The English Civil War armies returned to the tabletop this past week, along with some newly made measuring sticks. These were needed because I have been messing around with the movement and weapon ranges, reducing them by a third.
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| Newly made measuring sticks for the reduced ranges. |
The reason for reducing the movement and weapon ranges is to create more deployment space on my 6x4 foot tabletop for placing camps, supply wagons, or holding reserves behind the battle lines. Previously, when deploying armies, most units were typically placed within 12 inches of their own table edge, with dragoons sometimes pushed out slightly further, up to 18 inches from the edge. This ensured that no unit started the game within musket range of the enemy.
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| A typical setup before reduction in ranges. |
As I was playing around with reducing the ranges, I was reminded of the advice in Featherstone’s Complete Wargaming, which notes that “move distances and weapon ranges must be formulated to suit the size of the wargames table, remembering that too-short move distances slow the game up.”
With the range reduction, army deployment zones are shift forward a fraction, but the battle lines are closer together which allows space to be freed up. So now advanced units (eg. dragoons and artillery) start 2 inches closer to the centre, the first battle line now begins 16 inches from their base edge instead of 12 inches, and the second line is 12 inches from the base edge where previously it was 6 inches from its own tabletop edge. These adjustments free up space at the rear for generals, reserves, and supply wagons.
The photos below illustrate how the lines compress and open room at the back.
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| Setup with the reduction in ranges. |
So far, I have only reduced the ranges for my English Civil War games, and it seems to be working ok. The closer deployment areas mean the armies still can quickly engage the opposition, and the compressed deployment lines now make manoeuvring more challenging, which seems to reflect the period well. I still need to play a few more games, but I plan to try the same approach with my Roman and Carthaginian battles soon to see how they will play.
Returning to the measuring sticks, this time, when making one, I added a 90-degree triangle at one end to make it easier to determine whether units are moving or shooting within their 45-degree arc.
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| A unit makes a forward movement with the new measuring stick. |
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| Infantry are able to open fire on some approaching cavalry within their arc of fire. |
Very nice work adding the angle measuring to the stick - I've never seen that done before.
ReplyDeleteProviding 45 degrees is used consistently in the rules it works well.
DeleteClever combination of measuring stick and arc of fire/move gauge.
ReplyDeleteIt is working out well. I am tempted to add gauges to all my other measuring sticks.
DeleteClever idea to help show the 45 degree shooting arc.
ReplyDeleteWhilst most of the larger wargame shows invariably have lots of display and/or participation games played on big, big tables (admittedly, usually with beautiful terrain and nicely painted armies) such a large battlefield tabletops is not realistically practical for most of us at home. Many, many of my games are played on a 30”/75cm square card table whilst the dining room table is rarely available for gaming. Hopefully, now I’m retired things might be reorganised…
Cheers,
Geoff
Thanks. Good luck with getting your tabletop organised.
Delete1. Measuring sticks are cool. 2. A triangle on one end is genius.
ReplyDeleteAgree, measuring sticks are cool. I have a growing collection.
DeleteVery clever idea with the measuring stick and 45 degree firing arc. I can see that being picked up by many people.
ReplyDeleteAnd an excellent way of creating more room on the table for movement/deployment.
Thanks. The measuring stick is easily made.
DeleteLooks like I am not the only one who thought the triangle was a clever idea, Peter! There has to be a relationship between movement and firing ranges, in my opinion - I don't like rules where a unit can be just outside musket range one turn, then just about touching the enemy unit the next turn - they should have to take two or three rounds of musketry as they advance - at least between say 1700 - 1900.
ReplyDeleteThanks Ross. The relationship between movement and musket ranges is an interesting one for rules, and whether a turn of shooting represents 1 round or musketry or multiple rounds.
DeleteThat’s a great way to ‘increase’ your table size, Peter. Variable sized measuring sticks are an ideal solution.
ReplyDeleteFor firing/charges, do you require the centre of the firing/charging unit to be able to see the centre of the enemy, or any part of the shooter or target, when you play your D3 ECW OHW?
I always measure from the centre of the firing unit. They can shoot providing any part of the targets base is in range.
DeleteI shall undoubted steal the idea for the 45 degree angle (arrowhead) on the movement stick. Like every good idea, it seems really obvious once someone comes up with it, but I didn't.
ReplyDeleteI used MDF for the triangle and cut out a slot in the dowel, but a piece of stiff card could be easily stuck on.
DeleteYou are a clever bugger. Love the measuring stick with the 45 degree widget on. Not often you see something new these days. Very nicely done.
ReplyDeleteThank you. I am more often referred to as a cheeky bugger than a clever one :-)
DeleteThey have all said it already, but I'll add my praise for your brilliant and functional idea. One could make sticks with a few key angles on them, as necessary. You are a 'clever bugger' as JBM noted!
ReplyDeleteBest wishes, James
Thanks. I will slowly be adding the angle to a few more measuring sticks.
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