That was one of the main Principles of War that I was taught in my military college days.
One of the principal hobby goals that I adopted when I retired was that each part of my collection should be used AND each part should provide a different sort of game.
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| A brigade of two battalions, 1 in column, 1 in line, both with skirmishers out. |
To counter this aim, I have an ingrained urge to take a successful rules and organization approach, and adapt it for multiple periods. Naturally this tends to make the games a bit "same-ish" as well as sometimes pushing a set of rules beyond what they were meant for.
So......... despite how well the various Square Brigadier variants play when used as intended for small games with minimal tactical detail, they don't always work so well if used for larger games.
So, I'm taking another stab at designing simple rules that can handle units of say a dozen figures, spread over 3 or 4 hexes. Its early days though.
I am just reading some boardgame rules (SPQR by GMT) that use both single and double hexed units, with the double representing Phalanx and such-like. Their movement rule is that when both parts of the unit move in such a way that both parts enter a new hex (i.e. not pivoting on one end), the the unit pays the movement cost of the most expensive terrain that is moved into.
ReplyDeleteOne interesting rule is that if a double unit has one half engaged in an enemy ZOC, which normally causes a unit to cease movement, the other half can still move into an empty hex (i.e. a sort of pivot action), but pays 2 movement points (i.e. double) and that hex entered must be open terrain - of course this is ancients system and typically dealing with phalanx movement, so needing the open terrain is relevant and might not be so significant in later periods.
In some periods, the need for a mix of large close order units which to maintain cohesion with smaller more manoeuvrable units can be hard to get right while keeping the rules simple and playable.
DeleteGood for you in keeping on task.
ReplyDeleteGot to keep the little grey cells working.
DeleteI like the way the figures are deployed on the table in the picture. I will be interested to read how you proceed.
ReplyDeleteI have a vague "feel" for what I want but habits and brain keep getting in the way.
DeleteGood luck with the new rules. It is always hard to break away from a good and enjoyable set of rules. I often try and change, or mix up, the activation approach to give a different feel to game.
ReplyDeleteThat can make a difference as does the level of detail and the number of separate units to be managed.
DeleteI like the aim (and having one to guide action--I'll have to adopt one).
ReplyDeleteThere's a movie you should check out - "The Neverending Story" ;)
ReplyDeleteGood one!
DeleteSometimes its about the journey not the destination. :)
DeleteDuring my basic training it was Maintenance of Boots and Sobriety!
ReplyDeleteGood luck with the rule writing.
Sobriety? At 17, what I learned at the mess was that hangovers did not excuse you from duty the next day...
DeleteGood luck with the rules design. All part of the fun, yes?
ReplyDeleteRegards, James
Absolutely. (And a rather inexpensive distraction compared to buying new stuff :) )
DeleteExactly right and a more mental endeavor than painting. So many interesting facets to this hobby.
DeleteTrue
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