1870

[Jim Ando]

Hi

Has anyone used 1870 to game the FPW.

I`ve read a few reviews and they are mixed.

Some say very simple whilst others say unplayable.

Cheers

Jim

[Leman]

Yes it is playable but the scenarios are enormous as every battalion is represented. However the OBs, scenario info and general info about the war, weapons,  tactics and so on makes the rules worth having. A much more playable set is Chris Pringle's Bloody Big Battles which include 9 FPW scenarios, most of which fit on a 6'x4'.

[cameronian]

I tried but I gave up; having said that the book is well worth buying for the excellent information and scenario maps.

[Leman]

RE Cameronian, that would be 1870 and not BBB.

[cameronian]

Indeedy.

[Le Manchou]

It's the rules I use. Easy and very realistic, even better with the new QRS you can download online.

[Dave Fielder]

I played them once but may have not quite understood the mechanisms, it needed Bruce himself to guide me but he lives Stateside. That said I've got all his rule books (1859, 1864 and 1870) as they are the starting point for all wargamers in this period, so much information in one place they are invaluable. The scenarios are large but can be massaged to fit any set of rules (e.g. Volley and Bayonet).

[Leman]

One of the more confusing aspects of the rules is 'continuing orders.' Never able to get my head round that one. I played about a dozen games of 1870, two games of 1859 and no games from 1866. The 1866 maps in Wargaming in History 8 are much more wargamer friendly. Having said that the three rulebooks are crammed with an enormous amount of additional information.

[holdfast]

Ref maps, we build each battle board using modular terrain, with pieces 20 inches square, 10 inches square or 20 by 10. We walk the battlefield wherever we can and decide what are the key terrain features which need to be included. Not ever terrain feature is significant. You have to think what use was made of it. Some features, like the Pheasantry at Skalitz are absolutely key at the time, whereas in an earlier period that feature might not have been as significant. So context is everything, but you definitely do not have to reproduce every pimple. 

[Dave Fielder]

Bruce is planning an 1871 version of the rules, which is a much streamlined version of all three set. Play tested by millions in the Solar system apparently; I'll be trying them 12 Sept 2015 at Colours on one of Bruce's lovely 6mm tables.

[Leman]

I may try and get to that myself. If he is streamlining the system then I may well give them another look, but I think Chris Pringle may have stolen a march there.

[Steve J]

The 1871 streamlined rules look much easier to play. Hopefully Dave and I will be getting some games in in advance of Colours and so can comment on how they play.

[Dave Fielder]

There is a really good spread of rules ... V&B, Black Powder, BBB, 1859/66/70/71 to name a few ... we are spoilt for choice

[Leman]

It has certainly improved since the 80s, and to be fair Les Gens Braves and They Died for Glory also give simple, but enjoyable FPW games. Just ignore the rubbish basing systems, and give the Prussians more bases per unit. It worked well for me for a decade.