Its been a bit of a struggle to paint lately. Family visits, a few minor health problems and the relatively good weather all gave me reasons to not pick up a brush. Anyway I think I'm back on the straight and narrow again and managed to finish these two Parliamentarian units.
As I explained my forces will not be historical in the sense that I wont concentrate on say the Oxford army and ignore what I see as attractive units from other theatres of war.
And so we have Brooks regiment which is a given for most ECW wargamers. Whats not to like, with purple coats etc. John reliably informed me that they weren't the best trained unit, but so they will run away, whats new there.
The second is my Hollywood version of Essex's Lifeguard which I have elevated from a troop to a full regiment. Again like a magpie the colour attracted me to paint them. Probably not my best painted unit but it will pas muster in my eyes simply because they are orange.
Although I am in my third age[ ridiculous term] don't think I'm not open to new ideas. Well not where wargaming is concerned. I am lucky that John has always been fascinated by wargames rules and is always looking for the 'perfect' set for each of our chosen periods. Me well I would still be using George Gush's WRG renaissance rules if it hadn't been for John prodding me towards more innovative rules.His latest 'find' is Simon Miller's FOR KING AND PARLIAMENT.
We have now had two battles with these rules. Both were largish affairs with 12 regiments or so of cavalry and a similar number of infantry. How did they play? Well I am very very impressed once I got my head around how important it is to choose the right unit to command and move first. Pick the wrong unit and then fail the command throw and you are in deep, deep, do do. I love the mechanism used to show how cavalry become blown. Similarly with artillery, don't expect to be able to bombard all game. It cant happen and is frankly pretty ineffective, and rightly so. Simon should be applauded for the work that has been put into these rules. They capture the period for me, have a good representation of friction and provide a really enjoyable game. Will I be buying a set? Probably if just for the eye candy and inspirational photographs. A very very good set of ECW wargames rules.
You have a nice looking army. Glad to hear that the rules work for you. I'd be interested in hearing more about the cavalry rules - might be able to apply to 18th Century too?
ReplyDeleteJim,
DeleteThey use a mechanism defined as 'dash' and 'pistols'. I dont have the set in front of me so may explain it incorrectly, but most regiments have 2 or 3 elements of dash. With each charge one of these is removed. The dash allows you to charge at a longer distance than if you dont possess it. It also gives you more melee dice. You are given the option of using your pistols in the melee which again gives you an extra dice or giving you the option of firing before you receive the charge. Most cavalry units have two pistols but once they are used, that's it. Because the ECW cavalry were hard to control they must pursue if they win a melee, it is difficult to stop them. The more moves you pursue you lose a 'dash' factor each time. So the cavalry will soon become blown. After that they can still fight but receive penalties for having no additional factors and the range they can charge. I apologise for perhaps not explaining it to clearly.It is a very neat system though.
Fine looking troops, Robbie! I look forward to giving FKAP a try.
ReplyDeleteThey are very good. I was a bit dubious about the grid movement system, but to be honest it makes things very easy.
DeleteExcellent looking unit.
ReplyDeleteThanks Lee, orange is a bugger to paint, it should be easy but I really struggled.
DeleteRobbie, nice units and a step closer to grids:-)
ReplyDeleteCould you ever see yourself getting into hexed terrain?
Alright Norm,
DeleteAs I have mentioned I was dubious about using grids, but it did make things very easy.Instead of using grids John has carefully painted dots on one of his terrain cloths so the effect is minimal. It works very well.
Excellent looking units
ReplyDeleteThanks Neil,
DeletePeter Gilder was a top figure sculpter which makes it easier to do a nice job.
Great to hear it's a good set. To the Strongest is a pretty solid base to be working off.
ReplyDeleteCheers,
Aaron
They are a very good set that were easy to understand and fun.
DeleteLovely units.. I have bought a set of the same rules but not had time yet to play.. given my loathing of grids and hexes, I'm interested in your thoughts as to how easy it would be to change to distances/measuring???
ReplyDeleteSteve, I have the same aversion however as I stated John has simply painted dots upon one of his cloths. It makes them unobtrusive but still visible. Im certain you could replace the grids, but to be honest the rules work so well that it would be foolish to tinker about with them.
DeleteLovely brushwork! Very impressive.
ReplyDeleteThanks Dean, the gloss varnish covers a lot of imperfections.
DeleteRobbie,
ReplyDeleteJust in case you don't see my reply to your recent comment on my blog, I have a copy of Stuart Asquith's GUIDE TO SIEGE WARFARE, and if you could contact me by email with your address etc., it is yours!
All the best,
Bob
Sorry I didnt pick up on your reply Bob, I will attempt to get in touch straight awa.
DeleteRoddie, I do really like Simons ancient rules - To the Strongest. So for King.. beckons. Like the purple unit
ReplyDeleteThey are veru enjoyable rules. Another contender for my best rules of the year me thinks.
DeleteFine work on the new units Robbie.
ReplyDeleteThanks David, hope you are still jobbing about.
DeleteRobbie,
ReplyDeleteGreat units. Sometimes I think we just have to paint what we like and to hell with the o.o.b.
I love Simon's To The Strongest so I'm sure these will be good.
To right Graham. Wargaming life is too short to worry.
DeleteAgain, lovely looking units. Keep it going!
ReplyDeleteThanks Colin, I will potter on albeit a bit slower than the ACW.
DeleteLooking good Robbie, Neal slightly adapted Simons rules for his TYW collection and (along with his ancient rules) loved the.
ReplyDeleteDave.
Simon has done a great job. They play really well and enjoyable to boot.
DeleteLovely looking ECW units ,my nephew had a go at salute and we've both bought a copy so we hope to have a go soon,he was very enthusiastic about it. Simon has got some draft Italian wars amendments he's working on for to the strongest (might work out for Caesere and friends?)
ReplyDeleteBest Iain
Iain,
DeleteNow that sounds very interesting, I hope they come to fruition. His ECW were a real pleasure to play, luckily John who I wargame with is an expert at remembering new stuff. Me, I still keep looking for the bounce sticks.
Very nice army and the cavalry looks great! The rules of cavalry, how you explained, is clear - I also fight in 18. century and was interested. But I can imagine this rule. I like it.
ReplyDeletePeter
Peter,
DeleteThe system is simple but effective, allowing a decent fist of exhaustion and lack of control that affected the Royalists especially.
Hi Robbie- Andrew and I are glad you are having fun! I am very jealous of you having Brookes- although they were short-lived, and in their purple finery a little specialised (the only purple unit) they fought at Brentford which is a scenario I very much want to tackle.
ReplyDelete