Sunday, April 11, 2010

Weekend Gaming

Well, Saturday proved to be a very good day. Met with Jim, Rick, Mark and our host, Robert to play a game of Flaklighter. Having never heard of the rules before that moment, it proved to be a fast and fun game. I commanded a group of 3 S-151 class German S Boats. Great fun all around. I managed to sink one British ship at the cost of well, all of mine. One ran aground after a critical hit to the steering. One took a critical hit to the engine room and it floated off while under heavy fire. And the third was destroyed as it closed in on a final British ship. The good news is,we blocked the Brits from completing their mission. Not sure, but I think I remember Rick loosing 2 of his three ships as well. The British lost 2 of their 3 Logs. I don't think any of Mark's ships suffered any serious damage.

Once I got home, I started to work on a game mat for Bag the Hun. I managed to complete a 3' by 4' section with another 3' by 4' portion to go.

A discussion with Jim and an e-mail from Terry after the game spawned another idea for Sharp Practice. I am thinking of a campaign for the AWI. Each player would play a colonel raising a regiment of militia. Depending on the side you are playing you could get possible supports from either Regulars or Continentals or other militia. The main idea is to get players to think beyond the current scenario so each one does not become a battle to the death and rewards strategic thinking. I really ought to finish on of the other 6 projects that I am currently working on first though. What are your ideas on how to accomplish this?

Monday, April 5, 2010

AWI Sharp Practice

I just took another look at the next SP supplement that I am working on. So far the Title is completely uninspired, "Partisan Warfare in South Carolina During the American Revolutionary War June to August 1780". Any ideas out there?

Well I have expanded it to 21 scenarios now. It will cover several actions divided into three Chapters.

Chapter 1: Captain Huck’s Wild Ride - Scenarios 1 to 8
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Scenario 1: Alexander’s Old Field - June 6th, 1780
Scenario 2: Bullock’s Fork - Early June, 1780
Scenario 3: Mobley’s Meeting House - June 8th, 1780
Scenario 4: Hill’s Iron Works - June 18th, 1780
Scenario 5: Williamson’s Plantation - July 12, 1780
Scenario 6: Brandon’s Camp - June 8 or July 12, 1780
Scenario 7: Stallion’s Plantation - July 12, 1780
Scenario 8: Cedar Springs - July 12, 1780

Chapter 2: Rebel Reunions and McDowell’s Summer Campaign
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Scenario 9: Gowen’s Old Fort - July 14th, 1780
Scenario 10: McDowell’s Camp - July 15th, 1780
Scenario 11: Captain Hampton’s Revenge - July 16th, 1780
Scenario 12: The Siege of Fort Anderson - July 22, 1780
Scenario 13: Green Spring - August 1, 1780
Scenario 14: Wofford’s Iron Works - August 8, 1780
Scenario 15: Battle of Musgrove Mill - August 19th, 1780

Chapter 3: Sumter’s Actions
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Scenario 16: Rocky Mount - July 31, 1780
Scenario 17: Hanging Rock #1 - July 30, 1780
Scenario 19: Hanging Rock #2 - August 6th, 1780
Scenario 20: Carey’s Fort - August 15th 1780
Scenario 21: Fishing Creek - August 18th 1780

Some of the scenarios will depart from the historical action in that seiges are not that much fun to play out on a table. Each chapter is divided by the principle Rebel commanders involved. Chapter 2 features one of my favorite Big Men of the Revolution - Elijah Clarke. A true giant among men with a seeming amazing ability to survive injury and battle. Like many such men, he has his flaws but he was definitely a presence on the battlefield that men would follow.

Most of these are smallish battles that can be redone at a 1:1 scale without having 1,000s of miniatures for each side.

Anyway, I am looking forward to this weekend. I have my kitchen pass and have the whole day Saturday free. Now to find someone up for a game.