisher, and heroic skirmisher
• heroes to engage one another in epic challenges
• battle sorcerers that can focus their magical powers to control hulking mechanical constructs or harness the fury of bound behemoths
• new spells, traits, abilities, and gear
• building your own strongholds and keeps including over 15 upgrades to create the ultimate fortress
• siege engines and laying siege to enemy strongholds and keeps
• new scenarios including border keeps and a unique mass battle multiplayer mode
• campaigns and linked games with unit progression, multiple paths to victory, and seasonal weather effects

The expansion has been set-up as a toolbox that will allow you to pick and choose the rules that best fit your group and the gaming experience you're looking for. It also means that the core rules will grow and evolve along with your tactical and strategic abilities.

The download includes the General’s Compendium. This is a living document that gives would-be generals example unit profiles, advice on tactics and army building, and designer’s notes, musings, and meta-game discussions. This document will be updated periodically and be used as a FAQ as needed.

The MAYHEM core rules are found on pages 1-26 with the STRONGHOLD expansion on pages 27-44. The PDF version of the rules are fully bookmarked and searchable.

Have fun storming the castle!

MAYHEM is officially supported by some great partners including Demonworld, Eureka, Litko, Microworld, Pendraken, and Rebel Minis.