A War Transformed: WWI on the Doggerland Front

A1916: A World Transformed. As the Great War raged, the Moon fell from its orbit. Seas shifted, uncovering new lands and revealing what tide and time had concealed. Long known as a potent occult power, the Moon’s descent also heralded the terrifying resurgence of magic. Long-forgotten gods and spirits began to stir in hidden groves and caverns and old traditions found new strength. Soon, stone circles echoed once more with the chanting of ancient rituals and menhirs were again bedecked with wildflowers and presented with offerings of honey and blood.

1918: A War Transformed. Rival nations battle on new fronts, seeking dominance with weapons of spell, song, and sacrifice. Thrust to the surface, Doggerland, the ancient bridge between Britain and Europe, becomes a crucial battleground in the conflict. In this alien landscape, raiding parties pick through the ribs of wrecks and the ruins of lost villages, war machines festooned with totems and fetishes roll over the brittle bones of long-dead giants, and cavalry charge across plains made verdant by the vegetation returning to this new land with unnatural speed.

War Transformed is an occult, folk-horror-themed skirmish wargame by Osprey Publishing that blends the historical setting of World War I with supernatural elements on the Doggerland Front. In this alternate history, an asteroid impact with the Moon alters Earth’s orbit, creating a land bridge at Doggerland, and reawakens dormant pagan gods, allowing their creatures and folk magic to influence the war. Players command small forces of infantry, cavalry, and artillery, supplemented by occult troops and mythical creatures, in fast-paced battles featuring dice rolling, a bidding system for initiative, and a strong emphasis on theme, faith, and the weird.

Key Features:

Setting:

World War I on the Doggerland Front, transformed by cosmic and supernatural events.
Theme:

A blend of historical WWI trench warfare with occultism, folk horror, and pagan mythology.
Gameplay:

A miniatures skirmish game featuring fast-paced, squad-level combat.
Mechanics:

Uses an initiative bidding system where players convert command tokens to try and activate first. Features dice rolling, unit characteristics like zeal, and the use of advantage and disadvantage.
Troops:

Players command varied forces of traditional military units (infantry, cavalry, artillery) and also command fantastical units, creatures, and cultists.
Factions:

Includes various WWI-era nations and customisable options, with the ability to field fanatic cults devoted to dark gods or bands of men fighting against the encroaching darkness.
Scope:

Can be played with small patrols or larger forces, with scenarios ranging from 10 to 30 selection points.
Lore:

The background explains an asteroid strike on the moon, shifting its orbit, forming a new landmass from the Dogger Bank, and reawakening ancient, savage pagan deities who demand blood sacrifices.