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Thursday 11 March 2021

Another version of the Snakes & Ladders Campaign system

In response to my recent blog post about the Snakes & Ladders Campaign system, Peter (who is one of my regular blog readers) pointed me at Jozi’s Tin Man blog because it recently described a version of the Snakes & Ladder Campaign system that has been adapted to fight an anti-slavery campaign set in Africa.

PUNITIVE EXPEDITION: A SOLO SNAKES AND LADDERS CAMPAIGN IN DARKEST AFRICA includes a map ...

... and a briefing document and set of campaign rules.

I love the way that he has adapted the Snakes & Ladders Campaign matrix to look like a map, and the whole setup looks as if it would be very suitable for a short solo or face-to-face mini-campaign.


Please note that the map featured above is © Jozi’s Tin Man blog.

14 comments:

  1. That is very good and this sort of thing has understandably gained a lot of traction during lockdown:)

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    1. Steve J.,

      I can see the Snakes & Ladders Campaign matrix becoming widely adopted within the hobby. Its simplicity means that anyone can use it, and it doesn’t require an umpire to make it work. What’s not to like?

      All the best,

      Bob

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  2. Bob,
    I think the only thing that may put some wargamers off using these excellent S&L systems is the fact they are based on a simple children's game, which might detract from their insistence on referring to 'model' rather than toy soldiers and 'simulations' rather than games. But those of us not embarrassed by our hobby nor afraid to say we play with toy soldiers will be able to use and enjoy them.
    Best wishes, Arthur

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    1. Arthur1815 (Arthur),

      How very true! However, I suspect that those wargamers who would be unwilling to use the S&L system would probably not want to take part in the sort of mini-campaign the system would be used for. I will certainly be using the S&L system for a mini-campaign that will be fought using my toy soldiers!

      All the best,

      Bob

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  3. That would work in a modern scenario with Boko Haram being the slavers, I would think.

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    1. Nobby,

      What an excellent suggestion ... and very topical!

      All the best,

      Bob

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  4. Bob, thank you for sharing this. I can see this being the basis of any relief force mission or long range raid behind enemy lines. I don't do ACW but John Wayne's "The Horse Soldiers" springs to mind !!
    Regards
    Paul

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    1. PDL (Paul),

      Yet another excellent suggestion! Having watched THE HORSE SOLDIERS very recently (it happens to be a favourite of mine), I can see the various events depicted in the film transferring quite easily to the S&L campaign matrix.

      All the best,

      Bob

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  5. Hello there Bob,

    That looks like a spiffing idea that could be readily adapted to pretty much anything with a little thought. I am thinking that a ‘find the ironclad’ type affair may be worth thinking about.

    Much to ponder methinks!

    All the best,

    DC

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    1. David Crook,

      I hadn’t considered the possibility of adapting the system for a naval mini-campaign ... but it would be ideal for something like the pursuit of the BISMARCK, the lead up the the Battle of the River Plate, or the hunt for the KONIGSBERG ... or the CSS ALABAMA!

      All the best,

      Bob

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  6. Thanks for the mention Bob! I appreciate it, it is like having Michelangelo pause painting the Sistine chapel and come tell a humble house painter that he did a nice job painting a wall. (just for clarity, I am the house painter in this scenario)

    @PDL and @david: I have made a blank template I can share in Google Docs that I fully intend to use for a whole host of applications. Thanks guys!

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    1. Jozi’s Tin Man,

      If you saw the standard of my ceiling painting, you’d know that it looks more like it was done by King Kong wielding a six-inch paintbrush ... badly!

      Seriously though, a blank template would be very helpful, and thanks very much for producing one and making it readily available.

      All the best,

      Bob

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  7. I was just thinking of using it for a small naval campaign, with the "units per side" listed in some versions. One thing I am curious about, though; assuming you are playing solo, do you fall back in the sequence if you lose a battle?

    And would this work for a two-player campaign, or do you just designate a "protagonist?"

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    1. Jennifer,

      As far as I understand, a battle’s winner and loser move forward after each battle. If you read the various blogs where players have used this system, I think that it’s use will become clearer. As to a two-player campaign, as far as I can make out, each player would throw the dice for their side, and move their army accordingly.

      All the best,

      Bob

      Delete

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