Bob Cordery, of the Wargaming Miscellany blog, has published a set of rules via Hulu. They are for fighting colonial battles and campaigns during the Victorian and Edwardian era, using a gridded table.
I got them a few days ago. I have read them several times, and the first thing I need to say is that if he doesn't want to publish rules, Bob ought to give seminars in how to clearly write rules. He provides diagrams and explanations that are very clear and to the point. In addition, with both a table of contents and an index, the rules are very easy to digest.
The are differences in the capability of the different types of troops. Combat has modifiers, but they are easy to remember. They have to do with troop value, supporting troops, presence of command, and a die roll that is 2D6 for regulars and 1D12 for native troops. This gives the regulars more consistency, but the natives can get the occasional high roll that can be devastating.
A stand is 40mm wide, and for infantry 20mm deep. With 3 figures on this stand, it represents a company of infantry. The cavalry stand represents a squadron, and the artillery a battery. The board is intended to be gridded in 50mm squares, at least 12 x 12 squares.
This allows you to play reasonably sized engagements with fairly small numbers of figures.
The movement and combat rules are very clear. Bob includes 29 army lists in the back of the book. From my read, looking up rules won't be necessary after a few turns. The game looks like it will play quickly and intuitively. The price here in the US is $8.31 plus postage. A very good value for the money.
I have been in something of a painting slump at the moment, and have been looking for a project that won't take forever to accomplish. With armies consisting of 13 to 18 stands each, this looks like what I need.
And for my wife, who is the diehard sports fan in the house, Go Royals! First game of the World Series, and they haven't been here since 1985.
I got them a few days ago. I have read them several times, and the first thing I need to say is that if he doesn't want to publish rules, Bob ought to give seminars in how to clearly write rules. He provides diagrams and explanations that are very clear and to the point. In addition, with both a table of contents and an index, the rules are very easy to digest.
The are differences in the capability of the different types of troops. Combat has modifiers, but they are easy to remember. They have to do with troop value, supporting troops, presence of command, and a die roll that is 2D6 for regulars and 1D12 for native troops. This gives the regulars more consistency, but the natives can get the occasional high roll that can be devastating.
A stand is 40mm wide, and for infantry 20mm deep. With 3 figures on this stand, it represents a company of infantry. The cavalry stand represents a squadron, and the artillery a battery. The board is intended to be gridded in 50mm squares, at least 12 x 12 squares.
This allows you to play reasonably sized engagements with fairly small numbers of figures.
The movement and combat rules are very clear. Bob includes 29 army lists in the back of the book. From my read, looking up rules won't be necessary after a few turns. The game looks like it will play quickly and intuitively. The price here in the US is $8.31 plus postage. A very good value for the money.
I have been in something of a painting slump at the moment, and have been looking for a project that won't take forever to accomplish. With armies consisting of 13 to 18 stands each, this looks like what I need.
And for my wife, who is the diehard sports fan in the house, Go Royals! First game of the World Series, and they haven't been here since 1985.
Bill,
ReplyDeleteThanks very much for the very complimentary comments you have made. I am not sure I deserve such accolades ... but they are nice to read!
All the best,
Bob