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Miniatures Adventure => Colonial Adventures => Topic started by: Mad Guru on 07 July 2017, 06:31:14 PM

Title: Lights Out in the Valley - a modest TSATF AAR
Post by: Mad Guru on 07 July 2017, 06:31:14 PM

Happy to report I actually played a game! (Something that doesn't happen very often these days.)

I took command of the Tribesmen and the British -- in this case a unit of Gurkhas -- were led by my older daughter/middle child.

I'm happy to report all fighting was limited to the tabletop.

It was a simple and modest affair, pitting one "Platoon" of Gurkha Rifles against two "Clans" of Pathan Tribesmen, both of which started the game hidden in rough terrain.

The Gurkhas were tasked with crossing a bridge over the Kabul River at one corner and proceeding to the center of the table, to learn the whereabouts of a Heliograph Team stationed in a Hilltop Tower, which had recently lost touch with base-camp.

Despite its small scale it was a dramatic and close-run action which could easily have resulted in victory for either side.

I won't tell you more, but if interested invite you to stop by my blog via this handy LINK:

http://maiwandday.blogspot.mx/2017/07/lights-out-in-valley-tsatf-aar.html (http://maiwandday.blogspot.mx/2017/07/lights-out-in-valley-tsatf-aar.html)

And here are a handful of teaer pics to further entice you...

(https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NJBaAg7toQA/WV9JmjCa5fI/AAAAAAAAQ_A/z037PCiCPVQDAVvNdPWpYDX2ZDDNj0c3wCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_0010.JPG)

(https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-A3QGHlXYYPc/WV9JnH6-chI/AAAAAAAAQ_I/hfV52bW-o1QYpKz_AHkRr_QwmpDTxdeNACLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_0014.JPG)

(https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NG9ltn2R4Bo/WV8PTLZ5KUI/AAAAAAAAQ8g/ZS1Q-jjZWw0HStPXrHSafmi13tgBaSoXgCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_0042.JPG)

(https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-68sHXABWJXw/WV8PTNR9ELI/AAAAAAAAQ8c/cVSu3NSJT3QkKAyk1pULVP20finAQCW4gCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_0045.JPG)

(https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WZ5gbjOJ8NE/WV8PVMLg-yI/AAAAAAAAQ8w/9m00TTDCg907iIPHX3W7ClU41KJadKPgwCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_0047.JPG)

(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nUPgw1pJJ5c/WV8PZZhW99I/AAAAAAAAQ9I/g28e_ZPCQ2gY56M2egLz224A3sd-8L3WwCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_0052.JPG)

(https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-XVTKYhiaPq0/WV8Papbl3zI/AAAAAAAAQ9Q/uIwzxjo434Uvdz87sLKa4GNDGhMZd7-owCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_0057.JPG)

(https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Dmj3hYR07a0/WV8PcOFCufI/AAAAAAAAQ9g/yHwSL5g_v_oqOqKkvTcNKrBQfmpppw-yQCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_0061.JPG)

(https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vtrA5ky-frE/WV8PeIR9utI/AAAAAAAAQ9s/3uoHOOY0078TL4s7KBRWKa4lab-ClHn7ACLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_0063.JPG)

(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DWB1oGYW_nA/WV8PiiRGbQI/AAAAAAAAQ-c/v9g4MQamQrgLD0F6H9I7LSPlri5n7isvQCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_0075.JPG)

Title: Re: Lights Out in the Valley - a modest TSATF AAR
Post by: Andrei1975 on 07 July 2017, 06:37:10 PM

Mad, once again, a great game and an excellent terrain. I would also like the Gurkhas in my army, only I do not like miniatures from Faundy. Very much I wait when brothers Perry decide to make them.

Title: Re: Lights Out in the Valley - a modest TSATF AAR
Post by: Leapsnbounds on 07 July 2017, 07:01:02 PM

Three Cheers for the Sword and the Flame

Title: Re: Lights Out in the Valley - a modest TSATF AAR
Post by: Plynkes on 07 July 2017, 07:16:39 PM

Hurrah! A dispatch from the Guru is always most welcome. Exciting stuff!

Title: Re: Lights Out in the Valley - a modest TSATF AAR
Post by: shadowking1957 on 07 July 2017, 07:20:48 PM

Beautiful table and miniatures a joy to view

Title: Re: Lights Out in the Valley - a modest TSATF AAR
Post by: Marine0846 on 07 July 2017, 08:48:32 PM

Great write up of a lovely game.
You played TSATF as it was mend to be played.
A small number of units, keeps the excitement up.
A question if I may.
In your first melee was there only one Gurkha left?
If all others were killed, wounded or ran away and he survive the battle,
did you roll to award him the V.C.?

Title: Re: Lights Out in the Valley - a modest TSATF AAR
Post by: Plynkes on 07 July 2017, 08:55:10 PM

When he said the "last Gurkha" I think he meant the last one to roll his die, not the last one left alive. There are clearly still a fair few of them in the later parts of the encounter.

Title: Re: Lights Out in the Valley - a modest TSATF AAR
Post by: Mad Guru on 07 July 2017, 09:50:18 PM

In a way you are both correct, sirs!

He was indeed the last Gurkha in the hand-to-hand fight, as his comrades had all been killed, wounded, or forced to Fall Back -- but as the sole remaining active participant for his side in the melee, he only engaged in one round of die rolling, which I don't think "officially" qualifies him to be considered for the VC.  I think he'd have to have engaged and defeated at least 3 enemy figures singlehandedly, though I may be wrong about that.  I'll have to check the rule book.

At the very least he should be "Mentioned in Dispatches" and perhaps promoted to Naik!

Plynkes, in TSATF, figures who lose melee die roll-offs with a 3-6 result on their D6 "Fall Back" from the melee and remain in place until it is fully resolved, at which point if their unit has won they rejoin it or if it has lost they join it in routing away.

Title: Re: Lights Out in the Valley - a modest TSATF AAR
Post by: Plynkes on 07 July 2017, 10:17:48 PM

As moderator of Colonial Adventures, I feel a little bit ashamed that I am not more familiar with these much-beloved rules, that so many folks regard as the spiritual Grandad of all our little adventures here, so thanks for the clarification. :)

I have gone a little way to make amends. I do own a copy of the rules (if memory serves bought from Admiral Benbow), but I have still yet to actually play it. Really must remedy that, and this has given me much inspiration to get on with things and finally do it. I think it will be Zulu War when I do, though. I guess I'm firmly in Wolseley's African Ring rather than Kandahar Bobs' like your good self. :)

Title: Re: Lights Out in the Valley - a modest TSATF AAR
Post by: Smokeyrone on 07 July 2017, 10:46:01 PM

Beautiful!


Miss you, mad Guru, glad I found you here  :)

Title: Re: Lights Out in the Valley - a modest TSATF AAR
Post by: SABOT on 07 July 2017, 10:51:15 PM

Great write up - I can feel the atmosphere. Love the terrain.

Title: Re: Lights Out in the Valley - a modest TSATF AAR
Post by: Harry Faversham on 07 July 2017, 11:04:31 PM

All good stirring stuff! I sold my copy of TSATF when TMWWBKs came out, after reading that AAR... wish I hadn't now!

:-* :'( :-*

Title: Re: Lights Out in the Valley - a modest TSATF AAR
Post by: Marine0846 on 08 July 2017, 12:07:20 AM

Harry,
you sold your copy. :o
All is not lost,
You can buy another copy.
This is history, the blood of our fathers
and all such other rot. lol

Title: Re: Lights Out in the Valley - a modest TSATF AAR
Post by: Mad Guru on 08 July 2017, 01:44:51 AM

Wow, to all my fellow LAFers who commented above, your high compliments make me blush with embarrassment, and thanks for all of your comments!

Smokeyroan, happy to be found by you!

Andrei, though I respectfully disagree regarding Wargames Foundry colonial figures, I sympathize with your current plight.  Not just the Perrys but one would have hoped Artizan would have released some Gurkhas for their own Second Afghan War range, after coming on what I think will be 2 years since its introduction.  Oh, well!  Maybe the Perrys will get around to it relatively soon.  Up until about a year ago, Pontoonier's Third Burma War Gurkhas were still available from Newline Designs, but sadly no they no longer are, so right now it's Foundry or Old Glory or... the one pack of "Yeti Hunters" available from West Wind Gothic Horror -- which are actually very nice Gurkhas in poshteens, but armed with bolt-action rifles, which doesn't really work for 1878-1880.

RE: the Victoria Cross rules in TSATF... well, turns out I was wrong too.  

If a British figure is involved in a melee with at least 6 enemy figures, which the British side wins, and is the SOLE SURVIVOR on the British side, he is eligible to win the VC.

The Gurkha in question was indeed the sole remaining "fighter" in the melee during its final round, as many of his comrades had by then "Fallen Back," but he was not the sole survivor, so I think he remains ineligible, at least by the book, so to speak.

Plynkes, in full disclosure, to me you are something of a hobby legend, so I must confess, seeing you write that a, "dispatch from the Guru is always most welcome," filled my heart with pride and glee.  Thank you!

RE: your concern over lack of familiarity with TSATF... I have found over my many years as a colonial wargamer that the great majority of UK gamers have little or no experience playing TSATF, and if they do know it, it's mostly just by reputation and what they've heard from their American gaming cousins, so no need to feel too bad.

That being said, I would certainly encourage you to try and play even a very small game -- like the one I describe above.  The Zulu War was probably the most popular campaign the rules were used for back when they were originally published in 1979, as it was the centenary of that conflict, and it remains very popular to this day.  Of course you are correct about me being firmly ensconced in Bobs of Kandahar's "India Ring" rather than the more spiffy and uppercrust "Africa Ring" of his Immodest Majesty, the Modern Major General Wolseley... a fine officer no doubt, who of course showed up to take charge of that fight against the Zulus, only to discover they'd already been beaten.

Harry... I must say I'm a touch flabbergasted by your confession, but still, you must be commended for your honesty!  I join my fellow countryman, Marine0846 from up North in the Oregon Territory, in strongly encouraging you to make good on this... questionable act.

Title: Re: Lights Out in the Valley - a modest TSATF AAR
Post by: Harry Faversham on 08 July 2017, 06:49:29 AM

:'( Epaulettes and buttons ripped, sword broken over knee in shame.  :'(

Title: Re: Lights Out in the Valley - a modest TSATF AAR
Post by: Mad Guru on 08 July 2017, 08:35:08 AM

You go too far, Harry, and are far too hard on yourself!!!

All Marine0846 suggested and I concurred with was the idea of you buying another copy of The Sword And The Flame... but I very much appreciate the iconic imagery invoked in your post, and having met him myself, I'm certain the esteemed author of TSATF, the late great Larry Brom, would have loved it!

Title: Re: Lights Out in the Valley - a modest TSATF AAR
Post by: Harry Faversham on 08 July 2017, 08:59:44 AM

In mitigation... I did sell my copy to somebody from the LAF!

 ;)

Title: Re: Lights Out in the Valley - a modest TSATF AAR
Post by: Plynkes on 08 July 2017, 09:22:32 AM

As that's the case, in the words of Daniel Dravot, "everything'sh all right then."


Guru, I'm not kidding, mate. You blog has been a source of inspiration and ideas for a long time.

I think one of the reasons I have never come to grips with TSATF is that for some reason I had got it into my head that it was a rule set for big battles, and since making the switch from 15mm many years ago I have been more of a skirmish gamer. Your report would appear to show that smaller encounters are perfectly possible, and may even be its forte. Not sure where I got the idea from. I think maybe many of the battle reports I've seen down the years have involved masses and masses of figures.

Title: Re: Lights Out in the Valley - a modest TSATF AAR
Post by: Marine0846 on 08 July 2017, 04:00:16 PM

Plynkes,

If I may add my two cents.
I started playing the rules when they first came out in 1979.
Loved them after I played my first game.
In the last 30 plus years I have played a few hundred games.
The best games are one v one or two v two.
Two or three units for the Europeans and five to seven units of natives,
make for some excellent games.
Where the game fails is having too many units or players.
The card system slows the game a lot, when you have too many units or players.
Another of Larry's rule sets to play is The Sword in Africa.
Think TSATF lite.
Smaller units, ez morale rules, event cards, lots of fun.

Title: Re: Lights Out in the Valley - a modest TSATF AAR
Post by: WillieB on 08 July 2017, 04:03:48 PM

Quote from: Andrei1975 on 07 July 2017, 06:37:10 PM

Mad, once again, a great game and an excellent terrain. I would also like the Gurkhas in my army, only I do not like miniatures from Faundy. Very much I wait when brothers Perry decide to make them.

Iron Duke will also produce a line of Gurkhas for the Indian Mutiny, all sculpted by Paul Hicks. Might be well worth waiting for.

Title: Re: Lights Out in the Valley - a modest TSATF AAR
Post by: Mad Guru on 09 July 2017, 06:03:29 AM

Oh, man, lots more for me to say!

Plynkes, oddly enough I may be the one -- or at least one of them -- responsible for you getting the impression that TSATF was meant for much largers games, thanks to my own rather large Maiwand Day games, and then even larger -- but also much more fairly balanced -- Charasiab games.  But for those scenarios I used a different version of the rules called "800 Fighting Englishmen (the Colonel and the Band), often abbreviated in TSATF circles to "800FE" -- which is the official "Big Battle" variant.  Over time I actually created my own custom hybrid of the classic and big battle versions, tailored specifically to my own gaming preferences and scenario needs.

Marine's point about the rules sometimes grinding down to a slow pace when too many units are engaged is a very legitimate one, but that dynamic can be solved by various adjustments included in the "Big Battle" approach to the game, where single movement or fire cards are applied to larger "Maneuver Elements".  Another key element is for the Game Master, or players themselves, to keep flipping cards at a good pace rather than allowing play to slow down while single move or fire decisions are drawn out for long stretches of time.

It's true, in its original and "natural" state, TSATF may best be described as a stylized large scale skirmish game, but its creator, Larry Brom, had nothing against "super sizing" scenarios, to the point where the growing popularity of doing so led him to design the dedicated "Big Battle" variant.  I think there is a lot to be said in favor of both approaches, but I honestly believe that with the right GM, or players on both sides with a shared approach (by which I mean either both sides make their decisions quickly or neither minds when the other side doesn't do so!) the rules can work well for larger games.

One last note: I've used my "Hybrid" version of the rules to run pretty big convention games with 3-6 Afghan players vs. 2-4 British players -- with pretty good success.

Title: Re: Lights Out in the Valley - a modest TSATF AAR
Post by: Belgian on 09 July 2017, 08:37:20 AM

Thanks for showing the excellent AAR and great miniatures! The rules sound interesting, any idea where I can buy them in paper or PDF, might be me my ticket for some colonial action.

Title: Re: Lights Out in the Valley - a modest TSATF AAR
Post by: Mad Guru on 09 July 2017, 09:08:38 AM

Belgian,

Thanks for your kind words re: my AAR and miniatures.

Here's a LINK to the page at the Sergeants 3 website, where all the many variants of THE SWORD AND THE FLAME are available for sale:

http://www.sergeants3.com/18.html# (http://www.sergeants3.com/18.html#)

They are also selling a PDF version just recently made available for purchase, at the bottom of the last page in the catalogue section at the above LINK, which you can reach by clicking "next" at the bottom of the page 6 times -- or at least that's the only way I can find to reach it.  Worth it if you'd prefer a PDF!

Title: Re: Lights Out in the Valley - a modest TSATF AAR
Post by: Belgian on 11 July 2017, 09:03:48 PM

Quote from: Mad Guru on 09 July 2017, 09:08:38 AM

Belgian,

Thanks for your kind words re: my AAR and miniatures.

Here's a LINK to the page at the Sergeants 3 website, where all the many variants of THE SWORD AND THE FLAME are available for sale:

http://www.sergeants3.com/18.html# (http://www.sergeants3.com/18.html#)

They are also selling a PDF version just recently made available for purchase, at the bottom of the last page in the catalogue section at the above LINK, which you can reach by clicking "next" at the bottom of the page 6 times -- or at least that's the only way I can find to reach it.  Worth it if you'd prefer a PDF!

Grabbed the rules, interesting game mechanics. Hopefully trying a game soon!

Title: Re: Lights Out in the Valley - a modest TSATF AAR
Post by: italwars on 12 July 2017, 08:52:06 AM

Quote from: Belgian on 11 July 2017, 09:03:48 PM

Grabbed the rules, interesting game mechanics. Hopefully trying a game soon!

hello i suppose, from your nickname, that you're from Belgium...we are very few, including me, that play with TSATF on our side of the pond..even less in continental Europe..so it's a pleasure to read about potentail new European TSTAF players....maybe you would have a very enjoyable colonial game also with the Belgian Force Publique...among my favourite Colonial theaters amd army..and also my recent game with TSATF.
Mad Guru , while also being a brilliant writer and researcher on NWF topics, is also very helpful and friendly...that's the very essence of TSATF

Title: Re: Lights Out in the Valley - a modest TSATF AAR
Post by: OSHIROmodels on 12 July 2017, 10:06:53 AM

Jolly good spread  :)

cheers

James

Title: Re: Lights Out in the Valley - a modest TSATF AAR
Post by: JBaumal on 12 July 2017, 02:46:53 PM

Ethan my friend,

Another excellent report and simply beautiful table! Your games are always so inspiring that they keep pulling me back to one of my favorite periods and campaigns. I love the new tower, simply amazing. I know how much work went into building it and I think it was well worth it.

I'm so glad you were able to have such a fun game with Izzy. Well done Victory Izzy! Maybe she does have some Army in her after all..... LOL

I'm looking forward to your AAR with the battle vs Skyler next.

PS - though I have several copies of every edition and variant of our beloved TSATF, I've just purchased the 20th anniversary edition via PDF so as to always have it handy in case the hard copy gets misplaced prior to a con game or such. This is also a great way for the folks across the pond to try the rules without the high shipping costs. The only draw back is that the official rules changes haven't been integrated into the main body of the rules, yet. Though the "Official Rules Changes" are at the back of the book just as the hard copy. The PDF is literally an exact Copy of the rules as is.

Cheers,
JB
https://sgtguinness.blogs

Title: Re: Lights Out in the Valley - a modest TSATF AAR
Post by: Traveler Man on 12 July 2017, 04:43:46 PM

I never cease to be impressed by your terrain, sir! Well done to Izzy for her tactical prowess.

(I wonder what happened to the heliograph crew? Will there be a sequel to this game, perhaps?)