Lead Adventure Forum
Miniatures Adventure => Pikes, Muskets and Flouncy Shirts => Topic started by: WillPhillips on March 09, 2020, 04:48:18 AM
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I have recently pivoted my historical wargaming focus from big battles in 6mm to skirmish-scale games in 15mm after I received much interest from my network of gaming friends about the latter... and continued crickets about the former!
I hesitate to lean too much on the "pike and shot" term for a skirmish context as there is not much space (conceptually and physically!) for blocks of pike and shot when you're paying homage to the raids and skirmishes and street fighting that happened around the peripheries of armies on campaign and in battle.
My friends and I are busy grown ups with limited painting and playing availability. That said, we still want to get a game in once in a while without filling our vehicles to the brim with mini and terrain cases - and without spending half the game in the rule book trying to remember how combat works.
To that end, I'm attempting to build a fast-playing rule set that works well in smaller spaces (we're trying 2x2" as well as 2x3") using 15mm figures multibased on 1.5" rounds, so that you end up with warbands of roughly 11-30 figures on 4-12 bases. Add onto that a strong narrative element and rules that pay homage to the era rather than strictly recreate specific events (you could think of it similar in spirit to Bolt Action).
If you're going for tabletop quality (as I'm not skilled enough to try much better!), then those sorts of numbers paint up very quickly... much more quickly than the 6mm big battle project I was laboring on!
I'm not much of a painter or photographer, but here are the initial shot of my first warband.
(http://tabletop.willphillips.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Log-20-0305-FirstWarband.jpg)
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Work on the project has been focused on the terrain over the past few weeks. I've never built any terrain or a gaming board. So, it's not fancy, but I'm happy with how it's shaping up.
http://tabletop.willphillips.org/2020/09/21/initial-15mm-terrain-efforts/ (http://tabletop.willphillips.org/2020/09/21/initial-15mm-terrain-efforts/)
Trees are all pre-mades or premade armitures with foliage clumps. Likewise, the buildings are 3D prints which I am speed painting pretty quick in order to get things on the table.
Still more terrain pieces to get in and then assemble, but as as start, I'm pretty happy with it.
(http://tabletop.willphillips.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Log-20-0310-FoamGrid-Overhead.jpg)
(http://tabletop.willphillips.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Log-20-0310-FoamGrid-Cinematic.jpg)
(http://tabletop.willphillips.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Log-20-0316-FoamTexture.jpg)
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This looks bloody brilliant! While I’m usually not a friend of multi-bases for skirmishes, they do work here.
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That's a really striking set-up with all the autumn colours. Nice work!
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Neat. Nice little figures and vignettes :)
The terrain does look rather like a cake lol
I like the unusual choice of autumnal colours and the dusting of snow though. Well done for making your own terrain. I bet you’ll be back with more now you’ve got a taste for it.
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Have you considered using Conflict at the World's End v 2.0 for the later period?
They are Wargame rules for small actions in the Age of Discovery. Designed by Irregular Wars, the pdf bundle features separate pdfs of rules, 48 army lists, quick reference charts, some useful diagrams, as well as campaign rules, scenarios and a pdf of optional chance cards.
What the press said:
- Miniature Wargames 384, Apr 2015 (https://www.vexillia.com/common/pdf/MWBG384_IRW2_review.pdf)
- Latest reviews at Wargame Vault (http://www.wargamevault.com/product_reviews.php?products_id=140800\nReview?affiliate_id=715664).
The pdfs are optimized for screen reading and can be printed equally well on either A4 or US letter paper.
Free sample pages and army lists - https://www.vexillia.com/common/shop_books.html#t-0
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I have to second Vexilla's suggestion. I have those rules and they make for fun skirmish games.
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This looks bloody brilliant! While I’m usually not a friend of multi-bases for skirmishes, they do work here.
+1
really like the look of your terrain / table too.
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Really like the look of this, and anything Renaissance is always a good thing! Good inspiration for the tabletop too.
I third the suggestion of the Conflict at the World's end rules, I love them, and recently finished painting up a whole load of English, Spanish, Irish and Imperialists for the rules - in 15mm the bases are 30mmx30mm, 1 base to a 'company' so quite similar to your approach with rounds. Really good rules.
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Thanks for the feeback, fellas.
Autumn is my favorite time of year, so the terrain choice is simply pandering to my own preferences.
I actually think I picked up a copy of the Vexilla rules along the way - or a demo, I'd have to look - but this is just as much an exercise at scratching my own creative itch in writing some rules as it is getting a chance to game. :)
Sure some of you know where I'm coming from there.
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Have you looked at By Fire and Sword?
Setting is late C17th, but it uses bases of figures (3 to a base), and has 3 levels of play: Skirmish, Task Force, or Divisional.
Skirmish is scenario driven and allows for forces of 6 to 40 bases, with no need for matching numbers on each side. In some scenarios (such as ambush) the smaller force has to attack.
Rules are available at present as a free PDF.
http://www.fireandsword.wargamer.pl/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=46&Itemid=58
May not be what you are looking for but there are some good rules mechanisms that are worth checking
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Have you considered using Conflict at the World's End v 2.0 for the later period?
They are Wargame rules for small actions in the Age of Discovery. Designed by Irregular Wars, the pdf bundle features separate pdfs of rules, 48 army lists, quick reference charts, some useful diagrams, as well as campaign rules, scenarios and a pdf of optional chance cards.
What the press said:
- Miniature Wargames 384, Apr 2015 (https://www.vexillia.com/common/pdf/MWBG384_IRW2_review.pdf)
- Latest reviews at Wargame Vault (http://www.wargamevault.com/product_reviews.php?products_id=140800\nReview?affiliate_id=715664).
The pdfs are optimized for screen reading and can be printed equally well on either A4 or US letter paper.
Free sample pages and army lists - https://www.vexillia.com/common/shop_books.html#t-0
These rules look awesome! Can I get print on demand in the US?
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These rules look awesome! Can I get print on demand in the US?
According to this you can - https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1494483467?linkId=FEOY5BVEBBBH3ZXP
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Like most of my gaming projects, this skirmish idea got put on hold when Covid flared up in the United States.
Now that I've gotten back in the wargaming mode, I've pulled the project out from my storage area and realized how pleased I was at the progress I had with my autumnal-themed wargaming board, my first foray into terrain.
Thinking hard about picking this back up.
Need to at least put together a second warband so I can have a pair to play with... in that far future on the other side of Covid.
More pics here:
http://tabletop.willphillips.org/2020/09/21/15mm-autumnal-table-terrain/ (http://tabletop.willphillips.org/2020/09/21/15mm-autumnal-table-terrain/)
(http://tabletop.willphillips.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Log-20-0401-Party-Backs.jpg)
(http://tabletop.willphillips.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Log-20-0401-Forest.jpg)
(http://tabletop.willphillips.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Log-20-0401-Lengthwise.jpg)
(http://tabletop.willphillips.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Log-20-0401-BoardOverhead-1024x576.jpg)
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Tried to "quickly knock out" three cavalry figures, four pack horses, and two footmen tonight.
Took me about three hours!
Man, I am struggling with really getting 15mm.
They have as much detail as my larger 28mm guys, but because it's so much finer, it's harder to paint. Not like the tiny 6mm figures that you can get away with block painting and applying a wash to.
This isn't a great photo, but... yeah. Not feeling really great about my progress tonight!
(http://tabletop.willphillips.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/FJIMG_20200923_001309-01.jpeg)
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Got another couple of bases done, plus some treasure tokens.
Still feeling like I'm struggling finding my groove in 15mm compared to 28 or 6, but... once I got them based and in the middle of terrain, I didn't feel like such an abject failure.
More pics on my project blog:
http://tabletop.willphillips.org/2020/09/24/reiters-pack-horses-treasure-tokens/ (http://tabletop.willphillips.org/2020/09/24/reiters-pack-horses-treasure-tokens/)
(http://tabletop.willphillips.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/log-200924-group.jpg)
(http://tabletop.willphillips.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Log-200924-reiters-table.jpg)
(http://tabletop.willphillips.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Log-200924-escort-1.jpg)
(http://tabletop.willphillips.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/log-200924-vignette-packhorses.jpg)
(http://tabletop.willphillips.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Log-200924-vignette-front.jpg)
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Wow, well done! Inspiring. Makes me want to buy my own 15mm Renaissance era force. Keep it coming.
Dan
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Wow, well done! Inspiring. Makes me want to buy my own 15mm Renaissance era force. Keep it coming.
Dan
Thanks, Dan. It's a lot of reading and learning and making it up as I go along.
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On another note, am I missing on some functional issues with the forum?
I'm using the bracketed IMG tags to link back to the images on my own site, but I cannot see them on my phone.
However, they show up on desktop.
Anyone else seeing this or run into this before?
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They look great on my iPad.
Dan
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They look great on my iPad.
Dan
Thanks, Dan!
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Here's a quick update on the terrain pieces I got based and laid out today.
Might not circle back to paint them until this weekend, as I'd like to get another unit or two knocked out first. I just got bit by the terrain bug today. ;)
More photos on my blog:
http://tabletop.willphillips.org/2020/09/28/new-15mm-terrain-pieces-in-progress/ (http://tabletop.willphillips.org/2020/09/28/new-15mm-terrain-pieces-in-progress/)
And a few pics from that blog post. We'll see if they play nice on mobile!
(http://tabletop.willphillips.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/log-200928-table.jpg)
(http://tabletop.willphillips.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/log-200928-table-overhead.jpg)
(http://tabletop.willphillips.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/log-200928-enclosure-inner.jpg)
(http://tabletop.willphillips.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/log-200928-threeup-sides.jpg)
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Hit a cool, little milestone tonight.
In the rules I'm working on, a warband is composed of four troop types, which are composed of one to three bases of figures (think how SAGA's troop types work). Strong, elite troops such as trained cavalry are a single base, while weaker troops such as peasant rabble get three bases.
I've now painted and based up eight troop types total, so that - were the world normal and you could play such games with friends - I can playtest these rules with the actual figures.
Kinda happy about this.
(http://tabletop.willphillips.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/log-200929-eight-elements.jpg)
It's a quick and dirty photo, but will try to get better soon.
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Here's an attempt to get better photos.
Not sure if I was successful with these - the minis are much easier for me to photograph only a few bases at a time. I'll share those pics tomorrow, but right now, I'm turning in for the night!
Here's the first arrangement of figures, set up as an elite-style warband with fewer numbers.
(http://tabletop.willphillips.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/log-200929-warbandalpha.jpg)
Here's the second set of four elements, arranged as a horde-style warband.
(http://tabletop.willphillips.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/log-200929-warbandbeta.jpg)
I'd welcome any feedback or photography tips!
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Hmm. I continue to be confounded. My images (that I am self-hosting on my WordPress blog) are still not appearing on mobile, but I can see them on my desktop.
Here's a quick screengrab of my above post. I've uploaded this to Imgur to see if that makes a difference.
(https://i.imgur.com/IMRnNwC.png)
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I can see images on my iPhone
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I can see images on my iPhone and I’m glad as they’re very nice!
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Appreciate the feedback, guys. So weird! I wish I could figure out what's going on there.
But hey, at least it's showing up for other people.
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Tried the black background to take photos of the individual elements, and I think this works a lot better (a lot better to show off my underwhelming painting skills, at least, hahah).
More photos on my blog:
http://tabletop.willphillips.org/2020/09/30/two-playtest-warbands-complete/ (http://tabletop.willphillips.org/2020/09/30/two-playtest-warbands-complete/)
(http://tabletop.willphillips.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/log-200930-reiters-left.jpg)
(http://tabletop.willphillips.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/log-200930-cannon-left.jpg)
(http://tabletop.willphillips.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/log-200930-officer.jpg)
(http://tabletop.willphillips.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/log-200930-shooters.jpg)
(http://tabletop.willphillips.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/log-200930-skirmishers-front.jpg)
(http://tabletop.willphillips.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/log-200930-pack.jpg)
(http://tabletop.willphillips.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/log-200930-dogs.jpg)
(http://tabletop.willphillips.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/log-200930-rabble-front.jpg)
Also got the table setup with the modular, gridded scatter terrain I'm working on to took a few actions shots.
Thought turned out pretty cool:
(http://tabletop.willphillips.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/log-200930-table.jpg)
(http://tabletop.willphillips.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/log-200930-table-woods.jpg)
(http://tabletop.willphillips.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/log-200930-table-villagers.jpg)
More photos on my blog:
http://tabletop.willphillips.org/2020/09/30/two-playtest-warbands-complete/ (http://tabletop.willphillips.org/2020/09/30/two-playtest-warbands-complete/)
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Yep I think the black makes them easier to see. Really nice minis.
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Quick update: have added a pair of carts (counts as a single element choice) and a priest character base over the weekend.
(http://tabletop.willphillips.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/log-201005-group.jpg)
http://tabletop.willphillips.org/2020/10/05/15mm-carts-priest-character/ (http://tabletop.willphillips.org/2020/10/05/15mm-carts-priest-character/)
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One of my design goals with this project is to have a wide variety of figure types that can be chosen, so that players (i.e. myself and my friends) aren't limited to Foot, Musket, Horse as the only three.
It's why I've got the pack horses and carts and include small cannon.
Adding to that will be this attempt at (slightly over-sized) messenger pigeons.
(http://tabletop.willphillips.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/log-201006-pigeons-based.jpg)
I've drilled and pinned the bases of these small critters with some additional green stuff. I'm not sure how well it will hold, but we'll see come the morning.
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Excellent idea!
Dan
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Thanks, Dan. We'll see how they turn out.
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Having some good momentum on getting units knocked out, but I welcome your feedback!
Not anything fancy, but I'm pleased with how these 15mm figures look all based up and on the tabletop.
More pics on my blog:
http://tabletop.willphillips.org/2020/10/08/15mm-messenger-pigeons-and-game-warden-with-deer/ (http://tabletop.willphillips.org/2020/10/08/15mm-messenger-pigeons-and-game-warden-with-deer/)
I continue to be unable to see my own photos while on Chrome on my Android phone. If you're just seeing text with no pics, either, please let me know.
(http://tabletop.willphillips.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/log-201008-pigeons-right.jpg)
(http://tabletop.willphillips.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/log-201008-deer.jpg)
(http://tabletop.willphillips.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/log-201008-table-closeup.jpg)
(http://tabletop.willphillips.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/log-201008-table.jpg)
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Struggling to get feedback here! Yowsas, haha!
I'll be continuing to post to my project thread here, but will likely be updating it less frequently.
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15mm always seems to get less traction here which is a shame as this is a great project.
Really enjoying your scenic style of bases. The use of railway animals is great.
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15mm always seems to get less traction here which is a shame as this is a great project.
Really enjoying your scenic style of bases. The use of railway animals is great.
Thanks for the kind words, Mr. J. Can seem like shouting into a void, you know? But I've appreciated others' project logs, regardless, so it's worthwhile to me.
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I am really excited with how well the project is coming along. Fantastic.
Dan
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Awesome project :-* :-* :-*. Great terrain and minis :-). Will you tell something more about the rules?
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Most of my work on this project has been on the rules-side, but that's also prompted the basing and painting of some "strongpoints," warband unit options that are pieces of terrain with specific rules, and casualty markers.
http://tabletop.willphillips.org/2020/12/27/strongpoint-terrain-and-casualty-markers/ (http://tabletop.willphillips.org/2020/12/27/strongpoint-terrain-and-casualty-markers/)
Here's a few pics. IF THE PICTURES DON'T SHOW UP, PLEASE REPLY TO LET ME KNOW. My blog's been iffy showing photos on Chrome here at this forum.
(http://tabletop.willphillips.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/log-201227-pointsfront.jpg)
(http://tabletop.willphillips.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/log-201227-pointsoverhead.jpg)
These casualty markers were done really, really fast. Trying to get some done in advance of a playtest.
(http://tabletop.willphillips.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/log-201227-casualtiesoverhead.jpg)
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Awesome project :-* :-* :-*. Great terrain and minis :-). Will you tell something more about the rules?
Sure!
I describe the project as "narrative skirmish rules inspired by the pike & shot Renaissance era."
My goal is have small skirmishes in a reasonably small area with troops that span the "men with firearms fighting men in plate armor" era between the Burgundian Wars of c. 1474 through the Thirty Years War and English Civil Wars. I'm also interested in the narrative and roleplaying game mechanics that are less represented in historical wargames.
As you can see in this thread, I'm using multibased models on a 2'x3' board divided into a large grid.
Here's a little more info: http://tabletop.willphillips.org/2020/12/23/giving-the-15mm-skirmish-project-a-name-15xx/ (http://tabletop.willphillips.org/2020/12/23/giving-the-15mm-skirmish-project-a-name-15xx/)
I'm looking for playtesters and others to provide feedback on the rules!
If a narrative pike-and-shot era skirmish game sounds interesting, please reach out!
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No images here. :(
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Im getting images, using Safari on an iPhone.
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No images here. :(
The image link is for an http (unsecured) url and this will wont show on a https (secured) page due to the security restrictions I have in place on Firefox.
This will be the same on many browsers that likewise ban unsecure images as a security risk or for anyone using the "HTTPSeverywhere" extension on the most secure settings.
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I'm looking for playtesters and others to provide feedback on the rules!
If a narrative pike-and-shot era skirmish game sounds interesting, please reach out!
I'm definitely in for playtesting :).
If you want more unit types maybe consider stuff like eastern cavalry, sharpshooters, arquebusers and special characters like local informant/guide (gives clues about terrain), spy (gives clues about opponent's army), medic, witch, camp followers etc.
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The image link is for an http (unsecured) url and this will wont show on a https (secured) page due to the security restrictions I have in place on Firefox.
This will be the same on many browsers that likewise ban unsecure images as a security risk or for anyone using the "HTTPSeverywhere" extension on the most secure settings.
vexilla, this is the most helpful advice! I've been stumped and frustrated for months at why my images weren't appearing and, hopefully, this appears to be it.
I've gone into my webhost to setup an SSL certificate and get the site and hosted images to load as https.
Can you - or anyone else - confirm the images are appearing for you?
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I'm definitely in for playtesting :).
I'd welcome your feedback!
Mind filling out this short form so I have your info?
https://forms.gle/uvtNLMsLdfX19XUg9
I'm planning on sending out the first round of playtest rules to folks outside of my inner circle this weekend.
If you want more unit types maybe consider stuff like eastern cavalry, sharpshooters, arquebusers and special characters like local informant/guide (gives clues about terrain), spy (gives clues about opponent's army), medic, witch, camp followers etc.
I've got a handful of those types as options right now, I think you'll be happy to see.
The special characters will likely come up during campaign play.
I'm planning on the progression system to be based around the warband as a group, rather than individual characters or troop selections.
So that as you advance, you "unlock" special characters or locations (e.g. a favored tavern, a blacksmith, a chapel) that give you various benefits you may select from... or at least that's the idea so far.
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vexilla, this is the most helpful advice! I've been stumped and frustrated for months at why my images weren't appearing and, hopefully, this appears to be it.
No problem. You are most welcome.
I've gone into my webhost to setup an SSL certificate and get the site and hosted images to load as https.
That's the solution.
Can you - or anyone else - confirm the images are appearing for you?
I can now see your images. Job done. :) 8)
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Interesting looking project.
Have previously put on some skirmish musketeer games. Have been toying around with a warhound and worlds pain project.
Just wondering why you went for multiple figures on a base?
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I'd welcome your feedback!
Mind filling out this short form so I have your info?
https://forms.gle/uvtNLMsLdfX19XUg9
I'm planning on sending out the first round of playtest rules to folks outside of my inner circle this weekend.
I've got a handful of those types as options right now, I think you'll be happy to see.
The special characters will likely come up during campaign play.
I'm planning on the progression system to be based around the warband as a group, rather than individual characters or troop selections.
So that as you advance, you "unlock" special characters or locations (e.g. a favored tavern, a blacksmith, a chapel) that give you various benefits you may select from... or at least that's the idea so far.
O that sounds so cool :), can't wait to read the draft.
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I'm thinking about doing a board for your game. Will it change something game-wise if I reduce grid from 4" to 4cm? Or is it just a matter of aesthetics?
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I'm thinking about doing a board for your game. Will it change something game-wise if I reduce grid from 4" to 4cm? Or is it just a matter of aesthetics?
That's quite a jump! The grid is used in two chief ways:
- Movement and action (e.g. shooting, etc.) ranges
- Unit placement: you can have three bases in each square "zone," as seen here:
(https://tabletop.willphillips.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/log-201229-gridoverlay.jpg)
(I've overlaid the grid lines as my board has a fairly faint grid.)
So if you want to reduce the grid, you'll need to reduce the base sizes and, in turn, probably go down in scale. Here's my recommendation on sizes from the current draft of the rules. The smallest grid I'd use is 2" or 5cm for 6 or 10mm figures.
(https://tabletop.willphillips.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/draft-201229-scales.jpg)
Your question is a good one and one I may explicitly address in the rules. Thank you for asking!
Also, please note my 25-32mm sizes are a bit of a hopeful guess. Getting three mounted figures or a small canon on a 2-2.5" may be asking too much!
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Just wondering why you went for multiple figures on a base?
A couple reasons:
- I wanted to have the lowest base count I could reasonably get away while still having a variety of model type.
- I wanted to avoid having a lot of different base sizes and different model counts on each base. (I've achieved with one exception: the terrain/scenary unit type called "Strongpoints," which uses a larger base.)
- So the common base size became what I could get a small cannon or horse-drawn cart on. That meant I needed to multi-base other types of figures to that size. At 15mm, that's 1.5" or 38/40mm.
- I was impressed with the diorama-style bases seen in big base games like Baroque and Kings of War and was interested in emulated that with a skirmish sized game.
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That's quite a jump! The grid is used in two chief ways:
- Movement and action (e.g. shooting, etc.) ranges
- Unit placement: you can have three bases in each square "zone," as seen here:
(https://tabletop.willphillips.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/log-201229-gridoverlay.jpg)
(I've overlaid the grid lines as my board has a fairly faint grid.)
So if you want to reduce the grid, you'll need to reduce the base sizes and, in turn, probably go down in scale. Here's my recommendation on sizes from the current draft of the rules. The smallest grid I'd use is 2" or 5cm for 6 or 10mm figures.
(https://tabletop.willphillips.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/draft-201229-scales.jpg)
Your question is a good one and one I may explicitly address in the rules. Thank you for asking!
Also, please note my 25-32mm sizes are a bit of a hopeful guess. Getting three mounted figures or a small canon on a 2-2.5" may be asking too much!
Thanks for the answer :), so I'll stick to the 4" grid. Another question - I'd like to playtest 15XX with a ruthenian highlander (primarily equiped with high quality fowling pieces and some pole arms) warband and the so called "harnicy" warband (arquebuse-equipped mercenaries hired by the county's representative to fight highlander bandits) - which unit types and basing should I consider for them?
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Thanks to all of you who sent me your contact info to playtest my rules.
I've emailed out links to the current playtest (and a Facebook playtest group, if you're on there).
Thanks to good ole COVID-19, my ability to playtest them with local gamers at local stores has been severely limited, so I'm looking forward to getting some feedback from others while we hunker down and ride out the pandemic.
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Thanks for the answer :), so I'll stick to the 4" grid. Another question - I'd like to playtest 15XX with a ruthenian highlander (primarily equiped with high quality fowling pieces and some pole arms) warband
Without giving away all the in-development rules just yet ;) , both of those concepts are totally do-able.
There is a Foot group with Pikes & Polearms as an option and a Shot group. The Shot group has three otions: heavy muskets, lighter arquebuses and calivers, and bows or crossbows. Both Foot and Shot more-or-less represent trained soldiers and each Group uses two bases (so six figures each). Depending on how you want to represent your Ruthenians, you could take a Group or two or Foot and the same of Shot.
OR, you could represent them as Rabble, which uses three bases (so nine figures for a Rabble Group).
Parties all have four Groups, so you could play around with those numbers to get what you like.
the so called "harnicy" warband (arquebuse-equipped mercenaries hired by the county's representative to fight highlander bandits)
This is probably a place where I would use the Shot Group again.
Parties have four Groups, but you have to use at least two different types of Groups. So you may want to pair the mercenaries with a Foot Group, Dogs, or one of the other Groups you see in the playtest rules that makes sense.
Also keep in mind that there are Party-level stats and qualities that will also help differentiate between the Ruthenian highlanders' Shot and the mercenaries' Shot if you choose to use both.
which... basing should I consider for them?
For 15mm, I'm using 1.5 inch (38-40mm) round bases for everything except for the "strongpoints" - terrain pieces you can select for your Party that grant various buffs. For those, I'm using a 2" round base (50mm).
That said, there is some flexibility in basing. I call that out in the rules.
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Thank you for your answer :). I've read the draft, I am very impressed.
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Most of my time on this project has been focused on refining and testing my rules, but I recently took some time to knock out a few pieces of terrain in a very quick, slap-dash way.
https://tabletop.willphillips.org/2021/01/21/small-15mm-terrain-update/ (https://tabletop.willphillips.org/2021/01/21/small-15mm-terrain-update/)
(https://tabletop.willphillips.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/log-210121-aterrain.jpg)
(https://tabletop.willphillips.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/log-210121-bterrain.jpg)
(https://tabletop.willphillips.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/log-210121-tomb.jpg)
(https://tabletop.willphillips.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/log-210121-wall2.jpg)
(https://tabletop.willphillips.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/log-210121-bridge.jpg)
Few more pics on my blog.
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Very nice, I like the shrines.
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Lovely terrain :).
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Tragedies in real life have taken my focus away from this project over the last two months.
Starting to circle back to the rules and painting.
Currently putting together a magnetized micro-diorama I can display an example warband with when I start to playtest the rules at game shops this summer.
WIP of the terrain:
(https://tabletop.willphillips.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/log-210314-diorama-wip.jpg)