will the premium pdf be available for non kickstarter backers at some point?
Yes, the premium PDF will be available for sale on DriveThruRPG. We may later make it into a print book and boxed set, but that’s TBD.
As a further update, my revised approach to having a separate Campaigns book has let me add some very fun detail. I’ve now got rules for inserting spies into the enemy camp and conducting hijinks (stealing banners, spreading rumors, assassinating commanders), rules for scouting and reconnaissance, and more.
This just gets better and better 
Alex this sounds great! Now if I may suggest, and prolly you guys are already thinking along these lines, total war, ala Sun Tzu, is a natural fit for ACKS, given the detailed economics. A clever general should be able to win a campaign with hardly ever fighting a pitched battle. Starvation, assassination and economic destruction are almost never well modeled in wargames. I’m sure there are some historical examples you are aware of but Sullivan’s campaign (New York, Rev war) may be particularly relevant as a “borderlands” setting, and a very successful campaign at that.
On the tactical side of things, I personally would like to see a system where formation and small unit manuevers were relevant, but that may be getting more granular than you want, I dunno.
Let me second that… looks like a great addition to the system and seems like it involves the different class archetypes in a meaningful way. Thieves and assassins mucking up all the well-planned strategies of the opposing side… awesome.
Thanks for the kind words. I *think* we've got a good "total war" ruleset, with spies, assassins, pillaging, supplies, etc., but it needs playtesting.
Which thus prompts me to say: anyone who'd like to help read and playtest the current DAW rules, please email me at alex at autarch dot co.
Has there been any discussion or playing ofsmaller scale skirmish battles?
Thought of one more thing to add to my wish list. Entrenchment rules for units. In a world where wizards and dragons are slinging fireballs at my troops, I’d really want them to be able to dig in.
I’m rather new to ACKS, but I look forward to seeing what you come up with for integrating wargaming with the rules. I’ve alternated between rpg’s and miniature wargaming (primarily of the historical sort) since my teens, and yet have only managed to combine the two during our time playing Pendragon.
Cheers,
Christopher
Two questions:
- is DaW:Campaigns at the play test level yet?
- do ACKS Kickstarter backers get access to the DaW playtest? (if so, my Kickstarter ID is same as here)
Here's what will happen:
1. Everyone will get a 10-page DAW Free Starter Edition.
2. All ACKS Kickstarter backers will get a PDF of the complete DAW Digital Boxed set, with DAW Battles, DAW Campaigns, and some cut-outs for minis, etc.
3. Later this year we will host a Kickstarter to fund production of a hardcover and boxed set version of DAW.
Alex, when do you plan to release playtest versions of the Campaign / Battle Rules? Our campaign is right on the verge of some domain level play (we have a 7th level guy in the lead) and some people have a keep and hired mercs to garrison it.
I'm literally days away from having it finished! We then just need to lay it out as a PDF.
At that point, we'll do the following:
1. Release the 10-page free version
2. Release the complete version, without art, to our original ACKS backers
3. Hold a Kickstarter to fund a full "digital boxed set" (or, if we raise enough, actual boxed set) of the rules with art, counters, etc.
Days! Woot. That should be in time for our big showdown on Sept. 7-8. Many thanks!
How do you plan to spread the word on the kickstarter? I missed the one for the Player’s Companion, and I definitely want to back a hex-based D&D wargame thing. It’s right in my wheelhouse.
I don’t have a wheelhouse, but I definitely want to be informed about the DaW Kickstarter. I’m kicking myself for missing the Players Companion Kickstarter as it is.
I’ve missed all the kickstarters, due to ignorance of this system up to a few weeks ago. But I’ll backing this, I tell ya what.
Hey, any update on this? Has the kickstarter already happened, or is it still in the works? (Also any news on that free version?)
The Kickstarter hasn't happened yet. We wanted to get at least the complete Player's Companion PDF into everyone's hands before starting another Kickstarter.
Domains at War is 99% done, though, save for art.
Ah, OK. Thanks for the update!