A new year, always as good a time as any to revisit things.
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| The Satrap caught up with the Duke before they reached the oasis. A running fight ensued. |
There was a time that I was all in favour of having just a few basic rule systems with adjustments for various periods but for much of the last decade I have been struggling to carry out a proposal to have a different style of rules for each collection of figures. This led to far too much time spent tweaking and re-tweaking too many sets of rules for too many collections (I refuse to say projects since I have no formal plans and no goals beyond enjoying the process where ever it goes).
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| The Roman cavalry managed to hold back the enemy's light cavalry but the Roman infantry had to turn and fight their pursuers before they could attack the Oasis. The Roman archers however, kept themselves busy by shooting arrows into the trees, the bushes, the pool....anywhere except the enemy! |
I don't "do" resolutions but do often think about time past, the present and the near future. Last year I finally started on reducing the number of collections and figures my plan showed as active. Having been reluctant to let go of yet more beloved figures, I have been trying to get as many of my current collections as I could onto the table each year. Alas the only way to get anywhere near to that goal was by constantly changing horses with the usual result of not being able to really "get into" anything or get a proper campaign going, because I was always "flipping the channel".
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| Casualties mounted on both sides but the Romans could not seem to get closer to the oasis. |
For the the pre-musket era that Morschauser called the "Shock" period, I had three sets of figures and three sets of rules. The Elastolin Prince Valiant figures seemed to call for skirmish rules since I didn't have any. I don't really enjoy roleplaying or skirmish games as much as battle games, so I've struggled constantly with this!
To be honest, I'm much happier just playing a simple conventional game and then using my imagination when writing up the blog posts to turn the game into a tale, adding motives, colour and so on as I write.
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| For a time the balance hung by a thread but at last the Persians were starting to waver and the Duke was able to order a cohort of legionaries to clean the mercenaries out of the oasis. The Satrap decided not to risk an assault with what remained of his force. |
So, I have decided to roll the clock back 5 years and resume my intention to use an updated version of the Morschauser inspired Gathering of Hosts rules to serve for the 25's, Prince Valiant and my 16thC 40's.
Having played this scenario with constantly fluctuating rules, I'm now updating the rules to cover all three collections ranging from the 5thC to the 16thC as well as medieval fantasy which is how they began 5 years ago. As soon as that is done, I'll replay the scenario.
Ross, as often as you turn back the clock to revisit old ideas, you are a veritable time traveler. Looking forward to following your next adventure. I think I will see how many of my collections can see action on the gaming table in 2022. Wonder how I will do?
ReplyDeleteA decade or so, I cut it down from about 20 to 12 with a goal of each being out at least once in a 3 year cycle. Meeting that became a stressor which it didn't used to be. I blame retirement....
DeleteMy God! 'Stampy the Elephant' appears to have heaved 'imself over that low hill(!).
ReplyDelete(Meselfs, I don't like to think back on timespans too much. I seem to accomplish far more when I avoid doing that.)
She had help.
DeleteInteresting to hear about your antipathy towards skirmish games, something of a revelation given the colorful Prince Valiant game reports. Then again, you do manage to weave a good narrative for all of your games.
ReplyDeleteIts not antipathy, per se, its just that the lower the level and the more detail, the less they appeal. Most of those Prince Valiant games were played with rules intended for ordinary small battles, no individual stats or characters, and only rare figure to figure duels if ever.
DeleteMaking it into a tale is the Bard's job! :)
To each his own, Ross. Some people just go from battle to battle; others like to create elaborate worlds right down to history, personalities, politics, finances etc and so on. Most of us are in between, somewhere along that spectrum. You have enough colour to your battles to keep me coming back for more!
ReplyDeleteCheers,
Ion
I haven't the patience, focus etc to create whole worlds including the (to me) boring bits like economies etc.
Deletebut I do enjoy having a background and characters as long as they don't have to be too consistent. :)
Don't think of it as 'going back'. Just think of it as new perspectives on earlier work.
ReplyDeleteMore of a rebirth...
DeleteI always thought the whole point of this blog was to chronicle your constant tinkering with, and switching of, rules ;) As long as you're having fun, it works.
ReplyDeleteWell, it was supposed to be about the battles, until I lost my way and ended up trying to have 20 collections and a dufferent rule set for each one! (No, never managed to juggle 20 rulesets)
DeleteI really enjoy when you take us through your thought processes - it always inspires me to reconsider my own approaches to things. For the past few years, I've been trying to ape your different style of rules for different collections (because I think it's a great concept) but have been leaning lately to one set of rules for multiple collections myself.
ReplyDeleteI like to think of it as "the old way".
DeleteOver the years I have amassed a considerable amount of rule sets/books but I only ever seem to use thee or four regularly…
ReplyDeleteI think if the mechanics work well enough for you it only takes a few tweaks to add the period flavour….
At the end of the day it’s all about playing with toy soldiers 😁
All the best. Aly
I blame Fon Featherstone for starting me off with a few facts, tips and examples and encouragement to write my own rules!
DeleteI like having very different rules and mechanics for different periods. It makes it easier to memorize the rules and tune them to certain genres of games.
ReplyDeleteI agree but find that too many get confusing and leafing to artificial differences. A smaller selection of rules each covering similar sub periods if you will, seems to work best for me. I've been there and look forward to going back.
DeleteWhat a marvellous game that was. The nellie really is a show-stopper/stealer of attention—superb!
ReplyDeleteRegards, James
She was a lucky find! Takes a bit of presence to get me to buy something that has no connection to anything I am doing at the time or plan to do in the future....but here she is at last!
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