Lead Adventure Forum
Miniatures Adventure => Gothic Horror => Topic started by: Grumpy Gnome on November 06, 2020, 11:48:00 AM
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A friend just brought this to my attention.... seems I am not the only one keen to explore Gothic Horror in a Napoleonic military manner!
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/55623317-the-silver-bayonet
A skirmish wargame of gothic horror during the Napoleonic Wars written by the Joseph A. McCullough, the award-winning creator of Frostgrave.
As the wars of Napoleon ravage Europe, chaos and fear reign and the darkness that once clung to the shadows has been emboldened. Supernatural creatures--vampires, werewolves, ghouls, and worse take advantage of the havoc, striking out at isolated farms, villages and even military units. Whether they are pursuing some master plan or simply reveling in their newfound freedom is unknown. Most people dismiss reports of these slaughters as the rantings of madmen or the lies of deserters, but a few know better…
In Britain, a secret award--the Silver Bayonet--is presented to those soldiers brave or fortunate enough to have faced these creatures and survived. Often, these survivors are swiftly seconded to a specialist unit and ordered to report to one of Wellington's exploring officers. Formed to root out and destroy the supernatural menace, these small units are tasked with investigating strange reports, scouring battlefields, and seeking out allies and artifacts that could stem the tide. Britain is not alone in this fight--the other great nations have their own units dedicated to the fight against the supernatural--but that is not to say that mankind is united in the face of the rising darkness. While the rising darkness is a common foe, and rival units may forge uneasy and fleeting alliances, patriotism and national interest will just as often pit them against each other in races for ancient knowledge or forgotten treasure.
The Silver Bayonet is a skirmish wargame of gothic horror set during the Napoleonic Wars. Each player forms an elite band of monster hunters drawn from the ranks of one of the great powers. Riflemen, swordsmen, and engineers fight side-by-side with mystics, occultists, and even those few supernatural creatures that can be controlled or reasoned with enough to make common cause. The game can be played solo, co-operatively, or competitively, with players progressing through a series of interlinked adventures with their soldiers gaining experience and suffering grievous wounds and their units triumphing… or falling in the face of the shadows. It is a game of action and adventure, where musket and sabre meet tooth and claw.
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Reminds me of the Novel "Twelve" about Vampires killing Napoleons army during the retreat from Moscow.
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Interesting :)
Reminds me of the Novel "Twelve" about Vampires killing Napoleons army during the retreat from Moscow.
Yep,a good read,might try and incorporate some into my Retreat from Moscow games ;) :)
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That sounds very interesting!
I wonder whether he developed another independent skirmish ruleset for this!
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Interesting :)Yep,a good read,might try and incorporate some into my Retreat from Moscow games ;) :)
Splendid idea! :)
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also highly recommend the graphic novel: 'black fire' (very good if predictably visceral and gory).
Again, the context, initially, is the retreat from Moscow.
sounds a great setting and full marks to Joe / Osprey.
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Leave out the Gothic Horror aspect and it may potentially make for a new character focused Napoleonic skirmish experience.
Right now my plan is to use Sharp Practice 2 for my Napoleonic Gothic Horror project, adding modified Blood and Plunder for naval engagements after Raise the Black is delivered. I need to figure out where Silver Bayonet could fit into this.
And hopefully more minis from Northstar!
I was thinking of using some of the figures from Dracula's America but with luck this might have more off the shelf appropriate figures.
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Hey, this could actually get me to buy some Napoleonic figures.
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Could someone tell me the author's name for the book Twelve?
Thanks
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Could someone tell me the author's name for the book Twelve?
Thanks
Jasper Kent :)
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This definitely has me interested. Most Napoleonic minis are in rather static marching poses. Does anyone know which kits are best for a more dynamic skirmish game?
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Sounds interesting! Think the newer plastic Perry Miniatures French Infantry sets come with much more skirmishing poses and offer quite good value for your money.
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Certainly the era for Gothic horror! Remember that Mary Shelley wrote Frankenstein only a couple of years after Waterloo when she, Percy Shelley and Byron were doing drugs and having group sex in Italy or somewhere exotic and naughty like that.
Of course, it all ended badly - as all orgies with amazingly good looking twenty-somethings with scads of money set up in a chateau with tons of drugs inevitably do!
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For skirmish games you may want to consider buying sprues rather than full boxes.
For the French (I do not know about other nations) the elite flank companies, grenadiers and voltigeurs, often have more dynamic poses.
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Perry-Miniatures-Napoleonic-French-Elite-sprue-1807-14-NEW-TO-RANGE/133277425080?hash=item1f07f41db8:g:uKEAAOSwZK1d-2X2
But to be fair the Victrix French can be made fairly dynamic as well as the Perry.
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/28MM-FRENCH-NAPOLEONIC-INFANTRY-1807-1812-SPRUES-VICTRIX-SENT-FIRST-CLASS-/153043782895
If you look close at the sprues you can see a lot of options. Add in some easy kitbashing and voila, you can have.plenty of very dynamic figures.
For officers and specialists, like flagbearers, sappers, and musicians you want command sprues but these can be trickier to find separate. So you may want to consider a full box, use what you want and sell the rest. Plenty of rank and file Napoleonic players out there buying marching infantry.
And by simply painting the uniform different colors you can have figures from various different countries. Even more so if you are ok with fictional uniforms.
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Following with interest as I’m toying with doing a monster blood tattoo setting which would be similar anyway digressing what about frostgrave bits ?
The ecw horror thread on here used frostgrave bits that blended well?
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I have not tried any kitbashing Napoleonics for this project yet but yeah, I would have thought you could mix various multi-part plastic kit bits. I had for example planned to use some Wargames Atlantic Afghan bits with various other kits, like Frostgrave crewmen, Gripping Beast Arabs and Wargames Factory Persians.
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I'm totally ok with fictional uniforms!
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Good to see another game that can use the Dire Alliance: Horror's gothic horror miniatures.
ObPlug: 100 mini's for $70 plus shipping. https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/blacklistgames/dire-alliance-horror?ref=user_menu
Anyone know if I can use, say, my 1920's Call of Cthulhu adventurers, CMON World of Smog steampunk types, or monster hunters from Horror Series 1 instead of Napoleonics?
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I thought of the Twelve book straight away when i heard about this.Glad i was not the only one.From what i remember it was a good book.
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I thought of the Twelve book straight away when i heard about this.Glad i was not the only one.From what i remember it was a good book.
Yes, its as if this game was written for it or vice versa! LOL
Thinking of miniatures some of the Westwind Gothic Horror figures maybe suitable, the Sleepy Hollow armed civilians in particular would be pretty good as would some of the Vampire hunters. Most monsters are generic enough to fit the bill. My Highgate Miniatures Vampire Lords and Queens will fit, the lesser vampires perhaps less so as their clothes are later Victorian dress.
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Yes, its as if this game was written for it or vice versa! LOL
Thinking of miniatures some of the Westwind Gothic Horror figures maybe suitable, the Sleepy Hollow armed civilians in particular would be pretty good as would some of the Vampire hunters. Most monsters are generic enough to fit the bill. My Highgate Miniatures Vampire Lords and Queens will fit, the lesser vampires perhaps less so as their clothes are later Victorian dress.
Nick,Thirteen is the first of five novels,following this horror theme through the 1850's , 18880's, and up to the demise of the Year,so your figure range would be perfect for the later novels :)
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Nick,Thirteen is the first of five novels,following this horror theme through the 1850's , 18880's, and up to the demise of the Year,so your figure range would be perfect for the later novels :)
This is very true. I have not managed to read any of the subsequent books yet. I have book two sitting patiently in the must get round to pile... ;)
I think though given the rules in question are aimed at the beginning of the C19th I thought it more appropriate not to plug the Highgate figures too much lol lol
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lol
Fair enough! :)
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Watch Pride and Prejudice and Zombies for a take on this.
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As it's fictional anyway I'd like to be able to work Sharpe's lads into this. I'd imagine Harper's Nock loaded with silver shot would rather inconvenience some supernatural beasties.
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As it's fictional anyway I'd like to be able to work Sharpe's lads into this. I'd imagine Harper's Nock loaded with silver shot would rather inconvenience some supernatural beasties.
Can imagine them Being sent on dangerous missions 👍
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A good chance to get my Flintloque figures out?
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Sharpe’s Gold definitely could have taken a darker, more supernatural turn.
And aye, sounds like Flintloque models would be an option.
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I also had the thought of getting my Flintloque figures out for this.
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Love to see it. I hope it diverges a bit away from the "Grave" series of rules, and judging by the fact it is called The Silver Bayonet, it sounds like it may just do that.
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I absolutely agree on that. It would be cool to see another very different small skirmish set by this talented author. I had high hopes for Frostgrave 2nd Edition but it was too same-y for me (which is what most other players I know actually wanted!).
The pseudo-historical setting will be interesting as well and I do hope that there will be more in terms of lore. It certainly sounds like there are several different societies combating the things that go bump in the night. Or in the words of Bruttenholm: We are the ones who bump back!
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Can anyone suggest a suitable figure for an Exploring Officer? Matched foot and mounted characters would probably be best. I don't mind a little bit of converting.
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I like Brigade Games for personalities.
https://brigadegames.3dcartstores.com/BG-NBR209_British_Exploring_Officer_I
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I like Brigade Games for personalities.
https://brigadegames.3dcartstores.com/BG-NBR209_British_Exploring_Officer_I
That does have potential to make a unique character. Perhaps after the new year I can risk the postage and customs rip-offs. >:(
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Yeah, I regret not buying more when I put my order in... the postage and customs cost as much as the order. Still. I got some personalities that were exactly what I was looking for... ie some French Savants, a Spanish General and Guerilla leader, and a French intelligence officer that I will use as a scout/exploring officer. Lots of personality in the sculpts but an expensive import purchase. With Brexit coming and so much of what I like coming out of the UK, I anticipate similar problems in the future so trying to stock up before the end of the year.
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Any dates or news on this? I’d 100% be buying into it.
Not a word on Joes blog about it yet.
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I have not seen anything. Any one else have any new information?
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I'd missed this (well, not really since it's not out yet). I had planned on doing (and collected minis for) a Frostgrave 1812 game, so will be interested to see if these rules can be mixed or even offer a better alternative.
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Bought and read the Black Fire graphic novel. It was a great read and highly recommended.
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As I play FIW in Sleepy Hollow with a light touch of the Gothic, I'll definitely pick these rules up for a perusal at least.
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Nice. I'd like to play something like Captain Kronos.
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Wargames Atlantic is releasing a box of multi-part plastic British Riflemen. Could come in handy.
https://wargamesatlantic.com/collections/napoleons-wars/products/british-riflemen?variant=32068987388002
-Michael
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I intend to pick up a box of those for some Sharp Practice if nothing else. We need some Chosen Men.
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I think a similar path, if not quite this one, was trod many years ago. Empire was Napoleonic wargaming as gothic horror. By the time it got to version four it was a fully fledged monster that refused to die. Mary Shelley would have been proud, albeit her prose would have been greatly superior and any quick reference tables might have comfortably fitted on an A4 sheet.
;)
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Drat, fiction reading is foiled again... I had been planning on getting The Twelve when next I was ready to add to the reading pile. But now our DBA-playing gang is getting excited about playing DBN when next we can gather. So I've been ordering some historical reference books on Borodino and The Twelve will stay on the back burner still.
Meanwhile, I'll see if the FLCS has Black Fire in stock next time I'm down that way and throw them some support.
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Catching up on my messages after two weeks off line and I find North Stars newsletter in which they mention Silver Bayonets, and that they will be doing some figures for the game.
http://www.northstarfigures.com/list.php?man=119&page=1
(Hope this link works).
No details as yet, just something to tease us with. :P
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🤫 Lets keep this to ourselves, 'cus it's not out till October, but we're taking photos to go in Joseph McCullough's new game by Osprey this week, using the North Star official figures. Exciting...🤫
Just found on the North Star Facebook page. Quivering with anticipation ;D
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🤫 Lets keep this to ourselves, 'cus it's not out till October, but we're taking photos to go in Joseph McCullough's new game by Osprey this week, using the North Star official figures. Exciting...🤫
Just found on the North Star Facebook page. Quivering with anticipation ;D
:o
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October seems an appropriate month to release it. Maybe I can pick it up for aardtacha's birthday prezzie!
-Michael
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Curse you Lead Adventure forum (just bought Black Fire)!
I have so much stuff,however I find I’m very interested in this game...Which means more miniatures ;D
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It’s got a certain appeal for smaller skirmishes :)
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It’s got a certain appeal for smaller skirmishes :)
Retreat from Moscow terrain anyone? :D
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Perry’s have some nice figures :D
We don’t need that many.
It would be a small project.
lol
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Perry’s have some nice figures :D
We don’t need that many.
It would be a small project.
lol
lol
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Im also excited about Silver Bayonet (however, I dont need another system, I dont need another system, I dont need...).
There is a hungarian comic series (Last but one hussar) with similar vibes. It is set around WW1, but still, hussars are hunting down mythical creatures (with some Mignola aesthetics):
https://www.google.com/search?q=utolso+el%C3%B6tti+huszar&tbm=isch&ved=2ahUKEwiD7aLL2pjvAhXL6aQKHQ-KAyUQ2-cCegQIABAA&oq=utolso+el%C3%B6tti+huszar&gs_lcp=CgNpbWcQAzoFCAAQsQM6AggAOgQIABBDOgQIABAeOgQIABATOgYIABAeEBM6BggAEAUQHjoECAAQGFD0sAFYmNUBYJLWAWgAcAB4AIABjAGIAbsPkgEEMTEuOZgBAKABAaoBC2d3cy13aXotaW1nwAEB&sclient=img&ei=NOhBYIODFcvTkwWPlI6oAg&bih=910&biw=1208&rlz=1C1GCEB_enAT917AT917
Maybe somebody will find inspiration in it.
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Im also excited about Silver Bayonet (however, I dont need another system, I dont need another system, I dont need...).
There is a hungarian comic series (Last but one hussar) with similar vibes. It is set around WW1, but still, hussars are hunting down mythical creatures (with some Mignola aesthetics):
https://www.google.com/search?q=utolso+el%C3%B6tti+huszar&tbm=isch&ved=2ahUKEwiD7aLL2pjvAhXL6aQKHQ-KAyUQ2-cCegQIABAA&oq=utolso+el%C3%B6tti+huszar&gs_lcp=CgNpbWcQAzoFCAAQsQM6AggAOgQIABBDOgQIABAeOgQIABATOgYIABAeEBM6BggAEAUQHjoECAAQGFD0sAFYmNUBYJLWAWgAcAB4AIABjAGIAbsPkgEEMTEuOZgBAKABAaoBC2d3cy13aXotaW1nwAEB&sclient=img&ei=NOhBYIODFcvTkwWPlI6oAg&bih=910&biw=1208&rlz=1C1GCEB_enAT917AT917
Maybe somebody will find inspiration in it.
Because that looks like a las gun now I want to do a hussar style imperial guard army 😂
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Because that looks like a las gun now I want to do a hussar style imperial guard army 😂
Wargames Atlantic has really nice British Riflemen (if their size fit GWs half-giants)! ;)
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Retreat from Moscow terrain anyone? :D
SNOW way!!!! lol lol
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Twelve and Black Fire have recently arrived for inspirational reading.
It also occurs to me that the siege of Zaragoza is another setting where the arrival of supernatural foes would blend seamlessly in with the complete horror of the setting.
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Twelve and Black Fire have recently arrived for inspirational reading.
It also occurs to me that the siege of Zaragoza is another setting where the arrival of supernatural foes would blend seamlessly in with the complete horror of the setting.
Twelve is a good read. :)
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Announcement from Osprey:
We are proud to announce our upcoming title, The Silver Bayonet: A Wargame of Napoleonic Gothic Horror from the award-winning creator of Frostgrave, Joseph A. McCullough, available this coming October.
As the wars of Napoleon ravage Europe, chaos and fear reign and the darkness that once clung to the shadows has been emboldened. Supernatural creatures – vampires, werewolves, ghouls, and worse - take advantage of the havoc, striking out at isolated farms, villages, and even military units.
Riflemen, swordsmen, and engineers fight side-by-side with mystics, occultists, and even those few supernatural creatures that can be controlled or reasoned with enough to make common cause. The game can be played solo, co-operatively, or competitively, with players progressing through a series of interlinked adventures with their soldiers gaining experience and suffering grievous wounds, and their units triumphing… or falling in the face of the shadows.
It is a game of action and adventure, where musket and sabre meet tooth and claw.
Find out more at: https://bit.ly/2OWL3T4
Supported by a line of miniatures by @NorthStarFigs
https://bit.ly/2OWL3T4 Hopefully the link will work.
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Great to see this progressing... I am very keen on this project.
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.
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Great to see this progressing... I am very keen on this project.
Seconded :)
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I love Naploleonics but the sheer number of troops has always kept me away. Now is the time! ;)
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North Star have been playing around with some of the new figures for Silver Bayonet. I have been attempting to attach one of the photos but I don't think it's taken! If all else fails check out their FB page. Love the Spanish Guerrillas taking on Werewolves.
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(https://scontent-hou1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.6435-9/178346729_4491403457555188_4240602286598631917_n.jpg?_nc_cat=110&ccb=1-3&_nc_sid=973b4a&_nc_ohc=Z-BQWVZLAIsAX-V9P3e&_nc_ht=scontent-hou1-1.xx&oh=baa76951519e0246bff52acdba336839&oe=60B1DCB1)
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I like that 8)
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Well done. Obviously better IT skills than myself. ;D I will definitely be adding those Spaniards to my existing skirmish forces. I also had the latest Osprey newsletter waiting for me this morning, and they have 'officially' announced Silver Bayonet for October.
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This is pretty fast turn around for Osprey.
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October seems an appropriate month.
-Michael
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I hope that they do an early sneak peak at warband creation, like they did for Star Grave. I'm tempted to get converting right away, but I'm concerned I'll make some unplayable figures ;)
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15 Spanish Guerrillas and Militia pictured on North Stars FB page, awaiting the release of Silver Bayonet. One day I'll work out how to transfer these photos to the Forum ???
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I'm eagerly anticipating this game :)
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Hi Guys
Bit of a progress report for you.
North Star will be doing a small range of metal figures for this game. Joe is calling the armies/ warbands Units in this game, and they are made up of specific characters with their own skills. We are making a Unit for each nation, French, Spanish and British to begin with. I've included some pictures here of the first figures we have ready. The Spanish are a complete Unit, the others we've got in mould making right now.
We'll also do some Silver Bayonet monsters. There's no need to remake were-wolves when we already have them, but Napoleonic Zombies, the curious Hobgoblins etc we will make.
It's looking very exciting, it's as much a clue gathering game as a tabletop skirmish from what I've read (not playtested this one).
Cheers
Nick
Pictures go Spanish, French, British.
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Aren't they splendid 8)
Suitable for more 'normal' skirmish gaming as well :)
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Brilliant sculpts! I am so excited about this.
Edit: Of course I am in something of a late to the party yet again Frostgrave fanboy mood these days.
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Most excellent looking figures. I shall be making for the Osprey stand to grab these as soon as I get through the door at Salute. As Oshiro mentioned they will also be used in my standard Spanish skirmish forces :P
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Looking great :)
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Fantastic figures, definitely going to be buying some of these
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My gosh, I want all of them!
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Eagerly awaiting this. I even abandoned one of my few hobby-related principles and bought Napoleonic miniatures....
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Eagerly awaiting this. I even abandoned one of my few hobby-related principles and bought Napoleonic miniatures....
Hahaha, many years ago I recall stating I would never be brought to paint Napoleonic piping and buttons, yet here I am...
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Hahaha, many years ago I recall stating I would never be brought to paint Napoleonic piping and buttons, yet here I am...
Haha indeed! Last time I painted some were Minifigs Brits for a commission through the Tin Soldier,a war games shop in Sydney RIP.
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Aside from wanting them for the game they are intended for, I would also like to get some duplicates of some of them to use with my Zorro collection.
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Have managed to mostly bodyswerve Napoleonics over the years but do have some French Revolutionary figures, much more interesting.
This idea looks good though!
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Hahaha, many years ago I recall stating I would never be brought to paint Napoleonic piping and buttons, yet here I am...
lol lol lol
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I somehow missed this thread. Time to brush off that abandoned Sharp Practice project and add some vampires!
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Interesting, only recently noticed the author (pay more attention).
I wonder how the rules would fit the Grishaverse* (marketing cringe), and the Wargames Atlantic Russians?
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Oh neat! Curious and looking forward to more.
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Vid of a preview copy just went up:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kc3Ne12JGlY&ab_channel=WargamesIllustrated
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Looks great! Some surprises in the game mechanics, not necessarily just Rifles of Shadow Deep.
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I'll most likely wind up playing this set in the French and Indian War, since I already have so many figures painted up for that already for my Sleepy Hollow games (and a ridiculous amount of as yet unpainted FIW minis too).
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Thanks! I didnt got the time yet to watch it, but I definetly will! Im very interested in the game!
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I am curious to see how the changes in combat and activation affects gameplay.
It seems less swingy but may slow down game play. One thing my wife is finding (and liking) with the Frostgrave combat rules is the speed of combat compared to GW’s MESBG rules. There is a certain elegance to opposed die rolls even if it feels swingy.
Splitting the activation of the primary but not secondary player sounds innovative to me. It seems the monsters will get the initiative a lot more than in Joe’s previous games.
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It seems less swingy but may slow down game play. One thing my wife is finding (and liking) with the Frostgrave combat rules is the speed of combat compared to GW’s MESBG rules. There is a certain elegance to opposed die rolls even if it feels swingy.
I'm long out of the loop, but wasn't there a smaller-scale (in terms of models on the table) variant of the Middle Earth rules at one point? Something with figure counts closer to the XGrave games, which would speed things up a bit just by virtue of having less rolling. Maybe I'm just remembering some old Whie Dwarf scenarios or something, I haven't played since before the Hobbit sets came out.
Splitting the activation of the primary but not secondary player sounds innovative to me. It seems the monsters will get the initiative a lot more than in Joe’s previous games.
I think I've seen that style of split suggested as house rules for Frostgrave, etc in the past, mostly as a balancing factor for winning initiative repeatedly. This variant seems a bit different though.
The way the monsters slot in is closer to the solo rules (where it's usually leader & his immediate pals, then all the NPCs, then the rest of the player stuff) than we've seen previously, so yeah, they should be harder to play around/ignore. Makes sense for a game that's more about monster hunting and solving mysteries with clues than loot collection. The NPC/monster AI sounds like it's been improved as well, which is good. Even Stargrave still has some flaws in its programs, like not allowing for jammed weapons or taking cover after an NPC has shot.
Tentatively pretty excited to see this. Wonder if we'll see fan ports to other settings - Dracula's America/Deadlands for the American West, Weird WW1/WW2/Viet Nam ala the Pinnacle Savage Worlds settings, maybe a Cold War era black ops game set in a supernatural Europe or something. Maybe too soon for real moderns.
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I think you mean Battle Companies. That is what my wife and I have focused on to get up to speed to eventually play full battles in MESBG. All of my battle reports so far have been Battle Companies Games. The model count is similar to Frostgrave but the combat feels slower to us.
Just as some folks have already made Weird War 2 versions of Rangers of Shadow Deep I am sure there will be Silver Bayonet based games in other house ruled settings rather quickly. Wild West in particular since there is already a pretty active community for that.
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A nice preview with comments about some of the core game mechanics…
https://www.beastsofwar.com/featured/the-silver-bayonet-napoleonic-gothic-horror-first-impressions/
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I pre-ordered this game with the 3 sets of miniatures from North Star Military Figures back on October 13th. When will North Star Military Figures be shipping this book and figure sets out? I know that Osprey is releasing it on November 11th, but I was wondering if North Star Military Figures will be releasing it on November 11th with the figures sets as well or will they begin shipping it a few days earlier or later?
I have backed another kickstarter that has a lot of demons, hobgoblins, werewolves, etc. which I think will be perfect for this game but they have opened their pledge manager up and I would like to know how many different figures and the number of figures required by Silver Bayonet so that I can up my order.
Any information on this would be greatly appreciated. Thank you in advance.
Regards,
Hitman
8)
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I pre-ordered this game with the 3 sets of miniatures from North Star Military Figures back on October 13th. When will North Star Military Figures be shipping this book and figure sets out? I know that Osprey is releasing it on November 11th, but I was wondering if North Star Military Figures will be releasing it on November 11th with the figures sets as well or will they begin shipping it a few days earlier or later?
Hitman. The latest (this morning) from Northstar is they will start mailing out on the 11th. It may take a couple of days to clear everything as apparently this has been a very popular offer :D They are generally pretty good at getting their pre-orders out quickly.
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Video review from Ash here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=90NlKm04kIc
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That was helpful to watch. It helped increase my excitement. But I suspect Mrs. GG is not going to be too happy with the focus on competitive rather than cooperative play.
I am thinking we may mix it with Rangers of Shadow Deep.
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definitely persuaded me to give it a go
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Thanks Matakakea for your reply. I just saw that as well. I just wish I knew the number of creatures needed in the scenarios so I can adjust my kickstarter backer pledge.
Regards
Hitman
😎
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But I suspect Mrs. GG is not going to be too happy with the focus on competitive rather than cooperative play.
Hmm, there are solo scenarios; so expanding those to multi-player co-op should be feasible.
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Hmm, there are solo scenarios; so expanding those to multi-player co-op should be feasible.
True.. but only five.
I have no problem with house rules or modifying a game to suit my tastes. Mrs. GG however tends to prefer playing games as written if she can. I would have preferred the game to suit us perfectly right out of the box but I can understand the decision given the setting.
So we’ll just tailor the game to suit us. Not a big deal but Inwanted to be open and honest in my opinions rather than just fanboy gush.
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True.. but only five.
I have no problem with house rules or modifying a game to suit my tastes. Mrs. GG however tends to prefer playing games as written if she can. I would have preferred the game to suit us perfectly right out of the box but I can understand the decision given the setting.
So we’ll just tailor the game to suit us. Not a big deal but Inwanted to be open and honest in my opinions rather than just fanboy gush.
I'm with Mrs. GG on this. The game was sold in with the following description "The game can be played solo, co-operatively, or competitively" so it is disappointing if that is not the case. The coop experience in this setting was a big draw for me so I am hoping that coop mechanics are covered properly in the book and not just as a side note to solo play...The two video reviews have not touched on that at all so that worries me a little.
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From the two videos I get the impression we are not going to see much in coop other than, you can split your group between two players and run the solo campaign. Although that would mean only one player has the senior officer….
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Another video going over the rulebook with a little bit more on the coop aspect near the end.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vf6gTOSC4tM
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As I sat here reading this a message from North Star flashed up. They have dispatched my Silver Bayonet bundle! lol :-* :-*
(Quick trip to the Orcs Nest now for more bases).
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Speaking of videos, a play-through with some explanation from Ash:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=73KB_ntyT8M
Have to say (in fact, I did say in the comments over there) that really left me wondering why I should buy this rule set. I own Vampire Wars and Chaos In Carpathia already, so this niche is feeling kind of full already for me. The "monster hunting" part of SB does not come through at all in that vid. Whopping total of one NPC hobgoblin shows up in the whole game, does virtually nothing, and killing it didn't seem to reward the side that did so. Played out like a typical "let's kill each other while doing some minor scenario actions" game of Frostgrave or Stargrave with slightly different game mechanics.
Does anyone know if the lack of meaningful monster activity is the norm in the game, or was this some kind of weird fluke of teh investigation system or maybe just a strange low-threat scenario? I really want a game about monster hunting (even a competitive one) to force the players to feel like the game system is threatening them and forcing some degree of cooperation, and this did not deliver at all.
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Does anyone know if the lack of meaningful monster activity is the norm in the game, or was this some kind of weird fluke of teh investigation system or maybe just a strange low-threat scenario?
This looks like a low threat scenario.
On FB, Northstar had posted the following info on numbers of monsters needed to get started with the opening scenarios:
Scenario 1 - 1 Hobgoblin (and 5 for a later use)
Scenario 2 - 7 Revenants
Scenario 3 - 1 Troll
Scenario 4 - 5 Goblins
Experience points were earned for finding the Hoblgoblin and then for killing it. So more critters will divert attention from the forces just going after each other.
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Mrs. GG does not like directly oppositional gaming, so competitive but not necessarily confrontational is what I need to sell it to her. Without a strong coop system, we need a high threat level to have the narrative make sense that our groups are not immediately at each other’s throats.
If this does not deliver that out of the box so to speak, then I suppose we will just farm it for mechanics we like or house rule modify it to suit our needs.
Either way, my plan is to use this to supplement modified Sharp Practice.
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Have to be honest Ash's playthough seemed a little off to me too - I was hoping from more narative gameplay like ROSD, not full blown of course but atleast some opportunity for surprises
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Mrs. GG does not like directly oppositional gaming, so competitive but not necessarily confrontational is what I need to sell it to her. Without a strong coop system, we need a high threat level to have the narrative make sense that our groups are not immediately at each other’s throats.
Hmm, this got me thinking on how to structure a semi-coöperative game for two or more players; or possibly 2 opposing sides for a multi-player convention game (each side being semi-coöperative). This might be an entertaining avenue to pursue...
Units on the same side can be from the same nation, allied forces, or just a confederation of hunters operating together under their own truce. However, the officers are vying for the most victory points for their own unit to gain recognition and promotion.
Blatant attacks against each other are forbidden; but muskets aren't terribly accurate, and friendly fire accidents are a distinct possibility — the Brunswickers were notorious for shooting anyone who got in front of their position and wasn't wearing a black uniform!
Rules of engagement, you can only attack another player's figure if:
* the attacker is not in line of sight of a figure except for the target or others in the attacker's own unit, or
* shooting, if there is also a monster in shooting range and within a 30º arc of the target.
Any violation of the above results in:
* -1 victory point if the target is wounded.
* -2 victory points if the target is killed.
* Any character(s) from the target's unit can attack the assailant character with no penalty.
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Hmm.. liking your ideas mate.
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I finally got to see Ash‘s playthrough. Sadly a bit underwhelming for me. Hopefully that is just down to it being the first scenario and things pick up a bit as you go on.
Why underwhelming?
It did not feel horrific. There was no sense of terror or any kind of atmosphere. I did not get a sense of Napoleonic warfare.
I was not immersed.
The two action activation with reloading being a single action felt very quick, basically load and shoot every activation.
Despite Richard Sharpe so famously going on about shooting three rounds a minute, 1 to 6 rounds a minute for smooth bore muskets was common in the Napoleonic era according to historical sources.
The rate of fire depended on quality of weapon, training, and time taken for aiming.
General Jomini wrote "This is important question of the influence of musket fire in battles is not new: it dates from the reign of Frederick the Great, and particularly from the battle of Mollwitz, which he gained - it was said - because his infantrymen, by the use of cylindrical rammers in loading their muskets, were able to fire 3 shots per minute more than their enemies." (Before 1730 all European armies used wooden ramrods, the Prussians were the first to adopt the iron ramrod.)
The ratio of musket fire was 1-6 shots per minute, depending on quality of weapon, training and time taken for aiming. Marshal Maurice de Saxe wrote: "Light infantry should be able to fire
http://www.napolun.com/mirror/napoleonistyka.atspace.com/infantry_tactics_2.htm
Then there is the fact it takes longer to reload a rifle than a musket. Is that reflected in the rulebook?
Originally I liked the idea of the split activations in the turn but the playthrough did not seem as interesting as I first thought.
The return fire or duck for cover rule was interesting but in play it did not look that great.
What happens if more than one person shoots at a model? Does it keep getting to move after each shot? Not enough minis to make stacking it crazy I suppose.
When I watch Sharp Practice playthroughs I get a sense of Napoleonic skirmishing, albeit with a Hollywood Sharpe lens filter to it, and I er immersed.
What I want from the Silver Bayonet is to feel the same but with added supernatural horror.
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The book is now with us. :-*
https://www.northstarfigures.com/prod.php?prod=15803 (https://www.northstarfigures.com/prod.php?prod=15803)
We've shipped all the pre-orders, the shipments to our American & European partners will be leaving ASAP (Though as the 2 main ones are at Historicon this weekend they won't be doing much with them).
The miniatures will be on general sale from Monday.
https://www.northstarfigures.com/list.php?man=302&cat=748&page=1 (https://www.northstarfigures.com/list.php?man=302&cat=748&page=1)
I wasn't involved in the play testing of this game, so I've got my first 'foray' into it next week.
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New figures, the Russians for Silver Bayonet came in yesterday, along with the Vampires, Goblins and Living Scarecrow. I'll have pictures of them all very soon.
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That is great news Nick. I may have been underwhelmed by Ash‘s first playthrough but I am still very excited about the Silver Bayonet.
And exceedingly curious to see the new sculpts coming!
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New figures, the Russians for Silver Bayonet came in yesterday, along with the Vampires, Goblins and Living Scarecrow. I'll have pictures of them all very soon.
Great news. I'm really looking forward to seeing the Russian Werebear. :P
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The two action activation with reloading being a single action felt very quick, basically load and shoot every activation.
That's true, but just as with Frostgrave crossbows you won't be moving at all if you do that.
Despite Richard Sharpe so famously going on about shooting three rounds a minute, 1 to 6 rounds a minute for smooth bore muskets was common in the Napoleonic era according to historical sources.
Sharpe's quote there is in ref to rifles, not smoothbores. Three rounds a minute for aimed rifle fire would have been pretty good, especially as the fight goes on and weapons start to foul, people get tired, injured and dehydrated, gunsmoke starts to cover the battlefield, etc.
The rate of fire depended on quality of weapon, training, and time taken for aiming.
Granted, but I don't believe the game has a stated time scale. You could probably reverse engineer a rough idea by looking at figure size and movement speeds to calculate ground and time scales, but I honestly doubt that much of an attempt at simulation was a design consideration here. MCCullough's previous rules certainly don't show that kind of attention to small details over ease of play.
Then there is the fact it takes longer to reload a rifle than a musket. Is that reflected in the rulebook?
Not that I know of.
Originally I liked the idea of the split activations in the turn but the playthrough did not seem as interesting as I first thought.
Ash playing both sides probably didn't help that any. With two brains opposing one another the system might be more interesting - although that wouldn't help your co-op concerns.
The return fire or duck for cover rule was interesting but in play it did not look that great.
It did seem to generate a fair amount of extra creeping movement, FWIW. Actually firing back wasn't as common or impactful as I would have expected. Feels very strange that the mechanic exists here and not in Stargrave, at least to me.
What I want from the Silver Bayonet is to feel the same but with added supernatural horror.
That did seem lacking compared to, say, Strange Aeons. It's been suggested that's due to the basic intro scenario, maybe it comes through more in more standard games.
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I've been working on a Flintloque/Silver Bayonet cross over project and posting details on Other Adventures (where I have previously posted information about Flintloque) but now think that I should also place a link here.....
(https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjTDeu1rdCx0I2WIWir77Xpd_9Jkly9Z8RAiB5zDksMBzfKrfWD0Gh7PTFhNZU475VCtU-Dt7r3KdKbSJXa6KsO1fLvEpZVxlxdA8RANfBefU-YbtcFb7oRnFkGjX9sIJS3aRMJy6w4cKA8bMPpKlpzzvlwj-cUIoCBhZOgp65qUqEdH2pmBfOFbl7ifg=s320)
and
(https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjTDeu1rdCx0I2WIWir77Xpd_9Jkly9Z8RAiB5zDksMBzfKrfWD0Gh7PTFhNZU475VCtU-Dt7r3KdKbSJXa6KsO1fLvEpZVxlxdA8RANfBefU-YbtcFb7oRnFkGjX9sIJS3aRMJy6w4cKA8bMPpKlpzzvlwj-cUIoCBhZOgp65qUqEdH2pmBfOFbl7ifg=s320)
For more information, see the Blog.
Tony
http://dampfpanzerwagon.blogspot.com/2021/11/flintloquesilver-bayonet-cross-over_9.html (http://dampfpanzerwagon.blogspot.com/2021/11/flintloquesilver-bayonet-cross-over_9.html)
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Sharpe seems to apply the 3 rounds a minute standard to muskets as well as rifles…
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z9RAh1J4NE0
Reloading a musket on the move is an interesting concept.
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New figures, the Russians for Silver Bayonet came in yesterday, along with the Vampires, Goblins and Living Scarecrow. I'll have pictures of them all very soon.
Can't wait for these to be revealed (and released)! My group decided to set our games in the Duchy of Warsaw, so for we're all eager to see Wave II units.
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Hi Guys
I too am looking forward to the Silver Bayonet .
I have a lot of Peninsula buildings , terrain and figures that I can now get the much desired '"Double Duty " use on.... Huzzah !!
Grumpy G in regards to you thoughts on the rules , that its not very horror like.. that may well hold true ( sounds a bit like it )
However that surely would be easily fixed, by a few House rules ? Mods .?
For example by Substituting in say 2 x 6 zombies/ Undead, for a troll you can make the game as Horror themed as you like , and with Plastic figures, conversions would be very easy and Fun ..!! ....Dont wanna make Zombie Napoleonic Infantry ?... ( as if ) then buy some from Eureka Miniatures they have some nice ones in metal ready to go ..
Wanna play multiplayer...?? what about doubling the the figure count and Players ?
Have 2 players per side , and increase the number of generic soldiers used say 3 groups x 2 extra,& increase the monster count ?? ,,,so a 6 player game + Monsters !
I could go on,,
I would not get to worried about the historical relevence, just does it "work "and is it a bit of fun for very little investment in time and Money ?
Sounds like it to me
Cheers
Ps Yes I like Big Games and will not lie , gonna make some Zombies tonite ,
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I am glad more people than I expected seem into the concept of the Silver Bayonet.
My issue with the Horror in the game is not the type of monsters, I do not find zombies more horrific than trolls. Nor am I unwilling to mod a game. I could quite easily use Frostgrave or Rangers of Shadow Deep to play a modded Napoleonic experience.
Joe has a fertile imagination and he is good at Game mechanics. I like that he has tried to address swinginess by not only adjusting to 2 d10s but by differentiating those as power and skill. I would not have thought to do that. Sure I have considered going to 2 d10s, it has been heavily discussed on these forums but I had not considered the skills and power concept and in theory I like it. Now we need to try it extensively in practice.
I know Joe wrote Cthulu rules and put them in Blaster. I was wondering what he had come up with for that and how it may make the Silver Bayonet more Horror focused than his previous games. Mental strain from facing the occult? There are terror checks and madness rules in the game but we did not see them displayed in Ash‘s playthrough. From what I understand it is the first scenario of the game so I guess Joe did not want to throw people in the deep end… but an opening scene can set a tone, like the opening of a James Bond film or the opening scene of the original Star Wars.
The characters are not encountering the supernatural for the very first time. That concept alone changes how I expect the game to feel in a narrative sense.
Maybe if the hobgoblin had been more dangerous, forcing the players to work together… as I have seen a Troll taking out characters left, right and center in an early Game of Battle Companies for Middle Earth Strategy Battle Game…. the Horror aspect would feel more… horrific.
Maybe it is in part down to Ash and his presentation. He did not model the clues, no dismembered corpses on the table. Everything is well lit, the table is not creepy, it appears to be a sunny day with moderate weather. And yet the characters seem to expect trouble. It is not like the horror surprises them.
Is any of this making sense?
Of course Mrs. GG and I can make mourn own game. We can role play, do our immersive modeling, play background music. We were going to do something similar with Sharp Practice but I was hoping Joe would do the bulk of the heavy lifting for me with the Silver Bayonet.
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The order arrived around 0930 this morning. Fortunately I have next week booked off, so I can study the book and get straight into the painting. :)
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GG
Good thinking ...You may be on to something there with Sharpes Practise ( Im a fan)
It would be quite easy to add in another set of markers / cards into the bag , maybe a different colour for the monsters , or a specific monster numbered chit ..?
Worth a try maybe .
Cheers
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I like that he has tried to address swinginess by not only adjusting to 2 d10s but by differentiating those as power and skill. I would not have thought to do that.
The introduction of a mechanic that lets you use limited resources (the power/skill/monster die pool) to influence rolls after the fact (including monster die rolls when your opponent's figs are at risk) goes a long way toward mitigating swings too. People would probably have far fewer concerns about the d20 rolls in all his previous rule sets if there was some kind of re-roll mechanic built in to the game - just think about how many fights are largely decided by one or two key uncommonly high or low rolls resulting in a sudden kill or clutch spell/power going off or being resisted.
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I just realised to my surprise that I probably have a small force for this (the rules are still on the way).
And it's actually painted too! Having a complete something is unusual for me :D
I had once purchased a force of pump-kin, tiny little pumpkin-headed people, led by a larger figure in what could easily pass for a Napoleonic period uniform! These were painted, but I had applied some alterations and touched them up a little. I think I have a larger pumpkin-headed monster which is unpainted somewhere too. At least this has cheered me up a bit after a rough week :)
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The introduction of a mechanic that lets you use limited resources (the power/skill/monster die pool) to influence rolls after the fact (including monster die rolls when your opponent's figs are at risk) goes a long way toward mitigating swings too. People would probably have far fewer concerns about the d20 rolls in all his previous rule sets if there was some kind of re-roll mechanic built in to the game - just think about how many fights are largely decided by one or two key uncommonly high or low rolls resulting in a sudden kill or clutch spell/power going off or being resisted.
Excellent point mate, I agree. Rerolls and might/will/fate points help lend a player a sense of agency in Middle Earth Strategy Battle Game.
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Excellent point mate, I agree. Rerolls and might/will/fate points help lend a player a sense of agency in Middle Earth Strategy Battle Game.
Sure do. I'm a fan of mechanics that let you offset the worst of being bitten by bad dice, as long as they run on a fairly limited resource so you can't entirely dodge the element of chance. Malifaux might carry that a bit too far for my tastes but I have to admit their card manipulation mechanics do open up a lot of interesting design space for weird abilities.
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New figures, the Russians for Silver Bayonet came in yesterday, along with the Vampires, Goblins and Living Scarecrow. I'll have pictures of them all very soon.
Exciting! Russians and Austrians are what I really want to see.
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Exciting! Russians and Austrians are what I really want to see.
Seconded! :)
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I hope the minis will be sold individually
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I hope the minis will be sold individually
I would very much doubt that buddy
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Ash of GMG has a new video, this time solo play.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1fskhLnR6Dw
The fatigue mechanic brings potentially more tokens on the board than I am used to. Anyone have any suggestions for a cool way to track that?
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The fatigue mechanic brings potentially more tokens on the board than I am used to. Anyone have any suggestions for a cool way to track that?
Just putting them on unit card (which is in the back of the book)? We use this method with Star Wars Legion, it works for us. Downside is, that the state of the troops is not obvious at the first sight, you have to check the cards.
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The fatigue mechanic brings potentially more tokens on the board than I am used to. Anyone have any suggestions for a cool way to track that?
In a solo or co-op game putting the markers on the unit card might be okay, but I'd want to keep them on the table for competitive to make current status clear to my opponent. If I understand the rules correctly there are only two levels max per fig (tired, then fatigued, right?) which suggests two approaches:
1) Take some markers (coins, washers, whatever is small enough) and spray paint each side a different color. Maybe yellow for tired and orange for fatigued (leaving red for wounded), but anything that stands out on the table will work. That way you'll only need one fatigue state marker per figure max. Or use colored tiddly winks or craft beads or something if you want to save time/paint.
2) If you want something more visually appealing, pile skulls on the bases instead - one skull tired, two skulls fatigued, maybe a blood red skull for wounded. The ones GW sells in sets of ~300 ought to fit nicely without falling off when you move the fig if you're careful. If you go this route maybe sculpt a depression (or two, or three) into the basing material you use to help hold them in place.
Watching the vid, the solo game seems to have a better number of monsters but that's predictable since they're the only opposition. The reload rates do seem a bit faster than I care for but I'd want to see more before tinkering with teh mechanics.
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We made fatigue markers for Saga, skull beads that could stack on a pin posted onto a 25mm base. That could do double duty but I also like your idea of a reversible token.
The reloading definitely felt too fast for me but the fatigue mechanic seemed to interestingly slow down melee. If I understand correctly, ot could mean a character might actually chose not to counterattack in order to avoid fatigue. I like adding choices like that rather than having a counter attack an obvious must.
For objective markers I am thinking the murder of crows models from Zombicide.
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Here's a coöp play through vid of the first solo scenario. The wolfpack scenario is definitely much higher risk than a lone hobgoblin.
Interesting chioce to go with 1 Officer and a smaller points force for each player. Most of the vid is basic play through mechanics; it's the forces set-up what's the most interesting part.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bKEsWUe921g&ab_channel=OldHammered
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Here's a coöp play through vid of the first solo scenario.
Second solo game is up as well.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ViO1HLn0APY