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Sunday 24 October 2021

It started as a rewrite of Hexblitz … but it seemed to be evolving into something different

I recently wrote a blog post about the problems I had experienced when writing some workable logistic rules for my HEXBLITZ rules. As I cannot do any work on my FUNNY LITTLE WARS/PORTABLE WARGAME ARMY KEPI ROUGE until I have primed the figures, I thought that I would occupy my spare time by starting a fundamental rewrite of HEXBLITZ … but when – after a couple of day’s work – I looked back at what I had written, I realised that the rules were gradually evolving into something quite different … an operational-level version of the PORTABLE WARGAME that – with a few minor adjustments – should be suitable for fighting wargames over quite an extensive time period.

I suspect that writing my recent PORTABLE BALKAN WARS WARGAME rules and reading Mark Cordone’s and Ion Dowman’s big PORTABLE WARGAME battle reports on Facebook may well have subconsciously influenced my thinking. What I have ended up with is a draft set of rules that I want to play about with over the next few weeks. Rest assured I’ll write more about my ‘new’ rules as they continue to evolve.

18 comments:

  1. Bob, I'm sure an operational-level version of the PW rules would be of great interest - possibly more so than a logistic system for HEXBLITZ? - and well worth pursuing.
    When I've sometimes returned to rules I wrote years ago I have always found it difficult to adapt, rather than completely rewrite them in line with my current thinking, and have sometimes decided it would be best to leave them alone. OTOH, I have also rediscovered some useful ideas or systems that I can easily reuse in other contexts.
    Do whatever you think best; the results are certain to be interesting!
    Best wishes,
    Arthur

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    Replies
    1. Arthur1815 (Arthur),

      I agree … and I realised once I started that I had already begun to go down this road when I wrote the rules that are in THE BALKAN LEAGUE book.

      On reflection, there is nothing much wrong with the basic HEXBLITZ rules and that a few minor adjustment are probably all that is needed.

      If I book comes out of this, I’ll certainly be calling upon your assistance again.

      All the best,

      Bob

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  2. Sounds like an interesting new development, Bob!

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    Replies
    1. Archduke Piccolo,

      I’ll certainly keep you up to date with any developments.

      All the best,

      Bob

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  3. Hi BOB,
    It is amazing how Games Rules evolve- I've been thinking about my Sci-Fi Rules for several days now and tonight in the space of about fifteen minutes I wrote the One Page Set - seems all my simple ideas were there I just needed to commit them to paper...I think I'll name my rules as 'STARBURST 25'. Good luck there with your rules writing Bob - stay well and safe- Cheers. KEV.

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    Replies
    1. Kev Robertson (Kev),

      It’s amazing how often that happens; you spend time thinking about the solution to a problem … and then all at once, everything falls into place! Your STARBURST 25 rules sound very interesting, and I look forward to reading about them on your blog.

      Keep safe and keep well,,

      Bob

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  4. That sounds excellent Bob! I think the order chits of the Megablitz/Hexblitz approach are now perhaps a bit old fashioned (they certainly aren't any good for remote play) so I'll be interested to see what you come up with.

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    1. Martin Rapier,

      I’m building on what I know works. As to HEXBLITZ … well, I’m likely to leave it as it for the present.

      All the best,

      Bob

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  5. Replies
    1. Auston Jeff. Butler,

      Cheers! My ideas are still in a state of flux, but they are gradually coming together.

      All the best,

      Bob

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  6. I'm looking forward to them! Keep up the good work!

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    1. Mark Cordone,

      Im taking my lead from the work done by you and Archduke Piccolo.

      All the best,

      Bob

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  7. Hi Bob, you certainly showed that PW could be used for big battles with the Napoleonic and Balkan rules, and that they can be used for campaigns with Colonial PW, I think an operational level set (with recon. logistics and engineering rules would be a welcome addition to the stable. Hope you're keeping well.
    Take Care,
    Tony.

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    Replies
    1. Unknown (Tony),

      Thanks for your words of encouragement and the suggestions about what the rules should include.

      All the best,

      Bob

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  8. Consider my ears perked! I am very interested in a set of operational rules for PW and look forward to what you develop.

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    1. Patrick W,

      So far, I’ve decided that the basic unit will be the regiment/brigade (with battalions for reconnaissance, anti-tank, and combat engineers), and that these will be grouped into divisional-sized formations. I’m currently working on a simple formula for calculating the SPs for units that will reflect their training, experience, and equipment. I hope to share this on my blog later this week.

      All the best,

      Bob

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    2. Hi Bob, as I remarked on your post about logistics, you could do a great deal worse than looking through the pages of Megablitz. The question would be "dice per strength point" or stick with the PW system of one dice per unit", it's a question that has excercised me a great deal. Like all of your readers I look forward to the outcome .
      Take Care,
      Tony.

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    3. Unknown (Tony),

      I have a few ideas whirling around in my head at present, and it is likely to be something along one of the lines you suggest.

      All the best,

      Bob

      Delete

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