Fans of The Elder Scrolls who have played all the games and are looking for something to dive into have a new option. The Elder Scrolls: Call to Arms is a tabletop game created by Mōdiphiüs Entertainment based on the world of Tamriel. Now, they are giving away the core rulebook and a scenario “Escape from Helgen” for free, downloadable from their website.
The Elder Scrolls: Call to Arms is a tabletop wargame, which means that it focuses on wider, more sprawling conflicts than RPGs like Skyrim or Morrowind that focus on a single heroic figure. That means that Call to Arms will likely play very differently from most Elder Scrolls games, or even many popular tabletop RPGs like Dungeons & Dragons.
Veteran wargame players may want to look into the rulebook and familiarize themselves with the intricacies of the game. However, even new players can easily learn how to play using this scenario. “Escape from Helgen” is an introductory scenario that guides players through tutorials to get them familiarized with the game. The booklet leaves out some of the more complex tactical elements of the full rules, but serves as a working introduction to how the mechanics of the game work. That means that even players who are interested because they enjoy The Elder Scrolls can get into Call to Arms without being intimidated by a complex rulebook.
Players who pick up “Escape from Helgen” are introduced to the mechanics of the game, in which players control their heroes to complete objectives and quests while battling against enemy units. While this scenario takes place in Skyrim – specifically, in the town from Skyrim’s infamous intro sequence – other scenarios take place across Tamriel, from Oblivion’s Cyrodil to the Argonian homeland of Black Marsh.
In addition to other scenarios, Mōdiphiüs Entertainment also sells miniatures and terrain for use in Call to Arms. Players can buy Stormcloaks, Skeletons, and Draugr, as well as models that can be used to build sets like Nordic tombs. However, these aren’t strictly necessary to play as long as players have something they can use as models, so fans who want to test out the game can get started right away.
The Elder Scrolls: Call to Arms core rulebook is available now for free from Mōdiphiüs.
