I'm just sitting up waiting for 'Match of the Day' to start ( I always try to avoid the results earlier!) so thought I would post a quick link to another couple of good set of rules I found some time back on the 'paintingshed' blog, which I have to say was a big inspiration in my decision to go 6mm. It's good to find rules written specifically for square based 6mm figures and both of Steve's sets feature many good ideas. I've read through both today and I have to say the 'version 3.0' rules I really like and will no doubt play test shortly.
Steve's 'paintingshed' blog Napoleonic rules 3.0
Steve's 'paintingshed' 'Napoleonic squares' 6mm rules (For a board divided into grids)
Footies about to start so I'll be back with more painted French infantry bases soon!
Sunday, 6 May 2012
Thoughts on rules.
I have been doing a lot of thinking about what I am looking for from my future Napoleonic wargames. I have now reached the point where I have sufficient figure bases painted for a small test game and I need to be clear in my mind as to the sort of game I want to play.
I'm not a Napoleonic purist, I'm not well read in the period and so I am not looking for a game that ties me to the minute details of Napoleonic warfare. I could say that my knowledge of the American Civil War in particular is based upon many years (30+) of dedicated research and reading along with several enjoyable years spent re enacting that period as a member of the 42nd Pennsylvania 'Bucktails'. I could also say the same of the English Civil War, as I spent a couple of seasons with the Sealed Knot as a pikeman in the 'Blew' Regiment, London Trayned Bands. Both of these periods I also extensively wargamed, having some cracking games with fellow period enthusiasts. In both cases I eventually found a set of rules that were right for me, and fueled my enthusiasm for gaming the period. In the case of ACW it was Johnny Reb II, and in the case of ECW it was 'Forlorn Hope', both of which gave accurate representations of period warfare along with a fast moving and fun game.
So now I have to do the same for Napoleonics. Like many I started way back using John Tunstills 'Discover' sets of rules, then progressed through numerous other sets, but I too often found myself bogged down in overly complex sets that I simply could not get to grips with. I have found this in other periods too, for example I recall the 'Newbury' ACW set that were probably the worst example of this for me. I read and re read them, I even took them away on a weeks holiday on the Norfolk Broads, thinking I would return home with a good understanding of them, but try as I did the complexity of the rules defeated me! I gave up.
So now I have studied Polemos, and I think I have a good grasp of how they work but something about them does not grip me as I think it should. I've looked at so many sets of free rules in addition to the sets I have bought. But I keep on coming back to the set written and used by Paul Leniston. I know that they are the result of many, many years of gaming the period and development, and that they were influenced by Le Fea Sacre as Paul has said. I really enjoy reading his game write ups and they seem to flow very well with mechanisms that are not overly complex. I like them a lot and I have play tested them myself in the past and I enjoyed using them. The only possible downside, and I know others have said this too, is the use of small units to represent large troop formations. Just 8 x 28mm figure representing a Division for example is not for everyone. But the aim of Pauls game is to represent independent all arms 'Corps' maneuvering over large areas of terrain, which he does very successfully in my opinion. But is this just a question of approach, maybe the result of many years of being used to large battalions of 28mm figures that we find it difficult to accept small units representing large troop formations, or is it just a question of aesthetics? I was pondering all this as I walked my dog this morning, so I offer a few thoughts on how I might use the rules with 6mm bases.
What if I break out of the mindset of figure scale and instead approach it more from the ground scale point of view. One of my 60 x 60mm bases is just an area of ground occupied by troops and it does not really matter how many model soldiers are on that base, it could be 50 or 60, it could be just a single representative figure, indeed it could be merely a board game 'marker'. Infact there is absolutely no reason why one of my bases should not represent a brigade or even a division of troops , beyond the traditional use of strict figure ratios such as 1:33 1:50 1:100 etc. This goes against the 'modern' approach, but if 'I' am happy with it then why not? If I adopt Pauls approach with my 6mm bases, then 4 infantry bases, a cavalry base and an artillery battery base can represent a combined all arms Corps. Thus 4 Corps is represented on the table by 16 infantry bases, 4 cavalry bases and 4 artillery bases plus numerous command bases. I reckon that would give a great game, with plenty of bases to move around in this scale. The command structure is established, CinC issuing orders to Corps commanders who in turn issue orders to Division commanders by the use of 'Command points' based upon a D6 roll with basic modifiers for the quality of the Generals. Order of moves is decided by drawing cards or chips so is unpredictable, which I like. Different numbers of CP's are required according to the order issues, and Poor commanders require more CP's than good commanders. In combat, formations can fight skirmish actions before engaging in close combat volley firing or charging in for melee. Outcomes are based on simple results table and morale is dice based with good old fashioned modifiers. The game flows along nicely.
I'll leave it there for the time being as I have rambled on a bit already! But within the next week or so I am going to place a 'Corps' on the table and play an action under pauls rules, with a detailed move by move write up. In the meantime I will label the bottom of my bases and make some suitable discreet markers as the game requires.
Any thoughts or comments on the above so far are most welcome.
I'm not a Napoleonic purist, I'm not well read in the period and so I am not looking for a game that ties me to the minute details of Napoleonic warfare. I could say that my knowledge of the American Civil War in particular is based upon many years (30+) of dedicated research and reading along with several enjoyable years spent re enacting that period as a member of the 42nd Pennsylvania 'Bucktails'. I could also say the same of the English Civil War, as I spent a couple of seasons with the Sealed Knot as a pikeman in the 'Blew' Regiment, London Trayned Bands. Both of these periods I also extensively wargamed, having some cracking games with fellow period enthusiasts. In both cases I eventually found a set of rules that were right for me, and fueled my enthusiasm for gaming the period. In the case of ACW it was Johnny Reb II, and in the case of ECW it was 'Forlorn Hope', both of which gave accurate representations of period warfare along with a fast moving and fun game.
So now I have to do the same for Napoleonics. Like many I started way back using John Tunstills 'Discover' sets of rules, then progressed through numerous other sets, but I too often found myself bogged down in overly complex sets that I simply could not get to grips with. I have found this in other periods too, for example I recall the 'Newbury' ACW set that were probably the worst example of this for me. I read and re read them, I even took them away on a weeks holiday on the Norfolk Broads, thinking I would return home with a good understanding of them, but try as I did the complexity of the rules defeated me! I gave up.
So now I have studied Polemos, and I think I have a good grasp of how they work but something about them does not grip me as I think it should. I've looked at so many sets of free rules in addition to the sets I have bought. But I keep on coming back to the set written and used by Paul Leniston. I know that they are the result of many, many years of gaming the period and development, and that they were influenced by Le Fea Sacre as Paul has said. I really enjoy reading his game write ups and they seem to flow very well with mechanisms that are not overly complex. I like them a lot and I have play tested them myself in the past and I enjoyed using them. The only possible downside, and I know others have said this too, is the use of small units to represent large troop formations. Just 8 x 28mm figure representing a Division for example is not for everyone. But the aim of Pauls game is to represent independent all arms 'Corps' maneuvering over large areas of terrain, which he does very successfully in my opinion. But is this just a question of approach, maybe the result of many years of being used to large battalions of 28mm figures that we find it difficult to accept small units representing large troop formations, or is it just a question of aesthetics? I was pondering all this as I walked my dog this morning, so I offer a few thoughts on how I might use the rules with 6mm bases.
What if I break out of the mindset of figure scale and instead approach it more from the ground scale point of view. One of my 60 x 60mm bases is just an area of ground occupied by troops and it does not really matter how many model soldiers are on that base, it could be 50 or 60, it could be just a single representative figure, indeed it could be merely a board game 'marker'. Infact there is absolutely no reason why one of my bases should not represent a brigade or even a division of troops , beyond the traditional use of strict figure ratios such as 1:33 1:50 1:100 etc. This goes against the 'modern' approach, but if 'I' am happy with it then why not? If I adopt Pauls approach with my 6mm bases, then 4 infantry bases, a cavalry base and an artillery battery base can represent a combined all arms Corps. Thus 4 Corps is represented on the table by 16 infantry bases, 4 cavalry bases and 4 artillery bases plus numerous command bases. I reckon that would give a great game, with plenty of bases to move around in this scale. The command structure is established, CinC issuing orders to Corps commanders who in turn issue orders to Division commanders by the use of 'Command points' based upon a D6 roll with basic modifiers for the quality of the Generals. Order of moves is decided by drawing cards or chips so is unpredictable, which I like. Different numbers of CP's are required according to the order issues, and Poor commanders require more CP's than good commanders. In combat, formations can fight skirmish actions before engaging in close combat volley firing or charging in for melee. Outcomes are based on simple results table and morale is dice based with good old fashioned modifiers. The game flows along nicely.
I'll leave it there for the time being as I have rambled on a bit already! But within the next week or so I am going to place a 'Corps' on the table and play an action under pauls rules, with a detailed move by move write up. In the meantime I will label the bottom of my bases and make some suitable discreet markers as the game requires.
Any thoughts or comments on the above so far are most welcome.
Saturday, 5 May 2012
92nd Highlanders and more terrain shots.
Finished another infantry base, the 92nd Foot. Painted and based another building and edged all the rest of my roads. Put it all on the table for a few more pics of it all together so far. Starting to come together gradually now. I'll leave it set up over the weekend and try a few moves. Table size in the shots is 5 x 4. Mat is a Citadel Battlemat for the time being.
Thursday, 3 May 2012
More buildings.
I finished a couple more 'village' bases last night. Each base has space for a 60 x 60mm battalion/regiment base plus an artillery base. By joining a couple together I can represent larger BUA's such as small towns which will occupy more troops. I'm pleased with the overall look of them so far.
My scenic materials have arrived from 'Totalwargamer' so I can also crack on with edging more road sections and making more fields etc. Very good service from this company as always, been using them for a couple of years now as almost everything is slightly discounted including the Citadel paints range which I am gradually changing over to from Foundry. Stream sections are next in line after that.
I have another Highland battalion about half way finished, this time with yellow facings representing the 92nd.
Rules.
I have been doing a lot of thinking about rules as I get close to my first test game. I keep on coming back to Paul Lennistons set as I really like the mechanics of the rules, which are heavily influenced by Le Fea Sacre. I'm wondering if I could adapt them for 6mm bases and battalion/brigade level and have been jotting down notes to this end. Having been following Paul and his wargames blogs for a long time now I have a good understanding of how well they work, and the emphasis is very much on the 'game'. I may well try a test run though soon. Paul's 'Napoleonic wargaming' site is in the blog links on the right from where you can find links to his many campaign games and his rules.
The three terrors!
Did I say that the two planned kittens turned into three? We decided to give the last of the litter a home too, I call them the three little terrors, but they are very beautiful, very funny and very good, not having had a single 'accident' since arriving home on Saturday. All three managed to climb up onto my painting table yesterday together, so I have to put the paints etc on top of the bookshelves when not in use now!
My scenic materials have arrived from 'Totalwargamer' so I can also crack on with edging more road sections and making more fields etc. Very good service from this company as always, been using them for a couple of years now as almost everything is slightly discounted including the Citadel paints range which I am gradually changing over to from Foundry. Stream sections are next in line after that.
I have another Highland battalion about half way finished, this time with yellow facings representing the 92nd.
Rules.
I have been doing a lot of thinking about rules as I get close to my first test game. I keep on coming back to Paul Lennistons set as I really like the mechanics of the rules, which are heavily influenced by Le Fea Sacre. I'm wondering if I could adapt them for 6mm bases and battalion/brigade level and have been jotting down notes to this end. Having been following Paul and his wargames blogs for a long time now I have a good understanding of how well they work, and the emphasis is very much on the 'game'. I may well try a test run though soon. Paul's 'Napoleonic wargaming' site is in the blog links on the right from where you can find links to his many campaign games and his rules.
The three terrors!
Did I say that the two planned kittens turned into three? We decided to give the last of the litter a home too, I call them the three little terrors, but they are very beautiful, very funny and very good, not having had a single 'accident' since arriving home on Saturday. All three managed to climb up onto my painting table yesterday together, so I have to put the paints etc on top of the bookshelves when not in use now!
Tuesday, 1 May 2012
A bit of landscaping therapy!
Second post of the day! Having a spare hour this afternoon I glued down 3 painted buildings and did a bit of 'bedding in' to soften the edges with clump foliage etc. I find this so incredibly relaxing and rewarding, I'd love to landscape a full terrain system!
I should point out to anybody who has only started following this blog recently that I'm not currently working (after a 30 year career in print and design) as I recover from a serious mental breakdown towards the end of last year which very nearly forced me over the edge .... quite literally. I'm committed to a minimum of 20 weeks of Psychodynamic Psychotherapy and only recent finally got a diagnosis from a consultant Psychiatrist of Dysthymia, a long term ongoing depressive illness which basically robs you of the ability to find any enjoyment or pleasure in life and gradually destroys your quality of life. I'm recovering well though now and modelling and painting really helps me. Drastically increased medication and intensive talking therapy is slowly getting me back on my feet again I'm pleased to say, but I remain under the care of the local Mental Health team who are wonderful people. Anyway, enough of all that miserable stuff, here's a few more pics.
I need to spend some time on my real garden next couple of days, its that time of year to get the veg patch dug over and sorted. I've added a pic of one of the recent arrivals, shes already taken to sleeping by my painting desk.
I should point out to anybody who has only started following this blog recently that I'm not currently working (after a 30 year career in print and design) as I recover from a serious mental breakdown towards the end of last year which very nearly forced me over the edge .... quite literally. I'm committed to a minimum of 20 weeks of Psychodynamic Psychotherapy and only recent finally got a diagnosis from a consultant Psychiatrist of Dysthymia, a long term ongoing depressive illness which basically robs you of the ability to find any enjoyment or pleasure in life and gradually destroys your quality of life. I'm recovering well though now and modelling and painting really helps me. Drastically increased medication and intensive talking therapy is slowly getting me back on my feet again I'm pleased to say, but I remain under the care of the local Mental Health team who are wonderful people. Anyway, enough of all that miserable stuff, here's a few more pics.
I need to spend some time on my real garden next couple of days, its that time of year to get the veg patch dug over and sorted. I've added a pic of one of the recent arrivals, shes already taken to sleeping by my painting desk.
95th Rifles and Timecast buildings.
Like most Napoleonic wargamers I just HAD to paint a battalion of rifles! But I wanted to base them differently to the line battalions. After a lot of shuffling around on the 60 x 60mm base I went with that as shown in the pics below. I'm kind of happy with the effect as I hope it shows them breaking down into companies (well sort of). An officer leads a company or two off to the right flank, covered by a skirmish screen, while the rest of the battalion is formed up in line. A bugler sounds the orders to advance.
The Timecast order has arrived and I have to say they are brilliant little castings. I'd not expected such detail in 6mm scale, they are really impressive. I could not resist getting a bit of paint on a few, the house at left is almost finished, just need to add in some 'wood' brown to doors and window frames etc.
I'm almost ready now for a test game, once I have a few of the buildings finished. I'm just waiting for some more scenics/basing materials to arrive now and then I can crack on with work on terrain. I need to edge more of my road sections and highlight them, make a couple of hills and make some stream sections using the same flexible plastic I used for the roads. I have another battalion of Highlanders on the painting bench to be followed by more French infantry. I need to order some Portuguese infantry next and British Hussars and French lancers from Bacccus next week, although I still have hundreds of castings here still to paint. I'm amazed that my total of figures painted has already reached almost 500!
The Timecast order has arrived and I have to say they are brilliant little castings. I'd not expected such detail in 6mm scale, they are really impressive. I could not resist getting a bit of paint on a few, the house at left is almost finished, just need to add in some 'wood' brown to doors and window frames etc.
I'm almost ready now for a test game, once I have a few of the buildings finished. I'm just waiting for some more scenics/basing materials to arrive now and then I can crack on with work on terrain. I need to edge more of my road sections and highlight them, make a couple of hills and make some stream sections using the same flexible plastic I used for the roads. I have another battalion of Highlanders on the painting bench to be followed by more French infantry. I need to order some Portuguese infantry next and British Hussars and French lancers from Bacccus next week, although I still have hundreds of castings here still to paint. I'm amazed that my total of figures painted has already reached almost 500!
Sunday, 29 April 2012
Command figures.
Miserable Sunday morning here, pouring with rain and dark, what better way to spend a quiet hour than doing a bit of painting? The new kittens arrived yesterday and are settling in nicely, charging around as I paint! I knocked off a few British command figures that I needed, 2 brigade 'marker' bases and a mounted commander for my planned base of rifles which will now be coming next with more highlanders to follow.
I'm continuing to read numerous sets of rules, mostly specific 6mm rules, I have a pretty clear idea of how I want my future games to play. Polemos will be first for a test run shortly but I'm not sure how well they will work if playing solo.
Thanks again for all of the supportive comments, I have to say that I resisted a move to 6mm because I doubted my ability to paint these tiny figures to a level that I would be totally happy with. I have painted Heroics and Ros long ago (still great figures to this day), Irregular 6mm (about 15 years ago, but didnt like the casting quality), Old Glory 10mm (lack a little animation for me, but superb castings), and I studied endless images of Baccus before finally taking the plunge. I'm so glad that I did. Over the last few years I have been struggling to find something that presents a real challenge and rewards time dedicated to it. I'm now sure that this is the future scale for me.
Cheers all,
Lee.
I'm continuing to read numerous sets of rules, mostly specific 6mm rules, I have a pretty clear idea of how I want my future games to play. Polemos will be first for a test run shortly but I'm not sure how well they will work if playing solo.
Thanks again for all of the supportive comments, I have to say that I resisted a move to 6mm because I doubted my ability to paint these tiny figures to a level that I would be totally happy with. I have painted Heroics and Ros long ago (still great figures to this day), Irregular 6mm (about 15 years ago, but didnt like the casting quality), Old Glory 10mm (lack a little animation for me, but superb castings), and I studied endless images of Baccus before finally taking the plunge. I'm so glad that I did. Over the last few years I have been struggling to find something that presents a real challenge and rewards time dedicated to it. I'm now sure that this is the future scale for me.
Cheers all,
Lee.
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