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Author Topic: Choosing a scale and rules for Napoleonics  (Read 1947 times)

Offline Norm

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Choosing a scale and rules for Napoleonics
« on: January 27, 2023, 01:47:23 PM »
I am hoping that 2023 is the year that some Napoleonic gaming will grace the figures table, with two ‘Pocket Armies’ being built.

However, in the lead / plastic mountain, I have acquired enough figures to do the project in 13.5mm, 20mm and 28mm - of course, only one can progress.

I have posted some thoughts about this over on the blog.

LINK

http://battlefieldswarriors.blogspot.com/2023/01/choosing-napoleonic-pocket-armies-and.html

Offline Admiral Hawke

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Re: Choosing a scale and rules for Napoleonics
« Reply #1 on: January 28, 2023, 10:56:43 PM »
I think if I were to start Napoleonics again I would go for the wonderful 18mm figures by Tony Barton.

- I love the 28mm figures from Victrix and Perry which got me into the hobby in the first place, but they take up a lot of space and I just don't have that big a house or table. It's hard to get much room for manoeuvre on a household-size table.
- I wouldn't choose a non-standard scale like 13.5mm because you are then dependent on a single manufacturer to bring out the figures that you want (though 3D printing is gradually fixing that).

Good luck with your quandary.  ;)

Offline Cat

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Re: Choosing a scale and rules for Napoleonics
« Reply #2 on: January 28, 2023, 11:33:28 PM »
Interesting dilemma.  If you're not completely partial to metal figures, 20mm has the advantage of also being compatible with 1/72 plastics and a huge array of options for building pocket armies.
 
I'm rather bitter that Warlord didn't go with actual 15s, a scale long abandoned by the industry.  Grumble, grumble.
 
Bonne chance!

Offline SJWi

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Re: Choosing a scale and rules for Napoleonics
« Reply #3 on: January 29, 2023, 05:46:04 AM »
Norm, apart from the comment about AB I agree with Norm. By the way AB are lovely, but at 80p per figure a tad expensive.  I have 28mm Front Rank but haven't used them for many years because my 6 x 4' table at home just isn't big enough. I would settle on the rules first as these often dictate unit sizes and then see which fits your personal gaming circumstances.  If I was starting from scratch I would go 10 or 15mm . The Warlord "13.5mm" looks attractive but I just don't like how they have made their product totally incompatible with anyone else's.     

Offline vodkafan

  • Scatterbrained Genius
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Re: Choosing a scale and rules for Napoleonics
« Reply #4 on: January 29, 2023, 12:00:40 PM »
28mm all the way Norm! There you go decision made  lol
I am going to build a wargames army, a big beautiful wargames army, and Mexico is going to pay for it.

2019 Painting Challenge :
figures bought: 500+
figures painted: 57
9 vehicles painted
4 terrain pieces scratchbuilt

Offline fastolfrus

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Re: Choosing a scale and rules for Napoleonics
« Reply #5 on: January 29, 2023, 12:09:02 PM »
might also be worth looking for a specific campaign that you like the look of?

Personally I prefer either the North American War of 1812 (cheaper for not needing cavalry) or Napoleon's campaign in Egypt (more exotic uniform and unit choices).

The campaign might dictate figure scale.
Gary, Glynis, and Alasdair (there are three of us, but we are too mean to have more than one login)

Offline Warboss Nick

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Re: Choosing a scale and rules for Napoleonics
« Reply #6 on: January 29, 2023, 12:53:40 PM »
Interesting approach, a lot of effort just to decide. I‘m curious to hear how you fare.

My local gaming group went for 28mm. It’s just so visually pleasing. It needs a lot of space for gaming though.

Offline Mindenbrush

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Re: Choosing a scale and rules for Napoleonics
« Reply #7 on: January 29, 2023, 01:04:27 PM »
AB 18mm.

I, along with 3 others, have just started building Napoleonic armies after a game of Generaral D’Armee and are using AB figures.

As we are in Canada there is no local supplier so we ordered directly from AB figures for a number of reasons:
If you place a large enough order using PayPal you get a discount.
Tracked postage is only 25 AUD World wide and takes about 2 weeks.
They are never out of stock.
Wargamers do it on a table.
YNWA - It is not a badge, it is a family crest
Montreal Historical Wargaming Club

Offline jon_1066

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Re: Choosing a scale and rules for Napoleonics
« Reply #8 on: January 29, 2023, 03:05:30 PM »
I’d go with the epic because it looks more like a battlefield than an extended brawl on a football pitch.

It’s all down to personal preference though so whatever works best for you

Offline fred

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    • Miniature Gaming
Re: Choosing a scale and rules for Napoleonics
« Reply #9 on: January 29, 2023, 04:05:17 PM »
I’d consider what terrain you already have that can be used. Having to get trees and hedges and walls in another scale is a cost and storage issue. Buildings you perhaps need to get for period specificity - but there is wide overlap in usage of European buildings so existing ones are very likely to get used.

From the 3 sets of figures you have shown, I’d go with the 20mm ones. Whilst I’d normally go for 10mm figures, the Warlord epic figures don’t do a lot for me. 28mm for mass battle is just too big, and too much painting for me

Rules wise, I’d be less worried about picking a set, rules take up very little storage space. Whilst focusing on a rule set very much helps with playability, having a ruleset or two in reserve is very little bookshelf space

Offline wrgmr1

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Re: Choosing a scale and rules for Napoleonics
« Reply #10 on: February 14, 2023, 07:50:19 PM »
Our group has 28mm and 15mm Napolelonics. We use Shako II rules for both scales. I good solid rule set. 

Offline frank xerox

  • Scientist
  • Posts: 403
Re: Choosing a scale and rules for Napoleonics
« Reply #11 on: February 14, 2023, 11:14:15 PM »
I’m too heavily into 15s but if I was doing it again I’d go for 10mm. Mass effect and more paint friendly. With Soldiers of Napoleon for rules

Offline vtsaogames

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Re: Choosing a scale and rules for Napoleonics
« Reply #12 on: February 17, 2023, 03:24:28 PM »
I've got lots of 15s. 10mm beckoned but my crew said might as well use counters. One used to sell 54s but we are not going there.

I have about 150 10mm ACW Union soldiers. Orphans.
And the glorious general led the advance
With a glorious swish of his sword and his lance
And a glorious clank of his tin-plated pants. - Dr. Seuss


My blog: http://corlearshookfencibles.blogspot.com/

Offline frank xerox

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Re: Choosing a scale and rules for Napoleonics
« Reply #13 on: February 18, 2023, 12:00:09 PM »
Shame, I went 10mil for ancients and SYW and they look great. And there’s the positive reinforcement of getting a unit painted in a couple of sessions

Offline Khusru2

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    • Travels with Khusru
Re: Choosing a scale and rules for Napoleonics
« Reply #14 on: February 18, 2023, 11:26:33 PM »
If you haven't decided yet, choose 6mm! Good, honest manufacturers.

 

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