Thursday 22 June 2017

Rip Van Winkle

Well, I just woke up after 4 years & remembered I had started this blog. I kind of fell by the wayside as I realised the limitations of this particular system (or maybe my own, I am not particularly computer savvy).

I have not, however, been asleep in the world of wargames. In fact, I have undergone an epiphany or two, which I hope to write about here soon, if I can reconcile myself to the limitations I am working under.

I am converting to 10mm for most of my wargames requirements & branching out somewhat.

I bought 1,000 red dice for Die Fighting as well as French & British/Portuguese for the Peninsular War in 10mm.

I discovered the joys of Maurice for my C18th Century needs, space & cost being paramount, I have embarked on a 10mm building programme. Atm I have Spanish vs Austrians in Italy for the Austrian War of Succession (French & Pragmatic Armies to follow, I hope, then Prussian, Russian & Ottoman!).

The most significant change is that my quest for the "perfect" solo wargames (battles & campaigns) has been successful (in my opinion, anyway) & I have built up 10mm armies for Rally Round the King. I have 4 so far & have ambitions for many more. Today, I finished the first year of my campaign & look forward to what next year will bring.

All of these new ventures have had a great effect on my terrain building. Not just lots of new techniques for BUAs etc. but  a radical, new (for me) system for generating & presenting terrain in 3D. My tables now feature gullies/depressions, hills, cliffs & rocky ground, rivers, lakes & sea shores, all inset into the terrain, with woods, roads etc on top. I think it looks the bees' bollocks & is a dream to play over.

You'll have to take my word for this atm as I am busy running & playing the campaign as well as writing up an article for Lone Warrior about my Damascene conversion to RRtK.

I am having the best time of my wargaming life right now. As soon as I get a free hour or so, I'll post text & pics on all these things & hope to be able to keep up a regular commentary on "how i wargame".

j