Friday, May 24, 2013
One of those occasional games
///First started writing back after the Fall Season Novag Game Day. Now as I start to work on completing it, I'm two weeks away from the Spring one. Whoops.////
If you live in the Greater DC Metro Area, and have not linked up with NOVAG, I highly recommend it. Good group of gamers, and yesterday they held their Fall Game Day. Sadly I only could only stay until Noon, which I was fortunate enough considering moving requirements.
Some things came out of this.
First of all, General Quarters 3 from ODGW is actually an enjoyable game. So far it's the best game I've seen for addressing the game vs. simulation balance for World War 1 Naval, and I understand it does the same for World War 2. Someone at the game event was running his "Wobbly 8" scenario, with a British Fleet of Armored Cruisers and Pre-Dreadnaught Battleships fighting four ultra modern German battlecruisers. I was doing ok, about to cross the T before I ran out of time, but only due to the absolutely dreadful luck of my foe.
So, with that in mind I was reminded of two projects which have been sitting on the way back burner. The first was Aeronef which is, more or less, normal pre-dreadnought at 10,000 feet, and I think GC3 would capture it well and quickly with only the addition of altitude mechanics while maintaining speed of play. For a long time I had been looking at the possibility of using Battlefleet Gothic. No clue why, as I'm sitting her thinking about it. It just seemed to make sense...I should probably go back and reread it to see if that core theory applies. My books have finally returned from deep storage (and let's face it, I'm still doing a happy dance.
Project number two, and maybe more viable is the CSN vs. USN in the 1901-1905 period. However this is for another time.
This has been sitting in my drafts for too long. just some random thoughts
If you live in the Greater DC Metro Area, and have not linked up with NOVAG, I highly recommend it. Good group of gamers, and yesterday they held their Fall Game Day. Sadly I only could only stay until Noon, which I was fortunate enough considering moving requirements.
Some things came out of this.
First of all, General Quarters 3 from ODGW is actually an enjoyable game. So far it's the best game I've seen for addressing the game vs. simulation balance for World War 1 Naval, and I understand it does the same for World War 2. Someone at the game event was running his "Wobbly 8" scenario, with a British Fleet of Armored Cruisers and Pre-Dreadnaught Battleships fighting four ultra modern German battlecruisers. I was doing ok, about to cross the T before I ran out of time, but only due to the absolutely dreadful luck of my foe.
So, with that in mind I was reminded of two projects which have been sitting on the way back burner. The first was Aeronef which is, more or less, normal pre-dreadnought at 10,000 feet, and I think GC3 would capture it well and quickly with only the addition of altitude mechanics while maintaining speed of play. For a long time I had been looking at the possibility of using Battlefleet Gothic. No clue why, as I'm sitting her thinking about it. It just seemed to make sense...I should probably go back and reread it to see if that core theory applies. My books have finally returned from deep storage (and let's face it, I'm still doing a happy dance.
Project number two, and maybe more viable is the CSN vs. USN in the 1901-1905 period. However this is for another time.
This has been sitting in my drafts for too long. just some random thoughts
I have a pulse dagnabit
The new job, in short, is about two jobs. Not an excuse, rather an explanation. Mainly to Brooks, my own personal Wargaming Jimminy Cricket. But, instead of "Conscience", his badge says "Paint Something". And he's taller.
I'd like to say things will get better, but it won't, not for a while.
So I finally got to get some dice rolled of late. Dux Bellorum against goodman Erik and his fine collection of beer and hospitality, with kind wife Jenny and bashful child looking on. The phone died so no photos (I never foresaw that statement about a decade ago...but that's another story). Only optional rule in play was "no more than one wound could be avoided by leadership". Time was tight.
Game 1-Erik's Early Wild Welsh vs. Sean's Overly Overly Enthusiastic Irish (Is there another kind).
The Welsh were a "I have figures, let me make a last minute 5th army", and one I didn't expect to be effective frankly. Warrior Welsh vs. Warrior Irish with Chariots, with the Welsh foregoing their ambush and holding on to their Javelins. Shockingly, and painfully, effective javelins.
I learned a lot that first game. Mainly I learned the optional rule of "spend one leadership point for avoiding charge" I've since found on the net. Though I outnumbered the Welsh, I didn't out maneuver my foe and was defeated in detail. Once I got within charge range (4 base widths, or over 5" on a 24" table for Chariots), it became a die rolling exercise, with all my forces on auto-charge. In short the Irish were unplayable with Chariots. But not Irish without them. Not historical with them, mind you, but who lets history get in the way of a good wargame. At this point i wasn't sure if this was a game for me. Frankly the game didn't play like it read. I made mistakes, i failed to take advantage on my better speed and didn't focus on one of his two rather divided flanks.
None the less...On to game 2
Game 2-45 minutes on the clock for Dux Erik's Late Romans (Imposing horses and poor infantry) vs. Theign's Sean's drunken Saxon (Mead ability, basically making them orcs).
The time was tight, but while I was slaughtered the first game, it was a good time. Mead is a wonderful rule for a short game (+1 offensive dice, -1 HP per unit). So I had to unleash the Saxons. Things played different. The Romans were a poorer force. Heavy on cavalry in a game in which cavalry is not decisive, and completely hamstrung by no good leadership among their infantry, trailing far behind the battle. If it had been another game, I would not have stood a chance, and if we replayed, I'm certain Erik would have learned and I wouldn't stand a chance.
There is one other optional rule, scouring the internet, is that supporting units add two not one die that must be considered. I'm not sure if it should be 2 for the first and 1 for the second and later, but there needs to be better support. Flanking is rather easy, but i guess that's the way it should be in this time and era. This is a good game to simulate the difference between Shieldwall and Warrior armies, and probably Sheildwall vs. Shieldwall (which I haven't played), but as mentioned before, for warrior vs. warrior, it needs some modifications. This is a great sandbox rule system, good value for the money, but it needs some work in this gamer's humble opinion.
And all that said, if you're interested in the period in an approachable method, I really recommend the British History Podcast which is currently reaching the middle saxon period. If you have issues with Liverpool FC, then avoid, but he's in the weeds on medicine, food, and warfare, bringing interesting scholarship which, if not definitive, is worth listening to.
May you roll sixes, unless I face you on the field of battle. Apparently in latin this is: Sit seni volvere, nisi in facie tua proelio. I think I just found the new phrase for the hobby room door.
I'd like to say things will get better, but it won't, not for a while.
So I finally got to get some dice rolled of late. Dux Bellorum against goodman Erik and his fine collection of beer and hospitality, with kind wife Jenny and bashful child looking on. The phone died so no photos (I never foresaw that statement about a decade ago...but that's another story). Only optional rule in play was "no more than one wound could be avoided by leadership". Time was tight.
Game 1-Erik's Early Wild Welsh vs. Sean's Overly Overly Enthusiastic Irish (Is there another kind).
The Welsh were a "I have figures, let me make a last minute 5th army", and one I didn't expect to be effective frankly. Warrior Welsh vs. Warrior Irish with Chariots, with the Welsh foregoing their ambush and holding on to their Javelins. Shockingly, and painfully, effective javelins.
I learned a lot that first game. Mainly I learned the optional rule of "spend one leadership point for avoiding charge" I've since found on the net. Though I outnumbered the Welsh, I didn't out maneuver my foe and was defeated in detail. Once I got within charge range (4 base widths, or over 5" on a 24" table for Chariots), it became a die rolling exercise, with all my forces on auto-charge. In short the Irish were unplayable with Chariots. But not Irish without them. Not historical with them, mind you, but who lets history get in the way of a good wargame. At this point i wasn't sure if this was a game for me. Frankly the game didn't play like it read. I made mistakes, i failed to take advantage on my better speed and didn't focus on one of his two rather divided flanks.
None the less...On to game 2
Game 2-45 minutes on the clock for Dux Erik's Late Romans (Imposing horses and poor infantry) vs. Theign's Sean's drunken Saxon (Mead ability, basically making them orcs).
The time was tight, but while I was slaughtered the first game, it was a good time. Mead is a wonderful rule for a short game (+1 offensive dice, -1 HP per unit). So I had to unleash the Saxons. Things played different. The Romans were a poorer force. Heavy on cavalry in a game in which cavalry is not decisive, and completely hamstrung by no good leadership among their infantry, trailing far behind the battle. If it had been another game, I would not have stood a chance, and if we replayed, I'm certain Erik would have learned and I wouldn't stand a chance.
There is one other optional rule, scouring the internet, is that supporting units add two not one die that must be considered. I'm not sure if it should be 2 for the first and 1 for the second and later, but there needs to be better support. Flanking is rather easy, but i guess that's the way it should be in this time and era. This is a good game to simulate the difference between Shieldwall and Warrior armies, and probably Sheildwall vs. Shieldwall (which I haven't played), but as mentioned before, for warrior vs. warrior, it needs some modifications. This is a great sandbox rule system, good value for the money, but it needs some work in this gamer's humble opinion.
And all that said, if you're interested in the period in an approachable method, I really recommend the British History Podcast which is currently reaching the middle saxon period. If you have issues with Liverpool FC, then avoid, but he's in the weeds on medicine, food, and warfare, bringing interesting scholarship which, if not definitive, is worth listening to.
May you roll sixes, unless I face you on the field of battle. Apparently in latin this is: Sit seni volvere, nisi in facie tua proelio. I think I just found the new phrase for the hobby room door.
Sunday, January 13, 2013
WADBA(?)
Something that's been kicking in the ample space of my mind has been the possibility of linking DBA and WAB (Warhammer Ancient Battles-1st edition for me for what its worth) into a coherent system.
Yeah....probably not.
So, this is the basis of the idea-well, it's nothing revolutionary by any means.
Building Units:
DBA has the army lists for a couple hundred historical forces- but limited to 12 stands each. Work off the 2.2+ unit types (sorry I'm of that hetrodox order). Each unit type has a line item in WAB. Modify the stat line for equipment as appropriate.
Yeah....probably not.
So, this is the basis of the idea-well, it's nothing revolutionary by any means.
Building Units:
DBA has the army lists for a couple hundred historical forces- but limited to 12 stands each. Work off the 2.2+ unit types (sorry I'm of that hetrodox order). Each unit type has a line item in WAB. Modify the stat line for equipment as appropriate.
Now once you're done this you're going to find some armies don't hit the threshold of 500pts in twelve stands. This is where we start adding additional stands until you hit the number or twenty four stands-some armies will never reach it. You can never more than double stand types.
So...why?
The advantage is spacing. Heavy infantry fights at four to a 40mm stand (in 15mm). Medium's only three. In combat rolls that will be telling.
So why not just play Dba? Because am a tinkerer mainly. And why not just build WAB armies? Other than the fact that I am among the slowest painters in the hobby it allows for quick decisive games. Oddly this could also work in 15mm on a 4x6 table to allow for that oft overlooked maneuver phase of the battle's course of events.
I will let you know if I make something happen with this one or if it stays a passing fancy
When did it become 2013?
I'm sitting here at the new house, cat asleep on my lap, an O'douls by my side, which can only mean one thing. It's sober January, which means we crossed some annual meridian into 2013. I'm sure few others are surprised, frankly with the fanfare it's hard to miss. But looking around and my last entry is Sept 2012...Ok. So where are things?
1. The house is purchased, and there is a hobby room. It's small, not a complaint, but frankly right now it's appropriately sized. Frame in book shelves and other storage solutions and I'm really not sure what I'm going to do for a gaming table. 4x6 will fit. You won't be able to sit down at it, or probably stand either, but it will fit.
2. Stuff is back. After about a three year hiatus for some of my key items, and a good 20 month hiatus from all the toys. And that feels good.
3. Holy Crap I have a lot of toys. I've reduced already-twenty one boxes of books and other stuff, and tossing papers of previous eras. But as I have continued to dig, and placed to the side a full box of miniatures for a good home. Even as I look to other solutions for storage, more have to go. Or at least get them off Popsicle sticks.
4. Project take aways.
a. Finish unpacking
b. Reduce, reduce, reduce I've gotten rid of about half my books at this point, and probably it was time. But more minis have to go. Already I've cut some 28mm Heroics, 28mm WW2, 6mm Epic, and, sigh....10mm Warmaster. Maybe. That may be later. Stuff is still missing though.
c. From here I shouldn't need to buy anything new for a while...what's old is new. I'd forgotten about some of my projects. And wow that's a lot of Austrians. This means no 3mm modern/advance wars, no investments in figures frankly for a while. Terrain's in play of course.
Sigh...not very exciting. But let's face it, it something. Let me go nip off and work on the other drafts I have laying around.
1. The house is purchased, and there is a hobby room. It's small, not a complaint, but frankly right now it's appropriately sized. Frame in book shelves and other storage solutions and I'm really not sure what I'm going to do for a gaming table. 4x6 will fit. You won't be able to sit down at it, or probably stand either, but it will fit.
2. Stuff is back. After about a three year hiatus for some of my key items, and a good 20 month hiatus from all the toys. And that feels good.
3. Holy Crap I have a lot of toys. I've reduced already-twenty one boxes of books and other stuff, and tossing papers of previous eras. But as I have continued to dig, and placed to the side a full box of miniatures for a good home. Even as I look to other solutions for storage, more have to go. Or at least get them off Popsicle sticks.
4. Project take aways.
a. Finish unpacking
b. Reduce, reduce, reduce I've gotten rid of about half my books at this point, and probably it was time. But more minis have to go. Already I've cut some 28mm Heroics, 28mm WW2, 6mm Epic, and, sigh....10mm Warmaster. Maybe. That may be later. Stuff is still missing though.
c. From here I shouldn't need to buy anything new for a while...what's old is new. I'd forgotten about some of my projects. And wow that's a lot of Austrians. This means no 3mm modern/advance wars, no investments in figures frankly for a while. Terrain's in play of course.
Sigh...not very exciting. But let's face it, it something. Let me go nip off and work on the other drafts I have laying around.
Sunday, September 23, 2012
Principle of Scale
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.
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.
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.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)