tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8493556920707083758.post1470191675098499773..comments2023-12-26T17:07:06.724+08:00Comments on Avon Napoleonic Fellowship: Another view of ShakoUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8493556920707083758.post-62768915354478363902012-05-17T10:14:34.915+08:002012-05-17T10:14:34.915+08:00Thanks for your input into this discussion Peter. ...Thanks for your input into this discussion Peter. Wargamers and rules is a topic that will never end, but always an interesting one, I reckon. Especially hearing what and why people like about the ones that they use.<br /><br />We are spoilt for choice, but the quest for the 'ultimate' set continues...!James Fisherhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17897755636246185173noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8493556920707083758.post-75133959537593685622012-05-17T10:12:59.794+08:002012-05-17T10:12:59.794+08:00I agree absolutely; all fire should be line of sig...I agree absolutely; all fire should be line of sight only, and it is in Shako. Boucethrough may hit troops in direct line of fire that were not targeted, which seems reasonable to me/us.<br />I think the 'spray' effect of a volley on anything in front is reasonable too (a bit like Peter's comments below). It would be rubbish if it caused casualties equally, but since it is casualties only on the closest unit(s) and a possible stagger (disorder) on others it seems reasonable. The crucial thing for us is that it works, as do the rules overall, to produce a good game, reasonable results and something that is manageable large games.<br />I'll try to get a copy of Grande Armée from a shop in our capital city or somewhere. They are no longer listed on either the Honour or Scale Creep Miniatures websites!James Fisherhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17897755636246185173noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8493556920707083758.post-47029668153122354802012-05-17T07:50:38.709+08:002012-05-17T07:50:38.709+08:00I think the issue here once again is one of expect...I think the issue here once again is one of expectations. Shako isn't my favorite set, but it is pretty reasonable one, IMHO. I think the infantry fire rule, although different, isn't so far out. Most troops of the era didn't do very well with aiming their fire, so placing multiple units in the field of fire probably did increase the number of casualties inflicted by the shooting unit by increasing the number and density of targets. <br /><br />I also think the movement and wheeling restrictions aren't unreasonable, even if I might not be as restrictive. It's also a rule easily changed if you so desire. The "30 minute turn" is a convention, as it is in almost all most wargames rules, and not to be taken too literally. Most troops didn't do a lot of formation changes and wheeling when at all close to the enemy, and for good reason - the risk of causing disorder attempting such maneuvers in a chaotic, smoky, dangerous environment was considerable. Having said that, my own favorite rules Field of Battle allow quite a lot of leeway, but... it may not be when and where you want it.<br /><br />To each their own - there are many fine choices out there for rules, amost with different goals.Gonsalvohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16531623280789478092noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8493556920707083758.post-67187568695527707422012-05-17T01:37:44.299+08:002012-05-17T01:37:44.299+08:00Hello James,
Thanks for writing your own views to...Hello James,<br /><br />Thanks for writing your own views too. I dind't forget the reverse slope issue, I just forgot there was a small modifier for it. I'd prefer it that troops behind a reverse slope were considered in a dead zone and immune from targeting, as in some other rule sets. A -1 is extremely favorable in my opinion to the side conducting the bombardment. I'm of the strict opinion that if you cannot see it, you're not going to be wasting ammunition on it when other targets are available. Am I being unreasonable in that thinking? <br /><br />If there are rules for mud etc, then my group is guilty of missing it. But then again, how often would one use such a rule anyways? The terrain bounce through issue for me is a little more important then the mud as at least one could creat a modifier if it didn't exist, right? But I will look into it. <br /><br />I guess the time scale issue is something only I have an issue with then. For me, 20-30 minutes for a movement phase should allow for quite a bit of manuevering. Your point about moving so as to get around the flank and attack is a good one that is fully permitted in Black Powder. At least that if you could do it, if you didn't start the turn behind the unit's flank line, then you don't get any bonus. Being unable to sidestep, change formation etc within the zone of control prevents much of this from happening.<br /><br />In Grande Armee, none of these petty tactical issues even come into play and so saves plenty of time in wondering if you can hit someone in the flank (because they just turn to face you). <br /><br />I am curious though, do you think the musketry hitting multiple targets without modifiers makes a lot of sense?Vive l'Empereurhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00785173543457314763noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8493556920707083758.post-57019406380092510092012-05-16T18:23:22.602+08:002012-05-16T18:23:22.602+08:00I'm probably at the same stage as Lee in my Na...I'm probably at the same stage as Lee in my Napoleonic project albeit in a different scale (1/72nd plastics) but the 'which rule' question is a minefield! I really like simple rule systems, I don't want to be constantly consulting charts and making grand calculations every time a unit acts in some way. I think a lot must be said regarding the free rules readily available on the internet. Lee is currently working on forces for Steve's Paintingshed Napoleonic rules which look like my kind of system too (think simplified Grande Armee). <br />With the current trend (and price!) for glossy hardbacked rule books the free downloads are a great way to try out rules for new projects.Battlescalehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13530786317286215390noreply@blogger.com