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Post by bruce on May 16, 2015 13:07:53 GMT
We have touched a bit on this in other threads, but I am just wondering - how many of us are primarily solo gamers and what are some of your favorite solo mechanisms or adaptations for various games? Bruce
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Post by tim on May 16, 2015 15:14:54 GMT
Yep, primarily solo. I am swinging towards a card driven system (but using the combat system from March Attack) which is based on activation for brigades and/or brigade and divisional commanders after playing with I ain't Been Shot Mum by Too Fat Lardies. I will also include the semi role playing/solo element from Platoon Forward also from TFL. This will introduce a lot of stuff that I have no real control over and the situations I am in control of will depend on the characteristics of the commander of the units concererned. Only vague ideas at the moment and I need to put it down on paper and play test it when I have finished a few more British troops.
Tim
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Post by grizzlymc on May 16, 2015 17:46:10 GMT
Living at the end of the world, I only don't do solo gaming when I go off to Sydney for Christmas, where I get to play against people I have known for over 40 years. I find that it is easier to solo play with alternate than with simultaneous rules but, having tried most of the tricks I have seen in Featherstone's Solo Wargames and on the internet, nothing beats sitting down, devising two battle plans and then just playing each turn ater sitting on the right side f the table and looking at the game.
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Post by bruce on May 17, 2015 1:14:00 GMT
I hear you Grizz, and I have gone that route for many a battle, it's quite feasible to play each side and get into character to be each commander. But I am now somewhat where Tim is at, trying to find some unpredictable elements which are plausible and make for more variety in a game.
Among a number of rule sets, I have the computer driven Carnage & Glory but have yet to enter the troop data and label the formations to give it a try. It might be an option. You don't really play against the computer but it does introduce variables and tracks a lot of things like fatigue, morale, supplies and ammunition which alter units' performance.
I am just finishing up my buildings, scenics, and armies to my satisfaction, keeping my basing flexible by using custom movement trays to create different units and formations. My plan is to try out a bunch of rules and see how it goes, look for ideas to introduce solo mechanics, avoiding gimmicky stuff. Pick the brains of all you forum guys. Great fun! Bruce
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Post by profjohn on May 17, 2015 1:37:19 GMT
I only do solo gaming. I use Black Powder and then add in customised factors such as randomly concealed units (very good for the Sudan). But mainly I fight scenarios loosely or accurately based on battles where there was a clear attacker and defender and then tweak the BP command values as appropriate for the battle. Seems to work well enough and I get surprisingly accurate results - such as the guard blundering and refusing to move at Gravelotte just as the Prussian assault began to fall apart or the Polish army melting away at I forget which GNW battle. I've not tried Naps yet as I've only just finished painting my Waterloo armies but that's the next project with Wellington fixed to the ridge, some randomisation of Prussian arrivals and I'm going to try what I've read about Napoleon's initial intention rather than the plan actually adopted on the day.
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Post by bruce on May 17, 2015 19:39:02 GMT
Sorry prof, just asked you for some Black Powder details on the other thread and here they are. Let us know how these fit Naps when you try it out. Bruce
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Post by captainchook on May 18, 2015 7:20:36 GMT
I have yet to really develop a system for my solo games. I do make a battle plan for one side and fully deploy that army (unless there are formations due to arrive as reinforcements). The other side has some aspects of its deployment set by me, and then certain formations deploy semi-randomly eg a heavy cavalry division my be held centrally in reserve or might appear on one or other wing - this would be decided by a dice roll. Is the village garrisoned? Yes on 1-4, no on 5-6 etc.
Principles of War has a system for each side to determine objectives, this could be randomised. Cards are useful. I like the card in the Maurice Rules, "That's not on the map!" For some reason I found the random activation of Le Feu Sacré difficult in a solo game.
I quite like Black Powder's movement as you can never completely rely on how fast formations may get to their objective.
I think I need a blender. Put in a whole lot of rules and see what comes out.
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Post by jambo1 on Sept 13, 2015 9:30:03 GMT
Solo games for me due to geography, mainly use Black Powder but going to see Beneath the Lilly Banners for my LOA project.
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