Wednesday, September 7, 2022

More ECW et al.

Following up on the ECW command stand presented last week, today more ECW figures depart the painting desk.  Off the table is a nine-figure regiment of horse in buffcoats and floppy hats.  Figures are TAG cavalry from the Thirty Years War range (Swedish?) but I am pressing them into service for the ECW project.  Nice sculpts but a bit fragile.  Upon close examination, one can see that the trumpeter has already lost the bell of his instrument.  This mishap occured during the photoshoot.  Fragile little thing.  I may try to reconnect the bell to the pipe.

Game #2 with the Sumerians and Basic Impetvs occured on Tuesday.  With hosting a four-player remote game, once again, the players kept me hopping and photos were few.  I may be able to create a patchwork summary battle report but perhaps, not.  

While the game was entertaining, the post-game discussion prompted a useful analytical exercise.  The discussion continued on to email where the relative merits of rules and resolution of specific tactical situations were debated.  This conversation sparked a chance to ponder topics on game design, theory, computational validation, and testing.  Perhaps fodder for another posting and further discussion.

Finally, after a few days of very smoky skies from assorted wildfires, the air cleared for my daily, morning ride out on the bike.  Number of miles put into the legs today was 36 traveling north along the Spokane River.  A few photos from today's ride follow.



Until next time...

43 comments:

  1. Nice cycling weather, good views. I for one would be interested in the various categories that you mentioned. I don't have the rules-----do not play ancients ; actually not much before 1500.

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    1. Glad you enjoy the views, Joe. Smoke drifted in this evening. We will see what the skies look like on Thursday.

      For me, Impetvs and Basic Impetvs offer up solid sets of rules. Their is a version for pike & shot entitled, Baroque . Perhaps that would be of interest. I think I have an old version of the basic version around here too.

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  2. Perhaps Graham will have an AAR on his site of your game, Jon? The TAG cavalry look good - did you have a plan for TYW collection a some point...seems like you have a few figures in the pile available for repurposing? The views from your bike ride are wonderful, as ever!

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    1. It would surprise me if Graham does not post a battle account.

      The TAG figures are from a friend’s collection when he jettisoned a planned TYW project. I figured I could use the figures for ECW. No plans for TYW project of my own but never say never.

      Glad you approve of the cycling view sampling. Thursday’s ride may be smoke filled.

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    2. They'll be a battle report up shortly. Spent all of yesterday board gaming with Mrs T and some friends.

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    3. Battle report up: https://wargaming4grownups.blogspot.com/2022/09/some-more-of-sumer.html

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    4. Thanks! We may have some topics to discuss...

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  3. Nice troops and views. 36 miles, well done, half hour walk for me.

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  4. ECW look superb in those muted colours - spot on. It would be interesting if a subsequent post covered the design implications and potential remedies that your Impetvs game threw up.

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    1. Thank you, Norm! On design implications and a look at comparative wargame design, I may dive into this topic later.

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  5. A neat looking ECW addition there. A patch work AAR is welcome, would interested in how it panned out. You have some grand scenery to cycle in.

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    1. Thanks! On patchworking a AAR, let me see if I can cobble together something, somewhat coherent.

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  6. A good looking ECW unit. Is it 9 figures to fit the base or other reasons?

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    1. Thank you, Peter! Cavalry are based on 3 x 60mm. I like the aesthethics of nine cavalry figures in 30mm (or 28mm).

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  7. Lovely units there Jon and the muted colours work a treat. As always the scenery where you live it rather lovely to say the least. Good to see you out on the bike. Here we have thunderstorms on and off (but glad of the rain) so a bit hard to get out for anything other than a quick dash, which is better than nothing.

    Post game chats are always good for mulling over the good and bad points in a set of rules, what we as gamers might want from them etc. Then there is scenario design to throw into the mix which can complicate things. I look forward to your musings on these at some point if you are able.

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    1. Thanks, Steve! The terrain is here offers up a wide variety to keep one from becoming bored while out cycling. Lots of elevation changes thrown into the mix so the rides always feature a lot of ups and downs. This especially true since I must climb a 700 foot hill to return home. Getting out some is better than not getting out at all. Keep at it!

      Post-game discussions are always enjoyable. With remote games and big time differences, it is not always possible to have a solid discussion. Email helps to fill in the missing points. I may attack a comparative analysis between Basic Impetvs and To Ur Is Human when I muster the courage. Each of us brings our own unique perceptions and preferences to the table in these discussions. I can only offer mine.

      Appreciate your comment!

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  8. Stunning scenery...you are very fortunate to live in such a beautiful place. Regards.

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  9. The cavalry look superb and some fantastic scenery for a bike ride

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  10. Lovely looking cavalry. Little things make me smile. In this case it was the flashes on the horses' noses.
    Great scenery. You blessed.
    Interesting thoughts on your game. I await your follow up post on game design etc.

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    1. Thank you, Richard! Happy to see the horse blazes brought a smile to your face.

      Good cycling country but lumpy.

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  11. You’ve been busy! Beautiful country to cycle through.
    Chris/Nundanket

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    1. Chris, a lot going on, for sure, and not enough time to put it all on the blog. This is good cycling country.

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  12. Nice cavalry and good looking cycling terrain 👍

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    1. Thanks, Matt! Now that you are retired, come over for some cycling and you can experience the ground firsthand!

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    2. I might just take you up on that 👍

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  13. A nice addition Jonathan. I have a few TAG figures but haven't managed to snap any yet. I was thinking just the other day how the consistency of the metal between manufacturers seems to differ quite widely.

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    1. Thanks, Lawrence. The connecting metal of the trumpet pipe to the bell was weak already. It did not take much to see it drop off. The swords on theses TAG cavalry troopers are bit bit spindly too. Hopefully I do not lose them in combat. Metal composition between manufacturers seems to vary markedly. The figures cast in pewter are as hard as rock. Others have softer metal that is easily bendable.

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  14. Nice work with the ECW unit Jon. I never seem to tire from your marvellous landscape pics…….

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    1. Thanks! Glad you enjoy seeing the local landscapes. I will keep them coming...

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  15. Those cavalry are nice indeed. Very ECW from my faded memory of my school history classes, so Swedish or not they work!

    Those pictures of the scenery you get to enjoy are always lovely to be able to see. Just a shame that it's that wildfire time of year and the West burns leaving behind ugliness and moonscapes.

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    1. Glad you like them!

      Yes, it is a real shame that the West tends to burn every summer. There was a heavy smell of smoke in the air this morning but skies were clear.

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  16. Nice display of miniatures and landscapes. I must be right behind you: because right now in my neck of the woods the temperature is 110 and the sky is full of smoke. Hellscapes really. All the more reason that inside is better than outside. 😀😀

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    1. 110F! Yikes. That is hot! Temps have cooled in the PNW this week but fires still burning. Even with a whiff of smoke in the air, I still enjoy being outside.

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  17. Great looking 17th century cavalry, good for Thirty years wars or English civil war, it's always good to chat about a game afterwards!
    Best Iain

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    1. Thank you! You can learn a lot from a post-game chat.

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  18. Excellent cavalry. I love the horse-units of that period.

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    1. Thanks! I like the cavalry of this period too. With most in buffcoats, easy to paint!

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  19. Love the palette you used on the cavalry. Bookmarked for inspiration.

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