SWORDS & SPELLS - Rules for Large-Scale Miniatures Battles Based on the Game Dungeons & Dragons

Oct 5, 2026

Upload by Bulrr

A fantasy wargaming ruleset for large-scale miniature battles, designed for use with Dungeons & Dragons. The book outlines mechanics covering scale-based movement, turn sequence, terrain effects, formation, facing, fatigue, missile fire, fire rate, and spell casting. It provides troop classifications, morale and morale failure, special units, fortified positions, combat and attack resolution tables, casualty adjustments, damage variation, and example gameplay materials plus unit information sheets. Foreword guidance emphasizes balance, the fantasy nature of the system, and mastering the rules end-to-end.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryComic

FormatPDF

Pages50

Reading Time19 min

AccessFree to download

Index

Scale

Figure Mounting

Turn Sequence

Movement

Terrain Effects

Troop Classifications

Formation

Facing

Fatigue

Missile Fire

Fire Rate

Spell Casting

Spells—M-U

Cleric

Druid

Breath Weapons & Special Attacks

Saving Throws

Melee

Morale

Morale Failure

Special Units

Fortified Positions

Missile Fire Adjustments

Melee Bonuses & Penalties

Combat Table—Human Attacking

Monster Attacking

Artillery Missile Fire Table

Casualty Adjustment(Optional)

Damage Variation

Average Damage Matrix

Weapon Type/Damage Matrix

Point Values

Example of Game Play

Sample Unit Information Sheet

Foreword

An Introduction by the author

# SWORDS &SPELLS BY GARY GYGAX # FANTASTIC MINIATURES RULESON A 1:10/1:1 SCALE For Use With DUNGEONS &DRAG0NS° TSR Hobbies,Inc. The Game Wizards POB 756 Lake Geneva,WI 53147 # SWORDS &SPELLS RULES FOR LARGE-SCALE MINIATURES BATTLES BASED ONTHE GAME DUNGEONS &DRAGONS by Gary Gygax Dedicated to all swords &sorcery gamers—past,present,and future. DEVELOPMENT BY DAVE ARNESON AND ROB KUNTZGRAPHICS &GRAPHIC DESIGN BY DAVE SUTHERLANDEDITING&LAYOUT BY TIM KASK 2007 ◎ 1976 —TSR GAMES6th Printing,November,1979Printed in U.S.A. Index Scale………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………2 Figure Mounting…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………2 Turn Sequence……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………3 Movement……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………3 Terrain Effects……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………4 Troop Classifications………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………5 Formation ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………6 Facing……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………8 Fatigue……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………8 Missile Fire……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………9 Fire Rate………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………9 Spell Casting………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………11 Spells—M-U……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………12 Cleric……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………14 Druid……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………15 Breath Weapons & Special Attacks…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………15 Saving Throws…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………16 Melee……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………17 Morale…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………19 Morale Failure…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………20 Special Units………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………21 Fortified Positions……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………22 Missile Fire Adjustments………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………23 Melee Bonuses &Penalties…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………24 Combat Table—Human Attacking………………………………………………………………………………………………………………24 Monster Attacking…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………25 Artillery Missile Fire Table…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………26 Casualty Adjustment(Optional)………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………27 Damage Variation……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………27 Average Damage Matrix………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………29 Weapon Type/Damage Matrix…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………31 Point Values………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………33 Example of Game Play…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………37 Sample Unit Information Sheet…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………40 ## Foreword There isn't much that I can say in this Foreword that the author doesn't sayin his Introduction.What I can do is recommend how to approach theserules.The first thing to remember is that these rules are the grandson ofCHAINMAIL.This final form is the result of a great deal of research andtesting.Therefore,if in reading through them you find something you takeexception to,bear with and continue on.The author has been developingthese systems for quite some time,and they work very well. The second thing to remember is that these rules deal with fantasy.Ifsomething is unclear as to how or why it works that way,remember that it isall fantasy.Fantasy is not bound to rigid rules and rationales.Fantasy isimaginative.If you feel that your fantasy is better than this in some aspect,that's fine.After a

FAQs

What game system is Swords & Spells designed to work with?

It is written for use with Dungeons & Dragons, and it specifically references the dungeon-master/referee’s authority.

What is the miniature scale used by the rules?

The rules are for large-scale miniature battles based on a 1:10/1:1 scale approach.

Why does the ruleset emphasize balance?

The foreword warns that if certain balances aren’t maintained, the game becomes lopsided and much less fun.

Oct 5, 2026

Upload by Bulrr