|
Post by Mike Lewis on Jan 8, 2017 12:54:14 GMT
I have adapted a number of the 1HW scenarios to out portable wargames setup - the thing to look at the the ratio between the firing distances and the size of the table and Grid. In my initial translation, this caused a slight problem as in the Portable Wargame, the units couldn't fire across the river which they could in 1HW and I was using a 4' x 3' mat which meant marching to the objective took longer then it should have done.
having said that, the game worked very well, provided a lot of challenges and came down to a melee in the last turn on top of a hill between the remaining equal forces on both sides.
|
|
|
Post by davel on Oct 13, 2017 21:13:41 GMT
Hi Mike and Anthony,
After our chat at the Toy Soldier Show, I went home and looked at the new Developing The Portable War game set of Ancient rules. You'd both recommended this set.
As I read them, I have to say that I've been most impressed and can't wait to try them. Also something Anthony said made me check my figures out. He said that when using Mike's figures, they used 6 figures per grid and some people thought 6 figures weren't enough. Anthony said that as soon as you put them in the grid, they looked just right and looked very good.
I'd got my units organised in 8's, so I experimented with cutting them down to 6 figures, and do you know what? THEY DO look the part and I was amazed just how good they looked when put in the grid.
So thanks very much chaps. Our little chat really paid off, and shows the value of this forum, and the great benefits we can get by meeting people from the forum face to face.
It has given me a real incentive to get my Ancients up and running, and makes me look forward to the possibilities of the Convention proposed for next year.
Thanks guys.
Best Wishes Dave
|
|
|
Post by spiritofethandune on Oct 15, 2017 15:55:54 GMT
Hi Dave,
Glad to have been of some help! I look forward to seeing you and your Ancients next year.
Best wishes Anthony
|
|
|
Post by davel on Oct 16, 2017 9:17:54 GMT
Thanks Anthony. Fingers crossed for the Convention and my ability to attend.
Just thought that I have the best of both worlds with the info and help from the forum.
If I carry on using the 8 foot and 4 cavalry figures for units, I can use them for Dirk's rules. Then if I get some different sabots to mount 6 foot and 3 cavalry figs per unit, I can use my gridded cloths and use them to play either To The Strongest OR The Portable Wargame.
How good is that. 3 rule possibilities with one set of figures!!!!!
Best Wishes Dave
|
|
|
Post by gonefishing on Oct 19, 2017 21:39:53 GMT
Maybe I missed it from an earlier conversation, but is there an Ancients version in the works? Exciting news if there is!
|
|
|
Post by davel on Oct 20, 2017 5:02:52 GMT
Hi gonefishing,
Yes there is. The new book, which includes Ancient rules, is called "Developing the Portable Wargame". I've read it and am very impressed with the rules. Haven't played them yet, but they read very well.
Best Wishes Dave
|
|
|
Post by gonefishing on Oct 20, 2017 14:27:06 GMT
Thank you, Dave. I'll have to check them out - I'm currently whipping up energy to begin a Caesar's Gallic Campaign project (in 54mm, naturally) and these might be just the thing!
Daryl
|
|
|
Post by davel on Oct 21, 2017 6:40:27 GMT
Hi Daryl,
Hope you have success with the rules. I got mine from Amazon.
As an alternative to look at, you could also try the "To the Strongest" rules, as they are also grid based. I also use these rules, although You'd have to work out how big you wanted the grids. The Big Red Bat shop run by To the Strongest sell gridded mats, but I think the biggest are 15cm square grids.
I've just ordered a mat direct from Deep-Cut studios in Lithuania. You can customize the mats to what size you want and what sized grids you want. My mat will be 12 feet by 6 feet with 18cm squares which should fit most of my units in (although my Macedonian phalanxes and scythed chariots will not completely fit into the grids, so will overlap into adjacent grids. But I didn't want to have grids any bigger as it would restrict how many units I could use on the table).
So I can use The Portable Wargame rules OR To the Strongest rules using the same mat.
Another possibility for you to look at are Dirk Donvil's "About Caesar" rules which are enjoyable. Although these are not grid based (although I suppose they could be adapted to grid use).
Hope that helps. Let us know how you get on.
Best Wishes Dave
|
|
|
Post by spiritofethandune on Oct 21, 2017 8:28:10 GMT
Dave, Daryl,
I think the Big Red Bat shop also does 20cm grid mats too, although like Dave I tend to use Deep-Cut Studio for all my mat needs. I have recently ordered a 5' x 5' mat from them to use with Neil Thomas 1 hour wargame rules and scenarios. I intend to use 12 fig foot units in two ranks and 6 fig mounted units in two ranks (54mm obviously). If you want a Dirk Donvil style game but with grids you could get the Command and Colours:Ancients game and get Deep-Cut to make a suitably-sized hex grid mat to fit 54mm figures.
Best wishes Anthony
|
|
|
Post by gonefishing on Oct 21, 2017 17:04:12 GMT
Dave, I can't thank you enough for the pointers. I'm only in the preliminary phases of the project so far - as I'm basically living out of a suitcase for the next two months I am forced by circumstance to keep this at the "dreaming level" - but a great way to spend my time would be to check out some of the rules you mention. One of my (many) weaknesses is the tendency to write off rules sets because they would only suit the "little scales," and this may be one of those cases; I haven't paid much attention to "To the Strongest" for that very reason. May have made a mistake. I love the idea of using this set of rules and Portable with the same mat. Anthony AND Dave, thanks much for the information on the Deep Cut mats. Their products look beautiful (for some time I was hugely tempted by their Mars mat for a Sci-Fi project I was considering). Ordering from Lithuania gave pause, but the Big Red Bat shop solves that worry. The mat I currently use is from Cigar Box Mats here in the States. This is the one I use: cigarboxbattlestore.bigcartel.com/product/tin-soldiers-in-action-grassland-terrain-mat-6x4-430The squares are rather on the large side, but the mat itself is a thing of real beauty. Clichéd to say, but it looks even better in hand. Finally, not sure this will be of interest, but Ian Kay of Irregular Miniatures is planning on sculpting 2-3 more Gauls for their 54mm Ancients line. They should be out late November for the toy soldier show in December. It goes without saying I await them eagerly. Also, as Ancients fans you might be interested in this site if you don't know it already: romansgohome.blogspot.com/2017/Absolutely stunning work, and one of my great inspirations for this upcoming project. Come, January, come! Until then I am confined to feasting on roast boar, drinking undiluted wine and reading old copies of Asterix. It wears one down, it really does. Thank you again for the replies! Daryl
|
|
|
Post by davel on Oct 27, 2017 20:21:05 GMT
Hi. Have you seen November's Miniature Wargames?
It has an article by Arthur Harman which uses the Portable War game and adapts it to a fantasy game. Not my thing, but thought it ought to be brought to people's attention.
Best Wishes Dave
|
|
|
Post by spiritofethandune on Oct 28, 2017 7:35:16 GMT
Hi Daryl,
Great news about Irregular Miniatures expanding their ancients range. I once bought a few 54mm samples from them and keep meaning to start buying full units.
Hi Dave,
Thanks for the heads up re MW-I stopped buying wargaming magazines some time ago (I only get Toy Soldier Magazine these days) but I will make an exception for the November issue.
Best wishes Anthony
|
|
|
Post by davel on Jun 27, 2018 21:12:28 GMT
Just for interest, in the latest edition of Miniature Wargames (July) there's an article by Arthur Harman on a card driven activation for army level Portable Wargames.
Based on 28mm, but wondered if there was any adaptation for 54mm?
Best Wishes Dave
|
|
|
Post by spiritofethandune on Jun 27, 2018 21:18:02 GMT
Dave,
Bob Cordery gave me the heads up on this on his blog so I have ordered a copy of the magazine. It hasn't arrived yet but sounds very interesting.
Best wishes Anthony
|
|
|
Post by davel on Jul 5, 2018 15:28:08 GMT
Hi, Not wanting to sound stupid (no comments please Anthony!!), but is there's a definitive size of playing area and grid size for The Portable Wargame (e.g. the size Mike uses for his games), or can the playing area be any size and the same for the grids.
Thanks.
Best Wishes Dave
|
|