So, I had a dark and evil secret. I really want to do ACW in 10mm. On first blush, it doesn't appear to be much of an evil secret, but Pendraken puts out some amazing ACW figures (check them out if you haven't already). However, here's the problem: I'm seeking orthodoxy in scale. This means I am claiming the following scales to be core for all wargaming activities:
Heroics/Skirmishing 28mm: This is for Squad on Squad level activities with individually based figures, whether Super Hero, Fantasy, or World War II.
Standard Wargaming 15mm: This is for elements (stands of 2-4 figures on a base) and the occasional individually based game. Here I'm looking at the fallback for everything, I have Ancients, Fantasy, WW2 large scale, Napoleonic, etc. With this in mind I also must admit I have embraced WRG Standard-so 40mm wide for all figures and from 15mm for close order infantry and 40mm for war machines for depth.
Small Scale 1/300 and 1/600: There are exceptions that don't fit. Jet Age and, after much debate, WW2 Aircraft will run in 1/600. I have my Horse and Musket in 1/300, and if American Civil War doesn't end up in 15mm, it'll definitely end up in 1/300.
And this is it. Admittedly there are a few exceptions. After all, what scale is a Star Ship? All this said, I'll continue to try to restrain all activities to these scales. The basis for this is scenery. Games in part are driven by the battlefield they're fought on. Consolidation on scale results in minimal requirements for scenery.
I profess this, because, as I've mentioned, I'd really like to do 10mm ACW. Or some of those beautiful 20mm SCW. And so it goes. While I may allow for the occasional justifiable exception (1/72 WW1 Air screams at the moment should I ever try it out), the less the better.
Sunday, September 23, 2012
Saturday, September 22, 2012
A small note
Not that this particular enterprise is getting read, but I would note that I'm in the process of a new job and finalizing the purchase of a new house...so this endeavour may be less than prolific in the near future.
That said, I have been forced today to place my "Miniature Slum" or panting storage space in storage. So in recognition of this, as well as the apparent immanent purchase of a house much earlier than expected, I'm delaying the start of the hobby year until things are under control....I believe this will end up being December 2012, but I may be a little optimistic.
On the bright side the house we're moving into will allow for a Man Cave....not a basement (generally a bad idea in a flood plane) but at least a room for the hobby to thrive.
Until then however, the focus now must wander to the question of rules, in particular the idea of Superheroes. Most folks are quite satisfied with Supersystem (v3) from the Goalsystem Family Tree. It's not a bad system, but since college I've been a proponent of the concept of using the Savage World Showdown System since it was simply called the Great Rail Wars. We'll see what happens but I'll focus on making that finally happen in absence of actual figure wargaming.
That said, I have been forced today to place my "Miniature Slum" or panting storage space in storage. So in recognition of this, as well as the apparent immanent purchase of a house much earlier than expected, I'm delaying the start of the hobby year until things are under control....I believe this will end up being December 2012, but I may be a little optimistic.
On the bright side the house we're moving into will allow for a Man Cave....not a basement (generally a bad idea in a flood plane) but at least a room for the hobby to thrive.
Until then however, the focus now must wander to the question of rules, in particular the idea of Superheroes. Most folks are quite satisfied with Supersystem (v3) from the Goalsystem Family Tree. It's not a bad system, but since college I've been a proponent of the concept of using the Savage World Showdown System since it was simply called the Great Rail Wars. We'll see what happens but I'll focus on making that finally happen in absence of actual figure wargaming.
Saturday, September 15, 2012
Other Dux of the Rings Musings
Well, as mentioned previously I do believe that Dux Bellorum presents a pretty good feel for what battles might look like for Lord of the Rings. Obviously turning a rather period specific system into a Fantasy Wargame isn't for everyone, but the goal here is to do so without really changing the rules. More a resurfacing than reinventing.
There are some problems that have come up. This setting requires a few additional Strategy and Tactics, particularly Heroes, the occasional beasty, the occasional flyers, Palantir Intel, etc. This is a quick start for brainstorming.
Rohan-Actually this one doesn't require much, they're Land Raiders, but they lose Chariots and War Dogs. They also gain the Option for Allies: Elves
Elves-Currently I'm viewing these as Allies only, for which they can provide 0-1 Noble Shieldwall @ 5 Pts, 0-2 Bows @ 3Pts ea, and 0-1 Noble Riders @ 5 Pts.
Dwarves-Again Allies Only. 0-1 Noble Shieldwalls @ 5 Pts, 0-2 Ordinary Shieldwalls @ 3 Pts ea.
There are some problems that have come up. This setting requires a few additional Strategy and Tactics, particularly Heroes, the occasional beasty, the occasional flyers, Palantir Intel, etc. This is a quick start for brainstorming.
Rohan-Actually this one doesn't require much, they're Land Raiders, but they lose Chariots and War Dogs. They also gain the Option for Allies: Elves
Elves-Currently I'm viewing these as Allies only, for which they can provide 0-1 Noble Shieldwall @ 5 Pts, 0-2 Bows @ 3Pts ea, and 0-1 Noble Riders @ 5 Pts.
Dwarves-Again Allies Only. 0-1 Noble Shieldwalls @ 5 Pts, 0-2 Ordinary Shieldwalls @ 3 Pts ea.
Isengard Orcs Orcs-Slight modification to the previously created Mordor Orc list. This is an interpretation off of the movies more than the books. In absence of any archaeological evidence feel free to ignore, modify, or burn in effigy.
Aggression +4 Leadership Points: 6-10
1 Foot Companions with Leader @ 5 Pts ea
0-3 Noble Shieldwall @ 5 Pts ea
0-8 Ordinary Shieldwall @ 3 Pts ea
0-2 Foot Bows @ 3 Pts ea
0-1 Mounted Skirmishers @ 2 Pts ea
0-2 Foot Skirmisher @ 1 Pts ea
Special Rules
Allies: Up to 6 Army Points may come from one of the following lists: Easterling, Southron (obviously TBD at this point).
* Foot Companions are Shieldwall
* Mounted Skirmishers should be represented by Wolfriders
* One piece of Terrain if defending
* 0-3 Strategy and Tactics: Ambush, Champion's Challenge, Experienced Warlord, Fanatics, Loyal, Mead (Still a Must), Veterans
Easterlings-Right now thinking a force of ordinary shieldwall, a cataphract, little other horse available, and weak skirmishers.....Nothing really unique and something that could be covered by Late Romans at this point. I will ponder.
Southrons/Haradim-Crux of this force is the Mumak....will they work on a table? Is the scale of battles too small for the uber-Hephalump? Is it just the Stampede Strategy? Not sure yet. Beyond that I'm seeing a number of light horse (skirmish horse) and warriors (close call, could have been shieldwall, really matter of opinion).
Until next time.
Easterlings-Right now thinking a force of ordinary shieldwall, a cataphract, little other horse available, and weak skirmishers.....Nothing really unique and something that could be covered by Late Romans at this point. I will ponder.
Southrons/Haradim-Crux of this force is the Mumak....will they work on a table? Is the scale of battles too small for the uber-Hephalump? Is it just the Stampede Strategy? Not sure yet. Beyond that I'm seeing a number of light horse (skirmish horse) and warriors (close call, could have been shieldwall, really matter of opinion).
Until next time.
The Currency of Wargaming
One of the driving theories of this Blog, as mentioned previously, is to drive the number of fully completed forces available.
Before any more figures can be purchased, a credit must be built up against the existing lead piles that collect like dunes. I joke about owning more unpainted lead than my body weight, but I'm pretty sure that's not an exaggeration. I'm getting more careful about where I joke.
To solve this I am hoping to create a system of currency and credits, famously a number of folks have listed variants of "the Challenge". For the gaming year (01 Sept 2012 - 31 Aug 2013) my target is to be net positive on painted figures. Before new figures can be bought old must be painted or sold. Of course the effort involved affects the credit value.
What this means is that:
15mm Figure painted = 1 Credit
8 x 6mm figures painted (2 strips Baccus) = 1 Credit
1/600 Aircraft = 1 Credit (they're small buggers)
25/28/Heroics = 2 Credits
Figures Partially Completed at Start of Painting Year, etc = x1/2 value
Cavalry = x2 value
War Machines (Arty, GOP, etc) = x4 value.
Selling Figures = x1/2 Value
And right now I'm at 0 Credits. This Hobby Year has not been very productive thus far.
Before any more figures can be purchased, a credit must be built up against the existing lead piles that collect like dunes. I joke about owning more unpainted lead than my body weight, but I'm pretty sure that's not an exaggeration. I'm getting more careful about where I joke.
To solve this I am hoping to create a system of currency and credits, famously a number of folks have listed variants of "the Challenge". For the gaming year (01 Sept 2012 - 31 Aug 2013) my target is to be net positive on painted figures. Before new figures can be bought old must be painted or sold. Of course the effort involved affects the credit value.
What this means is that:
15mm Figure painted = 1 Credit
8 x 6mm figures painted (2 strips Baccus) = 1 Credit
1/600 Aircraft = 1 Credit (they're small buggers)
25/28/Heroics = 2 Credits
Figures Partially Completed at Start of Painting Year, etc = x1/2 value
Cavalry = x2 value
War Machines (Arty, GOP, etc) = x4 value.
Selling Figures = x1/2 Value
And right now I'm at 0 Credits. This Hobby Year has not been very productive thus far.
Thursday, September 6, 2012
Dux of the Rings?
So... recently there's been the appearance of a number of rules systems from Osprey. It's a simple model, but one I suspect that will work quite well for them in the long run. Dux Bellorum however is a quality product, and brings something I've been looking for out of a system for a while. My problem is simple. I don't paint much quickly, which, when combined with my Gamers ADD, results in mot a lot being available to throw on the table. So that's meant DBA for the most part, which I'm fine with. It's a simple solid system in 2.2 (I'm not touching that whole 2.2+ vs 3.0 mess). But-it's simple, and the forces are always 12 stands on 12 stands, so it's not always balanced.
Dux Bellorum give additional details with a rather specific focused feel for the period. There are a number of fine reviews you can find online, I won't attempt to compete with their efforts. What I can say is that this allows a rather complex game with 8-12 stands on the table....well, at least it appears that way on first read through.
Now I've been a fan of the idea of using DBA (not HoTT) for "Historically Plausible Fantasy Wargaming", whatever that means. In much the same way Dux Bellorum could have a roll in similar fantasy gaming. However, as Dux is, in it's roots, a rule set focused on a particular period, it brings to mind a fantasy derivitive also focused on a particular type of fantasy gaming, in particular Lord of the Rings.
Gondor should be run as a simple Late Roman army List with, as far as I can tell, no changes (though I'm sure some experts of the archeological evidence will argue with me). Mordor Orcs should be an easy translation, which was what jumped out when I first read through the book. Clearly I have problems.
Mordor Orcs
Aggression +5 Leadership Points: 6-10
1 Foot Companions with Leader @ 5 Pts ea
0-3 Noble Warriors @ 5 Pts ea
0-10 Ordinary Warriors @ 3 Pts ea
0-1 Foot Bows @ 3 Pts ea
0-2 Mounted Skirmishers @ 2 Pts ea
0-2 Foot Skirmisher @ 1 Pts ea
Special Rules
Allies: Up to 6 Army Points may come from one of the following lists: Easterling, Southron (obviously TBD at this point).
* If Foot Companions are Selected, they must be Warriors
* If Chariots are selected, only the Leader may select them
* Mounted Skirmishers should be represented by Wolfriders
* One piece of Terrain if defending
* 0-3 Strategy and Tactics: Ambush, Champion's Challenge, Chariots, Experienced Warlord, Fanatics, Mead (all but a must), Veterans, War Dogs (er...Wargs)
Dux Bellorum give additional details with a rather specific focused feel for the period. There are a number of fine reviews you can find online, I won't attempt to compete with their efforts. What I can say is that this allows a rather complex game with 8-12 stands on the table....well, at least it appears that way on first read through.
Now I've been a fan of the idea of using DBA (not HoTT) for "Historically Plausible Fantasy Wargaming", whatever that means. In much the same way Dux Bellorum could have a roll in similar fantasy gaming. However, as Dux is, in it's roots, a rule set focused on a particular period, it brings to mind a fantasy derivitive also focused on a particular type of fantasy gaming, in particular Lord of the Rings.
Gondor should be run as a simple Late Roman army List with, as far as I can tell, no changes (though I'm sure some experts of the archeological evidence will argue with me). Mordor Orcs should be an easy translation, which was what jumped out when I first read through the book. Clearly I have problems.
Mordor Orcs
Aggression +5 Leadership Points: 6-10
1 Foot Companions with Leader @ 5 Pts ea
0-3 Noble Warriors @ 5 Pts ea
0-10 Ordinary Warriors @ 3 Pts ea
0-1 Foot Bows @ 3 Pts ea
0-2 Mounted Skirmishers @ 2 Pts ea
0-2 Foot Skirmisher @ 1 Pts ea
Special Rules
Allies: Up to 6 Army Points may come from one of the following lists: Easterling, Southron (obviously TBD at this point).
* If Foot Companions are Selected, they must be Warriors
* If Chariots are selected, only the Leader may select them
* Mounted Skirmishers should be represented by Wolfriders
* One piece of Terrain if defending
* 0-3 Strategy and Tactics: Ambush, Champion's Challenge, Chariots, Experienced Warlord, Fanatics, Mead (all but a must), Veterans, War Dogs (er...Wargs)
Saturday, August 25, 2012
Mission-Vision-Goals
Mission for this blog is simple-increase the quality of my hobby of Wargaming. That means the enjoyment I get out of it, how often I play it, and how many full forces I have.
How I envision completing this is by gaming more often without attempting to take more time from our schedule (Married, Moving, etc). It means more wasted time focused on hobby efforts and capturing what time I can. It means finishing projects.
Goals-Currently there are a number of open current projects. I need to focus on three, as much as I want to do otherwise.
Maurice in 6mm-My Austrians are started and in the most need of completion. Foot is almost complete. Cavalry and Artillery are not more than basecoated. This project must be the priority. Success is defined as my 100pt Austrians complete.
DBA 15mm-Theoretically a quick whip of a paint job to get armies done. Then you bump into my painting speed. And my completist streak to get every option and variant. So I have two armies done (Dark Age Irish and Roman Patrician) and one halfway done (Numidian), with probably the lead for a dozen more lying around and that again storage. Success will be defined as the Numidians complete and two more done.
Check Your 6! Jet Age 1/600-I was able to get six aircraft painted in quick order, which is a good feeling. At 1/600 this is a small effort, admitedly. Success here will be defined as two more completed matched sets/battles for a total of a dozen more aircraft.
The gaming year starts 1 Sept-other things will prevent me from starting earlier. I have until 31 Aug 13 to get these projects done. Also the goal is to increase the amounts of gaming I get in-here the goal will be one wargame every month of some sort. Not a grand goal, but better than nothing and far better than what I've been able to get thus far.
How I envision completing this is by gaming more often without attempting to take more time from our schedule (Married, Moving, etc). It means more wasted time focused on hobby efforts and capturing what time I can. It means finishing projects.
Goals-Currently there are a number of open current projects. I need to focus on three, as much as I want to do otherwise.
Maurice in 6mm-My Austrians are started and in the most need of completion. Foot is almost complete. Cavalry and Artillery are not more than basecoated. This project must be the priority. Success is defined as my 100pt Austrians complete.
DBA 15mm-Theoretically a quick whip of a paint job to get armies done. Then you bump into my painting speed. And my completist streak to get every option and variant. So I have two armies done (Dark Age Irish and Roman Patrician) and one halfway done (Numidian), with probably the lead for a dozen more lying around and that again storage. Success will be defined as the Numidians complete and two more done.
Check Your 6! Jet Age 1/600-I was able to get six aircraft painted in quick order, which is a good feeling. At 1/600 this is a small effort, admitedly. Success here will be defined as two more completed matched sets/battles for a total of a dozen more aircraft.
The gaming year starts 1 Sept-other things will prevent me from starting earlier. I have until 31 Aug 13 to get these projects done. Also the goal is to increase the amounts of gaming I get in-here the goal will be one wargame every month of some sort. Not a grand goal, but better than nothing and far better than what I've been able to get thus far.
Beginning
Let's be honest, this is one of a plethora of blogs popping up in the realm of wargaming of late. If you're here, you're probably familiar with the theory. If you're not, I play with toy soldiers and attempt to justify it with a bevy of overpriced or homegrown rules.
I've been a lurker on TMP since college and gamed when the other hobbies (lately mostly brewing) and that day to day lurker, the life more ordinary have allowed. Geography blesses me with access to a number of good conventions I manage to miss with regularity. Currently I have my body weight in lead (almost all unpainted) in storage, along with most rules, and the ensuing shrinkage of space required recalibration of how I play. That's meant smaller games, smaller scales, and standardization of items (primarily to 15mm).
Suffering from GADD (Gamer's Attention Deficit Disorder) and sitting in awe of those who can avoid it's infection, I start a lot of projects. I don't really finish many. On the bright side that means that in this in my life I've accrued a number of projects within range of completion. Others who run these blogs comment that it can help them keep on target.
So let's see what happens from there.
I've been a lurker on TMP since college and gamed when the other hobbies (lately mostly brewing) and that day to day lurker, the life more ordinary have allowed. Geography blesses me with access to a number of good conventions I manage to miss with regularity. Currently I have my body weight in lead (almost all unpainted) in storage, along with most rules, and the ensuing shrinkage of space required recalibration of how I play. That's meant smaller games, smaller scales, and standardization of items (primarily to 15mm).
Suffering from GADD (Gamer's Attention Deficit Disorder) and sitting in awe of those who can avoid it's infection, I start a lot of projects. I don't really finish many. On the bright side that means that in this in my life I've accrued a number of projects within range of completion. Others who run these blogs comment that it can help them keep on target.
So let's see what happens from there.
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