Lead Adventure Forum
Other Stuff => General Wargames and Hobby Discussion => Topic started by: tereydavi on November 14, 2020, 07:04:05 PM
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When I started my blog six months ago, I had in mind that I had to make a post on solo wargaming: Rulesets, control of the opponent...
It's the result of several years playing solo (more or less since I became father of two children) 😅
I hope it helps people to get started to play solo and have a really good time.
https://fearofthedarkskirmishwargame.blogspot.com/2021/03/solo-wargaming.html?m=1
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Interesting read, thanks. I could do with getting my arse in gear and making more use of my mini collection.
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Since I was father (5 years ago) I had no time to hang with other players, and I started to search a way to play with al the minis I had.
Nowadays I usually play once a week solo, and I have to tell you that it is really fun and enjoyable.
All the Rulesets that are published usually have in mind a way to be played solo, 'cause there is a lot of people demanding it.
I hope this post helps you to start playing solo, and all the battle reports you see in my blog were played solo, and were really fun to play.
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Great blog, very enjoyable reading. I enjoyed the tutorials and the battle reports very much. Looks like a lot of fun in those games. Thanks for sharing your adventures with everyone.
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I'm currently trying to come to terms with either solo gaming or packing in...
your blog's given me hope!
:)
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Your blog is one of only four I have bookmarked; it's great for inspiration.
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Thanks for another good post, a good reminder for some ideas for people asking what I want for xmas...
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Great blog, very enjoyable reading. I enjoyed the tutorials and the battle reports very much. Looks like a lot of fun in those games. Thanks for sharing your adventures with everyone.
Thanks a lot!!
The games were really enjoyable and fun indeed...
And many more to come!!
I'm currently trying to come to terms with either solo gaming or packing in...
your blog's given me hope!
:)
I hope it helps you!!!
As I play solo I have everything at home, so, all the miniatures, scenery and so on needed to take the less space as possible as I live with my wife, two kids and two cats...
Quite difficult to have 3d printed or resin scenery.
Your blog is one of only four I have bookmarked; it's great for inspiration.
Thanks for another good post, a good reminder for some ideas for people asking what I want for xmas...
Thanks a lot!!
You can't imagine what your support means to me...
Sometimes when I'm posting something is like talking alone, thanks for showing me that there is somebody on the other side of the screen...
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I hope it helps you!!!
As I play solo I have everything at home.
That's where I'm really lucky too T. Many years ago I made the command decision that any period I venture into I would produce all the units for both sides. While living in the real world of work, much looked forward to gaming sessions were ruined by so and so plus his Old Guard not turning up at the last moment!
Consequently, if I can get mi' melon around it, Billy-no-Mates gaming's no problem in that department. I'm applying the KISS Principle by using OHW rules for all periods, easily memorised, so you can concentrate on the scenario and storyline. Some great ideas on your blog that I shall be shamelessly nicking... thanks for that!
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The last time I had a game was 5 years' ago and I have drifted in and out of the hobby for a while as you do when you really don't want to commit to a club. The current conditions have led a lot of folk to look at Solo as it has many obvious advantages. My local FLGS Facebook site had some recommendations and I bought Star Wars Imperial Assault and Core Space on recommendations. I already have Pulp Alley and The Walking Dead and a mass of historical rules. I have still not had a game but my painting and repurposing of what I have has taken a healthy turn. Maybe, when the world changes, I may play socially, but, for now, I have a goal.
Thanks for your article, it was thought-provoking!
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Nice read.
I've intended to do far more solo gaming this lockdown than I have managed. Both Walking Dead and the new Elder scrolls game have been on my to play list since March. I've managed a few board games but thats about it.
Your article has reminded me I dont own the Pul Alley solo deck so I may pick that up!
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That's where I'm really lucky too T. Many years ago I made the command decision that any period I venture into I would produce all the units for both sides. While living in the real world of work, much looked forward to gaming sessions were ruined by so and so plus his Old Guard not turning up at the last moment!
Consequently, if I can get mi' melon around it, Billy-no-Mates gaming's no problem in that department. I'm applying the KISS Principle by using OHW rules for all periods, easily memorised, so you can concentrate on the scenario and storyline. Some great ideas on your blog that I shall be shamelessly nicking... thanks for that!
You hit the jackpot... The rules NEED to be easy so that you can concentrate on the story and the scenario.
That's a main point when dealing with solo wargaming.
The last time I had a game was 5 years' ago and I have drifted in and out of the hobby for a while as you do when you really don't want to commit to a club. The current conditions have led a lot of folk to look at Solo as it has many obvious advantages. My local FLGS Facebook site had some recommendations and I bought Star Wars Imperial Assault and Core Space on recommendations. I already have Pulp Alley and The Walking Dead and a mass of historical rules. I have still not had a game but my painting and repurposing of what I have has taken a healthy turn. Maybe, when the world changes, I may play socially, but, for now, I have a goal.
Thanks for your article, it was thought-provoking!
Nice read.
I've intended to do far more solo gaming this lockdown than I have managed. Both Walking Dead and the new Elder scrolls game have been on my to play list since March. I've managed a few board games but thats about it.
Your article has reminded me I dont own the Pul Alley solo deck so I may pick that up!
Both of you already have what you need to play, just need to start at some point...
I would tell you to set a game table, put some scenery and a few zombies, and use the walking dead all out war rules to play a couple scenarios fighting just zombies, or stealth raids to get food from a shop without been noticed by walkers...
After a couple of games you will want more, and you will be already on the move...
That's a good start.
My intention when I started the blog was to encourage people to play wargames solo, and the main aim is to enjoy.
Hope you liked the blog, and I hope it makes you play (at least) a few games.
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This is the game where the penny started to drop, playing solo wise. I used the OHW 'chance cards' and they made a big difference.
http://leadadventureforum.com/index.php?topic=127848.0
I'll miss playing with my old mates as we've been at it over 40 years, but all things come to an end some day.
I've bookmarked your blog T, I think you've got something there.
:)
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Yes, I feel somewhat empowered. I always did periods/games and painted/based in a way that fitted in with others so that I could join games.
The pressure to complete large armies for a particular time has lifted and I don't have to worry about the quality of my painting skills.
I feel, as I suppose I always could have, to go my own way, tinker with scenarios, use whatever rules fit and play with proxy armies. My only caveat would be that my figures and terrain are all painted, I am Old School that way.
So, thank you for your input.
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This is the game where the penny started to drop, playing solo wise. I used the OHW 'chance cards' and they made a big difference.
Are these new cards for the solo section instead of the Chance dice rolls?
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I have a confession, I too am a solo wargamer and not just because of the dreaded lurgi!
Glen
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The number is growing!!!!!
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This is the game where the penny started to drop, playing solo wise. I used the OHW 'chance cards' and they made a big difference.
http://leadadventureforum.com/index.php?topic=127848.0
I'll miss playing with my old mates as we've been at it over 40 years, but all things come to an end some day.
I've bookmarked your blog T, I think you've got something there.
:)
You always need luck to act as a fog of war, so that you never know what will happen next.
I use card activation so that I never know which side is going to activate, and I always set several plot points that when searched by a miniature, they give an advantage, a disadvantage, nothing or an unexpected event...
This provides a fog of war that makes every turn really intense.
Yes, I feel somewhat empowered. I always did periods/games and painted/based in a way that fitted in with others so that I could join games.
The pressure to complete large armies for a particular time has lifted and I don't have to worry about the quality of my painting skills.
I feel, as I suppose I always could have, to go my own way, tinker with scenarios, use whatever rules fit and play with proxy armies. My only caveat would be that my figures and terrain are all painted, I am Old School that way.
So, thank you for your input.
Solo wargaming is more relaxing indeed... And I agree with you: any miniature or terrain that is on the table has to be painted.
I have a confession, I too am a solo wargamer and not just because of the dreaded lurgi!
Glen
😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂
I'm a solo wargamer because of my dreaded children...
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Are these new cards for the solo section instead of the Chance dice rolls?
There's a chapter in the book with 15 event cards. I printed them off, one blue one red, draw one start of each sides turn. Sometimes nothing happens, sometimes a slight agg, occasionally an extreme agg!
:o
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I'll take another look in the book. Thanks.
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Got all the stuff, plenty of scenarios, terrain, rules - in spades.
I seem to keep painting instead. Always painting! A night spent on a game is a night away from the brushes.
One day - soon!
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I have that problem, except my gaming table is covered with stuff to paint and my shed has at least 10 years' worth of painting in it.
I googled and found a set of OHW Chance Cards online: https://www.bing.com/images/search?q=one+hour+wargames+solo+cards&form=HDRSC2&first=1&scenario=ImageBasicHover
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I feel the same way Kitsune.
Tereydavi, I would be curious to know if you are familiar with Core Space from Battle Systems and if you are, how the AI rules there compare to the other solo friendly games you have reviewed.
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Got all the stuff, plenty of scenarios, terrain, rules - in spades.
I seem to keep painting instead. Always painting! A night spent on a game is a night away from the brushes.
One day - soon!
I was like this as I always had lists of stuff I wanted to build terrain wise and a box of minis (small by most peoples standards but big for me) I seemed to add to each month.
Earlier in the year I made a conscious decision to change and moved to more playing: I am enjoying this and it seems to have made my painting more enjoyable too.
I had got into the habit of speedpainting everything as I always had my mind on the next thing so it was all rush, rush, rush.
I now limit myself to a maximum of 5 miniatures to paint in the house at any one time; I'm feeling much better for it and am getting 2-3 games a week in every week.
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Got all the stuff, plenty of scenarios, terrain, rules - in spades.
I seem to keep painting instead. Always painting! A night spent on a game is a night away from the brushes.
One day - soon!
I was like this as I always had lists of stuff I wanted to build terrain wise and a box of minis (small by most peoples standards but big for me) I seemed to add to each month.
Earlier in the year I made a conscious decision to change and moved to more playing: I am enjoying this and it seems to have made my painting more enjoyable too.
I had got into the habit of speedpainting everything as I always had my mind on the next thing so it was all rush, rush, rush.
I now limit myself to a maximum of 5 miniatures to paint in the house at any one time; I'm feeling much better for it and am getting 2-3 games a week in every week.
I think that's something we all have been at some point... Painting and making scenery but not playing because there is always something else to paint...
One day I decided that I would just paint things or make scenery that were going to be used in a game. For example, I made a searchlight and an AA gun to use them in one of the next games, and that way I'm painting or making scenery with a purpose in my head, and once I play the game I move into another game and maybe psi t minis needed for that next game (or make some scenery needed).
For me it has worked as a solution, and now I may spend a couple of evenings painting knowing that a game is following....
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I feel the same way Kitsune.
Tereydavi, I would be curious to know if you are familiar with Core Space from Battle Systems and if you are, how the AI rules there compare to the other solo friendly games you have reviewed.
I haven't played core space, I'm really curious about how the AI works, as I have been told that it works fine.
Core space and fallout wasteland warfare have AIs that are said to be really good options, but unfortunately I haven't any of them, do, I can't be of any help...
Maybe for the next post I have bought them...
😂😂😂😂😂😂
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Battle Systems provides the basic rules for free online. Might be worth your time to have a look before spending any money.
https://battlesystems.co.uk/downloads/
Although they do also just happened to have a great Kickstarter going on right now as well... in its last 48 hours. The all in pledge is quite tasty.
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/battlesystems/core-space-first-born/description
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I googled and found a set of OHW Chance Cards online: https://www.bing.com/images/search?q=one+hour+wargames+solo+cards&form=HDRSC2&first=1&scenario=ImageBasicHover
That's 'em J. I printed one set onto red card the other onto blue, then laminated 'em.
:)
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Battle Systems provides the basic rules for free online. Might be worth your time to have a look before spending any money.
https://battlesystems.co.uk/downloads/
Although they do also just happened to have a great Kickstarter going on right now as well... in its last 48 hours. The all in pledge is quite tasty.
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/battlesystems/core-space-first-born/description
I have checked how the AI works in core space, and there is a decision tree to make the NPC (non player character) work.
(https://i.ibb.co/P5fTZwP/IMG-20201118-203416.jpg) (https://ibb.co/0fdBjh6)
This is best system I have found, as it makes the NPCs act in a logical way (and that way work as a "real" opponent).
Blood In Space (and Blood in the Blade) has a similar decision tree to make the opponents work, and it is the system I'm using in my games.
Once you have played several games using the same decision tree you don't need to look at it, and the game runs really smooth.
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I suppose the trick is getting familiar with it enough for it to become second nature... that is going to take me awhile longer I think.
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Five Parsecs from Home works similarly, except through a set of guidelines rather than a flowchart.
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I suppose the trick is getting familiar with it enough for it to become second nature... that is going to take me awhile longer I think.
You get familiar with it faster than you think... In a single game you use that flowchart everytime an enemy activates, so, in a few games it just becomes automatic, and you don't even have a look at the flowchart. Five Parsecs from Home works similarly, except through a set of guidelines rather than a flowchart.
Blood in space (and blood in the blade) work through a set of guidelines but are easily converted into a flowchart. The main point is that the decisions taken through that flowchart/guidelines are logical and reasonable (as a real enemy would act) not based on luck or chance.
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I don't mind a bit of solo game playing. I can play both of my currently designed games solo, though it's not quite as fun. They're definitely not aimed at solitaire play - but the mechanics work to make it completely reasonable.
For me, if I'm not gaming...I think I tend to just paint/hobby and wait for a chance to throw some dice.
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After today's DeBarkel I'm going back to Billy-no-mates gaming permanently...
forever!!!
:'(
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What happened to the original blog post on this thread? It says it's no longer available. Shame because it was inspirational.
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What happened to the original blog post on this thread? It says it's no longer available. Shame because it was inspirational.
It's my fault...
I started a new project, Fear of the Dark a solo wargame with miniatures, and made a blog to support the game.
I moved the posts from my previous blog to the new one.
Now I have updated the first post in this thread to redirect or to the new blog.
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That is a cool blog
as a solo gamer myself i'm alwayss looking for new rulesets with NPC AI
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Great! Thanks for updating the link! :D