One of the sets of rules that I wrote during the development of my original PORTABLE WARGAME rules were called ITCHY AND SCRATCHY. They used a combat system based on an idea that came from Archduke Piccolo, namely relating the arrangement of the pips on a D6 die to the standard NATO tactical map signs.
Artillery
Cavalry
Infantry
Whilst I've been renovating my 20mm-scale Russian figures, I've been thinking about using a modified version of the original ITCHY AND SCRATCHY Combat Results Table in place of the existing combat system used in my PORTABLE WARGAME rules. The revised Combat Results Table (CRT) looks like this:
(You will note that this CRT is designed to be used with tanks etc. This was because I was thinking about how to use the individually-based figures I was renovating in a wargame. The CRT could easily be used with Horse and Musket armies with very little modification.)
The number of D6 dice thrown by a unit depends upon the range the units is firing at.
Notes
I'm not sure if this will work any better or worse that the existing PORTABLE WARGAME combat systems, but it has given me some food for thought.
Artillery
Cavalry
Infantry
Whilst I've been renovating my 20mm-scale Russian figures, I've been thinking about using a modified version of the original ITCHY AND SCRATCHY Combat Results Table in place of the existing combat system used in my PORTABLE WARGAME rules. The revised Combat Results Table (CRT) looks like this:
(You will note that this CRT is designed to be used with tanks etc. This was because I was thinking about how to use the individually-based figures I was renovating in a wargame. The CRT could easily be used with Horse and Musket armies with very little modification.)
The number of D6 dice thrown by a unit depends upon the range the units is firing at.
- The numbers show how many D6 dice are thrown at different ranges.
- The asterisk (*) indicates the number of D6 dice thrown in Close Combat (i.e. in combat with an enemy unit in an adjacent or the same grid area).
I'm not sure if this will work any better or worse that the existing PORTABLE WARGAME combat systems, but it has given me some food for thought.
Bob,
ReplyDeleteThe downside seems to be having to throw a larger number of dice in many cases, whereas the simplicity of the PW one dice plus/minus modifiers to hit and one to determine effect remained constant. Relating the die spots to tac symbols is clever, but is it worth sacrificing a simple, standardised system?
Good to see PNV selling so well - not surprising, really.
Regards,
Arthur
Arthur1815 (Arthur),
DeleteIt is an idea that appealed to me because of the relationship between the arrangement of the dice pips and the NATO tactical symbols. That said, since writing this blog entry I've been playing around with the mechanism and still prefer the PW combat system. (We are having a new boiler fitted today, and the heating has been switched off. Sue and I are sitting in the Living Room using an electric fire to keep warm, and throwing dice again and again to test the I&S combat system is helping to keep me occupied.)
PNW is selling better than I expected, and the feedback has been very positive. Making a PDF edition available to buyers seems to be popular, and I may well publish a compendium of the earlier books in this format at some point.
All the best,
Bob
And here I am with only numbered dice! Can you publish a variation for numbered dice 8>D
DeleteDick Bryant,
DeleteAh! Never thought of that!
(I think I'll have to rethink the whole concept. Mind you, the experiments I've been doing today have proved that it's an appealing idea that doesn't work as well as one would have hoped it would.)
All the best,
Bob
Hi Bob -
ReplyDeleteI have been using the 'symbolic' system for the Vales of Lyndhurst campaign, but with some of your own PW ideas incorporated (e.g. 2-2 = retreat OR lose 1SP; and 3-3 = mandatory loss of SP.
1 = target Guns lose 1SP
2 = target Horse may choose to retreat 2 hexes OR lose 1SP
3 = target Horse lose 1SP and may choose to retreat 2 hexes
4 = target Foot may choose to retreat 1 hex or lose 1SP
5 = target Foot lose 1SP and may choose to retreat 1 hex
6 = target Foot lose 1SP and may choose to retreat 1 hex
I like your suggestions in respect of cover. I had simply been reducing the combat dice from standard, rather than increasing the criteria for damage.
I do like your 20th Century system. I'll have to give it a try, but I am inclined to think that my suggested 'retreat' options might add a little something. I haven't tried it, but it will be something to look forward to!
(I'm busy house painting at the moment, and by the end of the day, too knackered to do much on the war gaming front). The spirit proposes; the flesh says 'Sod off!'
Cheers,
Ion
Archduke Piccolo,
DeleteThanks for your very interesting thoughts, which take the idea further than I had even begun to think about. At present all I'm doing is thinking (which is no bad thing!) as I am trying to get some of my 20mm-scale figures renovated, doing research for a Masonic history book, and living in a cold house whilst a new boiler is being fitted! Add the extra spice of normal living and I don't seem to have the time or the inclination to wargame.
Good luck with the house painting ... and I look forward to reading more about your Vales of Lyndhurst campaign.
All the best,
Bob