Maori Sharp Practice Game AAR

[Rogerc]

Simon Walker came around for a game recently and brought his lovely Maori wars collection for a Sharp Practice, we rolled some of the most bizarre dice I have ever seen, full report and lots of pictures here
https://gapagnw.blogspot.com/2022/11/maori-wars-sharp-practice-aar.html

[fred]

Good looking game. And the most strange set of dice rolls across both players.

We have seen in SP that skirmishers in cover, do tend to rack up casualties over shock, due to a 6 always being a kill, and cover only impacting when shock is caused. But not quite to this level.

I think you also roll the dice differently to us. I think you have the attacker roll to hit, then the defender roll for effect. We play with the attacker making both rolls. Has no direct impact on the game, but your method does give a bit more player interaction.

[SJWi]

 Very nice. Any idea of the manufacturer of the militia? Also, can your mate recommend any background reading material. I too have Maori wars SP forces which are just about to hit the table for the 1st time but more figures are always welcome. Thanks

[Rogerc]

The Settlers were mix of manufacturers, but many were early Boers from the Perrys and some officers from their Kaffir Wars range.

In terms of books I cant really help and Simon is more a friend of a friend so I dont see him much. Happy to ask when I do.

[Grumpy Gnome]

Sounds like it was a highly entertaining game. 👍

[sjwalker51]

SJwi, as mentioned, most of the Constables/militia were a mix of Boers from Perry and Artisan Miniatures with various other armed civilians mixed in.

Reading Matter: “The Colonial New Zealand Wars” (Ryan/Parham) is a good starting point along with “To Face the Daring Maori” (Barthorp). There’s a couple of useful Ospreys for the period as well.

Cowan’s 2-volume “The New Zealand Wars” is comprehensive and has stood the test of time. I think it’s available as a free download online.

“Soldiers, Scouts and Spies” (Simons) is an excellent military history for the period.

My suggestions for rule adaptions and unit/force rosters were included in the TFL 2021 ‘ Xmas Special’ sold on their website. There’s also a very helpful FB group (“wargaming the New Zealand War...”) if you use FB.

Hope that helps

Simon

[MaleGriffin]

Interesting game! Where did you get your dice? 

[Rogerc]

Strangely enough I think they were Simons!

[SJWi]

Simon, thanks for the suggestions. I'll leave the Ryan/Parham book as it is showing as £172 on Amazon.i may finally succumb to "Soldiers, Scouts and Spies". Hadn't thought about Artizan. I reckon some of their Alamo range could pass muster as Eurpoean settlers.

[Rogerc]

You could also try Boot Hills Texians.

[sjwalker51]

I was looking at adding some Boot Hill Texans to the mix (OK, more of an excuse to start a new period!), they’re lovely figures but now holding fire until the change of ownership is completed (now owned by Brigade in the USA) and, hopefully, the exchange rate improves!

[Cinder]

Very nice. Any idea of the manufacturer of the militia? Also, can your mate recommend any background reading material. I too have Maori wars SP forces which are just about to hit the table for the 1st time but more figures are always welcome. Thanks

Sorry for the thread necromancy, but some of you may find this series interesting as an overview of the New Zealand Wars. Hopefully it's not geo-blocked outside of Aoteaora.

https://www.nzonscreen.com/title/the-new-zealand-wars-1998/series


Please bear in mind that this series is quite old and the CG is showing its age. Some of you may find the period water colours and illustrations useful.

Ngā mihi as we say around here.

[Plynkes]

Sorry for the thread necromancy...

Never worry about that if you have something to add. Besides, this topic is only a few weeks old.


The only time when it is not a good idea is replying to a post saying something like 'who makes figures for the such-and-such war', but doing it six years later, when you'd hope the OP has either found them or given up looking. Even then it isn't a cardinal sin, because it gives everybody a good laugh. 

[CapnJim]

Holy Bejeebers!  That took a long and winding route to get to a near-historical finish.  And that was some bizarre die-rolling, to be sure....

For what it's worth, our last 2 WW2 games, using Fistful of Lead: Bigger Battles saw the same thing happen.  A lot of dying with little shock.  A few units died in place...

Lovely-looking game and minis, though.  Well done!

[Rogerc]

Cheers Guys, much fun as well as puzzlement.