AM(Almost)A - Author of A War Transformed - New Weird WW1 game (Osprey)

[MartinD]

Just about to dive into this thread. I pre-ordered last night, really looking forward to this, something about it has really captured my imagination.

[Steelwraith]

Find your Grandfathers DOB and use that for his Zodiac attribute.

Oh, I like that thought. My headcanon has him getting promoted to being young junior officer, and being transferred to the Doggerland Front, along with other elements of the Canadian Expeditionary Force. Been kicking around the idea of creating a witch by using a WREN or similar female member of the Empire's forces (did WRENs exist back then), and outfit her with bits kit from the Frostgrave Witch sprue. The more I look the more I'm seeing the possibilities of repurposing Frostgrave bestiary creatures for this game. Rangifers anybody?

Are there maps of the Doggerland Front in the book, or is this being left up to the players to create? I'm imagining the old maps I've seen in regimental diaries.

[MartinD]

Are there maps of the Doggerland Front in the book, or is this being left up to the players to create? I'm imagining the old maps I've seen in regimental diaries.

Good point - I hope so. I like a good map, and have missed them in Silver Bayonet etc.

I'm thinking the terrain in this game could be very interesting. A fortified shipwreck decorated with bone totems and occult symbols etc...

[Ultravanillasmurf]

Tank wise, the factions can recruit the tanks which they actually used - so no tanks for the Russians or Americans (I know the US used tanks, particularly French ones, but this is not the US army, it’s volunteer organisations!). That said, each faction can recruit armoured cars, so everyone can access armour.

I am wondering if that would include LK2 for the Germans, Hornets for the British?
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Comparison_of_World_War_I_tanks

My google-fu (more wiki-fu) is failing me on armoured cars beyond the British ones.

[A_War_Transformed]

I am wondering if that would include LK2 for the Germans, Hornets for the British?
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Comparison_of_World_War_I_tanks

My google-fu (more wiki-fu) is failing me on armoured cars beyond the British ones.

Germany did field a handful of armoured cars, mostly of foreign manufacture and predominantly on the Eastern Front. There is a bit of a fudge here - I wanted to give everyone access to armour of some fashion, and the small number of operational German armoured cars gave me the excuse I needed! In my mind, in the hiatus in the fighting caused by the events which brought about the raising of Doggerland Germany invested heavily in armour production. I think this is acceptable for gameplay balancing and because having lots of armoured cars make it to the table is a lot more fun than not! The A7V has always been a popular sight on WW1 tables, despite there being so few in reality and I think the same “rule of cool” principal applies here!

As to those tanks, I’m afraid not - at least not in the main rules. Potentially expansions could bring in some of the prototype designs which either weren’t ready in time or never got off the drawing board.

[Ultravanillasmurf]

At a tangent (not sure it is related) but I saw a reference to US PBS having a programme on Doggerland.
https://blog.adafruit.com/2023/09/02/have-you-heard-of-doggerland/

[Ultravanillasmurf]

Germany did field a handful of armoured cars, mostly of foreign manufacture and predominantly on the Eastern Front.

I was looking for some readily available (i.e. at Colours) armed cars.

I think the same “rule of cool” principal applies here!

Definitely.

As to those tanks, I’m afraid not - at least not in the main rules. Potentially expansions could bring in some of the prototype designs which either weren’t ready in time or never got off the drawing board.

Oh well, there might be some borrowed FTs.

[A_War_Transformed]

I was looking for some readily available (i.e. at Colours) armed cars.

The two names which spring to spring to mind are Erhardt and Daimler. I think 1st corps make an Ehrhardt? They are pretty high and boxy, so they’re quite recognisable!

[Ultravanillasmurf]

The two names which spring to spring to mind are Erhardt and Daimler. I think 1st corps make an Ehrhardt? They are pretty high and boxy, so they’re quite recognisable!

Thanks - yes, but 1/48 which will make them a bit big (I do use 1/48-50 for moderns).

[Metternich]

And the Skull and Crossbones on the helmet and armored vehicles was a post-war Freikorps symbol, so figures so painted can also be used as Freikorps in more historical games (sans red trousers, flower symbols, and blue tunics, of course).

  https://pictures.abebooks.com/isbn/9780764316630-us.jpg

  https://fft-keymilitary.b-cdn.net/sites/militarykey/files/styles/article_body/public/imported/2023-03-06/img_8-8.jpg?itok=vD7ecpms

[A_War_Transformed]

For those who are interested, Osprey have started publishing a series of blogs which I wrote about the game, the first is here -

https://ospreypublishing.com/uk/osprey-blog/2023/a-war-transformed-inspirations/

Follow along with the rest for more info, or ask any other burning questions on here.

There will also be a few short stories set in the game’s universe to help whet the appetite.

[Ultravanillasmurf]

Thanks for the pointer to the blog post. I look forward to reading some more.

Osprey do seem to make it difficult to get to the blog and the X months ahead pages these days.

[SirRoystonPapworth]

Would an Anglian padre work as a ‘witch’?

Just bought into this, but, being British, love the idea of Britain clinging on to the Old Civilisation unlike those who were from overseas - and island mentality, but I feel it would it kinda fits the period. Oh, that Padre in the GWM pack has nothing to do with it… 

[nicknorthstar]

Would an Anglian padre work as a ‘witch’?

Just bought into this, but, being British, love the idea of Britain clinging on to the Old Civilisation unlike those who were from overseas - and island mentality, but I feel it would it kinda fits the period. Oh, that Padre in the GWM pack has nothing to do with it… 

Definitely suitable as a British Witch.

[Snackelwolf]

I'm so excited for this game system. Everything about the setting and theme appeals to me.
I pre-ordered the bundle w/ book, Manifestations, tarot deck and  a full set of German and French minis.


Question: what size Renedra round bases will the standard infantry be put on "officially" per book recommendation? Can someone share that info?
I figure either 20, 25 or 32mm ?
I acquired some UK and Germans in gas masks, and would like to get started on them. But I wish to base them properly and consistently.

Thanks.