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Post by twr on Jan 13, 2019 7:09:17 GMT
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Post by tim on Jan 14, 2019 6:44:48 GMT
Looks good Keith and a good write up too.
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Post by twr on Jan 14, 2019 18:32:42 GMT
Thanks Tim. I’m pleased it was of some interest.
Time to start planning our next Napoleonic game I suspect, as well as progressing some painting of course...
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Post by bruce on Jan 14, 2019 22:45:26 GMT
Welcome back Keith! Enjoyed your ACW battlefield tour post on your website as well. I got in two V&B games over the holidays, but no photos as I was playing solo on the fly with guests all around. None of whom could be tempted to join me! I have just finished working up a game mat for winter and plan to play the Eylau scenario in the rules. One of the great things about Volley & Bayonet is that the relatively easy game mechanics allow you to play big historical battles in a leisurely couple of evenings. The 8 scenarios in the rules are excellent. Honestly, it has become a relief not to have to cope with too many rules details.
Along with Age of Eagles, V&B have become my favorite rules. I have even learned to live with rosters thanks to V&B's format. My magnetized stands allow me to make up armies for either game as AoE uses smaller bases. I may yet figure out a base removal option since my mind just runs that way. I'm sure this is related to knocking over my army men by throwing gravel pebbles in the garden long ago! Bruce
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Post by twr on Jan 15, 2019 0:02:02 GMT
Bruce, I’m pleased you enjoyed the ACW Western Battlefield tour posts. I still have three battlefield visits to write up - Nashville, Perryville & Franklin. However, I have been exceptionally busy since my return. Focussed on getting our new house build underway.
I am also very please you are enjoying your V&B games. Your observation about refighting battles is absolutely correct. This is what originally drew me to the rules. I find the rules capture the core aspects, so a Napoleonic wargame with V&B feels like a Napoleonic battle I have read about. Then with a few changes an ACW game plays very differently. Both capture the the key accounts well.
Interestingly visiting battlefields I find myself thinking in V&B terms. That is brigades advancing and falling back, artillery battalions deploying and giving fire etc. You may have noticed the report on Chickamauga. In it we explored the attack of Robinson’s Brigade from Longstreets Corps. This was at the ideal level for me.
Of course we are fortunate to have so many different rules systems and I am not saying any particular rules system is better than another. Just that for me I find V&B is at the ideal level of simulation and game and converts the larger battles nicely.
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Post by davidsh on Jan 15, 2019 19:47:37 GMT
Excellent Keith. 1809 is one of my favourite years to base a game - so much going on and a lot of variety
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Post by twr on Jan 15, 2019 20:18:09 GMT
Indeed, some very interesting battles both large and small. There are also some very interesting and varied troops in 1809. From raw recruits to very seasoned troops. I rather enjoy fielding the Saxons for example.
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Post by twr on Jan 19, 2019 21:04:34 GMT
Bruce, when do you plan to fight Eylau? I would be keen to hear how this refight plays out.
The scenarios in the rule book are great examples of what can be achieved with these rules.
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Post by bruce on Jan 19, 2019 22:01:35 GMT
Hi Keith: Just a couple of more painting sessions and some organizing and I will be ready for Eylau. Mostly this involves some winter scenics, Russian officers, and OOB labels. I may look to do up some new magnetic bases for winter as well. Although I am not always too fussy, I did not want to do this on an out of season playing surface.
I expect in perhaps two weeks. I will do photos and a write-up. Getting a new camera next week some time. Bruce
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Post by bruce on Jan 27, 2019 16:59:09 GMT
Eylau Update: Yikes, I do not have enough Russians! I have plenty of unpainted figs to work on. But there are a lot of bases in the OOB. I have begun work on my magnetic winter bases and realized I was short of troops, including generals, after counting up everything on the Volley & Bayonet OOB list.
Meanwhile, my winter mat is done, and I am finishing some winter trees. I am using some white reusable clay to form on the tops of buildings for snow. If I hadn't spent so much time on this stuff, I would have had the men ready! But, I will be ready for winter battles of all sorts when I am done, including France 1814. I have wanted to do this for a while, it doesn't feel right fighting Eylau or Trenton on a green surface.
The magnetic bases allow for figure removal and endless formations and setup options. Each 5 figure stand gets its own thin magnet to sit on the painted magnetic bases,cut from a roll of 1.5 inch magnetic tape, 2mm thick. These bases move around smoothly on the marine vinyl mat and also accept all kinds of magnetic status markers. And..I can toy around with figure removal to track V&B Strength Point losses - sorry, Keith, I can't resist playing with the toys! Bruce
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