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These visual combat books, a successor to Ace of Aces, each represent a fantasy warrior. The books are all compatible with one another, so any two fighters can face off; however, there is no guarantee that the fight will be fair, as some characters are much tougher than others. To play, two people each choose a character, taking the character sheet for that character and giving the corresponding books to their opponents. Each character sheet provides some basic statistics (height, body points and attacks) and lists all of the moves that a player's character may make. Each turn, the players choose their moves and call them out to each other. By cross-referencing these moves with their own in the books they are holding and then turning the page, players are then given a picture of their opponent's current position along with an indication of whether or not a wound has been scored and restrictions on the next turn’s moves. Wounds are subtracted from body points, and when a character runs out of body points, it is defeated. Experience points are awarded to the victor, and in campaign play, it is possible for characters to grow in strength over time.
Over the years, a variety of gimmicks have been added to make the game more interesting. Some characters can cast spells or perform other special actions represented by cards. The earliest cards were included with certain books or sold in separate packages. Later books even include randomly inserted collectible cards representing spells, equipment and special moves which may be used to even up battles between poorly matched opponents or simply spice up battles. Some of these cards were also sold in special packs. There were also some kits released which, with the help of molded plastic dungeon floors, allowed the combat books to be used with miniatures for tactical combat and role-playing.
The series was first published by Nova Game Designs, then by Chessex and finally by Greysea. Flying Buffalo, Nutmeg Games and 1% Inspiration Games also published some additional items under license. Emithill reproduced some of the early Nova releases for English audiences; these British editions look exactly like the American ones (Nova logo and all), but the cover graphics are slightly less sharp and the back cover features a white box near the middle containing the text "Printed under license by Emithill Ltd., Manchester, England."
Collections
1090. Lost Worlds Introductory Set (1991)Gamebooks
Be Your Own Lost Worlds CharacterBitra (2004)
Driataur (2004)
Gunslinger with Whip and Pistol (2004)
Mutant Hill Giant (2004)
1001. Man in Chainmail with Sword and Shield (1983)
1002. Skeleton with Scimitar and Shield (1983)
1003. Dwarf in Chainmail with Two-handed Ax (1983)
1004. Giant Goblin with Mace and Shield (1983)
1005. Woman in Scale with Sword and Shield (1983)
1006. Hill Troll with Club (1983)
1007. Barbarian with Two-handed Sword (1984)
1008. Fighter Mage with Magic Sword (1984)
1009. Wraith with Sickle (1984)
1010. Cold Drake (1984)
1011. Halfling with Sword and Shield (1984)
1012. Lizard Man with Scimitar and Buckler (1984)
1013. Man in Plate with Sword and Shield (1985)
1014. Man with Short Sword and Dagger (1985)
1015. Woman with Quarterstaff (1985)
1016. Winged Gargoyle with Scimitar (1987)
1301. Unicorn (1985)
1401. Samurai with Katana (1985)
1402. Ninja with Ninjato (1985)
1601. Manticore (1987)
3001. Runesword: Bith - Female Cleric (1991)
3002. Runesword: Cal - Warrior with Sword and Shield (1991)
3003. Runesword: Endril - Elfin Archer with Epee (1991)
3004. Runesword: Hathor - Troll with Axe (1991)
4001. Robin Hood (Unpublished)
4002. Little John (Unpublished)
5001. Arcanthus the Sage (1997)
5002. Daniel the Pirate (1997)
5004. Chester the Jester (1997)
5005. Thorgal the Wyrm Slayer (1997)
5006. Wyrm the Dragon (1997)
5007. Felina the Tiger Lady (1997)
5008. Dino Fight Series: Stegosaur (1997)
5009. Dino Fight Series: Pachycephalosaur (1997)
5010. Dino Fight Series: T-Rex (1997)
5011. Dino Fight Series: Triceratops (1997)
5012. Dino Fight Series: Pinacosaur (1997)
5013. Dino Fight Series: Allosaur (1997)
5014. Arafael the Angel (1997)
5015. Eilee the Sprite (1997)
5016. Zzz... Zombie (1997)
5017. Sylvestra the Wood Elf (1997)
5019. Horras Hob-Goblin (1997)
5020. Medusa (1997)
5021. Gildersleve the Dwarf (1997)
5022. Oowell the Ghoul (1997)
5024. Ursa Bugbear (1997)
5030. Lilli the Swashbuckler (1997)
6001. Design Your Own Character (1997)
8601. Tunnels and Trolls: Umslopagaas, the Scorpion Wizard (1995)
8602. Tunnels and Trolls: Flaming Cherry (1995)
8603. Tunnels and Trolls: Kharis, Royal Mummy (1995)
8604. Tunnels and Trolls: Chiron, Magical Centaur (1995)
8605. Tunnels and Trolls: Praxides, Female Gargoyle (1996)
8607. Tunnels and Trolls: Mac Aber, A Highland Warrior with Claymore (1996)
8609. Amara Wintersword, Female Barbarian with Axe (2003)
8610. Knights of the Dinner Table: Bob "Knuckles" (2003)
8611. Knights of the Dinner Table: Brian "Teflon Billy" (2000)
8612. Knights of the Dinner Table: Dave "El Ravager" (2000)
8613. Knights of the Dinner Table: Sara "Thorina" (2003)
8615. Mischa Redblur, Ultra Sorceress
8616. Meresin, Dwarf with Warhammer
8617. Zocchi, Magician with Dice Bag
60150. Othere, Djinn of Distinction (1995)
60151. Brimstone, the Fire Giant (1995)
60152. Sir Percival, Mounted Knight (1995)
60153. Cimeree, Elfin Maid (1995)
Play Aids
1101. Tome of Red Magic (1985)1410. Ninja Tactic Cards (1985)
1411. Ninja Gimmicks Pack (1985)
8701. Fantasy Card Set A
8702. Fantasy Card Set B
8703. Fantasy Card Set C
8704. Fantasy Card Set D
8705. Fantasy Card Set E
8706. Fantasy Card Set F
9001. Fantasy Card Set 1: The Dragon's Cache
9002. Fantasy Card Set 2: The Mummy's Hoard
Role-Playing Materials
1102. Treasure Hoard of the Cold Drake (1991)2001. In the Ruins of the Ancients (1985)
2002. The Dwarf and Goblin Wars
2006. The Ancient Scrolls of Danga'in
2007. The Death Ring of Khar-vasis
8801. The Curse of the Tarbella
Related Documents
Play Aid
Lost Worlds 1001 Character Sheet (front)
Lost Worlds 1001/1002 Character Sheet (back)
Lost Worlds 1002 Character Sheet (front)
Lost Worlds 1010 Character Sheet (back)
Lost Worlds 1010 Character Sheet (front)
Lost Worlds 3001 Cards (front)
Lost Worlds 3001 Character Sheet (back)
Lost Worlds 3001 Character Sheet (front)
Lost Worlds 3002 Cards (front)
Lost Worlds 3002 Character Sheet (back)
Lost Worlds 3002 Character Sheet (front)
Lost Worlds 5001 Character Sheet
Bibliography of Items About "Lost Worlds Fantasy Combat Books"
Gamebooks
Veltigg, The Forest Shade / Mattha, Huntress of DengladeRelated Links
Firelight Game Company
This company sells Lost Worlds gamebooks and is working in developing some new titles for the series.
http://firelightgames.com/
(last verified: 2012-09-25)
Flying Buffalo
This long-lived adventure game company sells solitaire adventures for the Tunnels & Trolls RPG along with some Lost Worlds books.
http://www.flyingbuffalo.com/
(last verified: 2019-04-12)
Kelly Bennett's Facebook Page
This gallery provides some artwork by the illustrator of the Daniel the Pirate Lost Worlds book.
https://www.facebook.com/Kelly-Bennett-Artist-Illustrator-180800388759131/
(last verified: 2025-02-16)
Table Talk: Chessex Stories-Lost Worlds, Part 1
This article (and the "part 2" linked from it) provides a first-hand account of the role of Chessex in reviving the Lost Worlds franchise.
https://northtexasapocalypsebunker.com/2024/06/03/table-talk-chessex-stories-lost-worlds-part-1/
(last verified: 2025-04-26)
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