Markers in your games

[OldenBUA]

We didn't have a poll for some time, and I'm curious.

Besides, I'm doing a little market research for Leon here 

In many games you need to know the status of a unit/model. What (if anything) do you use to mark casualties, ammo limits, morale etc?

[Arsenus]

Most of the time, I used anything but sometimes I used markers from the game I'm playing!^^

[republic of tolworth]

Ah-ha a trick question

What I use and what I would like to use are two different things.

I do use some figures, but dice or plastic counters get used. And scapes of paper

[Lord Kermit of Birkenhead]

Got some proper ones - ie Charge, Impettuos, rout etc for 6th Ancients, use dice for Warmaster/BKC/CWC/FWC, made some triangles for Black Powder, as can then use em with several scales.

In Battlegroup or similar 1-1 tank games made shed loads of burning tank markers, and I have made even more bunkers and trenches also minefields.

Smoke type markers might be useful, but i suspect trenches are more of an individual taste, depends on base size......


IanS

[DaveH]

Usually whatever I have that is available, but I do like systems where you can use figures as a marker to improve the look of a game - Fire & Fury is an example.

[lentulus]

Dice and "bingo markers" -- roughly 1/2"  translucent plastic disks in various colors.

[Hertsblue]

You don't say what kind of markers. I never use casualty markers - I don't play a set of rules that need 'em. Point-of-aim markers are plastic counters that can be marked with a spirit pen. Barrage area markers, burning vehicle markers etc are aquarium floss usually with a splash of red and yellow flame. Dice also get used when there's nothing better to hand.

[kustenjaeger]

Greetings

BKC - different coloured mini-dice for hits and suppression; black smoke for vehicle kills; model emplacements where possible for dug in; square or circular acetate for artillery
SYW - in process of building forces and have bought AWI casualties to use.
IABSM - specially designed clear markers from Litko for different states and coloured dice for kills/shock/wounds on a section

Regards

Edward

[Duke Speedy of Leighton]

It depends which rules I am using, erm...
Wine gums for rerolls for my Bloodbowl rerolls, terrain matched casulty markers for 10mm Black Powder, Homemade-double-sided-laminated status markers for Volley & Bayonet, custom designed markers for ship status for space games, hole reinforcements double backed for shaken markers and purpose made terrain type markers in POW, tiddly-winks or the like for various others, FOW own for FOW etc...

Now I'll be routinely laughed at...

[Squirrel]

As others have said, it depends on the rules, but the important thing for me is to keep them small and unobtrusive. I want to see them when I'm looking for them, not have them dominate the table.

Cheers,

Kev

[nikharwood]

As others have said, it depends on the rules, but the important thing for me is to keep them small and unobtrusive. I want to see them when I'm looking for them, not have them dominate the table.

Cheers,

Kev

Absolutely - same for me Kev

[OldenBUA]

Ah-ha a trick question

What I use and what I would like to use are two different things.

OK, let's make the question "What would you LIKE to use as markers in your games" You can vote again, if you want!

You don't say what kind of markers.

The markers that people use will depend on the game that is being played. And since there are so many game systems, I only gave some samples.

Wine gums for rerolls

At least these are easily disposed of. 

As others have said, it depends on the rules, but the important thing for me is to keep them small and unobtrusive. I want to see them when I'm looking for them, not have them dominate the table.

Category II there then: Markers that blend in.

So far the trend seems to be Category I: 'Anything goes'. Maybe for most people it will also depend on the rest of the layout? If you have beautifully sculpted and modelled terrain, you don't want dice and tiddlywinks lying about? If you have pieces of felt and so on, it's less important?

[Leman]

In FPW the casualty figures and dead horses as made by Pendraken. Magister Militum do some nice wrecked guns and limbers in their ACW range. Cotton wool smoke is also very useful. In SYW Pendraken AWI casualties and Irregular C18th casualties.
DP

[Le Manchou]

For me, markers for the rules 1870:
It would be a white thick square for orders with an arrow for advance, a CH for charge, an R for reorganize
status markers: a disorder marker (yellow triangle), a routing marker (Red triangle)
losses markers: 1, 2, 3, 4 losses markers (circular).
In wood would be the best but plastic would work fine too.

[DanJ]

In WMA I use mini dice for casualties and cotton wool for confusion.  There is something very satisfying about dropping a wad of cooton wool on top of an opponent's unit.

For WW1 I use coloured counters as there are a number of different things to keep track of.

[Luddite]

There's a market here Leon.   

[Leon]

There's a market here Leon.   

Yep. there certainly is!  As soon as I get some coloured acrylic and some time to do the designs...

[OldenBUA]

Thanks for all reactions.

With nearly 70% of the voters happy to use all kinds of bits, I'm not so sure there really is a market for dedicated markers. But to each his own, I guess. And ofcourse, it also depends on the rules that you use. For now, I'll stick with my tiny dice and other bits for BKC.

[Luddite]

I'm not so sure there really is a market for dedicated markers. But to each his own, I guess.

If they're right for the game i'm playing i'll certainly buy them.  Nice, small, muted, discreet.  anything that keeps the 'clutter' to a minimum is a good thing in my opinion.  Dedicated measuring tools is also something i'd buy.  chap at the club's got a really neat little custom-made tool for Field of Glory measuring.  Very nice.

[OldenBUA]

If they're right for the game i'm playing i'll certainly buy them. 

I think that's the basic problem with this, so many rules, so many different markers needed.

But yes, there is a market for this kind of stuff. Not only markers, but tools as well. I remember my trusty DBM measuring stick that had all the different moves of the various troop types printed on it.