The random thoughts of an ancient wargamer. Featuring rules, battle reports, and all sorts of miscellaneous wargaming (and other) topics.
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Wednesday, 10 October 2012
The Portable Wargame: 20th century version now online!
It took me some time to find the latest draft of the 20th century version of my PORTABLE WARGAME rules on my computer ... but I managed it, and now they are available in PDF format as a download from my PORTABLE WARGAME websitehere.
Hi Bob, I have a question (I always have questions...). What constitutes "cover"?
For non-artillery fire: "Only Mortar and Infantry Gun Units can fire into woods, built-up areas, and fortifications." But the Non-Artillery Fire table includes a row for MGs firing into cover. It seems contradictory.
How would you class trenches, as Cover or Fortifications? And same for foxholes? [Speaking of which, you should add a rule for digging in. Hint hint nudge nudge.]
Thanks for the updated rules. It's always interesting watching them evolve. I have to make a grid so I can get out my 20mm kit to try these.
First an explanation. I wrote the 'modern' version of my PW rules over a year ago, and have since been working on a somewhat different wargame design. Therefore I am not totally 'up to speed' with regard to the particular of the rules that I made available. Please bear this in mind when I give my answers to your questions.
I would define 'cover' as any vertical obstacle to LOS and I would include trenches, foxholes, hedges, walls AND woods, built-up areas, and fortifications.
Bearing this in mind MGs can fire at Units in cover but NOT at Units in woods, built-up areas, and fortifications. If I ever re-draft these rules I will try to make this clearer.
If I ever 'revisit' the 'modern' version of the PW rules, I will try to add some field engineering rules (including some digging-in rules).
I hope that you can still enjoy using these rules, despite these minor omissions.
Bob thanks for posting these.They cheered up a busy "Parent's Night" day at school.I have sent off for Freikorps and their opponents in 15mm on the strength of the rules. cheers Alan
Thanks, Bob. No worries -- all rules are a work in progress. And most of us old-timers tinker with any rules we get, anyway. I have your original 20thC PW rules (before PW was even PW, I think), and these are a definite improvement. Well done.
Plus, there was always the possibility that my questions would get you thinking about the rules, and then you would want to set up a game, and then I could read about it. ;o)
The joys of Parents Evenings! I am so glad that I no longer have to do them. I am very pleased that my rules gave you some enjoyment on such a trying evening.
I look forward to hearing more about you PW project.
The recent upsurge of interest in PW is giving me pause for thought ... and I have a sneaking feeling that I will be revisiting PW sooner rather than later!
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I've downloaded these already! Thanks Bob.
ReplyDeleteThanks Bob! I'll put these to work this evening.
ReplyDeletePhil Broeders,
ReplyDeleteI hope that you find them useful.
All the best,
Bob
Steven Page,
ReplyDeleteI hope that you enjoy using them. They are not perfect ... but they seem to work fairly well.
All the best,
Bob
Hi Bob,
ReplyDeleteI have a question (I always have questions...).
What constitutes "cover"?
For non-artillery fire:
"Only Mortar and Infantry Gun Units can fire into woods, built-up areas, and fortifications."
But the Non-Artillery Fire table includes a row for MGs firing into cover. It seems contradictory.
How would you class trenches, as Cover or Fortifications?
And same for foxholes? [Speaking of which, you should add a rule for digging in. Hint hint nudge nudge.]
Thanks for the updated rules. It's always interesting watching them evolve. I have to make a grid so I can get out my 20mm kit to try these.
Regards,
John
The Ferryman (John),
ReplyDeleteFirst an explanation. I wrote the 'modern' version of my PW rules over a year ago, and have since been working on a somewhat different wargame design. Therefore I am not totally 'up to speed' with regard to the particular of the rules that I made available. Please bear this in mind when I give my answers to your questions.
I would define 'cover' as any vertical obstacle to LOS and I would include trenches, foxholes, hedges, walls AND woods, built-up areas, and fortifications.
Bearing this in mind MGs can fire at Units in cover but NOT at Units in woods, built-up areas, and fortifications. If I ever re-draft these rules I will try to make this clearer.
If I ever 'revisit' the 'modern' version of the PW rules, I will try to add some field engineering rules (including some digging-in rules).
I hope that you can still enjoy using these rules, despite these minor omissions.
All the best,
Bob
Bob thanks for posting these.They cheered up a busy "Parent's Night" day at school.I have sent off for Freikorps and their opponents in 15mm on the strength of the rules.
ReplyDeletecheers
Alan
Thanks, Bob.
ReplyDeleteNo worries -- all rules are a work in progress. And most of us old-timers tinker with any rules we get, anyway. I have your original 20thC PW rules (before PW was even PW, I think), and these are a definite improvement. Well done.
Plus, there was always the possibility that my questions would get you thinking about the rules, and then you would want to set up a game, and then I could read about it. ;o)
Regards,
John
Tradgardmastare (Alan),
ReplyDeleteThe joys of Parents Evenings! I am so glad that I no longer have to do them. I am very pleased that my rules gave you some enjoyment on such a trying evening.
I look forward to hearing more about you PW project.
All the best,
Bob
The Ferryman (John),
ReplyDeleteThe recent upsurge of interest in PW is giving me pause for thought ... and I have a sneaking feeling that I will be revisiting PW sooner rather than later!
All the best,
Bob
I just finished a WW2 game between Canadians with two 25pdrs and Germans with a pair of PzIVs. HM's forces held on narrowly.
ReplyDeleteI like the variable activation rolls,and the distinction between "direct" and "indirect" fire for artillery. "Scatter" is a good feature as well.
How about a SPG unit: move 1 grid, CCP-2, Weapon Range based on gun type?
Good work, again, Bob. This is a fun set of rules.
Steven Page,
ReplyDeleteI sounds like it was a reasonably balanced (and enjoyable) battle.
I hope to look at revising the PW:Modern rules sometime very soon, and I will bear your suggestion about self-propelled artillery in mind.
All the best,
Bob