A Tale of Four Gamers - the Sequel

[mmcv]

I call on everyone in this forum to get some Aztecs. Why should I be the only one to be repeatedly humiliated by massacred Mexicans?

(Actually, I'm thinking that a special rule allowing Cuachiquicqueh to improvise cover for an ambush in what looks like good going might be a bit of an equaliser.)

Mine are en route to me now 

I've been (somewhat prematurely) thinking about rule sets and how to tweak them for the period. The ability to have improvised ambushes and false withdrawal traps would add a nice bit of variety to the otherwise very linear tactics. I'm thinking some sort of way to indicate where the elites are hidden (map in an envelope maybe) then a dice roll to determine if they execute a successful ambush or fall over their own feet and get severely disrupted.

[FierceKitty]

I've written into my pike and shot rules that the elite veterans may be assigned this task, with secretly recorded details of left or right side of the field, but the figures are to be deployed normally as dummies. When the enemy approaches the halfway line, the unit is deployed, with a chance that the enemy are disordered. This includes the assumption that they moved stealthily into position in the path of the most likely victims (who looked as if they'd be advancing).

Not tested yet; we've been too busy with the Silesian wars the last few battles. But it could be pretty dangerous, without being too decisive. The Mexicans will be risking their best troops, and could get them chewed up before the rest of the army closes. If they take out the cavalry and musketeers, on the other hand....

[Steve J]

Primed some command figures and cavalry for my 18thC force. Also made some bases for fields for my games.

[Steve J]

Two units of AWI infantry finished tonight, which is a record for me! Focussing on painting the unit, rather than the figure and remembering they wll be seen at arms length etc. Also basecoated some terrain ready for drybrushing tomorrow.

[paulr]

Sounds a very productive evening, I look forward to seeing the results

[Steve J]

A unit of cavalry finished this evening. With luck some artillery and a command base tomoroow, ready for a game in the evening.

[Big Insect]

Mine are en route to me now 

I've been (somewhat prematurely) thinking about rule sets and how to tweak them for the period. The ability to have improvised ambushes and false withdrawal traps would add a nice bit of variety to the otherwise very linear tactics. I'm thinking some sort of way to indicate where the elites are hidden (map in an envelope maybe) then a dice roll to determine if they execute a successful ambush or fall over their own feet and get severely disrupted.

The Ambush rules in BKC/CWC/FWC work very well - as they restrict the numbers of troops involved so as not to allow the ambushing player an overwhelming advantage.
You are also restricted in the number of ambushes a specific army can have, and you pay for them as an army asset. It allows armies like WW2 Finns or Yugoslavian guerrilla armies, or modern Special Forces, to catch their enemies unawares. I think it would work well for your Aztecs.

[FierceKitty]

I've seen plenty of ambushes - some led by myself - get into trouble through a promissing but unsupported attack.

[FierceKitty]

Meanwhile, does anyone here have any experience of using Vikings in battles? I'm not talking about little raids and figures glued to pennies here.

[mmcv]

The Ambush rules in BKC/CWC/FWC work very well - as they restrict the numbers of troops involved so as not to allow the ambushing player an overwhelming advantage.
You are also restricted in the number of ambushes a specific army can have, and you pay for them as an army asset. It allows armies like WW2 Finns or Yugoslavian guerrilla armies, or modern Special Forces, to catch their enemies unawares. I think it would work well for your Aztecs.

I actually just received my copy of BKCIV this week and have been flicking through it. Will have to proper read into the ambush section and see how it might adapt to the various ancient rulesets I could use. Big order of models has arrived too so the sorting begins!

[Big Insect]

Wonderful news mmcv

Personally I think that the 'Commander' rules principles are very capable of being adapted to Ancient or Medieval or Fantasy warfare.

Shooting is very much the Emperor of the battlefield ... but it's easy enough to adjust the factors and ranges.

[FierceKitty]

Meanwhile, does anyone here have any experience of using Vikings in battles? I'm not talking about little raids and figures glued to pennies here.

Hmmmm?

[Duke Speedy of Leighton]

Due to an interesting work situation (despite not wanting to teach full time, I'm covering someone who has been stricken with cancer on the first day of the year. I was called in last Thursday, second week of term, and had to hit the ground running for the next six months getting his class back on track), so painting has been somewhat halted this last week.
Now I've got my head above water with planning and resources, I should get the production line back in business.
ECW riders base coated and inked, phew.

[Techno]

Best of luck, Will......and also to the teacher you're covering for.

That's a real downer.

Someone you know ?.....Old ? Young ?

Cheers - Phil

[Duke Speedy of Leighton]

Middle, don't know, but big shoes to fill.