Adding Characters to Wargames

[Easy E]

In addition to wargaming, I also play Role-Playing Games (RPGs) and board games.  One of the most interesting aspects of RPGs is how individual characters can interact with the game world to achieve their objectives.  This at a high-level is not much different from war games, and in fact RPGs are a "modern" off shoot of wargaming.  The roots of RPG is in wargaming.

Of course, in an RPG two mechanically identical characters can end up being completely different characters.  This differentiation is done via the "role" part of Role-Playing Games.  There are a variety of tricks and characterizations decent role-players can bring to a character to make each one feel incredibly different.  However, most RPGs also use mechanics to help shape different roles or archetypes that players can fulfill, such as the bard, barbarian, thief, and wizard archetypes. 

In wargaming, there is very limited "Role-Playing" elements.  However, as designers, you still want to capture the idea that individual models or units are "unique".  Typically, gamers do not want to play a number of faceless, joyless, boring, goons all the time.  No instead they want to play the 14th Uhlans, the Iron Brigade, Astro-dog, the Joy Hill Gang, etc.  Thankfully, as designers there are a few ways to add this level of "character" to your games. 

You can read the rest of the post at the blog! 
https://bloodandspectacles.blogspot.com/2021/08/wargame-design-creating-character-in.html



How do you think it should be done?

[tereydavi]

Really good post!

When I made Fear of the Dark I had in mind that It had to be RPG lite. For me It was east as It was a skirmish wargame with just a few miniatures per side.

The character creation gives enough freedom to make every character in your warband different from each other, and the idea of developing the character through experience points has to be present.

I think It is not possible to include RPG elements in a Wargame where you handle 100 miniatures, as the Focus is on units, not individuals.

And once you choose to play skirmish Wargames you hace to play a Game that has a story underlying every scenario, not just a  "kill'em all".

I likes your post, and Will read your blog.
Thanks a lot for such an interesting post!

[SteveBurt]

I like the way Donnybrook handles characters. Rank and file are not distinguished, but characters lead units and can operate independently and add a lot of flavour to the game. So you can have 100 figures a side but still get the RPG effect of individuals