tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5368677310334370714.post2838501576481475594..comments2024-03-28T11:52:55.714+00:00Comments on Battlefields and Warriors: Fox Gap 1862 on a smaller gridNormhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05031444717952755557noreply@blogger.comBlogger19125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5368677310334370714.post-17719985466045612292019-04-02T04:12:09.157+00:002019-04-02T04:12:09.157+00:00Hi Mark, thanks for your visit and your unstinting...Hi Mark, thanks for your visit and your unstinting support for the blog at Grognard.com<br /><br />Enjoyed your list, particularly the fact each period is game specific, so that there is a real prospect of becoming very familiar with a single title. <br /><br />I like the games put out by Revolution Games, but had not considered Washington's Crossing, probably because until very recently, I was relying upon GMT's Battles of the American Revolution, so will delve further into that. Cheers Norm.Normhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05031444717952755557noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5368677310334370714.post-22539912372785880882019-04-01T19:23:55.551+00:002019-04-01T19:23:55.551+00:00Norm,
I have been doing exactly the same thing, ...Norm, <br /><br />I have been doing exactly the same thing, paring down my collection. My preference is for "grand operational" or "strategic" level games, however (with a few exceptions).<br /><br />* Ancients = Caesar: Epic Battle of Alesia (Avalon Hill)<br />* American War of Independence = Washington's Crossing (Revolution Games)<br />* Napoleonic = War & Peace (Avalon Hill)<br />* American Civil War = The Civil War: 1861-65 (Victory Games)<br />* WW II = Empire of the Sun (GMT Games)<br />* WW I = The Great War in Europe (GMT Games)<br />* Modern = The Korean War (Victory Games) - My all-time favorite game.<br />* Naval/Modern = Sixth Fleet (Victory Games)<br />* Solitaire = Stalingrad: Inferno on the Volga (VentoNuovo Games) - I'm not a big solitaire game fan either, but this one is keeping my interest.<br /><br />Sorry for the long-winded, unsolicited, list. But I enjoyed your article and wanted to contribute in some way.<br /><br />Rgds,<br />Mark (mark @ grognard.com)Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14357647173143396252noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5368677310334370714.post-11300126318429630102019-03-16T05:20:06.605+00:002019-03-16T05:20:06.605+00:00Thanks Dean, there seems to be an increasing warmi...Thanks Dean, there seems to be an increasing warming towards grids, helped I think by systems such as Commands and Colors boardgame and To the Strongest rules.Normhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05031444717952755557noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5368677310334370714.post-8448816826013879712019-03-15T23:41:15.435+00:002019-03-15T23:41:15.435+00:00Great looking game, Norm. I've not played enou...Great looking game, Norm. I've not played enough hex based games, and yours certainly makes me want to try more.DeanMhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07724268555970663130noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5368677310334370714.post-77758689863836141372019-03-13T09:16:15.621+00:002019-03-13T09:16:15.621+00:00Thanks Lee, it is surprising how even on such a sm...Thanks Lee, it is surprising how even on such a small battlefield, there is still a sense of flanks, with something different going on with each flank at the same time. In boardgame terms, you could shrink a 6 x 7 grid down to postcard size with half inch counters, incredible really.Normhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05031444717952755557noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5368677310334370714.post-71619642933785699412019-03-13T08:26:19.826+00:002019-03-13T08:26:19.826+00:00Another enjoyable read Norm, I never fail to be im...Another enjoyable read Norm, I never fail to be impressed by how much challenging wargaming you manage to fit into such a small space.'Lee.https://www.blogger.com/profile/02728400013024811279noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5368677310334370714.post-51249985182779087732019-03-13T06:41:09.693+00:002019-03-13T06:41:09.693+00:00Thanks Ed, the scenario gives a relatively short b...Thanks Ed, the scenario gives a relatively short but immersive game. I think the Union comes so close, that it drives interest to replay to crack the scenario.<br /><br />Thanks for the heads up re your grid play, will be checking that.<br /><br />I am not sure how to set up a contact button here, but I have a contact page over on my sister webspace, COMMANDERS, link here;<br /><br />https://commanders.simdif.com/<br /><br />(something else I can't do ....get a live link in comments! :-) )Normhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05031444717952755557noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5368677310334370714.post-82060729353956874342019-03-12T23:58:34.398+00:002019-03-12T23:58:34.398+00:00Most interesting to see your report and Jonathan&#...Most interesting to see your report and Jonathan's: how often does that happen? Seems at first glance to not be much of a game: storming uphill into reinforced positions during the ACW. But the game reports indicate sufficient tension to warrant replay, which is a testament to the scenario and rules. In other news, I searched for an email, but couldn't scare one up, so I'll go off topic just for a bit to let you know that my miniatures on a grid system, Baroque Battles, has (finally) been posted. You had dropped a comment showing interest. Ed Mhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11486985414917229516noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5368677310334370714.post-86371529210729102372019-03-11T18:57:21.651+00:002019-03-11T18:57:21.651+00:00Thanks Stew, the scenario design is all Jonathan’s...Thanks Stew, the scenario design is all Jonathan’s work, I just managed to crash it with my usual cack-handed dice rolling :-)<br /><br />The situation has a lot going for it, not least perhaps is to make it a benchmark scenario for trying out other rules, as it is a small and tight episode.Normhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05031444717952755557noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5368677310334370714.post-56336584271652803732019-03-11T18:25:39.598+00:002019-03-11T18:25:39.598+00:00As Jonathan shows, repeated playing leads to impro...As Jonathan shows, repeated playing leads to improving tactics which the feds sorely need in this scenario: with equal strength and the defense fortified. That and some good die rolling in the beginning. Otherwise set backs become very hard to overcome bc the attack stalls. In your replay the poor feds certainly had some poor luck. <br />Still, I think this scenario has some great legs and good replay value. You did a great job designing it. 😀Stewhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00340930167419307092noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5368677310334370714.post-68067811251959618172019-03-10T22:35:19.115+00:002019-03-10T22:35:19.115+00:00Thanks Mike, inherent within the scenario is the f...Thanks Mike, inherent within the scenario is the fact that the two forces are similar in size (Brigade v Brigade) and that the Confederates enjoy a strong defensive position in which the cover (the wall) does reduce non-artillery fire, so the Union have their work cut out to start with.<br /><br />Add to that the fact that the forces at hand are relatively small, therefore brittle, so it doesn't take a great deal of adversity, before the casualty rate effectively removes offensive capability away from the units and without reserves, the kind of dice rolling seen in my game was enough to stall the attack. Once a unit reaches 3 - 4 heavy casualties, it will start having problems and be vulnerable.<br /><br />As for tactics, I think in Jonathan's most recent game, his move to outflank / unhinge Bondurrant's artillery via the right, while the Union artillery bombards the ridge during turns 1 - 2, is an improvement in the tactics used so far. It clears the way for an early infantry assault up the ridge ... aimed at the raw troops on the confederate right wing.Normhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05031444717952755557noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5368677310334370714.post-54508562515906418012019-03-10T21:51:22.961+00:002019-03-10T21:51:22.961+00:00Very nice game and table Norm. Comparing notes to ...Very nice game and table Norm. Comparing notes to Joanathan’s two games, would you say that the Fed’s failure boil down to wrong tactics or to plain old bad luck with all those bad rolls?Mike Vellahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01220933613292414697noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5368677310334370714.post-14935915544552583892019-03-09T20:07:43.809+00:002019-03-09T20:07:43.809+00:00As you know I've tried BKCII on a 2' x 2&#...As you know I've tried BKCII on a 2' x 2' table, which does give very different challenges to my normal 4' x 4'. I'm currently making a 2' x 2' board for 'The Portable Wargame', but will use it with other skirmish games and maybe even bigger games, such as a Brigade level BP. Not sure how it will work out, but will be fun trying.Steve J.https://www.blogger.com/profile/12143308117853983963noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5368677310334370714.post-61819111235842862682019-03-09T18:59:36.544+00:002019-03-09T18:59:36.544+00:00Thanks Steve, This was in the region of the 2'...Thanks Steve, This was in the region of the 2' x 2'board that you have been tinkering with recently and was definitely action packed. Because the forces are small and combined arms are on the table, I am tempted to push the situation out to other rule-sets, just for comparative purposes.Normhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05031444717952755557noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5368677310334370714.post-29598595971240124442019-03-09T17:57:40.378+00:002019-03-09T17:57:40.378+00:00Great to see your game compared with Jonathan'...Great to see your game compared with Jonathan's. Both certainly full of action and lovely looking terrain. Nice to see the scenario plays out well on a small board, which appeals to me:).Steve J.https://www.blogger.com/profile/12143308117853983963noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5368677310334370714.post-13201734342376254562019-03-09T16:34:49.295+00:002019-03-09T16:34:49.295+00:00Thanks Iain, totally agree, the player still gets ...Thanks Iain, totally agree, the player still gets a good game, but would count themselves lucky to prosecute a win, it is just fun trying :-). I think the burden of doing that falls to successful Union artillery fire in the opening moves of the game.<br /><br />A ridge with a wall must be a tough old thing to face in reality.Normhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05031444717952755557noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5368677310334370714.post-68459291372311556822019-03-09T16:31:10.331+00:002019-03-09T16:31:10.331+00:00Thanks Jonathan, No, Out of Command are free to mo...Thanks Jonathan, No, Out of Command are free to move as you describe, in my turn 1, when the Union Movement Phase occurred, the artillery and the cavalry were still in place (the cav would only flee in the Confederate part of the turn when their artillery fired) so they were in the way and the right could not move closer to their leader. <br /><br />Yes, that was a lot of 1's rolled, more than I have seen before in a game in single attacks, but of course that is just the way it goes and it does encourage me to think that on a 'better day', the Confederates may find themselves under greater pressure, especially in the sector covered by raw troops. Look forward to your plan working :-)Normhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05031444717952755557noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5368677310334370714.post-78071758537830592602019-03-09T15:28:57.539+00:002019-03-09T15:28:57.539+00:00Interesting variation on Jonathan's game, simi...Interesting variation on Jonathan's game, similar result, I said on Jonathan's game that I thought it was quite a tough call for the Union player,I still think it is albeit they would always think they're in it!<br />Best Iaincaveadsum1471https://www.blogger.com/profile/02174163740406928172noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5368677310334370714.post-87995111578808072262019-03-09T15:16:37.175+00:002019-03-09T15:16:37.175+00:00Norm! The Federals really experienced a lot of lo...Norm! The Federals really experienced a lot of low probability results. Throwing all of those 1's in Close Combat coupled with heavy casualties from Confederate fire were too much to handle.<br /><br />I am about ready to replay the scenario as well. We will see if the Federals can muster a win. I have a plan...<br /><br />I have a question regarding your first turn in which the Federal right (out of command) remains stationary. Must out of command units remain stationary? The version of the rules I have states units out of command "cannot voluntarily move in a direction that would take them further away from their own commander." I interpret that statement as they can move as long as the distance from their commander does not increase.<br /><br />You game layout looks superb! Jonathan Freitaghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07862373894196924886noreply@blogger.com