Over the hills and far away - Naval landing, page 10

[matakishi]

Probably time to start my BLAM thread, time's getting on.

This year I plan to stage a 28mm Napoleonic skirmish game set in the Peninsula with Richard Sharpe and some friends sorting out the French. Multiplayer, fast and fun (hopefully).
I started this project in 2009 but it stalled due to my worsening vision and the resulting inability to paint Napoleonics to my satisfaction. I did complete five units though so some of this will be my own work
Luckily, I have solved this dilemma by sending my miniatures off to other people to paint. I'll post the results of their labours as we progress.

For now, my part will be building the scenery. Here's the first building; a semaphore tower for my naval shore parties to storm and destroy. As well as being a necessary part of the battlefield this build also serves as a proof of concept piece for my other planned buildings. As you can see, not wanting to splosh filler over everything (messy and time consuming), I've opted for the old 'stick bricks on the outside' trick. I'm happy with the results though which is all that matters





So far, so good. The actual semaphore is separate so this can also be a normal tower if needed.
The windows and shutters are from Warbases and saved hours and hours of fiddling about trying to make my own. Pantiles from Wilks or whatever they're called, for the same reason.

In addition to displaying painted miniatures and buildings here I will, of course, regale you with my tedious stream of consciousness ramblings on how I'm coming up with the rules. I'm starting with the very fine Guernsey Foundry horse and musket skirmish rules written by Bryan Ansel and streamlining them just a touch to facilitate easy assimilation by new players.

Here's an example character card I've been working on which is going to be changed and simplified lots but you have to start somewhere.



More as it happens.
Old stuff including miniatures here:
http://www.matakishi.com/napoleonicproject.htm

[thebinmann]

looking good, I really like the stat card (its it your own) and the move idea!

[matakishi]

Yes, all mine, except the idea of being able to take a slightly below average score without rolling for the move, that came from another game, 5 Core I think, but I could be wrong.

[Dr. The Viking]

Nice! I'll look forward to it.  Totally didn't see this coming from you. 

[von Lucky]

I like the tower and the slightly cartoon look you achieve (meant as a compliment).

[matakishi]

Yes, thank you. I don't aim to make models for scenery in the true sense of scale miniature representations of actual things. I try to make sketches of scenery, albeit sketches that are in 3D. Evoking place and atmosphere is the aim of the game.

[von Lucky]

Which brings me to your digital sketches - the artist in you shows.

(Hell, a Matakishi art coffee table book would probably do pretty well .)

[matakishi]

(Hell, a Matakishi art coffee table book would probably do pretty well .)

No, it really wouldn't

[flags_of_war]

Oh look forward to seeing more of this. I painted up a few Rifles to do something similar but they have never been used in a game sadly.

[adamish]

amazing - the brick detailing works a treat! I live in a flat with partner and kid so a none messy approach is always the way - thanks for sharing. Can't beat a good old Sharpe dust up - cant wait for more

[matakishi]

I spent a little time working on the cards today. These are much closer to the final versions and print out at 60mm x 90mm to fit my laminating pouches.
Each character has an action card and a shooting card for each firearm.

Cards are colour coded so players who know nothing about the setting or troops involved only need to remember their colour



Each character can move or carry out other actions such as hand-to-hand attacks, searching, setting fires etc when their action card is turned up. They may shoot at any time during the game so long as they have a loaded weapon (i.e. they have a shooting card). Once fired the weapons card is surrendered to the discard pile. When the weapon card is turned up again it's returned to the player to show they've reloaded and the weapon is ready to shoot again.

All very straight forward.

[matakishi]

Marines painted by McYellowbelly.



Boat and stuff by me (the barrels were painted ages ago by students at my school club) I've been rebasing all my old boxes, barrels etc so they fit in with current stuff.





http://www.matakishi.com/napoleonicproject.htm

[Eric the Shed]

This looks great Paul...shout when you need play testers

[Malamute]

Looks great, very interested in playing this one.

[shandy]

That looks very nice, I'll be watching with interest, I need some ideas for my new napoleonic-ish skirmish project… and I've already painted up a landing party, not that I really need it, but I want to need it!