Write your own?

[fsn]

Nicely put Mr Nirnman.

I wonder if the multiplicity of rules will be a savior or a death blow to wargaming? On the one hand if you look at computer games, there are many, many of them and people like their own flavours. On the other hand, if you sweat blood and teeth (then I would advise seeking medical advice) creating a C16 Polish army using the strict requirements of "On the Road from Warsaw" and then can't get a game because everyone else uses "The Bloody Road to Warsaw" so you have too many hussars and anyway they're based all wrong, then I would suggest that a certain amount of disappointment will ensue.

Wouldn't it be nice is rule writers could standardise somewhat? E.g. if there was agreement on base sizes then so much would fall neatly into pace. If "Going through Warsaw on a Road" uses 12 figure battalions, then the only thing that someone who has created an army using "Where to stay in Warsaw" (which of course uses 36 figure bttns) is to get some extra command units.

But don't get me started on the ridiculousness of base sizing!

[Fenton]

As an ex reenactor and part time longbow shooter, I usually shot about a 45-50lb draw mostly due health and safety requirements, and could probably get the shaft out to about 100-150 yards with out much difficulty...accuracy would be a bit pants though

Also after being at Hastings a couple of times, even 20 horses trotting/cantering up the hill is enough to make the ground start shaking. So I am sure for inexperienced troops facing massed cavalry coming at them would be more than a little off putting

[General Greenman]

Again these are the subtle factors that I think get missed in rules. I was recently invited.to take.part in an ACW re-enacters training weekend and became.aware of the actual difficulties of co-ordinating a drill instruction with a whole mix of.abilities the role of the corporals and sergeants was invaluable.
Musket firing by rank clearly was a hazardous affair when the second rank fired over your shoulder !!! Hence I suspect that close order was far more open in reality than rules suggest.
The affixing of bayonet would also make tthings interesting for the front rank as they have the experience of their ears being cleared by a two and a half foot steel cotton bud with a loud bang !!!

[Fenton]

Again these are the subtle factors that I think get missed in rules. I was recently invited.to take.part in an ACW re-enacters training weekend and became.aware of the actual difficulties of co-ordinating a drill instruction with a whole mix of.abilities the role of the corporals and sergeants was invaluable.
Musket firing by rank clearly was a hazardous affair when the second rank fired over your shoulder !!! Hence I suspect that close order was far more open in reality than rules suggest.
The affixing of bayonet would also make tthings interesting for the front rank as they have the experience of their ears being cleared by a two and a half foot steel cotton bud with a loud bang !!!

Ages ago I put forward a suggestion for WECW that raw infantry being charged by Cav for he first time in the battle would have to take a fear test ...I also suggested that raw troops would have to take a Ld test to stop them firing the first time any enemy nit came into range...I dont think  either was adopted. I thought they were interesting ideas though

[TinyTerrain]

Fenton,

I like this concept a lot, and may incorporate the idea into "Star & Garter" my Hundred Years War variant for Dux Bellorum. On occasions it has felt a little wrong having a unit of Archers or Longbowmen standing their ground whilst French Knights on Horseback charged them, in the hope they could hit enough of them on the way in to make it a more even fight once it got into hand to hand.

How about any Militia/Braigands, Archers, or Foot skirmishers beinch charged by Mounted Knights/Mounted Men at Arms needing to take a bravery test to see if they stand their ground, if they fail they cannot fire and auto fall back?

Cheers,

Craig
Tiny Terrain Models

[Last Hussar]

Written quite a few over the years, but you need people willing to give up a number of gaming sessions for playtesting.

Mostly it's Lardie (IABSM, KMH, TW&T now CoC, TCHAE)
or Warmaster (+Black Powder)

I have both Regiment of Foote and Pike and Shotte for when painting the ECW is finished (NEXT after rounding off ACW)

Got some yet to try (Charlie Dont Surf and Sharpe Practice), plus F&F and MSH sitting 'resting'

However my Battle of Britain rules are the only air combat I use
http://lasthussar.wordpress.com/2008/03/31/battle-of-britain-free-wargames-rules/

For small games will fit nicely with those lovely 1:44 airplanes Pendraken sell.  The rules are free, so you can afford to buy some.

Also those who were at Newbury last year may remember a Medieval/Wars of the Roses participation skirmish game.  I was certainly surprised to see it, as I forgot I'd given Jim a copy. That's on the Blog as well - "My Kingdom for a Horse"

[Hertsblue]

Fenton,

I like this concept a lot, and may incorporate the idea into "Star & Garter" my Hundred Years War variant for Dux Bellorum. On occasions it has felt a little wrong having a unit of Archers or Longbowmen standing their ground whilst French Knights on Horseback charged them, in the hope they could hit enough of them on the way in to make it a more even fight once it got into hand to hand.

It's what the English longbows actually did in battle after battle of the Hundred Years War. Admittedly they (or their superiors) took certain precautions, e.g. planting sharp stakes to their front and having a body of men-at-arms in their centre that the opposing knights always made for. But the fact is the archers were confident that they could halt, or at least disrupt, the charge before it reached them. And they proved it on many occasions. In a sense the entire war was a French search for an answer to the problem.

[sixsideddice]

oh the joys of solo gaming.

Never have to worry about any of this stuff 

[howayman]

Many years ago i used to ride horses, once after falling off, four other horses galloped close by me, the experience gave me some idea of what it felt like to have horses coming at you at speed. not nice.