Lead Adventure Forum
Miniatures Adventure => Pikes, Muskets and Flouncy Shirts => Topic started by: mikedemana on December 30, 2015, 01:37:07 AM
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(http://i721.photobucket.com/albums/ww213/mikedemana/Native%20Americans/CoverArtBeaverWars_DamWeb_zps2607a89b.jpg)
We began the second phase of playtesting my campaign rules for the Beaver Wars in Ohio this last week. For those who don't know, the Beaver Wars were a series of conflicts between Native American tribes in the late 1600s and early 1700s. The rules will be a historical reference, wargames campaign, and scenario book rolled into one. I have 8 players meeting once every several weeks to test them out.
(http://i721.photobucket.com/albums/ww213/mikedemana/Native%20Americans/BW2_1aTables_zpsskiwdtrl.jpg)
Read about our first turn of the campaign on my blog below. We had four exciting scenarios featuring everything from horse thieves to village raids to rescues of captive trappers. Any comments and questions are always appreciated and welcomed, of course!
Here's the link to blog entry:
http://leadlegionaries.blogspot.com/2015/12/beaver-wars-in-ohio-playtest-turn-1.html
(http://i721.photobucket.com/albums/ww213/mikedemana/Native%20Americans/BW2_1bSenecaCornfield_zpsgvpvr3aq.jpg)
Mike Demana
www.firstcommandwargames.com
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Looks great, Mike! I'm waiting for this...
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Looks like you are off to a good start.
Like the new ideas you have come up with for the rules.
Look forward to following what is next.
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can't wait the result of campaign.
great news to hear about an another playtest !
cheers
Eric - at work on very early indians......for snowy territories
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Eric - at work on very early indians......for snowy territories
You mean like these....?
(http://i721.photobucket.com/albums/ww213/mikedemana/Native%20Americans/Mike_Demana_R04_Winter_Hunt_zpsoivmpm0d.jpg)
Unfortunately, these are the ONLY winter figures I have painted. Too few for a game. I keep toying with the idea of selling them, but then I'm afraid I'll kick myself later if I decide to put on a Battle of the Snowshoes type game...
Mike Demana
www.firstcommandwargames.com
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Mike,
Great photo.
You know if you sale them, you will be sorry later.
You only have to paint 12 or more figures, you could fight a small action.
Of course you need a snow board and the terrain. ;)
It looks like you have a leg up on that part.
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Hey mike,
Don't sell them !
Keep them for a future use, if any.
I have in mind some winter scenarios that could give you the taste to field them.
Cheers
Éric
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Thanks for the encouragement, guys. You're right...that's one of the beauties of Song of Drums and Tomahawks. I don't need that many figs painted in winter gear for a scenario. These are Conquest. Does anyone else make Indians in winter gear?
Mike Demana
www.firstcommandwargames.com
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Thanks for the encouragement, guys. You're right...that's one of the beauties of Song of Drums and Tomahawks. I don't need that many figs painted in winter gear for a scenario. These are Conquest. Does anyone else make Indians in winter gear?
Mike Demana
www.firstcommandwargames.com
hey mike,
you have some Blackfoot Foundry references
and the Knucleduster 1812 range with these indians :
(http://knuckleduster.com/shop/image/cache/data/products/pi_524-600x600.jpeg)
Cheers
Eric
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Ooh...I like those. I might have to look into purchasing some. Thanks for the heads up, mon ami!
Mike Demana
www.firstcommandwargames.com
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Hey mike,
You can follow this topic too :
http://leadadventureforum.com/index.php?topic=85783.msg1059620#msg1059620 (http://leadadventureforum.com/index.php?topic=85783.msg1059620#msg1059620)
Cheers
Eric
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Well, Eric, you did it! After logging off, I went over checked out the Knuckleduster winter-clothed Indians and bought a pack.
On a separate note, my 3 packs of Bob Much's Flint & Feather early-period Indians arrived, today (a late Christmas present). I can't wait to paint them up! Some of the poses are spectacular. I think those will be three of my entries in the next Lead Painters League...
Mike Demana
www.firstcommandwargames.com
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Excellent,
Ask to Bob to realize an indian pack or two on the subject : Winter is (already) coming lol
An another way to get some winter troops is to give them mitten : put some glue on the hands to make the fingers disappear and paint them as mittem ;)
Cheers
Eric
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(http://i721.photobucket.com/albums/ww213/mikedemana/Native%20Americans/CoverArtBeaverWars_DamWeb_zps2607a89b.jpg)
We met to game out turn two of the Beaver Wars in Ohio playtest. Eight players, four battles, and lots of scalps and plunder taken. Check out the report and more photos on my blog, here:
http://leadlegionaries.blogspot.com/2016/01/beaver-wars-in-ohio-playtest-turn-2.html
(http://i721.photobucket.com/albums/ww213/mikedemana/Native%20Americans/BW2_ErieAdvance_zpsvkp4jggt.jpg)
The Beaver Wars is a campaign for Song of Drums and Tomahawks rules, available here:
http://www.firstcommandwargames.com/published-rules/song-of-drums-and-tomahawks.html
Even though my own Erie tribesmen are taking it on the chin, we're having a great time. Enjoy!
Mike Demana
www.firstcommandwargames.com
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Wow Mike,
Lots of cool things in your post.
Glad to see round two of the Beaver Wars.
The fights sounded a lot of fun.
Sounds like you have a better handle with this play test.
Am excited to see what comes next.
Glad to hear you purchased some of the Flint and Feather figures by Bob.
I went and ordered all three packs the other day myself.
How do them compare size wise with Conquest figures?
Randy
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How do them compare size wise with Conquest figures?
Ask, and yee shall receive, Randy!
(http://i721.photobucket.com/albums/ww213/mikedemana/Miscellaneous/CompareFFvConq_zpso9pkkkq4.jpg)
Conquest 28mm on left in raw metal, Flint & Feather on right with first skin base coat still wet
Thanks for the kind words on the campaign, Randy! I'm liking this version much better. Much more smooth and streamlined!
Mike Demana
www.firstcommandwargames.com
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Hi Mike,
Thanks for the quick reply.
I was afraid the Bob's figures would be a lot bigger.
I am very pleased that they look to be about the same size as Conquest figures.
Looks like you have a start on painting them.
Look forward to seeing how you paint them up.
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(http://i721.photobucket.com/albums/ww213/mikedemana/Native%20Americans/BW3_Gates_ThruGateway_zpswx0oqxdy.jpg)
Erie raiders dash through the entranceway of a palisade surrounding a Susquehannock village
The Beaver Wars campaign playtest continues. Players are enjoying the chance to individualize their forces, and the challenges that each new scenario brings. We met last Saturday at the usual, local pizzeria. For more photos and indepth reports, check out my website here: http://leadlegionaries.blogspot.com/2016/02/beaver-wars-in-ohio-playtest-turn-3.html
Mike Demana
www.firstcommandwargames.com
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Mike,
It looks like turn 3 went well.
The players are getting their war parties in fighting trim.
That looks like it is making for some interesting games.
The two games reported in detail, one in your report,
and the other on Keith's blog are great reads.
Randy
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Great looking games was wondering why you have chosen SONG OF DRUMS AND TOMAHAWKS http://www.ganeshagames.net/product_info.php?cPath=1_51&products_id=267&osCsid=r1dkch5705si1kpu56jn25h5p5
over MUSKETS AND TOMAHAWKS? http://www.studio-tomahawk.com/gb_index.php#
I do have the Napoleonic Song of Drums and Shakos but have as yet not played them.
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Wellllll, it is because I am the author of the rules...! lol lol lol
Muskets & Tomahawks is a different scale of game than Song of Drums and Tomahawks. My game is a skirmish. You control 7-12 figs or so, each representing one person. Incidentally, that is actually the size of a typical Native American raiding party during the colonial period. Games finish in less than two hours of play, typically. Bigger, multiplayer convention games of SDT last 3+ hours.
We started using and modifying the Song of Drums and Shakos rules for our French & Indian War skirmishes years ago. I came up with some changes that we felt worked really well, and wrote about them on my blog and on yahoo lists and such. Andrea Sfiligoi, the owner of Ganesha Games, asked me if I was interested in doing a supplement for Song of Drums and Shakos and I agreed -- provided it would be a stand-alone book. We published the book just over a year ago and the response has been very positive. No, it is not as high-profile a release as Muskets & Tomahawks. But I feel it provides a gripping game, and involves the player in lots of decision making. That is a key of gaming, IMO. If you are not making decisions, then you are just rolling dice. A game should require you to constantly make choices, and those choices should affect the flow and outcome of the game. I feel my rules do a good job of that. The PDF download is very affordable, and it takes less than a dozen figs per side to stage a game. So, if smaller scale engagements catch your interest, I recommend trying them out! If you have figs for Muskets & Tomahawks, you certainly have enough for Song of Drums and Tomahawks...!
Mike Demana
www.firstcommandwargames.com
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Golgotha,
I purchased Mike's rules and have played a number of games with them.
They are lots of fun.
Easy to play and give you a lot to think about during game play.
Like Mike said, they are a skirmish level game.
They are perfect for short games, if you wanted to you could play two in an evening.
Go to his website and read the battle reports.
He has lots posted, a few by me.
I would also like to say that I have no connection with Mike,
other than being very happy he wrote them.
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(http://i721.photobucket.com/albums/ww213/mikedemana/Native%20Americans/BW4_Canoes_zpse6ebwlfu.jpg)
So, this update is about 2 weeks late! We got together Feb. 27 at the pizzeria for Turn 4 of our Beaver Wars playtest. Everything went great. More photos and stories on my blog, link below:
http://leadlegionaries.blogspot.com/2016/03/beaver-wars-in-ohio-playtest-turn-4.html
We have actually already done Turn 5, too. So, expect that update once I get caught up. I appreciate all the comments and feedback!
Mike Demana
www.firstcommandwargames.com
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Looks like you guys had a great set of games.
Too bad about your chief.
I had something like that happen in one of my games.
Bad rolling did me in also.
Damn die. lol
Look forward to reading turn five.
Randy
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Just bought pdf download of the rules from http://www.wargamevault.com
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Awesome, Golgotha -- appreciate the purchase!
So, while schoolwork inundates me, I thought I would post a link to the blog of one of my players -- Keith, who is running the Neutrals tribe. Here is his Turn 4 report on his blog. He goes into much more detail than I do, usually give an almost blow-by-blow account of his games.
http://orcafinnbasement.blogspot.com/2016/02/game-reports-2016-02-27-playtest-beaver.html
And he has his Turn 5 report up, too! So, if you'd like to check it out, as well, here's the link:
http://orcafinnbasement.blogspot.com/2016/03/game-reports-2016-03-12-playtest-beaver.html
(https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6FU2w-F2Twg/VuSjYc0bWwI/AAAAAAABpQI/0E28RyLAnyQ-T6fau9YeNGbcGm93m3hgg/s640/IMG_4870.JPG)
Enjoy!
Mike Demana
www.firstcommandwargames.com
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Two great battle reports on Keith's blog.
Sounds like he has a good idea with making warriors Strong.
Looks like he had 2 tough fights.
May I ask what was the Victory card played?
Is that part of the campaign?
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Yes, battlefield victories can win you a Reward Card drawn from the deck. The Seneca"s "fearsome reputation" card forced the Neutrals to check morale earlier. Yes, there is a whole slew of cards that will come with the campaign.
Mike Demana
www.firstcommandwargames.com
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(http://i721.photobucket.com/albums/ww213/mikedemana/Native%20Americans/BW5_Honniasont_zpsowixv5d2.jpg)
I promised another update, and here it is. As we had an odd number of players for this meeting, I sat out. Good news, is that means
LOTS more photos than normal, including the beauty above. Check out my blog link below for the full game report.
http://leadlegionaries.blogspot.com/2016/03/beaver-wars-in-ohio-playtest-turn-5.html
We are halfway through this 10-turn playtest. The Neutral tribe continues to dominate the struggle for the Ohio Valley in the late 17th century. However, they are receiving strong challenges from the Shawnee, followed closely by the Kickapoo, and the Five Nations Seneca and Mohawk.
(http://i721.photobucket.com/albums/ww213/mikedemana/Native%20Americans/BW5_ThroughDefile_zpsiezzloo6.jpg)
As always, the Song of Drums and Tomahawks rules can be purchased through links on our website in my signature, below. Enjoy the report and pictures!
Mike Demana
www.firstcommandwargames.com
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Another great report.
I like the way the players are trying different tactics in their games.
Interesting to see what works and what does not.
Of course, the die rolling, turn the best laid plans ...
you know the rest.
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(http://i721.photobucket.com/albums/ww213/mikedemana/Native%20Americans/BW6_ShawneeSusquehannock_zps2c8quump.jpg)
We had five battles this turn during our Beaver Wars playtest. My Erie tribe, which sat out last turn (we have an odd number of players) made up for it with a "bonus battle." The campaign continues to hum along, producing intense games that everyone seems to be enjoying...even when they lose (like me). Twice! lol lol
For more photos and battle reports, check out my Lead Legionaries blog:
http://leadlegionaries.blogspot.com/2016/05/beaver-wars-in-ohio-playtest-turn-6.html
Enjoy!
Mike Demana
www.firstcommandwargames.com
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Another excellent report.
Mike I feel for you.
To much bad luck rolling die.
I am part of that club.
Not much luck either. :-[
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To much bad luck rolling die.
I am part of that club.
My luck is notorious in the club. We have actually shifted players around when choosing sides in a battle to balance out my rolling...ha, ha!
Mike Demana
www.firstcommandwargames.com
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This looks super interesting! Are the Beaver Wars campaign rules going to be sold as a supplement at some point or is this more just meant to illustrate the main Songs Rules?
Cheers
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They will indeed be sold. It will contain the core campaign rules, a break-out into 3 separate phases of the Beaver Wars, historical background information on the conflict and each of the main tribes that participated, and 18 scenarios.
Our final playtest will finish Turn 7 of 10 this month. Everything is proceeding smoothly and the players are having fun, but I want to finish out the process to make sure none of the mathematics or scenarios need tweaks. Look for it late this year...fall is my hope.
Thanks for your interest, and feel free to post any questions you may have about them...
Mike Demana
www.firstcommandwargames.com
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Wow--18 scenarios is a lot! Look forward to it...
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(http://i721.photobucket.com/albums/ww213/mikedemana/Native%20Americans/BW2_T7TownGate_zpsqhgawbvv.jpg)
We had a bloody turn 7 in our playtest of the Beaver Wars in Ohio campaign rules. As we enter the home stretch of the final playtest, things are working out very well. Other tribes near the top attacked the 1st and 2nd place tribes, seeking to cut away at their lead. Read how the battles turned out on my Lead Legionaries blog. More pictures, campaign rules analysis, and game recaps at:
http://leadlegionaries.blogspot.com/2016/06/beaver-wars-in-ohio-playtest-turn-7.html
Check out the intense, Song of Drums and Tomahawks action and battles that went down to the final chop of the tomahawk...
Mike Demana
www.firstcommandwargames.com
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(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RDMtwhb_3EA/V6dtx1-PicI/AAAAAAABqjE/rlCssatSWWEdVSiBnJMEJUY6wumuPeS2gCLcB/s640/IMG_7583.JPG)
Mohawk forces move up to cross the creek and invade Neutrals territory
One of my players beat me to a report on this past Saturday's Turn 8 action. Things are heading to a tight finish. The tribes are on the warpath -- trying to take down the leading two nations, the Neutrals and the Shawnee.
Here is Keith's report, who is playing the Neutrals:
http://orcafinnbasement.blogspot.com/2016/08/game-reports-2016-08-06-playtest-beaver.html
I will be posting my own report and photos in another day or so...
Mike Demana
www.firstcommandwargames.com
http://leadlegionaries.blogspot.com/
(http://i721.photobucket.com/albums/ww213/mikedemana/Miscellaneous/LPL_bades_zpsl7op2jaz.jpg)
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Another great write up of the games.
I read Keith's battle report, very interesting.
I like how you talk abut the scenarios to make then better.
Can not wait for the campaign book to come out.
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Great rules, great write up - keep 'em coming.
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(http://i721.photobucket.com/albums/ww213/mikedemana/Native%20Americans/BW8_Portage_CarryingBundles_zpsap2buvve.jpg)
My Erie warriors portage their canoe and supplies along a trail past a section of rapids
As promised, here is the Turn 8 installment of our playtest of the Beaver Wars in Ohio Campaign Rules and Scenario Book. We came into this turn with the Shawnee and the Neutrals tribe tied for the lead in control of the Ohio territory. By turn's end, we would have a tribe in sole possession of first.
However, my account this time is more an up close and personal about my battle against the Honniasont when my hunters were ambushed in "Attack at the Portage." I take you inside my Erie chieftain's plan, and talk about how it worked against a challenging foe that outnumbered me 17 men to 10.
Visit my Lead Legionaries blog to read the account and see more pictures. Enjoy!
http://leadlegionaries.blogspot.com/2016/08/beaver-wars-in-ohio-playtest-turn-8.html
Mike Demana
www.firstcommandwargames.com
http://leadlegionaries.blogspot.com/
(http://i721.photobucket.com/albums/ww213/mikedemana/Miscellaneous/LPL_bades_zpsl7op2jaz.jpg)
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Thanks for sharing your battle report.
Glad to see a win for you.
Well done.
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(http://i721.photobucket.com/albums/ww213/mikedemana/Native%20Americans/Bwars9_Players4_zpspqcaj0fs.jpg)
We met at the local pizzeria for the next-to-last turn of our Beaver Wars in Ohio playtest. Four vastly-different scenarios were fought out, scalps were taken, good pizza was consumed, and players had lots of fun. In the end, the lead for the dominant tribe in the Ohio Valley now stands at one single point! Read about the games and see lots more pictures on my blog post:
http://leadlegionaries.blogspot.com/2016/09/beaver-wars-in-ohio-playtest-turn-9_15.html
(http://i721.photobucket.com/albums/ww213/mikedemana/Native%20Americans/Bwars9_NeutHon3_zpsxhddiuxr.jpg)
Mike Demana
www.firstcommandwargames.com
http://leadlegionaries.blogspot.com/
(http://i721.photobucket.com/albums/ww213/mikedemana/Miscellaneous/LPL_bades_zpsl7op2jaz.jpg)
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Another great report.
I had planned to play another playtest today.
But real life got in the way. :-[
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(http://i721.photobucket.com/albums/ww213/mikedemana/Native%20Americans/BW10_Players_zpsujchwvrw.jpg)
Our final meeting at the local pizzeria -- 10 turns of the Beaver Wars in Ohio concluded!
Hi everyone,
Well, the second playtest of the Beaver Wars in Ohio is concluded. It was a resounding success! The retooling of the rules satisfied everyone. I will make one final tweak as I get them ready for publication (hoping by the start of 2017). Everyone had a good time, and it was a year of good fun once a month as all the tribes competed to control the Ohio Valley in the late 1600s.
Here's the link for my report on the final turn of our playtest:
http://leadlegionaries.blogspot.com/2016/11/beaver-wars-in-ohio-playtest-turn-10_9.html
Lots of other pictures on my site -- check them out!
(http://i721.photobucket.com/albums/ww213/mikedemana/Native%20Americans/BW10_ShawneeMiami_zps0xakmcds.jpg)
Battle scene from one of the four games at our final playtest -- one of 40 done over the course of the year
Mike Demana
www.firstcommandwargames.com
http://leadlegionaries.blogspot.com/
(http://i721.photobucket.com/albums/ww213/mikedemana/Miscellaneous/LPL_bades_zpsl7op2jaz.jpg)
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Great final write up.
It looks like all the players had a great time.