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Miniatures Adventure => Colonial Adventures => Topic started by: Globlin on May 16, 2016, 10:06:11 AM

Title: Darkest Africa - Advice Request
Post by: Globlin on May 16, 2016, 10:06:11 AM: I'm thinking of dipping my toe in a spot of colonial wargaming and thought I'd start with some small skirmish/pulp games based around Victorian African explorers. With this in mind I'm after a spot of advice, which I'm hoping this illustrious forum can supply me with.

Background Reading: I've downloaded some free kindle books including accounts from Speke, Stanley and Baker. I'm also looking for a good general introduction to African explorers, any recommendations?

Miniatures: I've long admired Copplestone's Darkest Africa range from Wargames Foundry and thought I'd start my collection with a few purchases from them, (initially enough for a small party of explorers and some native tribesmen opposition). Are there any other 28mm ranges out there that people would particularly recommend?

Rulesets: I'm looking for a ruleset that will let me fight some small skirmish actions with initially about a dozen or so figures per side. I know there's a some Colonial skirmish rulesets coming out from Studio Tomahawk (Congo) and Osprey (The Man Who Would Be King), but are there any others that members would recommend? Up till now my gaming background has been Fantasy/Swords & Sorcery, so I'm also a sucker for rules that have a narrative element to them.
Title: Re: Darkest Africa - Advice Request
Post by: Sir Rodney Ffing on May 16, 2016, 10:46:56 AM: Hi Globlin

I'm more or less in the same boat as you, although I do have around 90 painted Foundry Darkest Africa figures from my last attempt at the period, which was at least five years ago and maybe as many as ten. I didn't manage to play a single game then and am determined to do better this time!

For rules, I have Chris Peers' skirmish set "In the Heart of Africa" as well as the army lists but have never played it. I am about to get Triumph & Tragedy and its colonial supplement, as the system sounds promising. I think the supplement is mainly aimed at the Zulu, Boer and Sudan campaigns, but it seems other members use it for exploration type games using some extra rules on the website.

Congo is apparently due out in late June/early July and appears to have its focus mainly on exploration expeditions. I am not a fan of Saga (the Dark Ages set from the same stable) but I will be getting Congo. I have also managed to lay my hands on a copy of an OOP role playing game, Dark Continent, which has some great background and (I think) can be used as a campaign resource. At least that is my plan! I think it would fit in with your aim of a narrative element. I got my copy from the chap who published it, who now runs a game shop in Manchester, Fanboy Three. I don't know if they have any left, but if you are interested, I would follow it up soon.

As for figures, the sculptor responsible for the Darkest Africa range produced some more figures under his own banner, Copplestone Castings. They are 100% compatible and worth a look, although they introduce different types (German marines, British naval landing party etc) rather than being more of the same. They seem to be sold by North Star Miniatures, which also has its own range, North Star Africa! I haven't seen any of the figures 'in the flesh', but have heard they blend well and will be buying a few packs at the Partizan show this weekend. North Star has a nice explorer/big game hunter pack as well as animals, which are rather cheaper than Foundry. Foundry is supposedly intending to sell some starter sets for Congo, but I haven't seen any details. It might be worth contacting them to ask about their plans and timing to avoid buying figures you don't want.

I can't claim to be offering the wisdom of experience, as I am still stuck in Zanzibar myself, but hopefully this will be some help.

Good luck on your travels
Sir Rodney
Title: Re: Darkest Africa - Advice Request
Post by: Furt on May 16, 2016, 11:54:46 AM: Not an expert on the subject, by any means, but I can certainly recommend Triumph & Tragedy for Darkest Africa skirmishes.

I'd go as far as to say that you don't even need the Colonial Supplement to begin with to run these kind of engagements, although it will add to the game.

It can be used with a smaller number of figures per side as well, as long as all sides follows this rule. Just reduce the recommended number of figures down to like 2-4 soldiers per unit.

In my opinion there are few ranges that could beat Copplestone's classic Wargame Foundry or his own range, but I'd strongly consider North Star Africa, especially the animals, and a few choice items from Eureka, in particular their slave men and woman.
Title: Re: Darkest Africa - Advice Request
Post by: Happy Wanderer on May 16, 2016, 02:56:38 PM: I've been turning the blow torch on Darkest Africa these past few months...plenty to look at and read on the blog...

https://agrabbagofgames.wordpress.com/2016/05/16/explorers/

Also, for small games you might want to look at Smooth & Rifled by Ganesha. They have a free Darkest Africa supplement in the Wargames Vault store.

Happy W

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Y4nnRVzBcTU/VznRNy8IkqI/AAAAAAAAGRY/lyz7ro8_CEcShfunGwQQOfZ_t3Ooue3lwCCo/s640/IMG_2536.JPG)
Title: Re: Darkest Africa - Advice Request
Post by: Sir Rodney Ffing on May 16, 2016, 03:42:43 PM: Hey Happy W - great brushwork on the Masai! I am in awe.

Sir Rodney
Title: Re: Darkest Africa - Advice Request
Post by: TWD on May 16, 2016, 04:04:52 PM: I've been messing a little with DA for a while now.
I'd echo many of the sentiments above
T&T will be the rules I use when i eventually get to play with some chums. The downloads page even has a small intro scenario to get you going with a few natives taking on a small explorer party:
http://www.triumph-tragedy.de/downloads/scenario_pack_01_crisis_2007.pdf
Doesn't need the colonial supplement (I don't have it).

If you fancy some solo play you could also try Adventures in Jimland
http://minden_games.homestead.com/Jimland.html
Which is very jolly but not for the serious minded gamer.

I've also played Death in the Dark Continent (Chris Peers rules) which I believe Northstar are doing a second edition of soon.

Figures wise Copplestones (either at Foundry or his own) are the way to go. Northstar models mix nicely with them. Repaer has some bones creatures that you can also use or look out for plastic elephants and the like in kids toy ranges.

My exploits are here (includes Jimland AAR):
http://leadadventureforum.com/index.php?topic=59459.0
Title: Re: Darkest Africa - Advice Request
Post by: Ming on May 16, 2016, 04:52:54 PM: I would also recommend the Foundry figures, with the following caveat. I bought my collection of Darkest Africa figures when they first came out and when I recently bought some more to top up, there's an awful lot of flash on them. I guess the moulds are wearing. Hardly surprising after all this time. As bad as any Perry figures. The North Star figures on the other hand have all been been excellent. Also if you can, try and get hold of The Source of the Nile boardgame, it crops up on E-bay now & then for around £30. I remember that being a fun game and may provide some scenario inspiration
Title: Re: Darkest Africa - Advice Request
Post by: warrenpeace on May 16, 2016, 05:13:23 PM: Besides the Chris Peers rules already mentioned, there is a variant for The Sword and the Flame for smaller scale actions in the heart of Africa. I've seen TSATF adapted for units as small as 4 figures per unit. What Happy Wanderer is doing with his Rifles and Spears adaptation of Muskets and Tomahawks is looking really good. I've played Triumph and Tragedy once, and it has aspects that would work very well for small scale actions in the heart of Africa.

However, I'm going to suggest using Pulp Alley. Yesterday tried Pulp Alley (for the first time) in a setting inspired by Africa (though set on an island in the Indian Ocean. There were crocodiles, a rhino, a lion, a leopard, a python, "gangs" of spear or bow armed hostile natives, and some other stuff. While a Pulp Alley league is normally less than 12 figures, one could increase the size of an exploring party by using a "gang" of armed escorts and another "gang" of bearers. Native leagues could include some individual characters and "gangs" like those I just played with yesterday. Also, one can make up a league of animals. Lots of possibilities there...
Title: Re: Darkest Africa - Advice Request
Post by: Skyven on May 16, 2016, 05:21:39 PM: The first book that comes to mind is Thomas Pakenham's The Scramble for Africa, but also The Killer Trail: A Colonial Scandal in the Heart of Africa by Bertrand Taithe and Explorers of the Nile: The Triumph and Tragedy of a Great Victorian Adventure by Tim Jeal (who has also written biographies of Livingstone and Stanley).

Oh, and for your African contingent, see if you can get hold any of the Foundry Africa books such as East Africa by Chris Peers and Ian Heath and Central Africa by Chris Peers.
Title: Re: Darkest Africa - Advice Request
Post by: wulfgar22 on May 16, 2016, 06:13:20 PM: I'll second Pakenham's Scramble for Africa and Jeal's Explorer's of the Nile. Both excellent.
Title: Re: Darkest Africa - Advice Request
Post by: War In 15MM on May 16, 2016, 08:32:49 PM: I've put together a large 28mm Victorian Era Darkest Africa collection. I have it displayed in layout/diorama form on two 5 ft. x 7 ft. tables. In addition to the large gallery of pictures, I have included a lengthy write-up on the materials and figures that I included in it. It can be seen at www.warin15mm.com/28MM-African-Adventure-Gallery.html
Title: Re: Darkest Africa - Advice Request
Post by: Juan on May 16, 2016, 09:02:36 PM: I have more than 200 Dark Africa figures from Foundry Miniatures and Copplestone Castings; you have everything you need to play with both ranges. I have played a lot of games with "In the Heart of Africa", being this a very good skirmish level ruleset for this period... if you don´t use regular forces; they are too powerful. Now, I´m preparing army lists for "Sharp Practice 2".

Those books from Foundry Miniatures are a really good reading, IMHO, and there is also a very nice Osprey´s MAA one.
Title: Re: Darkest Africa - Advice Request
Post by: Kommando_J on May 17, 2016, 02:10:43 PM: Some solid advice, i'd say though, the copplestone castings stuff is a trifle bigger than the foundry DA range, also overall foundry is smaller than the DA range but there are some compatible minis especially among the newer old west range.

Off course Empress miniatures has many compatible minis in it's New Zealand War/Indian Mutiny and Anglo-Zulu war ranges.
Title: Re: Darkest Africa - Advice Request
Post by: Globlin on May 17, 2016, 08:14:20 PM: Thanks all, some sage advice and some stunning inspiration from War in 15mm and Happy Wanderer to boot!

I've put a small order in with Foundry (some Explorers, Askari and Bearers) and ordered Tim Jeal's Explorers of the Nile from Amazon. I've also borrowed (pinched!) Pakenham's Scramble for Africa from my dad's book collection. This should give me plenty to be going on with while I give some more consideration to rulesets. Thanks again for your input!
Title: Re: Darkest Africa - Advice Request
Post by: robjohn on June 25, 2016, 07:45:21 AM: I am surprised no-one has mentioned 'In Her Majesty's Name' as a suitable set of rules for Darkest Africa games - any reason why?
Title: Re: Darkest Africa - Advice Request
Post by: warrenpeace on June 25, 2016, 09:14:38 PM: Quote from: robjohn on June 25, 2016, 07:45:21 AM
I am surprised no-one has mentioned 'In Her Majesty's Name' as a suitable set of rules for Darkest Africa games - any reason why?

I've played a couple of games using "In Her Majesty's Name" and owned a copy for about a year. The skirmish wargame system is fine. Plus and minus modifier's on a d10 roll, just basic miniature wargaming. I gave away my rulebook because there was more Steampunk to it than I wanted to look at every time I consulted the rulebook. As a Pulp player I can handle a bit of weirdness or anachronistic sci-fi technology, but IHMN had so much VSF and Steampunk that it was beyond my tastes. Didn't want to have to cut out so much of that to write my own tables that were for a more realistic/historical oriented game.

I think people on the colonial part of the forum are looking for a bit more realistic/historical atmosphere when they pick up a rulebook. Photos of figures and terrain for Darkest Africa, the Sudan, the NW Frontier, etc., help put the GM and players in the right mood.
Title: Re: Darkest Africa - Advice Request
Post by: axabrax on June 26, 2016, 02:57:43 PM: Although it's a bit beer and pretzels, I personally think the Chris Peers, In the Heart of Africa set is your best bet if you want to use different African tribes. Otherwise you might end up with a lot of colorful tribes on the table with no real personality of their own, basically all the same troops with different "skins." If you're looking for something more like WW1 in Africa or the Zulu Wars then a more conventional system might be in order.
Title: Re: Darkest Africa - Advice Request
Post by: Leigh Metford on June 27, 2016, 05:09:33 AM: Strictly speaking, despite employing individually based figurers, ItHoA isn't a skirmish game. Figures function as units with no individual characteristics.

Although the figure to man ratio works on a flexible sliding scale and is never precisely articulated, the average can be inferred from the lists: about 1:10, with less powerful types representing many more and the most powerful types (white men) representing perhaps only one man.

I've found that, despite appearing ludically simple, ItHoA is more than the sum of its parts. Its heavy stylisation and finely tuned historical focus work in combination with the terrain system and scenarios to produce a surprising degree of tactical challenge, but most importantly... fun!

The group I game with has had many an exciting and/or amusing ItHoA session over the years, in large because it's one of those rule sets that effortlessly generates a strong narrative flow and memorable incidents.
Title: Re: Darkest Africa - Advice Request
Post by: Codsticker on June 27, 2016, 11:50:52 PM: Quote from: robjohn on June 25, 2016, 07:45:21 AM
I am surprised no-one has mentioned 'In Her Majesty's Name' as a suitable set of rules for Darkest Africa games - any reason why?

I think maybe it falls short of that 30-60 model range that seems to be the sweet-spot for wargames right now.
Title: Re: Darkest Africa - Advice Request
Post by: robjohn on June 28, 2016, 02:43:48 PM: I have read the topic with great interest and am now the proud owner of the early IDA rules as printed in Wargames Illustrated - thanks for the link!

I have just ordered ITHOA from North Star and listed my IHMN books on Ebay - see what you have all done!

ITHOA seems exactly what I have been looking for...........

many thanks
Title: Re: Darkest Africa - Advice Request
Post by: Dr Mathias on June 28, 2016, 03:25:15 PM: I have used Gaslight, The Sword and the Flame (Africa Variant) and In the Heart of Africa for gaming purposes. I also have used the Zombiesmith 'Quar' ruleset 'This Quar's War' which was actually really fun.

The army lists in The Heart of Africa do a very good job emulating the sometimes quirky force compositions of various tribal groups and invaders. Very well researched, but as Juan says the colonial powers seem to have the advantage (which makes sense but isn't always 'fun' in game). It really is a fun game overall.

For starter books I'd say read the obligatory accounts by Livingstone, Stanley, Johnston, etc. I really enjoyed Into Africa by Dugard and The African Adventure by Severin. The Severin book gives a good overview from the earliest attempts to get into into continent. King Leopold's Ghost is a great read which I'd recommend to anyone really, but it is also depressing as it is all about the Free State.

The Africa Armies books by Foundry (Central Africa and East Africa by Chris Peers) are indispensable to me, because I'm working on the entire Foundry DA range, as well as trying to accurately portray some of the lesser known tribes like the Lango. They are great books.

(http://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/21/577_09_05_15_8_28_25_1.jpg)
Title: Re: Darkest Africa - Advice Request
Post by: robjohn on June 28, 2016, 03:50:48 PM: Thank you - just ordered Dugan and Severin :)
Title: Re: Darkest Africa - Advice Request
Post by: Leigh Metford on June 29, 2016, 03:06:04 AM: Nice work on those shields, Dr Mathias. In this period it's often shields that visually establish a tribe's identity. How did you make them?
Title: Re: Darkest Africa - Advice Request
Post by: Dr Mathias on June 29, 2016, 05:01:52 AM: Quote from: Leigh Metford on June 29, 2016, 03:06:04 AM
Nice work on those shields, Dr Mathias. In this period it's often shields that visually establish a tribe's identity. How did you make them?

Thanks, the shields were sculpted in greenstuff (or rather ProCreate) and cast in resin. I'll make a thread about that force in the future- still have some to paint!

I mainly just wanted to visually show my recommendation for Foundry miniatures ;)

I can't speak for the Northstar tribal figures but the Ila look pretty cool (and are pretty unique visually) and they're on my 'want' list.
Title: Re: Darkest Africa - Advice Request
Post by: War In 15MM on July 02, 2016, 12:42:56 AM: Dr. Mathias, that is great looking stuff! Richard
Title: Re: Darkest Africa - Advice Request
Post by: FifteensAway on July 02, 2016, 02:21:16 AM: Great clashing of spears against shields on behalf of Dr. Mathias's photo - nice cattle and a lion! Whoo-hoo. (Yeah, I'm a sucker for such things.)

Advice? Go with 15 mm! (I would say that, wouldn't I?)
Title: Re: Darkest Africa - Advice Request
Post by: robjohn on July 02, 2016, 11:48:44 AM: I say FifteensAway - could you satisfy my curiosity and advise which are the best 15mm ranges for Colonial Adventures? - There's a good chap.
Title: Re: Darkest Africa - Advice Request
Post by: FifteensAway on July 03, 2016, 02:03:09 AM: Well, robjohn, that is a bit of a subjective question, isn't it? One man's best might be another man's worst and all.

However, I'm game to at least list several viable options: Blue Moon and Irregular are both on the larger size but have a variety of options with more expected from Blue Moon though when is not known, ACW and Nappies taking precedent for that company at this time. Essex have a few ranges that paint easy but are a bit static but workable, Peter Pig has a limited range of periods but the period covered, Sudan, is covered pretty well. Stone Mountain in the states has a venerable range of colonials, Sudan, Zulu, and French and Foreign Legion with packages designed to match to Sword and the Flame rules (original version). QRF-Freikorps has a variety of options. Stone Mountain and Peter Pig should match well, size-wise with Essex in a middle ground that will reach up or down. Minifigs has quite an extensive range of even more venerable colonial options. I have figures from all of these sources though not all for colonials and would have no trouble ordering from any of them again if I needed more figures (which I decidedly do not! but when does that ever stop us?! o_o)

My personal complaint about the colonial period is that it is too often limited to a few principle conflicts: Sudan, Zulu, North West Frontier of India, and - maybe - French Foreign Legion, and Boxer rebellion. If you are interested in African Exploration era gaming, then you really need to focus on Irregular and Blue Moon - and look at all of their ranges, there are options in the Horror range and, of course, their Africa range.

A couple of other manufactures to look at - though I'm not sure they all have colonials - would be Khurasan, Splintered Light, and Rebel Miniatures. Especially Rebel if you fancy pulpish gaming. Oh, and the original Old Glory range, Old Glory15s - with most of the usual suspects covered (again, on the larger end of the spectrum of 15/18mm figures).

Hope that helps. Fun period to play, almost never taken seriously by participants so there is just more fun.
Title: Re: Darkest Africa - Advice Request
Post by: robjohn on July 03, 2016, 06:51:36 AM: Much obliged FifteensAway................I had discovered Blue Moon but no others and your reply is detailed and gives more ranges to explore. Having said that the ranges of figures available simply don't do the wargames period justice when compared to Massa Copplestone's efforts residing at various companies.

Thanks again.