By sheer coincidence I happened to see a reference to a battle report that featured the downloadable version of my PORTABLE NAVAL WARGAME rules ... and I just had to read it.
I've not come across the RED IN THE MORNING blog before and I don't think that the writer is one of my regular blog readers. He used the rules to re-fight the Battle of Manila Bay ...
... using a Chessex gridded mat and counters from Avalanche Press' board game, REMEMBER THE MAINE.
I thought that the summary of his thoughts about the rules and ideas for developing them were very interesting, and they have reinforced my own thinking and will help me as I continue to write my book.
I've not come across the RED IN THE MORNING blog before and I don't think that the writer is one of my regular blog readers. He used the rules to re-fight the Battle of Manila Bay ...
... using a Chessex gridded mat and counters from Avalanche Press' board game, REMEMBER THE MAINE.
I thought that the summary of his thoughts about the rules and ideas for developing them were very interesting, and they have reinforced my own thinking and will help me as I continue to write my book.
Bob,
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed the report and thought it made several pertinent comments that will be helpful to you.
What also struck me was how uninspiring the top-down card counters looked when compared to your home-made ships, and how odd it seemed when the combat dice were so huge in comparison to the ship counters.
From an aesthetic point of view - but without getting obsessed with modelling/creating dioramas - I do prefer that such playing aids, if they must appear on the wargame table (and I appreciate the author was placing the dice by the ships for purposes of a photo report of the game), are as unobtrusive as possible, not dwarfing the vehicles or units to which they refer.
Best wishes,
Arthur
Arthur Harman (Arthur),
DeleteThe comments were very helpful.
In defence of the writer of the blog entry, I think that he used the counters because he is awaiting the delivery of some suitable models.
Like you, I prefer to see nothing but the terrain and models on the tabletop, with playing aids etc., being consigned to a separate table.
All the best,
Bob
Nice find Bob
ReplyDeleteAn interesting blog to follow
Cheers :)
Geordie an Exiled FoG,
DeleteIt was a great find, and I look forward to following it.
All the best,
Bob
Hey Fellows, been busy with my 1:1 Army commitments, so only just catching up with Bob's kind linking to my site.
ReplyDeleteYes, I'm in the Army, not the Navy - it's a long story! But I do have a passion for the sea altho after years of yacht racing and several close encounters with the wrathful side of God's creation, I'm sticking more to the beach. ;)
Yes Arthur, I'm a stickler for appearances [I like my shoes shiny and my brass polished!] and am eagerly awaiting four squadrons of pewter 1/3000 from Wartimes Journal.
I think for me the two really interesting things about the rules are the Broadside gunnery system and the shoot then move sequence. The key points of gamer interest in naval gaming - IMHE - tend to be maneuver and gunnery / damage. I really liked that these rules let me concentrate on squadron maneuver without getting lost in the woods of gunnery details.
I plan to play again using the turns correctly, and also modify for the table without hexes at all, probably using my GQ3 mechanics and their lovely templates.
Stay tuned, and "when in doubt - roll well!"
Best, Alex
ECW 40mm Project (Alex),
DeleteInteresting that you are in the Army but like naval wargaming. The late John Sandars was the opposite; a naval officer who loved fighting large-scale World War II desert campaign land battles!
The broadside system is a variant of a design idea from an old friend of mine (who is also an Army Officer, retired but immediately recalled to service). It is quick and easy to remember and use ... which speeds play along nicely.
I look forward to seeing your recently-ordered warships in action and how you will adapt the rules for use of a non-gridded surface. It shouldn't pose too many problems as far as I can see.
All the best,
Bob