View source for BrikWars

{{Short description|Minifig wargame}}
{{Infobox game
| image_link    = [[File:Brikwars.png|250px]]
| image_caption = The Dread Pirate Two-By-Two, an icon of ''BrikWars''
| years         = 1995–present
| players       = 2+
| setup_time    = 5–30+ minutes
| playing_time  = 1–6+ hours
| random_chance = High ([[Dice|dice rolling]])
| skills        = Strategic thinking, [[Improvisation]], Miniature building and customization
| web           = {{url|brikwars.com}}
}}
'''''BrikWars''''' is a free [[Miniature wargaming|miniatures wargaming]] system by Mike Rayhawk, created for use with plastic building blocks and figurines. It is designed to be simple and flexible, allowing for its players' full range of creativity in creating armies, creatures, vehicles, and worlds out of [[Construction set|construction toys]].<ref name="Hammerl">{{cite book |last1=Hammerl |first1=Tobias |title=LEGO: Bausteine einer volkskundlichen Spielkulturforschung |date=2018 |publisher=Waxmann Verlag |location=Universität Regensburg |page=290 |isbn=9783830982494 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=0jNsDwAAQBAJ&dq=%22BrikWars%22+-wikipedia&pg=PA290 |access-date=4 August 2021 |language=German |format=Dissertation |archive-date=5 August 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210805225929/https://books.google.nl/books?id=0jNsDwAAQBAJ&pg=PA290&dq=%22BrikWars%22+-wikipedia&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjN0M2xn5XyAhWIy6QKHft7C2kQuwUwAHoECAQQCQ#v=onepage&q=%22BrikWars%22%20-wikipedia&f=false |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="escapist"/>
Although targeted primarily at adults, ''BrikWars'' is known for its straight-faced acceptance of the kinds of ridiculous scenarios and multi-genre mashups that arise naturally when children dump out their unsorted toybins on the floor.  Much of its humor comes from [[Satire|satirizing]] "serious" [[Wargaming|wargames]] and their players, while flouting or deliberately misinterpreting [[Convention (norm)|conventions]] of the genre.<ref name="Hammerl"/><ref name="escapist"/>
{{cquote|The purpose of BrikWars is to provide a safe and comfortable setting in which groups of cute and friendly minifigs can mutilate and slaughter one another. The battle can be large or small, balanced or skewed, ordered or chaotic; what’s important is that the level of mindless violence is kept at an entertaining high.<ref name="Hammerl"/><ref name="bw_pdf">{{cite web |last1=Rayhawk |first1=Mike |title=Brickwars: Building Brick Combat System |url=http://www.brikwars.com/downloads/BW2005.pdf |website=brickwars.com |access-date=5 August 2021 |language=English |date=2006 |url-status=live |archive-date=24 February 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210224085548/https://brikwars.com/downloads/BW2005.pdf }}</ref>{{rp|13}}}}
A physical release of the game published by [[Modiphius Entertainment]] was announced in 2023.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://bossrush.net/2023/05/08/bring-your-own-lego-the-classic-wargame-brikwars-receives-its-first-print-release/ |title=Bring Your Own LEGO: The Classic Wargame BrikWars Receives its First Print Release |last=Bojaciuk |first=James |date=May 8, 2023 |website=bossrush.net |access-date=May 13, 2023}}</ref>
== Play mechanics ==
''BrikWars'' uses "minifigs" (usually [[Lego]] [[minifigure]]s or equivalent [[Miniature figure (gaming)|miniature figures]] from other construction toy brands) as small [[soldiers]], and [[terrain]] constructed from construction bricks or random objects found near the playing area. While the game can be played with non-construction-toy-related objects, such as [[action figures]], [[stuffed animals]], or [[chessmen]], the rules lend themselves best to figures and structures which can be easily disassembled and reconstructed.  These models might represent real or [[Imaginary world|imaginary]] forces and situations, but are just as likely to represent exactly what they are - [[toys]] engaging in [[arbitrary]] battles for toy supremacy.<ref name="bw_pdf"/>{{rp|9}}
''BrikWars'' is a [[Turn-based strategy|turn-based]] [[Man-to-man wargame|skirmish-level]] [[Miniature wargaming|miniatures wargame]].  Each [[Player (game)|player]] in the game controls forces custom-built from construction toys or whatever materials they have at hand.<ref name="bw_pdf"/>{{rp|13}} The creations are assigned [[Attribute (role-playing games)|attributes]] according to the current size and features of the physical models at any given moment.<ref name="bw_pdf"/>{{rp|48–60}}
Players take [[Turn (game)#Turns|turns]], with each player moving and attacking with each of their units able to do so, before passing the turn to the next player in sequence. This continues until each player or [[team]] has succeeded or failed in their objectives, or until players agree that the battle is over. Normally each unit is able to move once (a number of inches based on its "Move" statistic)<ref name="bw_pdf"/>{{rp|20,27}} and take a single major action (usually to make an attack, or to use one of its special abilities known as a "Specialty")<ref name="bw_pdf"/>{{rp|44|q=Specialties are special abilities, features, or skills that change the rules for a particular minifig or other unit.}} in a given turn, in addition to any number of minor actions.<ref name="luke_mason"/><ref name="bw_pdf"/>{{rp|27–28}} Units have lots of options such as: withholding its action that turn, to be able use that action in response to Enemy action;<ref name="bw_pdf"/>{{rp|29–30}} sprinting;<ref name="bw_pdf"/>{{rp|27}} charging;<ref name="bw_pdf"/>{{rp|39–43}} bailing<ref name="bw_pdf"/>{{rp|30}} or forming up into a squad.<ref name="bw_pdf"/>{{rp|61–71}}
For determining the success or failure of actions and attacks, each unit is assigned an appropriately sized [[Dice#Non-cubical dice|polyhedral die]] for its Action attribute, which it must roll against a set number determined by the difficulty of the act.<ref name="luke_mason"/><ref name="bw_pdf"/>{{rp|16}}  When an attack successfully hits, the attacker rolls their weapon's Damage dice in the hopes of overcoming the target's Armor stat.<ref name="bw_pdf"/>{{rp|31–32}} Most [[infantry]] units are killed by having their Armor overcome once,<ref name="bw_pdf"/>{{rp|32}} while larger [[vehicle]]s and [[Structure#Built structure|structures]] are more resilient and may take multiple hits (with their abilities correspondingly degraded)<ref name="bw_pdf"/>{{rp|58}} before being destroyed.<ref name="bw_pdf"/>{{rp|57}}
The rules also encourage players to [[Insubordination|disobey the rules]] as often as possible, as seen in the "Law of [[Wiktionary:fudge factor|Fudge]]",<ref name="bw_pdf"/>{{rp|14|q=Fudge everything your opponents will let you get away with.}} and for special [[Hero]] units who can attempt to ignore the rules completely once per turn with a Heroic [[wikt:feat#Noun|Feat]].<ref name="bw_pdf"/>{{rp|46–47}} The rulebook repeatedly encourages [[fun]] over obsessive [[Rules lawyer|rules-lawyering]], with an emphasis on making the game as enjoyable as possible for all parties involved.<ref name="bw_pdf"/>{{rp|14|q=If you find yourself engaging in that kind of rules-lawyering and munchkinism, then you have just failed at BrikWars.}}
== History ==
''Legowars'', the predecessor of ''BrikWars'',<ref name="bw_pdf"/>{{rp|6|q="Early versions of BrikWars were largely inspired by the games Lego Wars and Lego Wars II."}} was invented in March 1991 by Eric O'Dell and R. Todd Ogrin. ''Legowars'' featured space-themed combat between Lego minifigures, and was distinguished from other miniature wargames of the time by a strong building-brick construction theme allowing the customization of playing pieces.<ref name="lw1">{{cite web|title=LEGO WARS A Fun Game To Play|last1=O'Dell|first1=Eric|last2=Ogrin|first2=R.Todd|url=http://mama.indstate.edu/users/sean/legowars/wars.htm|website=mama.indstate.edu|access-date=6 August 2021|date=16 March 1991|archive-date=21 November 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181121153947/http://mama.indstate.edu/users/sean/legowars/wars.htm|url-status=live}}</ref>  It was followed in January 1995 by a sequel, ''Legowars II''.<ref name="lw2">{{cite web|title=LegoWars II|last1=O'Dell|first1=Eric|last2=Ogrin|first2=R.Todd|url=http://mama.indstate.edu/users/sean/legowars/mainrulestome.htm|website=mama.indstate.edu|date=January 1995|access-date=6 August 2021|archive-date=16 March 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090316055910/http://mama.indstate.edu/users/sean/legowars/mainrulestome.htm|url-status=live}}</ref>
In October 1995, the authors of ''Legowars'' received a [[cease and desist]] order from the [[Lego Group]] for their improper usage of the [[trademark]]ed word "[[Lego]]".<ref name="sj">{{Cite web |url=http://www.sjgames.com/ill/1995/ill-oct95.html |title=With Lego (tm) you can build everything but a life! |access-date=2010-02-15 |archive-date=2009-12-31 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091231210917/http://sjgames.com/ill/1995/ill-oct95.html |url-status=live|date=12 October 1995|last=Jackson|first=Steve}}</ref> As [[Steve Jackson (American game designer)|Steve Jackson]] describes it:
{{blockquote|Ever since our web site went up, it's had a link to the Lego Wars home page, maintained by Todd Ogrin. The game, which he created along with E.O'Dell, is a wicked parody of [[Warhammer 40,000|WH40K]], using bits of Lego to create the miniatures you play with.
But now, if you hit his site, all you'll see is the story of the letter he got from the lawyers at Interlego A.G. Todd's a student . . . he can't afford a legal battle with a giant corporation, regardless of what his rights may be under the "fair use" doctrine.<ref name="sj"/>}}
So Ogrin and O'Dell removed their content, but others archived it (adding legal disclaimers).<ref name="owg"/><ref name="lw1"/><ref name="lw2"/> Meanwhile, Mike Rayhawk started work on what would become ''BrikWars'':
{{blockquote|...and so Rayhawk took it upon himself, intending to replace each instance of the offending L-word with the less legally-contentious "Brik." As the project progressed...., additions and modifications turned BrikWars into a separate entity in its own right by the tail end of 1995, now a universal battle engine rather than solely focused on the adventures of the Lego Wars SpaceMan.<ref name="bw_versions">{{Cite web |url=http://brikwars.com/wiki/index.php?title=Versions |title=BrikWars Versions |access-date=6 August 2021 |last=Rayhawk |first=Mike |url-status=live |archive-date=4 March 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304043334/http://brikwars.com/wiki/index.php?title=Versions }}</ref>}}
{{blockquote|The very first edition of what would eventually become BrikWars was written in the waning months of 1995. This text spent a shadowy existence, passing from person to person by photocopies and e-mail for nearly a year, mutating and changing along the way. Eventually the game found its first stable Internet home on the web page of an Oregon State University student by the name of Chad Bagaasoc, requiring the assembly of a 'definitive' text from the many variations in use at the time. This was accomplished in early 1997, and that text remained in authority for over a year and a half.<ref name="bw_versions"/>}}
In February 1997 Rayhawk formally announced BrikWars on rec.toys.lego.<ref>{{cite newsgroup| title =The game formerly known as Lego Wars| author =Mike Rayhawk| date =1 February 1997| newsgroup =rec.toys.lego| message-id =| url =https://groups.google.com/g/rec.toys.lego/c/qlHeoyWsmwQ/m/Ed14mBU2ilEJ| access-date =5 August 2021| archive-date =5 August 2021| archive-url =https://web.archive.org/web/20210805225919/https://groups.google.com/g/rec.toys.lego/c/qlHeoyWsmwQ/m/Ed14mBU2ilEJ| url-status =live}}</ref> BrikWars has been in continual development ever since.<ref name="bw_versions"/>
==Reception==
''BrikWars'' is part of a wider movement of homebrew wargames based on Lego and other children's building block toys,<ref name="escapist">{{cite web |last1=Varney |first1=Allen |title=LEGO Games |url=https://www.escapistmagazine.com/v2/lego-games/ |website=www.escapistmagazine.com |publisher=The Escapist |access-date=3 August 2021 |language=English |date=15 May 2007 |archive-date=3 August 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210803150044/https://www.escapistmagazine.com/v2/lego-games/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="owg">{{cite web |title=Other Brick Wargames |url=https://brikwars.com/wargames.htm#lwars |website=brickwars.com |access-date=5 August 2021 |last=Rayhawk |first=Mike |archive-date=25 January 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210125023819/https://brikwars.com/wargames.htm#lwars |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite journal | first1=Stephen W. | url=https://archive.org/details/shadismagazine/Shadis/Shadis%20Magazine%20%2319/page/42/mode/2up | title=LEGOLAND(R) Pirate Wars: A Naval Minisatures War Game for your LEGO(R) figures | journal=Shadis | year=1995 | volume=IV | last1=Gabriel | publisher=AEG | editor=Jolly R. Blackburn | last2=Walden | first2=Tonia | number=1 | pages=43–52}}</ref> including Evil Stevie's Pirate Game<ref>{{cite web |title=Evil Stevie's Pirate Game |url=https://www.classic-pirates.com/espg |website=www.classic-pirates.com |date=26 March 2011 |access-date=4 August 2021 |archive-date=September 9, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110909070457/http://www.classic-pirates.com/espg |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Jackson |first1=Steve |title=Evil Stevie's Pirate Game |url=https://sj.sjgames.com/PirateGame.html |website=sj.sjgames.com |access-date=4 August 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201112005514/https://sj.sjgames.com/PirateGame.html |archive-date=12 November 2020}}</ref> by [[Steve Jackson (American game designer)|Steve Jackson]].<ref name="escapist"/> According to [[The Escapist (magazine)|The Escapist]], ''BrikWars'' is a "standout LEGO tabletop effort" in this scene.<ref name="escapist"/>
Reviewing it on [[Boardgamegeek]], Luke Mason emphasized the economy of "taking all those hundreds of unused LEGOs sitting around and adding stats and rules to them so you can have a real wargame with them."; as well as its "flexible and affordable (if rough in design)" design. He summarizes his views as:<ref name="luke_mason">{{cite web |last1=Mason |first1=Luke |title=Brikwars: A flexible and affordable (if rough in design) wargame |url=https://boardgamegeek.com/thread/1113396/brikwars-flexible-and-affordable-if-rough-design-w |website=boardgamegeek.com |publisher=BGG |access-date=3 August 2021 |date=29 January 2014 |archive-date=3 August 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210803150013/https://boardgamegeek.com/thread/1113396/brikwars-flexible-and-affordable-if-rough-design-w |url-status=live }}</ref>
{{blockquote|Overall, it's a lot of fun for anyone willing to deal with its "published for free on the internet" nature. By that, I mean that it's not half as well-rounded as most games designed by publishers, because it's literally just one dude with a website writing every single rule.<ref name="luke_mason"/>}}
==See also==
* [[LUGNET]]
== References ==
<references/>
==External links==
* {{official website|https://brikwars.com|name=BrikWars.com}}
* {{bgg|7623}}
*[https://brikwars.com/rules/2020/contents.htm The BrikWars 2020 rulebook]
*[https://sourceforge.net/projects/brikwars/ BrikWars PC Game homepage/download]
[[Category:Miniature wargames]]
[[Category:Lego]]
[[Category:Wargames introduced in the 1990s]]