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Monday 22 October 2012

The Portable Wargame goes large!

The feedback I have had from various blog readers who have used the latest version of the PORTABLE WARGAME: MODERN rules has been extremely positive. One of the interesting factors is that most of them are finding the 8 x 8 grid a little too constrictive, and are going for larger grids ... and are modifying the rules to get the most out of the greater available space.

This has led me to the conclusion that there is a need for a 'Big Battle' version of the basic rules ... and developing this concept is where my efforts are going to be directed over the next few days.

Some things are very clear. The new BBPW:M (BIG BATTLE PORTABLE WARGAME: MODERN) will be a lot less portable ... but should be a bit more challenging and fun. It will probably include the following changes:
  • Unit Attrition (this will probably utilise individual figure removal as used in MEMOIR '44);
  • Longer weapon ranges and the ability for all non-Artillery Units to move and fire (again as in MEMOIR '44);
  • The introduction of Infantry Anti-tank Weapons;
  • Restricting Artillery so that it will only being able to fire indirectly if a friendly Unit has line-of-sight to the target (thus allowing the possible introduction of specialist land or airborne Artillery 'spotters').
This is the way my current thinking is going. BBPW:M will not be a replacement for PW:M; it will be its bigger brother, and will share almost all the same game mechanisms.

12 comments:

  1. Bob,
    Do you see this as using a larger board than 8 x 12? I was getting ready to make one, but will hold off if you are planning on making it bigger.
    Bill

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  2. Bill,

    The board I am aiming to use will probably be 8 x 12 ... but I may go for a larger one 'in the fullness of time'.

    All the best,

    Bob

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  3. Hi Bob,

    A board 8 x 12 is fine for a game although using the boards I have available will be 9 x 12 - simply because it will make full use of a 4 x 3ft playing area using 4" squares.

    Coincidentally this is very close to the normal size of a Command and Colours playing area - 9 x 13 hexes....;-)

    The proposed additions for the Big Battle set look really interesting and I shall look forward to seeing how it develops.

    All the best,

    DC

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  4. David Crook,

    I must admit that I had not made the connection between the size of the Commands & Colours playing area and the proposed BBPW:M playing area.

    Interestingly I had thought that most BBPW:M battles would be fought with each side's start line on the shorter side of the playing area, which is the opposite of the way battles are fought on the C&C playing area.

    All the best,

    Bob

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  5. I like the idea of multiple levels of games sharing some mechanics.

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  6. Ross Mac,

    Interestingly this is something that Joseph Morschauser pointed towards in his book when he wrote the chapters about his 'Roster System' and using your own rules. I am merely following in his footsteps.

    All the best,

    Bob

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  7. Bob,
    Although fighting along the length of a 12 x 8 grid offers greater differentiation of unit movement and weapon range, it fails to address the restricted frontage and absolutely secure flanks of the 8 x 8 board. But perhaps this is not such an issue for Modern period games?

    For earlier, blackpowder era, battles, I think I would favour fighting across the width of the 12 x 8 board.

    Best wishes,

    Arthur

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  8. Arthur1815,

    I suspect that you are right with regard to the different orientation of the grid for different historical periods.

    For the 'black powder' era - with its shorter weapon ranges - I would expect the grid to be orientated with each side's start line being along the long side, whereas for the modern period the longer weapon ranges require greater depth.

    An even larger grid (e.g. 12 x 12 or 12 x 16) would be even nicer to fight battles on, regardless of the historical period ... but that might not be possible for everyone.

    All the best,

    Bob

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  9. I have followed PW for some time now and have used an 18 by 18 board for 6mm. The big board gives a good tactical game where flancking is an important- ECW for instance. Keep up the good work! BC.

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  10. BC,

    That is very useful feedback ... and shows that the standard PW rules will work 'as is' on a larger grid.

    All the best,

    Bob

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  11. Hi Bob,
    I look forward to this form of the game. I've already made an11x11 board with two inch squares for my 10mm ECW figures.

    BTW, here is a link to my new blog, "Adventures in Portable Wargaming"

    http://adventuresportablewargaming.blogspot.com/

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  12. Steven Page,

    The larger grid should allow for a lot more room to manoeuvre and/or longer ranges and movement … all of which should improve the basic game no end.

    I look forward to reading your latest battle report later today.

    All the best,

    Bob

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