Matchbox Challenge - Battle Report (Part 4)

If you have been reading the past few posts on the development of a matchbox wargame, you maybe wondering how does it play with the rules. This post is a game report on an encounter between a couple of opposing ironclads as they patrol a tributary of the Mississippi River.

(For details behind the wargame in a matchbox challenge see the blogs Man of Tin and Duchy of Tradgardland.)

Ironclads steaming down the river.

Background

Two ironclads are patrolling the winding waters of Silverbend Creek, a serpentine tributary feeding into the Mississippi River. The Confederate ironclad, CSS Thunderforge, is working its way upstream under the command of newly promoted Captain Calder. Heading downstream is the Union ironclad, USS Resolve, commanded by the battle-hardened Captain Barrett.

The game setup CSS Thunderforge on the left and USS Resolve on the right heading down river.

Game Report

As the two ironclads round one of the many bends of Silverbend Creek, they come into view of each other. Both ships open fire with their forward cannons, but at long range, neither manages to land a hit. Undeterred, they both press forward, closing the distance to improve their shooting and to inflict damage.

USS Resolve shoots. A D6-1 and subtracts a further 1 for firing forward. A score of 2 means a range of 2 matchsticks as their gunnery falls short.

CSS Thunderforge’s shooting is just as poor as both ships close.

Eventually USS resolve scores a hit which causes crew casualties on CSS Thunderforge. They will no longer be able to affect repairs to their ship.

As the ironclads closed, the USS Resolve managed to ram the CSS Thunderforge, but the impact failed to inflict any further damage. The two ships pass each other and began turning around for another engagement. During the exchange, the USS Resolve sustained a well-aimed shot that damaged her rudder. However, her crew quickly sprang into action and successfully made repairs.

USS Resolve rams, but there is no damage.

On the damage table a second hit to the crew is ignored as the various ship areas can only be damaged once, unless they are repaired. However, crew casualties and hull damage cannot be undone in the repair phase.

USS Resolve has its rudder damaged. But with a full crew was able to later repair the damage.

As the battle continued, the USS Resolve landed several direct hits, damaging the CSS Thunderforge’s guns and boiler. Both crews by this time had suffered significant casualties, leaving them unable to carry out repairs.

Both ships turn to engage in battle again. USS resolve is now on the left and CSS Thunderforge is on the right.

CSS Thunderforge is suffering a number of hits and damage.

Leveraging her speed advantage, Captain Barrett on the USS Resolve orders another ramming attempt, which is successful, inflicting damage to the enemy’s rudder. Captain Calder, realising the severity of the situation, ordered his crew to abandoned ship as it slowly begins to sink.

A second ram by USS Resolve sees the enemy ship sink.

Wrap Up

The damage rules assign hits to various areas of the ship, such as the boiler, rudder, and hull, creating a more narrative approach to the game, rather than simply tracking damage until a limit is reached and the ship is eliminated. The rules allow the effects of damage to influence play, such as limiting movement if the rudder is hit or reducing speed when the boiler is damaged. While damage can be repaired providing there is a full crew, but crew casualties will stop repairs from being made. This approach helps with the storytelling aspect of the game, which helps create interest when there are only a small number of ships involved in a game.