Plastic Army Men go to war!! Pic heavy

[Trooper]

So I wanted to get my 14 year old grandson more interested in wargaming. I had made some terrain for him to play with his Megabloks Halo figures which he enjoys, but I thought I could do better than that. Also I could have something for him to enjoy when he came to visit, rather than just sitting playing with his iphone. I bought a handful of Plastic Army Men (no point putting my collection at risk just yet), and laid out a small terrain from my stores and we had a terrific little game, and he got it, the concept and the bug that is. So I decided to extend it, and purchased more of these little fellas from E Bay at minimal cost, I had some vehicles, car boot sale purchases that had been lying around gathering dust. I then thought I'd go further and give 'em all a lick of paint, nothing fancy just a clean basic job. They really looked great, well I thought so, and so did he. I went with the traditional colours of Tan and Green, and formed the armies of Tansylvania and Greenland, who have now embarked on a fresh campaign as part of their never ending war. I devised a simplistic set of rules, aimed at a beginner, just movement rates and uncomplicated firing rules, morale is very basic, if a unit leader dies then the unit retreats until it can come under another command. As basic as these are they do give a very fast and fluid game. He soon picked up tactics and is becoming quite skilled in fire and manouver techniques.

So I thought I would share this with you. If you have kids this is proving a great way to get them into wargaming, and trust me it is very enjoyable for a jaded wargamer too. Nothing wrong with a  return to our roots sometimes.

Pictures:-

[v_lazy_dragon]

That looks like a really fun game! I'm suprised that he hasn't atleast dabbled in 40k by the age of 14 - most lads I knew at school had tried it and given it up by 14-16...

[pocoloco]

Looks to have been a great game! Good looking terrain and minis, no wonder he got the bug. Good work

[Trooper]

That looks like a really fun game! I'm suprised that he hasn't atleast dabbled in 40k by the age of 14 - most lads I knew at school had tried it and given it up by 14-16...

Funnily enough he hasn't been exposed to 40K, and now I can keep it the way. Although no doubt if he expressed an interest in it I would indulge him.

[northtroll]

Wow! I wish I had a grandpa as cool as you! What a wonderful way to have fun. Now I need to do the same with my kids!

[Jaeger]

What? Greenland is a protectorate of Denmark. We demand staisfaction! 

Great looking game and very impressive scenary.

[commissarmoody]

Great idea!

[Emir of Askaristan]

Tansylvania and Grrenland!

Love it!

[Trooper]

Thanks for your kind words chaps. The war between Tansylvania and the Republic of Greenland will no doubt continue, with much derring do and bloody battles.

[Dr. The Viking]

That looks fantastic!!! 

[Ramshackle_Curtis]

Looks great, please post the rules!

[Cubs]

Absolutely brilliant. How did you make the banana palm trees?

[AlyMorrison]

This is great stuff Trooper... sooooo tempting ...
And I do have a bag of Army men .... nooooooooooo

you should have a look in the pound shop and similar outlets ,that's where I got mine.

All the best  Aly

[Bergil]

Good idea.

[Golgotha]

Gosh with a set up like that I want to go to war - amazing how good simple old fashioned plastic toy soldiers can look with a bit of tlc - very well done, particularly love the vehicles and terrain - wish I was your grandson.