The Funny Little Wars Event Deck!

The full collection of TSATF Action Decks already provides a dedicated Deck for each of the "Classic Five" Native Powers associated with those rules: Pathans/Afghans, Zulus, Boers, Egyptians, and Dervish/Ansar.  Plus, there is the "Generic" Deck which may be used with any/all Native Armies in lieu of a Standard Card Deck.  Newly added are Action Decks for the Boxer Rebellion. 

Action Decks? Event Decks? What's The Difference? Okay.   An "Action Deck" is a set of Cards that serves the role previously played by the Standard Card Decks of 800FE and TSATF, determining the order of Movement and Fire, and for TSATF, casualties. An "Event Deck" is a Card set that introduces random events into battles being played with either game system. The Action Decks for 800FE and TSATF, even while ostensibly covering the same Theater/Native Power, are different from one another, both by physical size and the functions each performs.  The 2" x 2.5" 800FE Action Decks cue order of movement and of fire, as well as include the specified "bonus" Command & Control Cards and optional "Reshuffle" Card. The 2.5" x 3" TSATF Action Decks cue movement and fire order, but also specify casualties, identifying which Leader, "Key," and Other Ranks have been hit.  Wound severities ("Serious" and "Light") have been added, but are entirely optional.

Unless stated otherwise, most  TSATF Action Decks consists of 63 Cards: 52 for Movement/Fire/Casualties with the full degree of detail required by the rules. There are also 10 Optional Cards, 8 of which provide specific Events equally affecting both sides, and 2 "Halt!" Cards which can end the Movement and/or Fire Phases early.  For the more sadistic among you, there are 2 "blanks" for creating your own Events.  Finally, there is a Card providing some instruction on use of the Deck.

Using contemporary full color illustrations and terminology specific to the foe facing the British/Imperialist players, each Action Deck not only speeds the steps of play, but heightens the "atmosphere" to make every exciting game even more so!

More Action and Event Decks are in the works. If interest exists, Decks for Chinese, Abyssinian, Ashanti, and other foes (particularly those who feature in the Campaign Game, The Sun Never Sets ) will be offered. New dedicated Event Decks for the NWF, Sudan, Zululand, and others will follow.

If you have a particular Deck you'd like to see next, drop me a line!  Your input and ideas are positively invited!

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The Sword And The Flame Action Decks

TSATF "Generic" Action Deck

For the Gamer who wants all the advantages of a dedicated Card Deck, but wishes to use just one for all his TSATF battles, this is the economical solution!

TSATF "Generic" Action Deck - $10.00, plus postage

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TSATF Zulu War Action Deck

A dedicated Action Deck for the Zulu War collector and gamer, with special Event Cards representing aspects of the War of 1879, and graphics evoking Isandlwana, Rorke's Drift, and other famous battles.

TSATF Zulu War Action Deck -
$10.00, plus postage

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TSATF Northwest Frontier Action Deck

The Action Deck for fans of the 2nd Afghan War and/or "punitive expeditions" with those unique factors adding up to make this theater "The Grim" of legend and history. Period graphics suggest the period of the 2nd Afghan War, and the cards allow for the presence of Afghan Regulars, as well as Afghan and Pathan Tribesmen.

TSATF Northwest Frontier Action Deck - $10.00, plus postage

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TSATF Mahdist Wars Action Deck

If a day with Fuzzy on the rush is your idea of table top action, and if you like to form squares against hordes of Ansar racing in for the kill, this is your Deck! Representing British and Egyptian forces, as well as "Fuzzy Wuzzy's" and Ansar, these Cards will heat up your battles faster than the Gatling's barrels!

TSATF Mahdist Wars Action Deck--$10.00, plus postage

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TSATF First Boer War Action Deck

Now you have another reason to be afraid to go back into the bush-veldt! Contemporary art and atmospheric graphics will add to your proper inclination to keep your head down in Johnny Boer's neighborhood!

TSATF First Boer War Action Deck-- $10.00, plus postage

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TSATF Egyptian War Action Deck

One of the slickest, yet riskiest, campaigns of the entire period, Egypt was a "gateway" that pitted the best of Victoria's Battalions/ Regiments against the Egyptian Army of Arabi Pasha, only to lead on to involvement in the Sudan.  The often under rated Egyptian Army had brave soldiers and excellent Engineers, and made for the most nearly equal foe that Tommy met until Johnny Boer came along!

 

TSATF Egyptian War Action Deck-- $10.00, plus postage

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TSATF Boxer Rebellion Action Deck

The Boxer Rebellion is easily the most colorful and exotic of all the late Imperialist adventures, the only time a military coalition of the US, Britain, France, Germany, Austro-Hungary, Italy, Russia and Japan took the field together against the same enemy.

The Boxer Rebellion Action Deck is itself unique in that for the first time in this series "dedicated" cards are provided to cue the Movement and Fire of units of the individual members of that coalition. Thus, there are cards specifying Imperial German, Japanese, Russian, and British units, as well as those of the other participants. These are apportioned roughly to match the troops committed by each member, so that British, Russian, and Japanese, and US cards abound, while Italy, Austria, and France have fewer.

Their Chinese opponents, however, had their own divisions and factions, and these are represented by cards specifying Boxer units (the largest group), as well as others for Imperial Bannermen, the Kansu Braves, and those units from the various "Westernized" units with more modern weapons and training.

In effect, using the cards as played guarantees that both sides will find it harder to stick to any joint plan and end up going their own way, as was exactly the case so often.

Using authentic Boxer and Manchu flags for the period, as well as the Colors of the Coalition members and other period illustrations, the cards are especially atmospheric and will help to put your games notches higher for drama, excitement, and speed of play.

TSATF Boxer Rebellion Action Deck-- $10.00, plus postage

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800 Fighting Englishmen

Action Decks

Larry Brom's Battalion Level Variant for (TSATF) is the widely played 800 Fighting Englishmen . Like TSATF, it calls for the use of a modified Standard Card Deck to determine order of movement, and sequence of fire in their respective steps of play. But now, TVAG has designed and released specific, full color Action Decks to serve this purpose.

Besides Cards indicating which Army may Move or Fire, each Deck includes the eight "special" cards which give both sides chances for extra moves or fire.  There is even an optional "End of Turn" card which may be used to stop the movement and/or fire sequence early, keeping the suspense high all the time.  Each Deck consists of 26 "Native" Cards, and 13 British/Imperialist so that players may use only as many cards in a given game as they have total units on the table, but with the Redcoats properly outnumbered in your games.

800FE is a Dependent Variant of TSATF, and requires those rules to be played. They and many other original rules sets and play aids are available exclusively through their Website, Sergeant's 3.

Go there and tell them "TVAG sent me!"

NOTE!: All 800 FE Decks are now reduced in price from $10.00 to $8.00!

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800 Fighting Englishmen
Sudan Action Deck

Specifically designed for fighting the Mahdi, his Ansar, and the fanatical "Fuzzy Wuzzy's," the 800FE Sudan Action Deck consists of 48 total cards, pre-cut and shrink wrapped, ready for immediate play.

800FE Sudan Action Deck -
$8.00, plus postage

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800 Fighting Englishmen
Northwest Frontier Action Deck

Perfect for use in your games on "The Grim," this Deck is illustrated with images of the 2nd Afghan War battles and famous--and infamous!-- personalities. 48 full color cards printed on heavy card stock, and shrink wrapped for immediate use.

800FE NWF Action Deck - $8.00, plus postage

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800 Fighting Englishmen
Zulu Action Deck

Illustrated with authentic images of the Zulu War of 1879, including samples of Zulu Regimental Shield Designs, as well as famous characters from this dramatic conflict, this Game Deck will even make Isandlwana seem like an "Arts Thing!"

48 Cards, pre-cut, shrink wrapped, and ready for action.

800FE Zulu Action Deck-- $8.00, plus postage

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800 Fighting Englishmen
First Boer War Action Deck

Using many contemporary illustrations from the 1st War (not the 2nd!), this Deck provides views of key personnel, Majuba, Boer Weapons, and more.

48 Cards, pre-cut, shrink wrapped, and ready for action.

800FE 1st Boer War Action Deck - $8.00, plus postage

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800 Fighting Englishmen
Egyptian War Action Deck

Loaded with fine illustrations from the period, including the bizarre as well as the standard contemporary press views of key personalities and events of this short but sharp campaign.

48 Cards, pre-cut, shrink wrapped, and ready for action.

800FE Egyptian War Action Deck -
$8.00, plus postage

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800 Fighting Englishmen
Boxer Rebellion Action Deck

Unlike previous Action Decks for 800FE, the Boxer Rebellion Deck is "weighted" to represent the mix of Allied and Chinese units/factions which characterized the conflict. Including the usual Command Bonus cards, the 800FE Boxer Rebellion Action Deck totals 56 Cards, 8 more than in the other 800FE Decks.

The Chinese are represented by 12 cards cuing Boxer units to Move/Fire, plus cards for units of the four Chinese Armies engaged between Peking and Tientsin. There are five cards each for units of General Nieh's "Tenacious Army," General Sung-Ching's "Resolute Army," General Tung-Fu-Hsiang's "Kansu Braves," and General in Chief Yung-Lo's Manchu Bannermen.

For the 8 combatant Allies, the Action Cards are provided in the same proportions as each nationality comprised the total forces engaged (prior to the arrival of the German East Asia Brigade). Consequently, there is one card each for the Italians, Austrians, French, and Germans, two each for the British, American, and Russians, and 5 for the Japanese.

If any of these contingents are not represented on your table top, the otherwise unnecessary cards may be used to cue Movement/Fire of other, more numerous units in your collection. Similarly, European and Chinese Army units not present may have their cards removed from the Deck prior to play.

By this arrangement, the Players on both sides will not only have to deal with the usual uncertainty of order of Movement and Fire of their own and the enemy's own units, but must allow for each "faction" of his own forces having their own say when they feel like, rather than as the C-in-C might--exactly as in the real conflict!

800FE Boxer Rebellion Action Deck $8.00, plus postage

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Event Decks

By their long standing--and very generous--permission, TVAG has been able to offer Game Card Decks as accessories to the classic Colonial Miniatures Rules, The Sword And The Flame (TSATF), and its French Foreign Legion counterpart, The Sword In North Africa (TSINA). After years of steady sales, the time came to redesign both Decks with graphics far superior to the original designs with other material improvements, now available.

The Sword And The Flame Event Deck-- Third Edition!

The popular gaming accessory has gotten better--again! The new Deck now includes additional Events for British and Arab units, and more "Universal Misery" Cards to keep life interesting.  Even more than before, the Event Deck provides your Colonial War Game scenarios with a wide range of unpredictable opportunities and challenges no rules set can hope to include.

Event types include "Reinforcements" of a wide variety for both sides at randomly located entry points, Ammunition or Water running out, the effects of bad water or food, Units of both sides acting independently, Command and Control problems, and more.  A range of "Universal Misery" cards can bring troubles to all parties impartially.  Overall, the Deck has been weighted to "equal" out effects of all cards for both sides. With a variety of ways to use the Event Deck in play, it is truly a new tool to make your games as exciting and unpredictable as you want them to be!

Each Deck contains 63 full color Cards, pre-cut, shrink wrapped, with complete instructions provided.

TSATF Event Deck - $10.00 plus postage.

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The Sword In North Africa Event Deck

Just as with the TSATF Event Deck, this dedicated play aid provides new excitement and challenges, but this time for your French Foreign Legion games.

Event types include many of the same "class" as the TSATF Deck, but with a tight focus on conditions and circumstances of Morocco, Algeria, and the Western Sahara.  Never forgetting for a moment the romance and legend of the Legion, there are some results that could only happen there--or in Hollywood!

Still weighted to "equal" out for both sides, the TSINA Event Deck has been greatly expanded with many new Events, with more romance and many more combinations to guarantee no two games will ever play the same. 

Each Deck contains 63 full color, pre-cut Cards, shrink wrapped, with complete instructions.

TSINA Event Deck-- $10.00, plus postage

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The Sword In Africa Safari Event Deck

First appearing in the 20th Anniversary Edition of TSATF, The Sword In Africa (TSIA) helped establish "Darkest Africa" as one of the most popular new theaters of Colonial War Games, allowing for exciting and exotic skirmish gaming on the Dark Continent.

A total of four (4) Game Decks are provided for TSIA, the first two ideally suited for Campaign and Map Movement Games.

The "Safari Event Deck" provides random occurrences that happen while trekking toward whatever goal the Party may have. Besides animal encounters, there are Native Tribes--hostile and friendly--unmapped terrain, rain forests, trackless veldt, good hunting and bad, food, water, and issues with your Bearers, and the inevitable calls for Hongo (tribute) from the people whose lands you cross.

It's never a dull moment when you know that most anything can happen while on Safari!

This Event Deck consists of 30 unique cards, as ever in full color with period art and graphics for even more "atmosphere", pre-cut and provided in a reusable plastic bag. An extra card lists ideas for use so players may find their own comfort zone before letting the cards determine their fate!

TSIA Safari Event Deck - $8.00, plus postage

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The Sword In Africa River Event Deck

As the title suggests, this is the Riverine partner to the TSIA Safari Deck. 

Whenever a party of Explorers, Hunters, Soldiers sets out to travel up or down any of Africa's many rivers and waterways--whether by raft, canoe, or steamer--there are special risks and opportunities. Sudden rapids, waterfalls, swamps, Native ambushes from the banks, attacks by fleets of war canoes, encounters with hippopotamus, crocodile, elephant, and the ever present risks of submerged obstacles, engine troubles, damages to the vessel and its parts, risks of capsizing, loss of stores--and people!--are only some of the things that make for games the likes of which you've never played before. This 20 Card Deck has its own special "ambiance" with particularly appropriate contemporary art and other graphics, as well as the obligatory "extra card" with ideas for use.

TSIA River Event Deck - $6.00, plus postage

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The Sword In Africa Action Deck

As with those for other TSATF games, this 52 card Action Deck prompts the order of movement and fire, as well as severity of casualties, from “Lightly Wounded” to “Dead.” 

  But, TSIA’s rules call for use of a standard deck of playing cards to be read in ways different from the traditional TSATF game model. So, this dedicated Action Deck eliminates all need to consult the rules on how to read the cards, and includes special rules frequently overlooked in the heat of play (such as hits on previously wounded figures, and the risk of death from poisoned weapons).  There are also six special cards to cue rolling in the basic game for "Random Episodes." 

More unique period graphics and an extra card with simple instructions and options for use of the Action Deck round out the set. 

TSIA Action Deck - $10.00, plus postage

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The Sword In Africa Battle Event Deck

In TSIA, the rules call for using a standard card deck, of which six cards cue the players to check for “Random Episodes” by rolling dice on one of 5 different tables. But the new Battle Event Deck eliminates all that, and includes almost half again as many “episodes” as appear in the original rules. Now there are fifty Event Cards, most of which have variables practically guaranteeing no two games can ever be alike.

Some of the original “Episodes” have been retained; others modified in a variety of ways, and still more are entirely new. From army ants and African killer bees, to encounters with Elephant, Cape Buffalo, Rhinoceros, and more, to up close confrontations with snakes, Pygmies, flash floods, mysterious strangers, traitors, mutineers, The “King” and “Queen” of the Jungle, and more to make your wild fights in the forest/bush/veldt even wilder!

An advantage of the Battle Event Deck over the original tables is that once a card has been drawn, it cannot be repeated. But for those who still like that possibility, there is an optional “Reshuffle” card requiring all previously used cards to be returned to the deck!

Still more unique and unrepeated period graphics and photos decorate the cards, and there is that indispensable card with printed suggestions for use of the Battle Event Deck.

TSIA Batle Event Deck -- $10.00, plus postage

SPECIAL MULTI-DECK "DEAL!"

Buy 4 or more Card Decks and receive a fifth Deck of your choice (same price or less as the most expensive) for free!
But--and here's the kicker!--You Gotta Ask! 'Cause if you think Methuselah here will remember all this by his fossilized self, I'd REALLY like to play cards with you!

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