These were our staple when I started wargaming in the early 80's. There even was a Dutch translation done, which was something at the time, given the tiny Dutch wargame scene back then. The smaller units were a blessing for a teen on a budget! They work well enough, although they are very tactical by today's standards, with national characteristics and lots of factors, and the rules themselves are a true monument to "Barkerese". But we did have an lots of fun with them. Just give them a try and see for yourself.
My friends and I used them when we were teenagers around 1980. Small unit size allowed big battles as we previously used the C S Grant 40-50 figures to a unit rules. At the time I liked the various morale rules but thought the melee rules favoured cavalry.
I dug out my copy some months ago as well and thought that despite the title they were heavily influenced by Napoleonic period, including the national characteristics. "Surprised or Spanish" was one modifier that could at a pinch be interpreted as reflecting poor officership (for us youngsters it conjured images of siestas which only fitted the Sam Houston battle) but doesn't really fit with say WSS Spanish armies. Still, I was thinking of striping out some of it and having a go again.
I think I have a copy kicking around somewhere, but I've never used them myself. I have, however, been tournament director for a comp featuring this rule set (back in 1990 or thereabouts). To much plussing and minusing for morale, reaction, taking a dump; the type of rule set in which you either spend most of the game with your nose in the rule book, or, if you haven't, are relying upon memory - in my observation none too reliable! This is quite apart from the encouragement to 'rules lawyers'.
But I think what really put me off this rule set is its use in war games 'competitions'. Personally, quite what the attraction is of war games competitions completely passes me by. If I want to do that sort of thing, I'd (re)join a chess club, something I haven't done since 1986.
I played them in the 1990s and know someone who still does. My edition (6th I think) involved a lot of modifiers and tables and charts. I found it slow going and straining. I'm a faster play adherent these days and I also prefer the bigger battalions.
4 comments:
These were our staple when I started wargaming in the early 80's. There even was a Dutch translation done, which was something at the time, given the tiny Dutch wargame scene back then. The smaller units were a blessing for a teen on a budget! They work well enough, although they are very tactical by today's standards, with national characteristics and lots of factors, and the rules themselves are a true monument to "Barkerese". But we did have an lots of fun with them. Just give them a try and see for yourself.
My friends and I used them when we were teenagers around 1980. Small unit size allowed big battles as we previously used the C S Grant 40-50 figures to a unit rules. At the time I liked the various morale rules but thought the melee rules favoured cavalry.
I dug out my copy some months ago as well and thought that despite the title they were heavily influenced by Napoleonic period, including the national characteristics. "Surprised or Spanish" was one modifier that could at a pinch be interpreted as reflecting poor officership (for us youngsters it conjured images of siestas which only fitted the Sam Houston battle) but doesn't really fit with say WSS Spanish armies. Still, I was thinking of striping out some of it and having a go again.
As the post above says they were fun.
I think I have a copy kicking around somewhere, but I've never used them myself. I have, however, been tournament director for a comp featuring this rule set (back in 1990 or thereabouts). To much plussing and minusing for morale, reaction, taking a dump; the type of rule set in which you either spend most of the game with your nose in the rule book, or, if you haven't, are relying upon memory - in my observation none too reliable! This is quite apart from the encouragement to 'rules lawyers'.
But I think what really put me off this rule set is its use in war games 'competitions'. Personally, quite what the attraction is of war games competitions completely passes me by. If I want to do that sort of thing, I'd (re)join a chess club, something I haven't done since 1986.
I played them in the 1990s and know someone who still does. My edition (6th I think) involved a lot of modifiers and tables and charts. I found it slow going and straining. I'm a faster play adherent these days and I also prefer the bigger battalions.
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