To the Last Gaiter Button

[Shecky]

I just ordered "To the Last Gaiter Button" as I have seen positive reviews for it. I'm not sure how I feel about the grid movement so I'll reserve judgement on that until I actually read the rules. However, I am curious how people who have played the rules actually set up a table-top game.

As the rules use 10" squares to define areas for movement and combat, how do you depict this on the table?  I see two possible ways - either mark off a grid on a game mat or create 10" terrain pieces to lay down on the game mat. The problem I have marking off a grid is that it pretty much ruins the game mat for other games. Using terrain pieces might be ideal, essentially creating field, city or woods patches.

Another option would be to use a set of inconspicuous markers to indicate the corners of the squares. You could even use a variety of markers such as telegraph poles, trees, out buildings, hedges, etc. so they sort of blend in with the rest of the terrain.

Even if I can't find an acceptable solution at least I can use the campaign rules to set up battles to be fought with another rules set.

Any ideas? To those how have played the game, how do you do it?

Thanks,
Tom

[Leon]

Bernie, who wrote the rules, pops by occasionally, so I'll point him towards this thread.

[Blaker]

Howdy Shecky,

You might search their website. When I was looking at their rules, it seems like I found a "how to" mark your battlefield so it did not stand out. And it seems like they use the marked battlefields just for their set of rules.

Let us know how it goes with the rules 

[Duke Speedy of Leighton]

Peter Pig does battlefield markers for their games that involve grids (trees etc), or a counter in every corner of a square works whilst you get used to it...

[Shecky]

Thanks, I'll take a look. I also found a blog that shows how one person did it with square patches:

http://corblogme.blogspot.com/2011/05/fpw-game-2.html

That may be the way to go. I'm thinking there is a way to lay them out on the table so they don't look so "square-ish".

Tom

[cameronian]

Pretty sure the antwerp crowd have done something similar but I'm not sure where; think it was Crisis.

[Bernie]

Hi

If using a cloth I use small trees, spare guns with a broken wheel, cattle etc. The terrain in the square is all that matters - small village, wood etc

The benefit of the squares is that the mico-movement of units goes away and the bigger picture of manoeuvre and key terrain features takes over.

Rulers are on the whole a bain of the wargame and the squares takes this all away and the game moves along far more quickly

Cheers

Bernie, one of the Real Time wargames design team

[Shecky]

Thanks Bernie, I'm looking forward to reading and hopefully playing the rules. As I've said, I've read nothing but positive reviews of the rules which have overcome my apprehension of the squares. Now my only impediment is not having the figures yet to play a game. I've been wanting to play FPW for a while and have been looking for a rules set which suits me before making a big purchase of figures.

Tom

[Nosher]

Any insight from anyone as to how suitable this is for pick up and play games?

As I'm going to be playing most of my games solo its highly unlikely I'll have the time or inclination to wade through the campaign side of the game

[Duke Speedy of Leighton]

As long as you know what forces are coming in, it will be great mate.

[Leman]

I've used them for a pick up game and they've been fine for that. The campaign is fun though, although I found it very tough going using the Prussians.

[Nosher]

Cheers Chaps

I'm reading them whilst very tired after back to back shifts so struggling to see the woods for the trees. Is there a fast play sheet anywhere and a force generator table I am missing?

[Nosher]

Found the FP sheet...