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Thursday 10 September 2020

Taiping Era: Tabletop Wargame Rules for land conflict in mid-19th Century China

TAIPING ERA: TABLETOP WARGAME RULES FOR LAND CONFLICT IN MID-19TH CENTURY CHINA is the latest set of rules to flow from the pen of my old friend and fellow long-time member of Wargame Developments, Graham Evans AKA Trebian.


Like his previous book, IT'S GETTING A BIT CHILE: TABLETOP WARGAME RULES FOR LAND CONFLICT IN THE WAR OF THE PACIFIC 1879-1884, this book is far more than just another set of wargame rules. As its contents (which are listed listed below) shows, it contains enough background information for someone who has little or no knowledge of the period to read it and begin raising a number of small armies that can be used on the tabletop. As to the rules … well, they are designed to be used on a 6-inch squared gridded playing surface (a big plus in my book!) using 15mm-scale figures on 30mm wide bases. However, the rules can be used with large or smaller scale figures if the size of the grid squares is adjusted to match any changes to the size of the bases.

It is worth noting that the book and rules do not just cover the Taiping Rebellion, but also the:
  • The First China War 1839-42 (The Opium War)
  • The Taiping Rebellion 1851-64
  • Nien Rebellion 1854-68
  • Miao Rebellion 1855-72
  • Panthay Rebellion 1855-73
  • The Second China War 1855-73 (The Arrow War)
The book is divided into the following chapters:
  • Introduction
  • A Brief Military History of China in the mid-19th Century
  • The Basics
  • We need to talk about EDNA
  • Troop Classifications
  • Weaponry
  • Figures, Scales & Formations
  • Turn Sequence
  • Movement
  • Charges
  • Firing
  • Close Combat
  • Routing, Retreating, Retiring and Rallying
  • Commanders
  • Winning & Losing
  • Resources
  • Order of Battle - China 1860
  • Regimental Colours - British and French Infantry
  • And Finally
  • Index
I must admit that reading this book did make me think at least twice about adding some suitable figures to my own Colonial collection, but for the time being, that is on hold for the moment. I am sure that other wargamers will read this book and be similarly enthused to 'give it a try' ... and I don't think that they will be disappointed if they do!

TAIPING ERA: TABLETOP WARGAME RULES FOR LAND CONFLICT IN MID-19TH CENTURY CHINA was written by Graham Evans, and published in 2020 by Wargaming for Grown Ups Publications (ISBN 979 8 672 01853 9).

16 comments:

  1. Bob,

    Thanks for the mention. Interest has been okay so far - strangely slightly less than IGABC, which I reckoned was even more obscure - with some good comment and feedback.

    The next project might well be Spanish Civil War....

    All the best,

    Graham

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Trebian (Graham),

      It’s a somewhat obscure period, but it is nonetheless a very interesting one.

      The SCW book will probably have a wider audience, and should sell well. I’ll certainly buy a copy!

      All the best,

      Bob

      Delete
  2. Saw this advertised somewhere on the web last Tuesday and ordered from Amazon (US) and it just arrived on my front porch a little while ago. If it plays as fast as it gets delivered it will be a great game ;-) it’s sitting in quarantine for a day or two but looking forward to reading it; always been curious about this little known or documented era of colonial conflict.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. ImpGrdArt,

      I don’t think that you’ll be disappointed. It’s much more than just a book of rules, it’s a source book as well.

      Read and enjoy,

      Bob

      Delete
    2. ImpGrdArt: You'll find them quite different. Start small, and don't be afraid to email the author (that's me) if you don't understand things or if you think something isn't working correctly. I do reply to emails.

      Be aware that everything in a square fires, and everything tests for failures.

      Trebian

      Delete
    3. ImpGrdArt,

      Like me, Trebian tries to make sure that questions raised by players are answered whenever possible.

      All the best,

      Bob

      Delete
  3. Thank you both for the comments! I’ve never been shy about asking questions so will probably be taking you up on your offer. Not able to do much actual gaming now, but do love reading rules and discussing mechanics! Thankfully those activities still work in the new, virtual, normal.

    By the way, having never posted before I wasn’t aware that only my account name would show. I’m not trying to be anonymous! I’m Jim Getz so that you know with whom you are corresponding.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. ImpGrdArt (Jim Getz),

      The only bad question is the one you should ask, but never do. Sometimes, something that is blindingly obvious to the rule writer isn’t so to the user/reader, and we only find that out when people ask us questions. By answering questions, we learn and hopefully improve.

      I welcome all comments ... except those that are obviously spam!

      All the best,

      Bob

      Delete
    2. Is that the Jim Getz who wrote Empire?

      Delete
    3. Yes, guilty, I’m afraid ;-) I’m amazed anyone remembers that!

      Delete
  4. Isn’t “legend” a gentlemanly way of saying I’ve been around for a really L-O-N-G time ;-)

    The rules come out of quarantine today and can’t wait to start reading. Enjoying the conversation!

    Stay safe!

    Jim

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. ImpGrdArt (Jim),

      Trebian and I are both old stagers (although I am somewhat older than he is!), and use the term 'legend' with some caution. When we say that you are a legend, it is said with a degree of awe and reverence ... and just a tinge of envy!

      All the best,

      Bob

      Delete
  5. Thank you for your kind words, they are very much appreciated!

    And, by the way, I read your essay “Designing Wargaming Rules” in John Curry’s “Innovations in Wargaming, Vol. 1” last night. An excellent article that should be mandatory reading for anyone who is setting out to design a wargame - regardless of age or experience.

    Trebian, I also see that you have already put out a supplement to Taiping - I’ll be ordering that tonight. I’ve also always been interested in the mutiny so I can’t resist!

    Take care!

    Jim

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. ImpGrdArt (Jim),

      Credit where credit is due ... and it is certainly due to you!

      Thank you for your very kind comment about my essay. I used to use it as the basis of what I used to say to students on the Wargame Design element of the post-grad course at Kings College, London. (Professor Phil Sabin used to invite experienced wargamers and designers to mentor students a couple of times each year.)

      I’ve also ordered the supplement, and look forward to reading and reviewing it next week.

      All the best,

      Bob

      Delete

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