I put on three 18th century games at the club on Friday 24 May, each with two players, using my 2mm figures and new, ironically named, 'Big Boys!' rules.
The rules were an adaptation of a very simple set written by Neil Thomas for a Battlegames article (issue 23, 2010), and somewhat different to my usual ones...
Alex and Phil were British and Americans, Doug and Rob were Austrians and Prussians, while Patrick and Mark were Russians and French. I had put down random terrain on each table. Each player had 12 units, somewhat different in composition to reflect national characteristics.
The idea for these armies had come about after I decided that I wanted to wargame the mid-late 18th century, but not break the bank. With these six armies (I also have a large 2mm Napoleonic French army) I can wargame pretty much any conflict between Marlburians and Crimean War. All stored in one small box.
The figures are based on 5x2.5cm stands, three stands to a unit (a brigade). Artillery are in single-stand units (limbered or unlimbered), and there are also generals on circular bases. The brigades of infantry and cavalry are placed in movements trays (line or column), and can therefore be rearranged. Coloured stickers help identify the unit types.
Once you have devised a basing format, visual scheme, and glued them in place, 2mm are quick and easy to paint, using a spray undercoat (main uniform colour), black wash, dry-brushing of various progressively lighter shades of uniform colour. Then comes final detailing - such as flags, gun barrels, variants of horses, and picking out headgear with a final dry-brush. In my opinion, 2mm figures for the horse and musket period need to be grouped into brigades to enhance their visual impact and minimise fiddliness in gameplay.
In the first battle, Alex and Phil had a laugh bashing each other's armies up in an American War of Independence setting. I was pleased that Phil found the game a hoot, despite finding the rules a bit mad.
Doug and Rob faced off on the middle table. I had given the Prussians a lot of cavalry, and they proceeded to win the first game. During the second game, some adjustments in tactics led to Doug's cavalry doing better. Both players seemed to be enjoying themselves, although they also thought that the rules could be altered.
On the third table, Mark's French forced two of Patrick's Russian cavalry brigades off the table, and attempted a flanking move, but the French cavalry were finally forced to retreat.
Overall a fun night, with each pair of players fully involved in their game (in a single large game, players are often waiting for action to be completed across the table).
I think the rules were fine insofar as they were simple enough and helped produce enjoyable games, and I will stick with them for now, but they could always be tweaked. The players had a laugh on what proved to be a buzzing evening's play, and I might well use the same 'tourney' format for other periods, figures, and rules, particularly for small-scale miniatures or skirmishes, or when fewer players are expected on a Friday.
Thanks to all who played!
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