Gunboats in the Congo rules?

[JBaumal]

Hi Folks, I haven't yet seen these rules yet so was hoping the hive could tell me if there are any rules for water borne craft like dhow's, gunboats, steamers, row boats, canoes, etc.? There seems to be a huge hype over these rules, though I'm a huge The Sword And The Flame rules fan so we use The Sword in Africa, I'd like to give these a ago and would like to use my vessels in a game. Any assistance would be most appreciated.
Cheers,
JB

[Black Burt]

There are no rules for boats in the Congo rules. I have a river steamer that would fit the period nicely so would also like some rules to cover it.

[gorillacrab]

When you ask about Congo in comparison to rules such as Sword and Flame, it must be emphasized that Congo is an entirely different kind of game played at a much smaller skirmish scale. Units in Congo only feature 3-6 models, and a whole side will typically have around 20 figures. So while there may be photographs of steamers in some games, these are basically there for theme or atmosphere. Plus, there is no place for artillery or early machine-gun weapons.
Congo does not give you a traditional big-battle wargame but does provide an excellent tense-skirmish experience thanks to its clever card-activation system that forces players to think ahead. It's scale is also best 1 vs 1 or sometimes 2 vs 2 but not for large multiplayer club games.

[tin shed gamer]

While you raise some interesting points on the style of game you get from this rule system.
I have to admit its no longer on my wish list,Simply because of what I've read here. At no point did occur to me that a game system set in the Congo wouldn't cover actually traveling on the Congo.For me the name conjures up scenarios of steamy jungle and Mysterious arrows hitting your slow moving canoe on muddy brown rivers and growing paranoid glances searching for invisible foes on the riverbanks .Not wishing to contradict you but that's not the sort of scenario that would call for many figures.and would work just as well with a paddle steamer having to hug the river bank to avoid sand bars and provoking attacks while trying to find deeper water.
Have I read the rules no but following threads on the forum is what had me adding it to my wish list.Ill still look at such threads and find some inspiration.
But I think I'll look to play my possibly naive and fancy full notions of a Congo expedition.with something like Pulp Alley.
Mark.

[JBaumal]

gorillacrab, thank you for your rapid reply. As stated I've not seen the rules yet. I hadn't realised the game scale was that small. It sounds as if boats would be limited to terrain or objectives. I guess I will stick with TSATF & TSIA.

Cheers,
JB

[Stepman3]

Is there a mechanism that can be used to include a few horse/mule/elephant mounted figures...

[Hobbyone]

Hello,
During our research over the period. We found information that explained that the columns do not use animals because they do not survive in its lands, climate, flies .... that's why they used a lot of carriers. It seems unlikely that they use elephants ...
After that, nothing prevents you from putting an adventurer on a donkey or replace carriers by mules ... They advance to the speed of a human.

Fred

[axabrax]

Do the rules include a gunboat scenario and rules for them? No. I don't see any reason why that would stop you from creating your own scenario and building on  the existing mechanics.  I don't think it would be terribly difficult...

[Hobbyone]

When working on the adventures, just keep in mind that the greatest number of people can play. So we try to use elements that everyone can own. Making adventures with specific elements, like a steamboat, would permit has very few people to play. This is not what we want. But, as if saying it, I encourage you to create your adventures and send them if you want us to share with the greatest number of people ...

fred

[gorillacrab]

On the issue of rivers and scenarios, there is one of the 8 original missions that does feature a river, but features a column moving beside/along it, not on a steamer.
One brief point as to the merits of the game, while it isn't a large "traditional" wargame (ie uses lots of figures) like MWBBK, it offers a different but very engrossing game experience that is very rewarding. Particularly for people who already have Pulp or Colonial figures in their collection, trying or buying the rules offers a fun new way to experience your collection. I've hosted five 1 vs 1 games and everyone has really enjoyed it.

[Wolf Girl]

... I think I'll look to play my possibly naive and fancy full notions of a Congo expedition.with something like Pulp Alley.

Yes! Now that's something I'd love to see.

We have been using the Pulp Alley watercraft rules quite a bit recently, playtesting the Lemuria campaign. Lots of fun. 

[Sir Rodney Ffing]

... I think I'll look to play my possibly naive and fancy full notions of a Congo expedition.with something like Pulp Alley.

Yes! Now that's something I'd love to see.

I have grand plans to combine Congo on-table mechanics with the Dark Continent RPG to include map movement and random encounters. The aim would be to chart the progress of an expedition from leaving Zanzibar as it heads towards the interior.  As usual for me, having an idea and translating it into something practical are two different things 

[Michi]

For me the name conjures up scenarios of steamy jungle and Mysterious arrows hitting your slow moving canoe on muddy brown rivers and growing paranoid glances searching for invisible foes on the riverbanks .

That is totally valid Mark. I guess "Congo" has several meanings to different people. To me it was the initial idea of a free trade zone like envisioned by the Belgian King Leopold II. or the Congo Conference in Berlin when I read what the game was about. Of course moved off from the European palaces to the real place in the jungle to meet high adventure. They even said then that the Congo river was without value for trade by ship due to the falls and suggested a railway instead or preference of Owambo river.

[tin shed gamer]

I've absolutely no knowledge of the area my limited experience of Africa is in Kenya and that equates to its bloody hard ground to land on ,that and something  illegitimate to dig. And objecting to being somewhere where its too hot in the day and cold on a night and everything is wants to eat you or lay eggs in you. If you lay still to long.
That a side it's my own fault for trying to run before I can walk ,As I'd started building some unusual river craft to go up river in.Before I'd even read the rules.Simply because of all those black and white films that use to be on the telly when I a kid which coloured my preconceived notions of what my African gaming would be (even though I've been there several time and never equated my experiences with the romantic notions of damp Sunday afternoon childhood telly)
But for gaming I rather prefer the fiction to the facts so I'll be heading Pulpwards with my African notions.
Mark.

[Poiter50]

I wonder if Breechloaders and Boilers from TVAG would suit?