Pendraken Miniatures Forum

Wider Wargaming => Batreps => Topic started by: Shutuphippie on 10 May 2020, 08:39:53 PM

Title: 10mm Quatre Bras solo game using Blucher
Post by: Shutuphippie on 10 May 2020, 08:39:53 PM
Howdy,

Haven't been around for a bit as been working on other projects. Lockdown however meant that I finally got around to restarting my 10mm Nap 100 day campaign project using Sam Mustafa's Blucher. Finished the OOB for Quatre Bras yesterday so had my first ever solo war-game experience/ outing today

Overall very enjoyable and I'll be replaying next weekend

100% all Pendraken figures used as well

(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20200510/11ff3287b53d3b0d0fcee1325fdcb799.jpg)

(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20200510/5f26f49c9f2f3c8cb9dea9cab76464a8.jpg)

(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20200510/18acb00c2aa0fbe2fb00e284334d96e0.jpg)

(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20200510/23768ef7ab59c1a78f4bd2c7d9e6ac45.jpg)

(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20200510/b715bb00365ffd1ec31491fe8636842d.jpg)

(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20200510/84fe04b0f4b935e0631d62dc35e61f7d.jpg)

(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20200510/4a6cdd1aeb86b3c9e8d52e293ced03a4.jpg)

(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20200510/abbe63386e63a16f82f550ab66b7f8dd.jpg)

(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20200510/2aa6f67dbc1aa531604f69268b6b03a3.jpg)

(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20200510/99a991a7be01f3c20c8de9e286bc6c88.jpg)

(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20200510/94ccfaeabd210ec27b2f0e96686848f8.jpg)

(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20200510/574a7918317e6ce33022428fc88c8505.jpg)

(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20200510/2607ed718d88e37bf5962f282c983edf.jpg)

Stay safe everyone

Cheers

Andy


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Title: Re: 10mm Quatre Bras solo game using Blucher
Post by: fred. on 10 May 2020, 08:52:00 PM
Very impressive, and coherent looking game.

What does a base in Blucher represent (I seem to recall its a fairly large formation)?
Title: Re: 10mm Quatre Bras solo game using Blucher
Post by: Steve J on 10 May 2020, 08:57:21 PM
Cracking looking game 8).
Title: Re: 10mm Quatre Bras solo game using Blucher
Post by: paulr on 10 May 2020, 10:40:33 PM
 :-bd =D> :-bd
Title: Re: 10mm Quatre Bras solo game using Blucher
Post by: pierre the shy on 11 May 2020, 12:09:28 AM
Your table and troops look fantastic :-bd
Title: Re: 10mm Quatre Bras solo game using Blucher
Post by: Poggle on 11 May 2020, 01:20:38 AM
Nicely done!  :-bd
Title: Re: 10mm Quatre Bras solo game using Blucher
Post by: bigjackmac on 11 May 2020, 01:23:59 AM
That's fantastic, thanks for sharing!

V/R,
Jack
Title: Re: 10mm Quatre Bras solo game using Blucher
Post by: paulr on 11 May 2020, 02:44:58 AM
Quote from: fred. on 10 May 2020, 08:52:00 PM
Very impressive, and coherent looking game.

What does a base in Blucher represent (I seem to recall its a fairly large formation)?

I'm guessing Brigades...
Title: Re: 10mm Quatre Bras solo game using Blucher
Post by: Techno on 11 May 2020, 05:38:59 AM
VERY nice indeed, Andy !  :-bd

Cheers - Phil
Title: Re: 10mm Quatre Bras solo game using Blucher
Post by: Shutuphippie on 11 May 2020, 06:30:58 AM
Quote from: fred. on 10 May 2020, 08:52:00 PM
Very impressive, and coherent looking game.

What does a base in Blucher represent (I seem to recall its a fairly large formation)?

Each infantry base in Blucher represents a brigade, Cavalry a division of horse, and artillery  3 batteries of guns
Title: Re: 10mm Quatre Bras solo game using Blucher
Post by: Martin1914 on 11 May 2020, 07:31:51 AM
Great looking table and troops. What make are the trees?
Title: Re: 10mm Quatre Bras solo game using Blucher
Post by: toxicpixie on 11 May 2020, 09:49:42 AM
Nice!

Who made the Matt - Tiny or Cigarbox?
Title: Re: 10mm Quatre Bras solo game using Blucher
Post by: Duke Speedy of Leighton on 11 May 2020, 09:54:18 AM
That is a beautiful looking game, tank you for sharing something that has really lifted my mood today.
Hugs
Title: Re: 10mm Quatre Bras solo game using Blucher
Post by: howayman on 11 May 2020, 11:40:49 AM
Fantastic looking game. Something i can only aspire to.
Title: Re: 10mm Quatre Bras solo game using Blucher
Post by: Lord Kermit of Birkenhead on 11 May 2020, 02:59:00 PM
I think its a Brigade per base
Title: Re: 10mm Quatre Bras solo game using Blucher
Post by: Shutuphippie on 11 May 2020, 05:07:57 PM
Quote from: toxicpixie on 11 May 2020, 09:49:42 AM
Nice!

Who made the Matt - Tiny or Cigarbox?

It's the cigar box miniatures mat, they really are superb. I also have the Waterloo one as well. Both designed for 6/10mm games and ideally for Blucher. Buildings are from TBM superb 100 days 6mm scaled range. They work really well with 10mm figures and I got the idea from others on the forum here who suggested it. Great shout chaps 👍
Title: Re: 10mm Quatre Bras solo game using Blucher
Post by: Shutuphippie on 11 May 2020, 05:17:11 PM
Quote from: mad lemmey on 11 May 2020, 09:54:18 AM
That is a beautiful looking game, tank you for sharing something that has really lifted my mood today.
Hugs

My pleasure Lemmy. Glad you liked the images.  I only shared a few as I took loads as I was updating the guys in on our club Facebook page for each move.

First time I had solo gamed as well, only my second time playing Blucher to! I'm going to  have another bash at it again next weekend as I've reread the rules and got a few things wrong....  Once I have it sorted I may see how it works playing over zoom or FaceTime with a couple of lads at the club being the commanders and doing the rolling whilst I move the figures and support.  

Look after yourself chap





I
Title: Re: 10mm Quatre Bras solo game using Blucher
Post by: Shutuphippie on 11 May 2020, 05:18:59 PM
Quote from: Martin1914 on 11 May 2020, 07:31:51 AM
Great looking table and troops. What make are the trees?

I brought the trees from eBay (from China I think) with a pack of 160 being under a tenner. I then based them up etc

The one tree with apples on was from a model railway shop and was about £1
Title: Re: 10mm Quatre Bras solo game using Blucher
Post by: Shutuphippie on 11 May 2020, 05:35:37 PM
Thanks for your kind words and support chaps.

I originally started the project about 18 months ago but got halfway through and lost track instead painting up 28mm jacobites and 15mm WW2 for BKCIV.  Getting back into it over the last 6 weeks or so has been really enjoyable, with the research of what units to paint to replicate each brigade taking nearly as long as painting the units themselves.  I normally only game once a week on Wednesday at our local club (Stafford and District) plus the odd weekend game. Normally I only collect one side so I have not been  able to do any solo games.... and tbh never really felt the need to as we have a great club and big games on most weeks.  Collecting both forces has been really enjoyable plus the mixture of units, nationalities, uniforms etc for the 100 days has meant that their is always a different style or type of unit to paint keeping me interested. As a side point I also think the clock change has helped massively as I find it so much easier to paint in the lighter months of the year.

Lots of replay value in Quatre Bras if I tweak the scenario eg does D'Erlon make the field, what happens if Allied reinforcements are delayed/ arrive quicker.,  Prussian support from down the Namur  road etc

Whilst trying a few of these tweaks  I'm going to push on and start painting up the rest of the forces for Waterloo with a brief to putting the game in at Stockton (probably next year!)

Keep on painting and gaming chaps - looking forward to seeing what everyone else is up to on here as it's always very inspirational and I'm always happy to steal (borrow) ideas from everyone  :D
Title: Re: 10mm Quatre Bras solo game using Blucher
Post by: iw07596 on 12 May 2020, 03:23:16 PM
Andy, the Prussians are coming....honest only 11 more units to paint
Title: Re: 10mm Quatre Bras solo game using Blucher
Post by: Shutuphippie on 12 May 2020, 03:57:18 PM
As long as they are done when the lockdown finishes  :D
Title: Re: 10mm Quatre Bras solo game using Blucher
Post by: Norm on 12 May 2020, 04:11:12 PM
Really nice job and table - thanks.
Title: Re: 10mm Quatre Bras solo game using Blucher
Post by: Orcs on 12 May 2020, 09:37:24 PM
How does one person wear four tiny bras?  :)
Title: Re: 10mm Quatre Bras solo game using Blucher
Post by: Last Hussar on 12 May 2020, 09:54:08 PM
Quote from: toxicpixie on 11 May 2020, 09:49:42 AM
Nice!

Who made the Matt - Tiny or Cigarbox?

My mum and dad made me, why?
Title: Re: 10mm Quatre Bras solo game using Blucher
Post by: Last Hussar on 12 May 2020, 10:07:32 PM
That aside -

I've been looking at Blucher.  I already have Fields of Glory and that is very similar level - a unit is 1200-2000 (small) or 2000-3000 troops (Large).  Is it worth it?

How far is a BW in scale?

Is a base 'a brigade' or does it make allowances for different numbers? At Aspern- Essling French brigade Frirnon (IV Corps, 4 Div) contained only 2 Leger, and was 1365 men (2 bns), while the Austrian Brigades "Wacquant" and "Henneberg" (I Korps, 1 div) both contained 2 Regiments, each of over 3300 men, each of 3 bns, plus 8 guns in the Bde. Even if you took the IR only it is still twice as big as the French one. The BATTALIONs are almost the size of the French Regiment!
Title: Re: 10mm Quatre Bras solo game using Blucher
Post by: monkeynut on 14 May 2020, 08:42:19 AM
Great looking setup. This is my ultimate target to play, all units at 1:20 in10mm

🐵

Title: Re: 10mm Quatre Bras solo game using Blucher
Post by: toxicpixie on 14 May 2020, 01:10:20 PM
I like Blucher - it's simple but not simplistic and gives a great feel of the making the big decisions. It's pretty chalk and cheese though - and the scenario generator (Schanrhorst) even more so.
Title: Re: 10mm Quatre Bras solo game using Blucher
Post by: cameronian on 14 May 2020, 01:25:34 PM
Lovely terrain esp those forests !
Title: Re: 10mm Quatre Bras solo game using Blucher
Post by: Last Hussar on 18 May 2020, 01:33:56 AM
How do you do the hidden Momentum?  I've written a spreadsheet that does it if you want.
Title: Re: 10mm Quatre Bras solo game using Blucher
Post by: toxicpixie on 18 May 2020, 07:53:22 AM
I haven't played it solo - a spreadsheet to track Momentum is an excellent plan!

I'd be interested in a copy, Last Hussar!
Title: Re: 10mm Quatre Bras solo game using Blucher
Post by: Shutuphippie on 18 May 2020, 10:26:25 AM
I would definitely be interested in a SS to have a look at thank you

Reference MO - I used a system that I had seen online (Storm of Stell Wargamming's Youtube video where he has refrought Quatre Bras and Waterloo)

Before rolling MO I would
1. Decide roughly what I wanted each unit to do and the priority that I wanted them to move before rolling the MO dice
2. Rolled MO dice  (3 dice for each side)
3. Started moving and activating units
4. After each activation I pulled a counter out of a bag (the counters were numbered 3-18 - i literally hand wrote the numbers with a sharpie on some pennies)
5. If the counter number pulled from the bag was lower that the MO used to activate the units up till that point the turn was over

The system worked really well and on a number of occasions  I was unable to complete all the movements I wanted or required

Cheers

Andy 
Title: Re: 10mm Quatre Bras solo game using Blucher
Post by: Last Hussar on 18 May 2020, 09:00:24 PM
Email me on gmail (last.hussar - You can work out the rest!)

Its pretty simple.
Box for number of dice.
Boxes for MO.
Button for macro.
Macro clears mo count,
Sets mo to 0
I = 1 to dice
Mo = mo + int(rnd(1,6))+1
Next i

It then puts mo into a hidden  cell. This is because I lock off so I don't type to wrong boxes, the hidden cell is unlocked to allow macro to put the mo in.

Another cell is +A1 (the unlocked cell) and white text.
Enter the mo used in list, use SUM to total it
When sum >= MO make the text black using conditional formatting, and an if statement to print text saying MO used.

As storm of steel notes, the counters do t take account of bell curve.

Title: Re: 10mm Quatre Bras solo game using Blucher
Post by: Organistus on 06 June 2020, 05:23:14 PM
Quote from: toxicpixie on 18 May 2020, 07:53:22 AM
I haven't played it solo - a spreadsheet to track Momentum is an excellent plan!

I'd be interested in a copy, Last Hussar!


I am interested too
Title: Re: 10mm Quatre Bras solo game using Blucher
Post by: Last Hussar on 06 June 2020, 06:39:42 PM
Email me