This week I finally got my Samurai armies on to the tabletop for a couple of test games. The first games were testing out a slight variation to One Hour Wargames (OHW) Pike and Shot rules. The changes were to have an Ashigaru skirmisher unit of bows attacking with D6-2 and treat mounted Samurai as cavalry attacking D6+2. Foot Samurai were swordsman and Ashigaru units as pike and arquebus (musket). One of the reasons for picking these rules is the combined nature of weapon types in units of this period and particularly the combined pike and arquebus units. Not something many rulesets seem to cater for.
These provided a couple of enjoyable games which did include the use of chance cards. Having only six units per side I was able to increase the side of units to six bases each and larger units always look more visually appealing.
 |
| An early test game with OHW Pike and Musket rules adapted. |
It seems like a long while since I have had a gridded wargame on my tabletop. There should be more given the name of my blog. I did play a remote Samurai wargame, the Second Battle of Azukizaka, with Jon of Palouse Wargaming Journal earlier this year which used a hex grid. The gridded tabletop proving itself indispensable with remote gaming. The rules used were a version of Basic Impetus adapted by Jon to hexes.
So I decided to try a few square gridded games with the Samurai on 6 inch squares. Four bases each two by two inches fit quite nicely into the square and allow for terrain pieces to also fit. All being well I will be able to get another game played tomorrow.
 |
| A square grid is setup on the tabletop. |
 |
| A closer look at the grid squares and how units fit. |
As the painting side of the Samurai project is coming to a close, WW1 figures for the Palestine Campaign are starting to appear on the painting table.
Great to see this collection out on the tabletop, Peter! Do you reckon you might give BI a test run too?
ReplyDeleteGosh, you get one project into a gameable state and you are off onto the next project. Grass does not grow under your feet!
It is aways good to get the painted collection on to the tabletop. I have a few leaders to paint so I can use Basic Impetus. I will see if it is possible to modify your hex version of the rule to squares.
DeleteAlways good to see the toys on the table and due to more bases per units, it looks a larger game than 6 units a side:)
ReplyDeleteWhen I have to figures painted I do like to have larger bases and as you say it does look like a larger game.
DeleteNot a subject that floats my boat, but these look absolutely splendid! You need a 15mm figure for Tom Cruise, though. Also shows how easily OHW can be adapted for just about anything.
ReplyDeleteThanks, OHW certainly is a flexible set of rules and rule mechanisms can be borrowed from other periods.
DeleteThey look great, the clan colour schemes and all their similar banners give a colourful and visually distinctive look to the 'battles' making the two sides obvious. Also, the backdrop really adds a jewel-like aesthetic - the photos where you get to see it make the one without the backdrop look dull by comparison.
ReplyDeleteThank you. Having the two consistent colour schemes has helped and also allows for the adjustment of unit sizes. I am very pleased with how the backdrop has worked out.
DeleteI meant to ask, are those the entire armies in the games shown?
ReplyDeleteThey are about 80 percent of my painted figures. There are about another 50 figures to paint.
DeleteGreat looking game, superb units...and background picture, have to try this!
ReplyDeleteThanks. The backdrop certainly helps with the photographs.
Delete