As we lurch back in to lockdown (expecting Tier 3 later this week) face to face gaming has once more been put on hold.
So I decided to it was time for some more solo gaming. Neil Thomas' One Hour Wargames are quick and easy to set up and play and doing both sides at once meant I needed nice simple rules to stick in my head.
I went with scenario six which is loosely based on Salamanca apparently. One side must exit half it's forces via the road whilst the other side ambushes from the flank.
I diced for the six units as the rules dictate, but the French really only have two options until I get round to ordering and painting some cannon for them. Naturally I decided to emulate "history" and have the French try and break through via the road.
Solo games mean you can take time for photographs. So there are rather a lot...
The British bar the way
But the French come on at pace
The ambushers emerge:
The 60th rifles stalk the hill tops
The French break column and prepare to fight.
The British line gives fire
The French voltigeurs screen the infantry
In line now, the French begin to fire on the British blocking the way.
The redcoats return fire destroying the lead French infantry
Supported by their cannon
Murderous close quarter musketry
The lancers threaten the British flank
The Voltigeurs hang in and give as good as they get. The Marie Louises also join in.
The troops blocking the road are under some pressure
Whilst the line blow away the other British unit
The Voltigeurs destroy oneof the ambushers
The cannon continues to rain down fire
Finally the voltigeurs are driven off
The lancers keep the British in square, whilst the infantry continue to shoot them down...
...until the square is destroyed and the road is cleared.
The Marie Louises move to counter the remaining British.
Boom!
As the last redcoats rush desperately to close the road the French continue to fire on them.
The lancers move to cover the infantry as they march onwards
And finally the French cavalry leave the field.
This was good fun. The rules are simple to remember so you get to concentrate on moving the toys around (and taking pictures).
It's definitely a game rather than an accurate simulation of any form of warfare but it works well enough.
Looked and sounded a great game.
ReplyDeleteThanks Ray - it's a very "light" ruleset, but sometimes that's exactly what you need.
DeleteLovely sized action, the NT rules do make sure that a game gets to the table.
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely right, Norm.
DeleteI'd love to have another game of Rebels and Patriots, but this is just so much quicker and easier as a solo bit of fun.
Looks good Tom, you are getting a good sized collection together. Hopefully we can get a game in some time next year.
ReplyDeleteNot sure, maybe three 24 man units of British and two of French, plus a unit each of cavalry. So barely enough for a "proper" game :)
DeleteBut yes, lets hope we can get an actual game in in 2021
Good batrep and interesting set of rules that I might look into.
ReplyDeleteCheers, Ross
The rulebook is worth it for the 30 scenarios alone. Easily transferrable to other rules sets.
DeleteNot sure I'd ever have actually played them were it not for Covid - but I'm glad I did.
Nice I like NT's rules as they are and as a framework for whatever you want to bolt on. Nice pics and nice figs too.
ReplyDeleteYes, I keep thinking of things I *could* change but I have other more complex sets that I could use if I really wanted to.
DeleteThese give a good quick game (and there's a deceptive amount of depth) exactly as written