With my epic collection now standing around 800 painted figures my mind has been constantly pondering over how I want to use them, with which rules, and the more I think the more I keep coming back to Commands & Colors Napoleonics. I just can't seem to get away from them! You know how sometimes an old project keeps on tugging you back? well I'd say this was as good as my wargaming ever got and I doubt I could improve much upon it, but it was a LOT of work. I love that game and I love epic figures so it could be a match made in heaven for me. I'd say it was the near perfect combination of a hex grid board game played with model soldiers on textured terrain. I know that it's something that must be done again if I am to get back to enjoying pushing soldiers around a table.
Photos from here back in 2012, 90mm dotted hexes then texture added. 4 x 3 framed board, 6mm soldiers.
You've done an incredible job! The table looks superb too. Enjoy!
ReplyDeleteThank you :)
DeleteLee.
I am currently in the process of selling all my 6mm Napoleonic armies. But when Epic was released I wobbled a bit about starting again. The rules of choice would have been Volley and Bayonet. Still arguably the best for truly epic sized battles. C+C seemed too regimented for me. But of course its all subjective.
ReplyDeleteAgree re V&B. C&C is very much a board game designed to give balanced play and a result within a couple of hours and that really appeals to me.
DeleteCheers,
Lee.
That was a lovely set up you had there mate…and should look even nicer with the slightly larger Epic figures.
ReplyDeleteWhere did that 10 years go mate? Hope all is going well with the move.
DeleteCheers,
Lee
2012! Wow, I remember following that project intently! And will do so again :-)
ReplyDeleteThanks Norm. I have just had a wonderful lesson in how to mark out a 13 x 9 hex grid accurately from Tony (Foy), that was one thing that had been holding me back but it's a great solution.
DeleteCheers,
Lee.
Lee, it is an excellent system and like you one I keep returning to. If you’re playing solo you can get away without hexes I just make a measuring stick in 4” increments. There’s a degree of flexibility/ loose interpretation but I’ve never found it a problem and solves the faff of making special terrain features etc.
ReplyDeleteHi Graham, yes I did that a few years ago, made a measuring stick and simply called hexes 'Distance units' the stick helped with deployment as well as movement and firing etc. Now you mention it may have to give it another try :)
DeleteCheers,
Lee.
Some great looking figures and terrain Lee.
ReplyDeleteThank you Sir!
DeleteLee.
Very nice Lee. How - if at all - has your painting style changed/developed over the years? With hindsight, what would you have done differently?
ReplyDeleteMatching the colour & texture of your figure bases to match the terrain and the tabletop is always a winner, as it gives a lovely consistent look.
Cheers,
Geoff
Thanks Geoff. My painting style has been fairly consistent over the past decade at least since i have been painting for Old John, I have pics of so many figures painted for John, loads of early ACW, rare and out of production castings and I can see that same style running through them back then.
DeleteCheers
Lee.
Your earlier efforts are pretty pleasing to the eye, so I am not surprised you are considering a reprise! I played a few games of this with 28mm figures, and it worked fine - some of the mechanics are definitely a "game" - I always found it pretty hard to make any kind of plan because you can never guarantee you get the right cards to advance where you want to - but that's not to say I didn't enjoy it, and the combat dice mechanism is quite good! The little Epic figures should work very well in that kind of hex based environment.
ReplyDeleteCheers rross. My problem is that these days I really don't have the enthusiasm to learn new rule sets and can only play quick and easy games, like a short fix then on with the painting! I still belong to the C&C FB group and it's surprising how many players will say that it is the hand of cards that limits command and control that they find challenging and enjoyable. You can of course remove the cards from the game entirely by using Tony's Ramekin variant which is also very good.
DeleteCheers,
Lee.