The Sword and the Flame (TSATF) Terrain Effects Deck

This latest Game Deck adds a new layer of challenge—and opportunity!—to your table top actions with either of these classic rules sets.

Instead of one rule to describe the effects of all terrain on movement, cover, and visibility, now with the flip of a card even more excitement and suspense enters the game.

Since when in foreign lands, often tropical, is every stretch of jungle, or hill side, desert, swamp, track, etc, identical in difficulty to cross, or see into, or through, or provide the same cover from fire? And why does every creek, stream, or even river have the same conveniently firm bottom that makes crossing speed predictable?

The Variable Terrain Effects Deck now gives players the hope that a given area of terrain might be easier to march through—but also the risk that it’s tougher than it looks!

More than ever, the use of Scouts to recon the ground ahead takes on new importance–not merely to spot the enemy, but to make sure of the ground you might meet him on.

And life for the Games Masters who host tabletop games definitely gets easier. Now they can layout such trees, hills, and other miniature terrain features as they have without having to suggest just how “thick” the forest is, or any other hints suggesting the degree of difficulty.

When first entering a terrain feature, the British/Imperial Player will draw an appropriate terrain card type–forest/jungle, one of three types of water hazards, swamps, sand/beach, rough ground, or track—and read its effects, from a walk in the park to practically impassable. A simple printed marker (provided for all types) with the number of the card drawn and the terrain type is placed at the entry point for future reference, and it’s as easy as that!

There are 48 individual Terrain Effects Cards, six each of the 8 types, plus 14 cards on which are printed 6 numbered markers with the names of the terrain types on the opposite sides, plus 1 card with instructions for use. The markers are cut out for use in play and may be stored in a plastic re-closable bag.