As I started preparing for an ACW game, it came to me that I was getting off track. The plan was to have my 1/72 ACW provide a different kind of game from the 54mm mid 19thC armies but instead, I appeared to be heading full tilt towards playing one of my usual scenarios with my usual rules but with 18 little guys in a hex instead of 4 big ones.
I decided to change course by designing a scenario based on an historical ACW action. Having found a suitable one, I started trying to convert an old map from my pdf of Vol2 of Battles and Leaders directly onto the hexes on my table. Arrrrgggghhhh!
I needed to make a map.......a hex map....
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| One map hex = one table hex, one regiment per hex, haven't actually translated it to the table yet. |
Which is where the downloading came in:
Free printable hex sheets link
So now, armed with a map, I can start laying out the battlefield.
Hmm, trees, more trees, and ...oh, of course, more trees! If I'm going to do ACW battles in 1/72, I'm going need more trees!!! Still, the game must go on! I have a plan, but that's for the next post, along with some consideration of rules ....
Having downloaded hex and square arrays onto a file, I maintain blank versions from which I make copies for any maps I want to create. That way the hassle takes place once.
ReplyDeleteGreat minds etc.
DeleteBy chance, this is exactly where I will be later this week. I have not done it in ages and am looking forward to it (both mine and yours).
ReplyDeleteAh! I shall look forward to reading your report. I'm afraid my go will be of the "inspired by" sort.
DeleteThat Hex download is jolly handy .
ReplyDeleteIt has been so far. They have various sizes and shapes.
DeleteHexactly!
ReplyDeleteVery graphic printouts.
DeleteHello there Ross,
ReplyDeleteThe part that really caught my eye - ‘my pdf of volume 2 of Battles and Leaders’ - I had never thought of this so I suspect some Google fu is required! I have the hardback versions which are quite marvellous but not exactly handy for lugging around!
All the best,
DC
I came across the cd of scanned pages at a wargame con early this century. Awkward to read, esp on a small device! but I only have volume 1 in print and far better than nothing.
ReplyDeleteMy first copy of any of it was a book sized paperback digest of selected battle reports without maps, most illustrations, and all of the Orders of Battle removed!!!? I was better than nothing but I would love to have a proper full reprint but with large cler text for old eyes! :) maybe in 12 volumes so I could lift them to read .
This takes me back, oh, a decade+. A miniatures gamer in Edmonton set the boardgame, Commands & Colors: Ancients (2006), to the sound of 1/72-scale miniatures. Like playing the boardgame....except in 3D! With fancier-looking counters obviously. Terrain machinations were made as well. As players, "We came; We saw; We rolled dice in anger."
ReplyDelete