As the English Civil War campaign year 1642 comes to an end. We see the Royalist and Parliamentarian causes fighting to control the last remaining region, Cornwall, before preparing for the coming year 1643. It will be in the years 1643 to 1646 where the campaign rules will change from just trying to control regions, to also trying to maintain a marching army to win major battles.
After this 11th game there will be a slight pause while I write up the campaign rules and make the chance cards for 1643-46. Along with finalising some adjustments to the tabletop rules, these being the current scribbles on my rule sheet. The purpose of the 1642 games apart from controlling regions was to help me play test and tidy up certain aspects of the rules.
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| Campaign map |
So on to the next game which will decide which cause will control Cornwall. Royalists are best position because they control an adjacent region, and as a consequence will be able to re-roll one poor recruiting dice score.
Orders of battle are:
Parliament
5 x Cavalry
4 x Infantry
2 x Dragoons/Commanded Shot
1 x Artillery
Royalist
5 x Cavalry
4 x Infantry
3 x Dragoons/Commanded Shot
1 x Artillery
1 x Elite Pike
Terrain to be fought over was selected using cards. I will be continuing this approach in the next stage of the campaign. Each card represents a 2x2 foot area of the tabletop. The positioning of the terrain on the card, centre or corners is reflected on the tabletop. Roads get added after the terrain is placed, but have no influence on the game.
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| Used to determine the tabletop layout. |
While I progress with the campaign my modelling has shifted for a short while to wooden ships. Another three rolled off the painting desk this week. I tried a dark brown, rather than black, on their hulls just to mix it up and also lightened up their sails. There are four ship yet to be painted and I also want to add a couple of frigates and sloops. This won't be happening this weekend, the weather is for rain and I only saw and sand MDF sheets outside due to the dust.
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| Three ship additions in the front |
Steps on how the make these semi-flat wooden (MDF) ships
HERE.
I'm getting worried for Parliament now!This is appears to be heading in the opposite direction to 1642 and All That.
ReplyDeleteAre you planning to use your ships to game a naval battle or siege relief?
Parliament will be starting on 1643 on the back foot. The ships were for a different purpose.
DeleteOther than for the Elite Pike, that is a very even match-up, even taking the terrain into account. Should be a nail biter.
ReplyDeleteI have just picked up the Master and Commander boardgame from White Dog Games, which is a fairly simplistic 'tall ships' napoleonic naval game (I also got the AWI scenario book). It comes with a hex map, but can be played to the tabletop with 1 hex equalling 1 inch. It is supposed to be a Christmas gift, but of course I need to cut the shrink and lift the lid, just to check all the components are there :-)
Game 11 should be pretty even as Parliament, while a smaller force, will get first pick on which table side to defend. As for the ships I plan to use Ganesha Games Galleys and Galleons rules as already have them.
DeleteIt will be interesting to see you thoughts on Master and Commander when you get to play them.
Your SoL are looking great! As for the ECW campaign, I await reports from Cornwall regarding the outcome.
ReplyDeleteThanks. All being well the game should be played this coming week.
DeleteIIRC, the Cornish pikemen where strong allies of the Crown, so we shall see if they prove their mettle in this action!
ReplyDeleteI just picked up A&A Engineering's "Grand Fleet Battles in the Age of Sail" this week myself. Your ships are brilliant!
I am looking forward to playing this last game of 1642 and then getting ready for the remaining years. And thank you for your kind comments on the ships. The ones I have made so far are close to completion.
ReplyDeleteAny chance you can share more about the terrain cards and terrain selection? Be useful to the see the complete set and understand you you use the cards to get the on-table terrain. For example, the orientation of the cards would have an impact.
ReplyDeleteYes, can do. Will post in a few days.
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