En Garde! Fencing System in Second Life

My RL typist grudingly admits to being an unabashed drooling fan boy of the work of Reinier Knizia, the famous German game designer.

It was no surprise, therefore, that he had a copy of Reinier famous old fencing card game, EN GARDE, on a shelf in his study. EN GARDE is more game than simulation; it measures out spaces between opponents and moves the "fencer" figures into attack and retreat through card play.

I was overjoyed to discover that some enterprising designer had brought Knizia's design into our world, after reading about it on the Baron's blog. I had to go in search of this myself! Baron Wulfenbach kindly sent me a landmark (thank'ee, sir) and I went first to Antiquity, where they have a fullblown En Garde system set up. I followed the tags to the designer, then to his "store" to play a demonstration game. Fortunately, there was another fencing dilletante there as well, and I saw that by his dress and demeanor he was a gentleman. I offered to try conclusions with him, and he readily accepted.

This was not smash, dodge, leap, attack, leap, move backwards, like combat in the Loch Avie Academy. This was guesswork.. and rules.





Avanti!!! Alas, it had been a while since I had played, so he managed a touch or two...



It is not quite so frenetic as a true skirmish system and requires brainwork to win, rather than a quick mousefinger. I liked it so much, I bought one for upstairs.



The GAME En Garde! was recently republished by Ravensburger as "the Duell". Interested parties may wish to seek out the publisher.

NOTE: to ANYONE interested in this system, it's there, rezzed, free to play with, on Polymath Upstairs. Help yourself. Click on the sign to get a free epee and HUD. To get to Upstairs, go to Caledon Middlesea. Look for the dock. Look for a book of H.P. Lovecraft's writings. Right click to teleport to Poly. If all else fails, ask me inworld, or Diamanda, or Exrex, or Amplebeak.