On Sunday,Malcolm,Brian and I had a great ACW game testing some very(very,very!) simple rules to suit our "Epic" figures.Because of the numbers that will eventually be involved I thought that the simpler the better(KISS!) and they worked a treat,giving a fast and paperless game which worked out as historically correct as a wargame can be.
I had deliberately set the game out to test movement,firing and morale in all manner of situations. Here you can see my Union troops firing artillery at the "Rebs" who are naturally firing back.Caption for this photo should be "Guess who's just thrown some poor dice?"-Once the troops got to within musket range,the dice were being thrown thick and fast,and the casualties(marked by small red pom-poms) were appearing on nearly every brigade/division-thrilling stuff being enjoyed by us all.It's testament to a good game that I get so engrossed,and I forget to take photo's-this was such a game!! At the end of the game(in which I was "hammered" by Malcolm and Brian!) we all agreed that there was real potential in the rules,and that we would try them using all of the "epics" ie putting 60 regiments per side on the table,plus artillery and cavalry,and see how we handle the extra numbers-we will,of course, manage it superbly well!A very welcome visitor came to my house on Monday................................
The one and only Charlie Wesencraft!!-he wanted to see my "epics" and to see how my rules work-we talked and talked and talked-discussing everything from world politics to prices,even Monkeypox!! and of course wargaming in general.One hilarious thing must be mentioned-he had the biggest bird shit I've ever seen in the middle of his windscreen-when I asked if he was going to wipe it off,he said no,it's been there for a week now,so I'll just wait until it rains to get rid of it!!!!!I hope I've got half his stamina and enthusiasm when I reach 94!
Absolutely brilliant to see Charlie at the game.It is a shame he didnt have a sensible person to talk to and had to make do with you.
ReplyDeleteRobbie,I see Monkeypox has reached Crook then!!
Deletejohnc
94! " Sae may we all !"
ReplyDeleteThe rules sound like they match my tastes these days.
Ross,I'll drink to that!-I have always believed that most wargamers are better than the rules presented to them these days!
Deletejohnc
Grand stuff John. It strikes me at that level it’s going to be a game won by manoeuvre. Was there much manoeuvring? Big flanking moves? Jockeying for position? Nice of Charlie to drop in. I really must get around to investigating the Otterburn battle sites. Difficult to investigate it independently when I 100% believe Charlie’s interpretation. All the best, Chris
ReplyDeleteHi Chris,yes the manoeuvring side of these games will play a big part initially,but then,of course, the mass fire-fights and melees will decide the day-looking forward to it!
ReplyDeletejohnc