IMPACT! MINIATURES

Thom · Joined: 27 May 2007 Posts: 283

When I first encountered the Reptiliad minis years ago in a magazine advertisement, I had assumed at that time that they were playing the standard "Bloody Ball" and didn't even notice they were from a different manufacturer or playing a different game.

I was pleased to find them revived through Impact! and when I learned the game they played was actually called "Lurpa". I determined to find out more about it.

After nearly a year of searching I have finaly found and acquired the original RAFM rules. Published in 1988, in the RAFM sourcebook "Battlecry of the Reptiliads" now long out of print, "Lurpa" was merely a sidegame supplemental to the Reptiliad army ruleset, almost an afterthought it seems, but one that may have been the better part of the rules it was supplementing!

In rough basics, the game involves two fifteen player teams (with just a three player reserve) both shoving a twenty one foot diameter ball (Made of Orc hides) towards opposite goals. Some players are devoted to shoving and others are devoted to fighting, attempting to take out the opposing players and yet others are devoted to defense. Even the Gilla Stretcher Bearers have their place in the rules. Scores are counted with Orc Skulls and there are a variety of ways to score aside from goals. The playing field is rectangular and the standard Fantasy Ball pitch could serve as an easy substitute. I looks like a lot of fun and may just have been ahead of it's time and poorly pushed to compete with Wendy's own Bloody game.

And so as I study "Lurpa" I have come to think that maybe it deserves a revival just as the Reptiliad minis were. I am aware that the folks at Impact! have a lot on their plate already and are rather extended. . . But since they already have almost everything in place with rectangular pitches and can easily make up the eighteen player teams (Plus coaches and stretcher bearers of course!). . . Perhaps there is a way that the "Lurpa" might be revisited and updated to work with the Impact! line? Seeing that it is long out of print, is it conceivable that RAFM might consent making the rules available free via .pdf download? Or even better to allowing them to be changed to fit the Impact! line of minis?

If you have the chance, check out "Lurpa" and I think you will agree with me, this is a great, bloody, old school, WaHooooo! kinda game! And I think you will also agree that it deserves another chance, and I can think of no one better suited to pull it off than Impact!

_________________
Thom. . .

How many. . . Elf hides does it take to make an Elfball?

Rescue the Zoo Crew!

GalakStarscraper · The Big Man Joined: 24 Nov 2005 Posts: 6173

When I get finally able to do it .. the Boulder Brawl rules will be creating a Lurpa inspired version of Elfball.

So there is a plan ...just very delayed.

I own the rules for Lurpa ... sorry didn't know you were looking as I've had them for some time.

Anyone else who would like to pick up a copy can grab them from this online store for $4.95.
http://www.rafm.com/Merchant2/mer...de=RAF00010&Category_Code=RGS

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My biggest issue with Lurpa was that the pushing the boulder rules resembled advanced math. I think they need to be simpler to make the game not melt the reader's brain when they try to understand it.

Galak

Thom · Joined: 27 May 2007 Posts: 283

I very much agree sir that they need to be simplised. I am glad to know you had the same idea!

Great minds think alike. . .
_________________
Thom. . .

How many. . . Elf hides does it take to make an Elfball?

Rescue the Zoo Crew!

Thom · Joined: 27 May 2007 Posts: 283

The funny part of all this is that I checked the RAFM site many times and could not find them. I even sent RAFM an email inquiry which went unanswered. I finaly found the book on at Noble Knight Games where is was listed as out of print. . . .

Sometimes it seems that the world conspires against you.

_________________
Thom. . .

How many. . . Elf hides does it take to make an Elfball?

Rescue the Zoo Crew!