Song Of Drums And Shakos?

[commissarmoody]

Ok I just heard about "Song Of Drums And Shakos"  geting a Origins Award for Best Historical game, and was wondreing if any one here owns a copy or has played a few games of it and would like to shair some of there insight.

[dr.puppenfleisch]

I use Songs of D'n'S for my Japan-1880-Setting for micro-skirmish. The rules are absolutely easy and fast, so that even a 15 years old beginner knows the rules after 5 minutes. The tactical challenge isn't really deep, but the game is neither too simplistic for severel (let's say ten) sessions of gaming.

It is the first time in over 8 years of wargaming that I feel really comfortable with rules. I like gaming with lots of encounter markers and a complex storyline. Therefor it is perfect to me to have rules I do not have to think about. I just can focus 100% on Scenario-Design and umpiring.

But SoDaS isn't really intendet for big storylines with many encounters. Infact, it's more intendet for that classical "missions"-style. Missions are provided in the book. Haven't ever tried them out, but I think they are ok only for three or for sessions. Under competitiv circumstances the system won't be a good choice, due to lack of restraints in the army-composition. So, you would see soon the ever-same perfect combination fielded by each side....

[Pentaro]

I agree. SDS isn't a very deep game but it's fast and fun. It develops the SBH system in a very clever way to include firearms, cavalry charges and different kinds of weapons while keeping it simple. As the Doctor said above, it is written for small "missions" (a night raid, escorting a messenger, etc), not for competition. A problem SDS has is that one of the most important (and fun) parts of the game is "gambling" on how many actions can your men perform in a turn, and choosing the right order of activation. So if you're looking for a game that allows you to deal with the same problems as a napoleonic officer, you'll find SDS too abstract. Otherwise, you'll like it. I would love to see a supplement for the ACW or colonials.

Which Japan setting, Dr. Puppenfleisch?

[commissarmoody]

Ok kool, I have been reading Some  of bernard cornwells novels and would like to give some of the storys a go

[dr.puppenfleisch]

@Pentaro: I'm in the Meiji-era, when the last Samurai and traditionalists are opposed to the arising of modern Japan and its industrialized, imperial army. This setting allows to mix japanese feodal asian-fantastic stuff with all that modern Pulp-Steam-BoB-Stuff... In my little world, Japan has also a big chinese minority with lots of tong-gangstas...

[Pentaro]

So, a little bit of everything

[Plynkes]

Anyone know where you can get this in the UK or Europe? I got Song of Blades and Heroes from Spirit Games, but they don't seem to have this one.

[cheetor]

Anyone know where you can get this in the UK or Europe? I got Song of Blades and Heroes from Spirit Games, but they don't seem to have this one.

All of the games that Ganesha produce are available in PDF direct from the author here.  Print versions are often available but I havent ever bought any so I cant comment.

The owner/author Andrea is a very pleasant guy to deal with.  He also spends a lot of time on the Ganesha Games Yahoo Group answering queries etc.

The Song of Blades and Heroes engine on which all of Ganesha minature games are based is good fun and definitely fills a gaming niche for me.  Recommended.

[Plynkes]

Thanks. I'm actually not a fan of PDFs, but there's a link there to a place where you can buy print copies. So cheers. Appears to be in Italy. The annoying thing is that I have to "join" to buy anything from them. That's a pet hate of mine. It's probably the only thing I'll ever buy from them, why the hell do I have to join anything?!!

Grrr...

Don't mind me, I'll be okay in a minute. Thanks, again.

[6mmfan]

You can buy them from lulu.com

Cheers
kieran

[garyapsledene]

Thanks for all the info, I have also noticed this game rule and did wonder about it.

Maybe worth a tryout.

G

[Plynkes]

By the way, I did get my copy from Lulu (the place I annoyingly had to join just to buy one book). Very nice little book. Much more plush and glossy (proper print job with staples and everything!) than the somewhat tatty ring-bound copy of "Blades and Heroes" that I got from Spirit Games.

Looks like it might be fun for a few little skirmish games, I can see myself using it for things other than Napoleonics, too.