Dark Age Infantry Slog (1983)

Miniature wargame rules for the Dark Ages up through Norman Conquest. Originally published in "Miniature Wargames" Magazine, No. 7, 1983. Referred to on occasion as "D.A.I.S" or "The D.A.I.S. System." Made available through Wyre Forest Games Club as a free download: The game strives to capture the "feel" of the period using two or three "divisions" or "battles" of grouped warrior bands of Retinues and Contingents, rather than a number of independently-maneuvering "units" of like-armed soldiers. The qualities of Aggression, Formation and Strength are key along with Leadership which seeks to maximize these qualities to gain advantage over opposing troops. These qualities ebb and flow depending on the fortunes of the unit, nearby friendly units, and Leaders. The actual resolution of combat is literally resolved by each player engaging in a single round of rock/paper/scissors for each pair of units, or aligned groups of soldiers from a unit, brought together in melee.