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Post by Cromwell on Feb 9, 2017 19:01:00 GMT
Having been experimenting with the rules "The Pikeman's Lament" I have drawn up a mission of my own. Set on 1st September 1651, two days before the Battle of Worcester during the third English Civil War. A certain Royalist officer of dubious repute, namely Captain Richard Blunt hatches a scheme to capture Oliver Cromwell. If anyone is interested in seeing this mission it is posted on my wargames web page www.spanglefish.com/solitarywargamerI am sure it could be adapted for other rule sets as well, and possibly tweaked for other periods. Changing the target to a suitable character from that time of course. Attachment Deleted
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Post by Cromwell on Feb 8, 2017 22:39:40 GMT
I have attempted to use various fish tank decor for my wargames terrain. However I unfortunately encountered a few problems. Chief among these problems was a snag that arose when using some 20mm plastic figures. They kept floating to the top of the tank. I had to use fishing weights to hold them down. But more seriously was a health and safety issue. As we know a DBA game lasts about 1 hour. After my first game my hands were white and wrinkley, and the smell of fish doings clung to my hands for days. More of a problem was the fact I keep piranha. This post has taken over 30 minutes to type, with bandaged hands!
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Post by Cromwell on Feb 6, 2017 8:24:35 GMT
Every so often I encounter war wagons, yet despite their modelling appeal I don't have an army that contains them. What do you feel are their strengths and weaknesses? How do you use them on the table? Are they used offensively or defensively, grouped or individually? Interesting questions. Like you I have never fielded an army that uses them. I am however thinking of raising a Hussite army which I believe fields them
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Post by Cromwell on Feb 2, 2017 23:07:56 GMT
Just a quick word of thanks to all the members of this site. Since I have been moderator here I have only had once to step in when things got heated. Other then dealing with spam I have had little to do. Strange that those whose hobby is recreating some of the most violent episodes in our history can agree to differ and debate effectively. A lesson perhaps for our world leaders? Lets keep these high standards we have set ourselves and encourage others who enjoy our hobby to join us. Thanks again to all my fellow members.
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Post by Cromwell on Jan 31, 2017 8:49:15 GMT
Thanks for the review - I'm also considering getting "The Pikeman's Lament", and I'm glad it seems like a fun game. I got my copy from Amazon onto my Fire Tablet. The advantage of that is when a different section of the rules are mentioned, the test is highlighted and if you click the reference you are taken to the relevant rule. Does away with rule page flicking! Attachment Deleted
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Post by Cromwell on Jan 30, 2017 17:22:18 GMT
How do you find catapults and artillery in DBA 3.0? Do you find them to be a must have type troop type, in those lists that allow them, or are they something to be ignored where possible? Artillery are an option for the Middle Imperial and Late Roman army. In all the test games, this was dropped in favour of the 4Bw element.
My Bosporan did field them in their test games, but as defender the artillery were constantly out of position.
I am finding them less appealing as the games move too quickly for the artillery to respond (extra pip cost + move - no fire).
Not yet explored the 3.0 Army lists yet as I am still using my 2.2 armies for 3.0 which is no problem as I play solo. But you mention only Middle Imperial and Late Roman Army has the option of artillery. My 2.2 Early Imperial Romans have artillery so I assume thats a change in the 3.0 list
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Post by Cromwell on Jan 30, 2017 12:23:13 GMT
Very interesting thought!
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Post by Cromwell on Jan 29, 2017 22:17:46 GMT
Having read through the rules "The Pikemans Lament" I gave them a try out this afternoon.
I needed a company roster and an officer roster. My wife helped me create the examples provided in the book on an excel package which we then printed and laminated. I can now enter the stats with a marker pen and wipe clean as required. Time well spent!
I created my Officer and as I was playing solo an opposition officer. As this was my first go instead of a 24 point company I raised a 12 point one for each side. Each side had a Pike unit, a shot unit and for Parliament a Trotter unit and the Royalists a Galloper unit.
I Placed my officer Oliver Crump with the Trotter unit. The Royalist officer Charles King was randomly placed with the Pike Unit.
The mission played was as suggested by the rules the first one "Ga Pa" which is a straight forward destroy the opposition game.
I randomly placed the battlefield terrain which turned out very much like a rural English scene. Village, hedged enclosure, cultivated land, and woods.
The battle played out very well. The activation rules were very effective. You really have to plan your priorities, fail to activate a unit and your turn ends!
The game has little interesting querks. On an activation roll I rolled double 6! I immediately had to roll on a chart which informed me my senior officer had decided to send me reinforcements and I was duly given a regimental gun! If I had rolled double 1 I would not have been so lucky!
First action was a clash between the cavalry units, the rules involve a lot of die being rolled but work very well.
Shooting works in a similar way and works well. The game played very fast and after a few turns I no longer needed the rules.
I was a little sceptical about the officer challenge rules, but towards the end of the game I challenged the Royalist officer to a duel, I won, (done by die rolls) he was wounded and carried off. His depleted company then withdrew from the field.
I really enjoyed this skirmish which played out in about an hour. It is hard to accept at first that units have no "facing" except the regimental gun. But it makes sense when the rules are portraying a flowing and rapid action.
I am not really into role playing games, but I have to admit I happily marked up my officer Oliver Crumps record to show he had obtained more honour, and was a step closer to his captaincy!
For large battles I will use DB-RRR with my adaptations, for small battles it will be One Hour Wargames ECW and for skirmishes it will Pikeman's Lament.
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Post by Cromwell on Jan 28, 2017 15:26:48 GMT
I have just received my pre-ordered copy of the Pike and Shot rules "The Pikemans Lament" by Daniel Mersey. I have only read through them fairly quickly but I am impressed. These rules cover Thirty Years War through to The Great Northern War. They are aimed at the large skirmish and basing is very flexible. They hinge around you creating an officer and then forming your "Company" which can include Pike, Shot, Forlorn Hope, Commanded Shot, Clubmen, Clansmen with cavalry Trotters or Gallopers, included are regimental guns. The officer gets traits which affect how he performs and his influence on his company. You can keep the officer from skirmish to skirmish until he is killed, disgraced or promoted to Regimental command. The units in your company also have various traits and some special rules such as skirmish, evade or carracole. I like the activation system and the rules suggest they will play fast. The average size of company is 24 points which is around 60 figures, although again you can use less figures. Included are missions which give ideas for skirmish settings and some sample companies from each of the main conflicts. Hopefully I will have time to give the rules try out tomorrow. Once bloodied I will wite a battle or in this case skirmish review. Attachment Deleted
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Post by Cromwell on Jan 28, 2017 12:19:48 GMT
I have used the straight from the book rules and a 'house' adaption and found they work well. Do you have a link for Alan Saunders version? Have you looked at Bob Corderys 'Portable Wargame'? These use grids and are quick and (deceptively) simple. Very easy to put together an ECW version. Have a look at Bobs 'Wargaming Miscellany' blog for the development history of the PW. I cant find the link at the moment but if you PM me your e-mail address I will send them to you.
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Spam
Jan 28, 2017 12:18:30 GMT
Post by Cromwell on Jan 28, 2017 12:18:30 GMT
We seem to have another infextion of spam. Hopefully all dealt with. Please let me know if any appear again.
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Post by Cromwell on Jan 25, 2017 14:16:21 GMT
Having acquired Neil Thomas "One Hour Wargames" I was impressed by the Pike and Shot rules.. I then discovered a more specialised "One Hour Wargames English Civil War" adaptation by Alan Saunders. Essentially these are the original Pike and Shot rules with certain interesting changes which add artillery and dragoons. Also each unit is eliminated with 5 hit points as opposed to 15. However hits are harder to get. The rules also introduce Raw, Trained and Veteran troops. Raw troops disappear after 4 hits and Veteran troops after 6. I have added some home variants Pursuit Gallopers upon destroying and enemy unit pursue 2 x D6 I.E. a roll of 8 means they gallop straight forward 8 inches. Trotters do the same but use only 1 D6 Leadership Like Mr Thomas, Mr Saunders includes no leadership rules. I have added the following. Each side has 1 leader figure. A D6 is rolled for the leader 1,2, he is a buffoon, 3,4, he is average, 5,6 he is good. Each leader may at the start of their turn attempt to rally a unit and then move or move and then attempt to rally a unit. They may of course rally a unit and just stay where they are. Leaders move 12". A unit can only be rallied once it has 3 or less hits remaining. A Leader can attempt to rally any unit except artillery that is within 6" of his position. Only 1 attempt can be made per turn. To rally the leader rolls a D10. Buffoon = Rally on roll of 1 2 3 4 5 Fails 6 7 8 Wounded 9 Killed 10 Average = Rally 1 2 3 4 5 6 Fails 7 8 Wounded 9 Killed 10 Good = Rally 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Fails 8 Wounded 9 Killed When rallied a unit has 1 hit point restored. A Wounded leader is moved directly to his camp area for treatment. At the start of his next turn he rolls a D6. 4 5 6 he can leave the camp. 1 2 3 means he must try again next turn. A killed leader is removed from the field. I have played a number of battles and found the rules to work really well. This is best suited in my opinion to smaller engagements Attachment Deleted Attachment Deleted
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Post by Cromwell on Jan 24, 2017 8:13:26 GMT
Paul Potter did some, which are on the old Fanaticus under 'Period Variants', also to be found on the new website that took most of the documents but not the forum: fanaticus.website/A direct link is: fanaticus.website/periodadaptations/AWIDBA.pdfI bought the DBN extension for the AWI, but you really need the main DBN rules (which have to be paid for, but which I do have and use) to use it. At the moment, I have nearly all my good guys painted (including Hessians), but have not yet started the rebel army. I use DBN exclusively now for Napoleonics, personally i would recommend them. I have not seen the AWI extension but i have used the ACW one and that also is very good.
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Post by Cromwell on Jan 24, 2017 8:09:55 GMT
Seems the best way forward with this to me.
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Post by Cromwell on Jan 14, 2017 8:33:49 GMT
Great report. Thanks.
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