Thursday, September 1, 2022

Ramblings and an ECW Command Set

I begin September with a mixture of topics without a common theme.  Well, besides wargaming, that is.

First, off the painting table is an ECW command vignette for the 30mm ECW project.  The figures, themselves, are from TAG while the models are sculpted to represent Pappenheim.  I know, I know.  Pappenheim did not see service during the ECW.  In fact, he fell in battle during the Thirty Years War but the figures lingered in The Lead Pile and the group was pressed into service as I whittle down the lump of TAG lead.   

Second, The Great Wargaming Survey, 2022 edition closed out on Wednesday.  Hope everyone that wanted to participate did so and within the allotted time.  I expect to see the survey response datafile in the next few weeks.  I look forward to diving into the data to see what new tendencies emerge from the land of wargaming.  At last count, total responses had not set a record but turnout was robust, again.  Oh, I used my WSS coupon code to order a subscription to WSS magazine.  While I occasionally pick up the digital edition when the theme is of interest, I have not subscribed to the magazine in years. 
Third, the gaming front sees two battles this week.  Game #1 was an Ancient Sumerian clash using Graham's To Ur is Human rules.  The game was a hybrid in that there were active players both onsite and remotely.  Ian and I were online.  Graham (umpire), Phil, Richard, and Tim were in Shedquarters pushing lead.  In the heated contest, Richard, Phil, and I came out on top.  Graham will likely have a full accounting of the battle in due time.

Game #2, is slated for later this afternoon. Kevin is coming over for a F2F game.  Sticking with the Ancient Sumeria theme, my Sumerians will see their Baptism of Fire on the gaming table.  Time was spent this week preparing for the game including writing up a Basic Impetvs variant for Bronze Age combat on a hex grid.  We give the rules their Baptism of Fire too.

Finally, The Palouse Wargaming Journal approaches ten years in the blogosphere.  Anniversary date mid-September.  More on that event later.

56 comments:

  1. A hybrid game! Did you find it different from totally remote games? Nice work on the TYW figures....always seemed a good bit of flow for figure use, with obvious exceptions.

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    1. Hi, Joe. Yes, hybrid games are different from a totally remote game. I think some things are lost in the transformation to the mixed model. Perhaps this is a topic for another time?

      Glad you like the command stand!

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    2. Like Democracy the hybrid model is the worst system, apart from all of the others. It makes it easier having lead pushers in the room (even when the figures are plastic), but it is challenge trying to keep both the F2F and on-line players involved at the same levels.

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    3. While pure remote is more work for the host, pure remote games work quite well, I think. The hybrid model would work better if the online participants were overall commanders with no playing pieces but setting strategy. All of the in-house players, then, move commands on the table and resolve combat under those orders.

      Under a hybrid game, the in-house players tend to dominate play. Banter among the players is increased for the in-house players to the detriment of the online players.

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  2. Your lead pile seems to provide a never ending variety of figures.

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  3. The square hills used seem oddly suited to the era! Was a square grid employed for the game?
    I look forward to seeing your Sumerians in action in the waning days of Summer!

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    1. Square hills were a surprise to me too although Graham says we have seen them before. With a square grid, square terrain pieces make sense.

      Perhaps this is the beginning of a Sumerian Summer?

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    2. The square hills were a solution to a problem driven by trying to run squared games in hilly areas. I tried a number of other solutions. For example for games using a smaller grid I use normal hills and stick little dots on the corners of the squares. For the ancient period it is odd, but the block square hills seemed right. Plus I had a load of old chipboard book cases and wardrobes to get rid of, so I just cut them up and painted them.

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    3. Well, I tend to use hex hills on my hex terrain so square on sqaure is no different.

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  4. Enjoy your face to face - Sumerians at last :-)

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    1. Thanks! Yes, Sumerians, at last. Looking at the Painting Log, my Sumerian project only began in July of 2021. So one year from start to game. That is not so bad, is it?

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  5. A nice mix of stuff there Jon. 30mm figures seems like giants to me after so long painting 10mm stuff (and smaller), but the command base does look rather good.

    Not to everyone's interest or taste but I do find the results of the survey interesting. Maybe I should get out more;)? That does remind me that I need to use my voucher code for something or other.

    I look forward to seeing your Sumerians in action as I'm sure they will look superb en masse. BTW the forthcoming issue of Miniature Wargames has a scenario for Sumeria in case it might be of interest.

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    1. Ooops, forgot to say well done on 10 years of Blogging!

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    2. Steve, I reckon I could paint something different everyday and not repeat myself too often.

      While some may not appreciate the survey and the analyses it spawns, I find the investigation fascinating. I have a backlog of topics to explore. One day, I may even get to them!

      Thanks for the heads-up on the MW issue. I will look into it.

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    3. On the upcoming ten-year anniversary, without regular readers (and commenters) like yourself, it would have been much less fun.

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  6. Nice looking command vignette and well done on the 10 year milestone

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  7. Congratulations on the imminent anniversary, Jon. The TAG figures are excellent, as always. Well done on getting two games in, and I look forward to the Sumerians maiden innings!

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    1. Thanks, Keith! The TAG figures are nice. I could use more for my Italian Wars collection. Hmm. That reminds me...

      Looks like I will have three Sumerian games in a row. the first with Graham's stuff (past Tuesday) and then two with mine (today and next Tuesday).

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  8. Nice little base of ECW commanders. Not a period I will ever get into myself, but the feathered hats and masses of pike do look pretty cool on the tabletops.

    Enjoy poring through all the stats of the survey! Always fun to read your results and try my best (And typically fail) to recall how I voted up against them.

    10 years too - that's a benchmark of a veteran blogger for sure. Congrats in advance!

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    1. Glad you like the command base, Dai! As for not getting into the period, Never Say Never!

      Also good to see that you enjoy the survey and analyses. Some people enbjoy the work; others think it a waste of time.

      I think ten years blogging counts as veteran status, for sure!

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  9. Bit over here. Bit over there.
    Glad you’re getting a F2F. Have fun.
    I’ll save congrats for later. 😀

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  10. 10 years? Oh, its great! Have the same anniversary in this year :D

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  11. The TAG figures look great, I'm sure the Papp figure would fit into any ECW army. The game looks a busy affair! And well done on the up and coming 10 years!

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    1. Thanks! I am not concerned with having Pappenheim make an appearance in my ECW games.

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  12. TAG figures really are a joy to paint, and you have done a terrific job on these Jonathan. I really like the subdued armour colour which you have used for the period. What paint did you use as it is just the look I'd like to achieve when I get to some more renaissance figures down the track.

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    1. Thank you! The figures are a joy to paint, Lawrence. The paint used for the armor is a metallic gun metal gray (Folkart). I apply it more in a drybrushing manner over black primer.

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    2. I use the same paint for armor & metal weapons, only over a white primer washed with a homemade black wash. Great look. Congratulations on your upcoming Anniversary! Long enjoyed your blog without commenting. Please keep sharing your inspiring work.

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    3. Thanks for the comment, Tom! No need to remain silent. Chime in whenever you wish!

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    4. I wondered if it was gunmetal. I have tried that with Vallejo but thought it was still a little too shiny, so dulled it with an ink wash. I'll see whether I can find the Folkart brand and give that a go. Thanks for the tip Jonathan.

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    5. My figures all receive a Minwax stain and then a spray of W&N Matte to flatten the finish.

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    6. Thank you. If you will, is the W&N you use rattle can or airbrush? (I've been happily using their brush on for some time now. I suspect because of a posting you did long ago?)

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    7. Hi Tom. I use the W&N Professional Matt Spray Varnish. It is the best dull coat, bar none.

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  13. You are certainly a busy beaver in your retirement Jonathan! Ten year before the screen (to steal a line from a post of yours a few years ago) is a worthy celebration and it made me look at my own start date, and I noted that my 10 year anniversary in is January.

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    1. I certainly stay busy! Looks like a number of us started blogging about ten years ago. We are in good company. I am surprised you remember that blog post title! Your memory is holding up rather well.

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  14. Splendid ECW/TYW vignette! And a Happy 10th Blogging Anniversary mid-September!

    Cheers,

    David.

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    1. Thanks to both, David! I may add an anniversary post mid-month.

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  15. Lovely vignette Jonathan. Looking forward to seeing more of your Sumerians and your survey analysis. Now off to use my coupon.

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    1. Thanks, Richard! Good to see support for the survey analysis.

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  16. A fine looking vignette, congratulations on the win and your blogs 10th year. Look forward to reading of the FtF Sumerian clash.

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    1. Thank you! The F2F Sumerian game fell short on photos. I may struggle to put together a coherent report on my crushing defeat. That may be for the best!

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  17. The command base is looking excellent. I love the composition and poses of the figures. Great work, my friend!

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    1. Nice. I would like your thoughts about our Fleurus-game on our blog.

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    2. André, I saw you had a new posting but have yet to secure time to read. Knowing it is a battle report, I will over soon!

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  18. Love that command stand & looking forward to see your Sumerians in action. Ten years of blogging is a milestone indeed!

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    1. Thanks, Mike! Ten years is a long time to stick to anything.

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  19. Nice looking command base Jon. Would you believe it I missed the survey as I have been away walking since my retirement 😢 but I look forward to your analysis. Lots to catch up on but at least I don’t have to go to work anymore 👍

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    1. Thanks, Matt! Good to see you survived for long walk and doubly good that you now off the clock. Congratulations on retirement. You are now a Gentleman of Leisure.

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  20. Splendid looking 17th century command stand! Congratulations on your 10 years before the mast!
    Best Iain

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