Lead Adventure Forum

Miniatures Adventure => Medieval Adventures => Topic started by: Silent Invader on July 02, 2016, 12:10:05 AM

Title: WotR: Supply Run (AAR of skirmish play test)
Post by: Silent Invader on July 02, 2016, 12:10:05 AM
A first play rest of my Simple And Generic (SAG) rules, which are intended to cover multiple periods and genres, sets a group of 22 Yorkists against a 25-man Lancastrian force that must escort a much-needed supply wagon.

The board was a mere 2x2 with the game taking 5 turns.

(http://www.silentinvader.uk/image_w_abs_game_SAG-01_01.jpg)

(http://www.silentinvader.uk/image_w_abs_game_SAG-01_02.jpg)

(http://www.silentinvader.uk/image_w_abs_game_SAG-01_04.jpg)

(http://www.silentinvader.uk/image_w_abs_game_SAG-01_07.jpg)

(http://www.silentinvader.uk/image_w_abs_game_SAG-01_09.jpg)

(http://www.silentinvader.uk/image_w_abs_game_SAG-01_14.jpg)

(http://www.silentinvader.uk/image_w_abs_game_SAG-01_18.jpg)

(http://www.silentinvader.uk/image_w_abs_game_SAG-01_20.jpg)

The Lancastrians suffered significant losses but successfully escorted the wagon across the table, thereby winning the game.

There's a fuller report on my project website:

http://www.silentinvader.uk/index_w_abs_index_games-SAG.html (http://www.silentinvader.uk/index_w_abs_index_games-SAG.html)
Title: Re: WotR: Supply Run (AAR of skirmish play test)
Post by: MaleGriffin on July 02, 2016, 03:11:08 AM
Superb!  :o

Beautiful game! :-*
Title: Re: WotR: Supply Run (AAR of skirmish play test)
Post by: Silent Invader on July 02, 2016, 08:02:16 AM
Thank you, much appreciated  :)
Title: Re: WotR: Supply Run (AAR of skirmish play test)
Post by: Andym on July 02, 2016, 08:11:52 AM
Brilliant stuff mate! That's so realistic looking! :o The bridge is me fave! 8)
Title: Re: WotR: Supply Run (AAR of skirmish play test)
Post by: Malamute on July 02, 2016, 08:30:25 AM
Brilliant stuff mate! That's so realistic looking! :o The bridge is me fave! 8)

Yep, a triumph, excellent stuff. That carts very nice as well. :D ;D
Title: Re: WotR: Supply Run (AAR of skirmish play test)
Post by: Jeff965 on July 02, 2016, 08:40:30 AM
Lovely little game :-*
Title: Re: WotR: Supply Run (AAR of skirmish play test)
Post by: Elk101 on July 02, 2016, 08:54:13 AM
Beautiful table Steve.
Title: Re: WotR: Supply Run (AAR of skirmish play test)
Post by: Silent Invader on July 02, 2016, 08:57:28 AM
Thanks all  :D

I did wonder whether 47 minis and a cart on a 2x2 would work but it did and was a lot of fun. It was actually spread over nearly a week as I took the first 2 turns, went on a short holiday, then took the last 3 when I got back.

That carts very nice as well. :D ;D

 lol

Yes indeed and for the wider audience I should say that the cart with goods is from that quality emporium, Boothill Miniatures  ;)  :D (Mules are by Perry)
Title: Re: WotR: Supply Run (AAR of skirmish play test)
Post by: Captain Blood on July 02, 2016, 10:32:42 AM
Lovely! So nice to see these figures getting another run out. And they look good on the new rough terrain. Can't wait to give the new rules a go  :)
Title: Re: WotR: Supply Run (AAR of skirmish play test)
Post by: Silent Invader on July 02, 2016, 11:28:45 AM
Thanks Richard. It was an absolute pleasure to give them a run out. I'm very pleased with how they match the new terrain. As I mentioned before, I'd become dissatisfied with my old larger boards, which had been putting me off.

Anyways, the new approach to terrain will help me focus on my current batch of personal projects:

TEMPERATE BOARD
Games of The North
Arrow Bill & Sword
The New World
Jamaica Inn & Thereabouts
Tommy And Fritz (I'll probably merge the Belgium townscape)

ARID BOARD
Apache Raids & Revenge
Second Afghan War
Airborne In Sicily
Something Sci Fi

Likewise the rules, which if all has gone to plan, will work equally well for all of the above projects for 15 to 150 minis a side. You'll recognise elements of the rules from previous games of By Arrow Bill & Sword, Tommy And Fritz, etc.
Title: Re: WotR: Supply Run (AAR of skirmish play test)
Post by: Charlie_ on July 02, 2016, 02:21:54 PM
Interesting, looks good! I'm having a read through of the full AAR on your site right now.

I recognise those boards from your Games Of The North log, and though I'm sure the answer may be hidden early on in that thread, I'll ask the question here - what are the boards made of, just MDF? What thickness, and what are they textured with? I ask because I'm impressed at how neatly they fit together without warping.
Title: Re: WotR: Supply Run (AAR of skirmish play test)
Post by: Silent Invader on July 02, 2016, 02:58:45 PM
Hi Charlie

The project website has a page that covers how I make the tiles (simply because I'll be making more and I need the recipes!). It's here:

[url]http://www.silentinvader.uk/index_w_gtn_index_terrain-making.html[/url

Thanks for the comments  :). It is something of an illusion as there is a little warping in places, as it is impossible to eliminate with lightweight and thin tiles, being a function of board material, adhesive, added textures and paint. I use 6mm MDF without battens, using Exterior Grade Evistik Wood Adhesive (blue bottle) which has less moisture content than PVA and after curing is impermeable so further layers won't reactivate the glue (as with standard PVA) and therefore soak through into the board material. Warping and board joins in general are a lot less visible with heavily flocked boards, simply because of the fuzziness at the edges. Painting the edges of the board with a complementary colour also helps them disappear.

The most bombproof approach is for decent size battens glued and screwed to the underneath of the board, which I did on my WW1 townscape as I needed basements.

All in my opinion of course. Others have their own techniques and sometimes it's a matter of experimenting until you find a method that works for you. Personally I've tried cloths, large 'pink foam' slabs, large mdf tiles, engineered plastic tiles, etc and this way suits me best for storage, transport and play.

Edit: forgot to mention textures. Basically, cork, ready mixed plaster, sand then a static grass mix. But the key ingredient is the glue, which seals between the layers helping reduce moisture transfer.
Title: Re: WotR: Supply Run (AAR of skirmish play test)
Post by: OSHIROmodels on July 02, 2016, 03:10:38 PM
Great stuff mate and interesting to see a game on a 2x2  8)

cheers

James
Title: Re: WotR: Supply Run (AAR of skirmish play test)
Post by: rumacara on July 02, 2016, 08:53:54 PM
Very interesting game. :-*
Curious about the rules.
Title: Re: WotR: Supply Run (AAR of skirmish play test)
Post by: commissarmoody on July 03, 2016, 11:25:18 AM
Exciting game
Title: Re: WotR: Supply Run (AAR of skirmish play test)
Post by: jambo1 on July 03, 2016, 12:10:47 PM
Great looking game, nice figures and I love the whole board size, really interesting. :)
Title: Re: WotR: Supply Run (AAR of skirmish play test)
Post by: affun on July 03, 2016, 01:22:11 PM
I think I've said so before, but just to be sure I'll echo it here again. Your rules do look quite interesting and adaptable: Quite the thing I enjoy. Have been and will continue to follow the development with interest.

The game looks splendid. Have always been a sucker for small, confined, boards. And the forces are great too.

Title: Re: WotR: Supply Run (AAR of skirmish play test)
Post by: Silent Invader on July 03, 2016, 01:47:59 PM
Thanks all, comments greatly appreciated.  :D

2x2 did make for a very exciting game, which is more surprising when you consider that it was played solo. I have included an AI system in the 'optional' section of the rules (which will become very useful when another option, The Undead, is played in another genre) but I didn't use it as the confined space and narrow objectives limited the tactical choices. That said, the Yorkists might well have been able to use their billmen to block the bridge if they hadn't waded across the river, which then might well have won it for them (shame it didn't occur to me at the time.......!).

The rules use elements from my previous rules. They have some features in common with Sharpe Practise 1, Donnybrook, Muskets & Tomahawks, Ultra Simple Skirmish Rules and a few others that I own or have played. The biggest change for me was to switch from an action point system to different dice for different types of characters and units: a lot less looking up required making for a faster game (similar to Donnybrook). Activation is by draw of a playing card with Aces  allowing the player to select any character or unit. If a character has subordinates, then they can be activated out of turn if they are within command radius. Thus it can be beneficial to pass on a unit card to await the Ace or the leader's card, so that multiple units can be activated at once (though there is the risk that the opponent does the same but is luckier with the draw). When a card is drawn it's character or unit is first tested for stickiness which is significantly more likely to be a fail for units that are leaderless (it is a simple threshold test of a modified 4, which is obviously much more likely with a D20 Hero than a D4 Folk). A fail means that the character or unit (and any subordinate characters or units nominated in this turn to activate with it, cannot actually activate in this turn). I first used this feature in my Tommy And Fritz rules at BLAM and it encourages players to make fuller use of command and control. The only markers on the table are for black powder reload and for units who are shaken and other than knowing which card represents who and what dice they use, no book keeping is required.

Bit of a brain dump but that's a flavour of the rules, which in short is: the best bits from my previous rules but with action points replaced by different dice.  :)
Title: Re: WotR: Supply Run (AAR of skirmish play test)
Post by: affun on July 03, 2016, 02:25:15 PM
I can certainly get behind what sounds like a 'generic' (in a positive way) modified Donnybrook or Sharpe Practice. I've always liked card-activation mechanics and the rest of your thoughts look solid.
Hopefully a compiled version to go along with ABS (Which I'll have a read of later) will manifest at some point in the near future  ;)
We're just about to start up a couple of retinues for the late 100 years war/free form GoT-ish fantasy locally, so I might even be able to get them on the table.

Cheers!

Title: Re: WotR: Supply Run (AAR of skirmish play test)
Post by: Silent Invader on July 03, 2016, 02:29:32 PM
 :)

I should add, ABS has a more complex melee system, using a lot of dice. The move to different sized dice for each type of fighter has simplified and speeded considerably.
Title: Re: WotR: Supply Run (AAR of skirmish play test)
Post by: affun on July 03, 2016, 09:01:48 PM
:)

I should add, ABS has a more complex melee system, using a lot of dice. The move to different sized dice for each type of fighter has simplified and speeded considerably.

I've done a quick read through of the ABS, and am definitely going to give it a try. I think I can see what you mean by the simpler resolution mechanics. Sounds interesting.
Either way, looking forward to trying it out. Though we do need to muster some retinues first.

I'll try and make a post when we get to it.
Title: Re: WotR: Supply Run (AAR of skirmish play test)
Post by: commissarmoody on July 03, 2016, 09:06:13 PM
I am going to have to give the rules a gander.
Title: Re: WotR: Supply Run (AAR of skirmish play test)
Post by: Silent Invader on July 04, 2016, 06:34:06 AM
ABS was written to give a distinctive WotR flavour, thus lots of modifiers etc for different troop types, weapons and equipment etc. SAG is simple and generic, and loses some of the WotR focus in exchange for speed of play. If I was just a WotR gamer then I'd settle on a WotR-specific rule set. But I'm not (see project list above!) and I've come to realise that trying really hard to make the rules pin-point specific to the project actually hinders gaming, as I end up 'playing' the project rather than playing more games. Terrain serves a similar limiting function (or time-soak and attention-sponge), thus my similar move to generic terrain (see project list above!). The SAG rules don't force me to play in a WotR-manner but they do encourage me to play my wider research into the WotR. The flavour of the game is, to some extent, therefore a product of informed mind rather than a function of typed minutiae, which suits my solid preference for a narrative (by which I mean immersive, story-telling) game ..... hard-core competitive rules player, I am not  :D.
Title: Re: WotR: Supply Run (AAR of skirmish play test)
Post by: Dalauppror on July 04, 2016, 08:01:12 AM
Exellent looking game! Really like your terrain  ;D
Title: Re: WotR: Supply Run (AAR of skirmish play test)
Post by: commissarmoody on July 04, 2016, 09:56:07 AM
Will you be posting the SAG Rules up too?
Title: Re: WotR: Supply Run (AAR of skirmish play test)
Post by: DonVoss on July 04, 2016, 11:11:07 AM
Wow...what a fantastic looking little game...I like it a lot....;)

Cheers,
Don
Title: Re: WotR: Supply Run (AAR of skirmish play test)
Post by: Silent Invader on July 04, 2016, 11:22:33 AM
Thanks D and D  :D

Will you be posting the SAG Rules up too?

TBH I don't know. The issue for me is reviews and sometimes debates OUTSIDE OF LAF that critique the rules as if they have the resources of GW behind them and I've been paid a king's ransom for them, rather than the free download which they were/are. With Scavange Skirmish Survive I found it quite dispiriting that negative judgement was made about me as an individual as well as the rules being diminished for them not being what the review wanted them to be. It sucked the fun out of it for me. I welcome fair criticism but some people get a power-kick from belittling the efforts of others. So I doubt that I'll put the rules up on my website etc but in due course (ie after more testing) I'll probably be agreeable to emailing a PDF to LAFers with a genuine and solid interest. Not just yet though, as a few more tests are required.

No offence intended to anyone here at LAF, it's a wider audience that has previously troubled me.  :)
Title: Re: WotR: Supply Run (AAR of skirmish play test)
Post by: jon_1066 on July 04, 2016, 11:28:19 AM
Thanks D and D  :D

TBH I don't know. The issue for me is reviews and sometimes debates OUTSIDE OF LAF that critique the rules as if they have the resources of GW behind them and I've been paid a king's ransom for them, rather than the free download which they were/are. With Scavange Skirmish Survive I found it quite dispiriting that negative judgement was made about me as an individual as well as the rules being diminished for them not being what the review wanted them to be. It sucked the fun out of it for me. I welcome fair criticism but some people get a power-kick from belittling the efforts of others. So I doubt that I'll put the rules up on my website etc but in due course (ie after more testing) I'll probably be agreeable to emailing a PDF to LAFers with a genuine and solid interest. Not just yet though, as a few more tests are required.

No offence intended to anyone here at LAF, it's a wider audience that has previously troubled me.  :)

There are always a few like the old Harry Enfield character

"You don't want to do it like that, you want to do it like this!"

They put nothing of note forward themselves but can tell you a multitude of ways how you are wrong and how they would have done it better if they had done it (which they didn't)

Don't let the small minority bring you down.
Title: Re: WotR: Supply Run (AAR of skirmish play test)
Post by: Silent Invader on July 04, 2016, 12:02:38 PM
Ah, yes, the Harry Enfield character  lol

Thanks for the encouragement Jon. I suppose I'm a bit less thick-skinned about my hobby than I am the rest of my life, what with it being intended to provide fun and relaxation.
Title: Re: WotR: Supply Run (AAR of skirmish play test)
Post by: affun on July 04, 2016, 01:46:34 PM
I certainly hope that the rules will be available in some form. Consider that a statement of interest, if you will.
But, afterall, the decision is yours to make: It's a hobby, and being stressed out and drained about it is not the way to go.

I've spent most of today thinkering with the basis of ABS to make something I think is more suited to our local tastes, and hopefully also the earlier medieval period we'll be playing (thinking mid-HYW with a good dosis of 'pulp'. I think I need to do some research, though). Will say, though, that I definitely recognize the thoughts put into the base rules, and may just end up sticking with them if my own efforts prove futile. Definitely would if I had a couple hundred bills and bows lying about, but those guys need to be painted first  lol

Very inspiring stuff, both this thread and your site.
Title: Re: WotR: Supply Run (AAR of skirmish play test)
Post by: Captain Blood on July 04, 2016, 04:54:05 PM
Getting a lotta love here, Steve ;)

Needless to say, I am up for a play test whenever you want :)
Title: Re: WotR: Supply Run (AAR of skirmish play test)
Post by: Silent Invader on July 04, 2016, 05:09:50 PM
Thanks Affun!  :)

Getting a lotta love here, Steve ;)

Needless to say, I am up for a play test whenever you want :)

My inner-tart is flattered by the attention  ;)  :)

Game-wise we could test SAG with larger WotR forces. With you having played BABS it'd be interesting to see how it compares for you.
Title: Re: WotR: Supply Run (AAR of skirmish play test)
Post by: tomrommel1 on July 05, 2016, 08:52:21 AM
very nice game figures and board
Title: Re: WotR: Supply Run (AAR of skirmish play test)
Post by: Dr DeAth on July 07, 2016, 09:06:50 AM
Missed this earlier and just caught up - great setup you've got there.  As to the detractors and whiners, sod 'em! It's your hobby so do what you want  :D
Title: Re: WotR: Supply Run (AAR of skirmish play test)
Post by: Silent Invader on July 07, 2016, 09:09:44 AM
Thanks chaps.

Yeah, sod'em  :D