That Time of Year, Again

Yep!  If it is August, then it is once again time to complete WSS's The Great Wargaming Survey.

A few new questions have been introduced into this edition and a few of the old questions have seen some amendments.

You can take the survey at Great Wargaming Survey.  Completing the survey takes about ten minutes or less depending upon your familiarity with the questions and your verbosity on the open-ended questions at the end.

As a test, in the "Final Observations" open-ended question at survey's end, if you put in PWJ2025 along with your final observations, I will be able to capture results from readers of this blog.  With enough responses, I may tailor some of the analyses to this subset of survey respondents to see how readers collectively view some of the questions.

Go ahead, fill out the survey and try to remember your answers when some of these topics are discussed in analyses throughout the upcoming twelve months.  Survey closes on 31 August.

Piedmontese Reinforcements and a Game

With an expected return to 18th Century battlefields after a series of WotR games (Solden Hill and Mortimer's Cross) seeing action on the table, the brushes saw work adding to the 18mm SYW/WAS/(and now) WPS collection.  Yes, a third conflict is being studied.  That study focuses on the War of Polish Succession (WPS) of 1733-1738.  Many of the same antagonists seen in the later War of Austrian Succession are seen here and some of the same Northern Italian ground is fought over again. 

Since the Piedmontese/Sardinians fought in both conflicts, two more regiments were pushed into the painting queue.  This time I field two of the many provincial infantry regiments.  Marching out today are IRs Aosta and Asti.  Foot figures are Old Glory led by Eureka mounted colonels.  Flags are David's handiworks from Not By Appointment.  These two 23-figure regiments will be added into the regulars already on the muster rolls.

What WPS battle is on deck first?  Well, I will present my interpretation of the 1734 Battle of Quistello first introduced to me by André in his PBEM game several years ago.  André's inspirational work on this scenario can be found on his blog at Quistello.

Research turned up the following contemporary map,

and an account by Ben Franklin.  Yes, the Ben Franklin!  Franklin's 1734 account of the battle can be found at Variant Accounts of Battle.

Using André's map and Google Earth as guides, my interpretation of the battlefield topography and troop dispositions are illustrated in the photo of my game table below:

First game is on deck for Monday with six of Postie's Rejects in a remote game.  Looking forward to it!

Still have work to accomplish before Monday with writing a Battle Briefing, updating the QRS, affixing labels to all of the units, and positioning units onto the table. 

Remote Game in a Galaxy Far, Far Away

As alluded to in my previous post, Peter offered an invitation to try out Squad Hammer rules with his Star Wars Legion collection.  Having an interest in seeing his figures in action and curious to see a walkthrough of the rules, I jumped at the kind offer.

Since Peter has already documented the scenario and the two battle recaps here, I only add my impressions from Game #1 via annotated screenshots and brief commentary.  For reports on both games, please visit Peter's accounts at the link above.

Peter's game layout reminds me of a cool, retro sci-fi setting.  Quite creative especially some of the sources used for the terrain pieces.  The hand painted backdrop adds another dimension to set the scene and impart this retro vibe.  Love the look of the game.

Dusthaven
photo courtesy of Grid based wargaming

In Game #1, I commanded the Rebel defenders ensconced in Dusthaven awaiting the Imperial attack I know is on the way.

With Rebel flanks guarded by one squad armed with a Z-6 Rotary Blaster positioned on the heights in the background and a Laser Cannon situated on the heights in the foreground, Luke, Hans Solo and the remaining Rebels hunker down within the town.  In the distance, Imperial troops work their way through the rocky terrain.  I mistakenly deploy my Sleeper Cell on point in the cover nearest the enemy line of advance.  With a weapon range of only one square facing enemy weapons having longer range, these fellas will likely be put into permanent sleep soon.

The Empire moves up!

Rebel Swoop bikes zoom out from behind the town firing into the AT-RT as the pair race forward. The walker takes some damage but moves toward the bikes to engage.  Imperial speeder bikes move out on the left wing as Stormtroopers advance in the center.  Concentrating their firepower onto the Rebel bikers, the bikers are gone in a flash.  As a consolation, the Z-6 Blaster takes out the already weakened AT-RT. 

Rebel Swoop bikes race forward!

Rebel bikers and Imperial AT-RT go down!

Pressing on after the elimination of the Rebel bikers, Imperial bikers swoop in on the Rebel Sleeper Cell.  Darth Vader leads the Riot Squad into the fray!  From afar, the Rebel laser cannon pours down suppressing fire to keep another squad of Stormtroopers at bay.

The Imperial attack, with Darth leading the way, makes short work of the Sleeper Cell.  Seeing the possibility of their defenses being breached, Luke swings around the building complex in an attempt to outflank the enemy.  Time for a Rebel counterattack!  

Darth Vader attacks!

The Rebel counterattack is vicious!

With Hans and Chewbacca providing deadly covering fire, a Rebel squad goes in to attack the Imperial Riot Squad.  Luke, coming around the building, cuts down the unsuspecting bikers.  Not only is the Riot squad destroyed but Darth falls as well when Luke steps in to settle a score.  The Imperials lose three units in one turn!  The loss of one more Imperial unit signals defeat for the Empire. 

Rebels counterattack and destroy three enemy units!

With one Imperial squad still under fire by the laser cannon on the hill, the Empire makes one last ditch effort to turn the tide of battle.  In goes the Dewback!  Taking out the Rebel squad was easy but Luke and the Rebel rotary blaster on the hill make short work of the Dewback.  Caught in a deadly crossfire, the Dewback falls.  With only two squads remaining, the Imperial attack is called off.  Victory to the Rebels!

Dewback caught in a deadly crossfire!

While I ended up winning Game #2 as well when sides were swapped, Peter offered up plenty of hints and tips to likely leverage the games in my favor.  Without his suggestions, I may have lost both decisively.

Thank you, Peter, for a pair of interesting and fun games.  Really good fun!  The QRS and unit stat sheets provided were clear, and the rules were uncomplicated.  I learned a lot and picked up the rules quickly.  Fast playing game and bloody.  Very bloody!  It would be fun to bring this collection to the table again to reinforce what I learned in this fine pair of contests.  Proper tactics are beginning to evolve in my mind.   

Star Wars Legion

Having painted a small collection of Star Wars Legion figures about five years ago, I struggled to dig into a set of rules to get these figures onto the gaming table.  I briefly looked at the Star Wars Legion Core rules that came with the base game.  I also considered giving Xenos Rampant a try.  Neither prompted me to jump into action.  Making a commitment to getting the collection to the table has been at a standstill for the past five years.  I simply could not bring myself to diving into a new set of rules.

All of this changed a couple of weeks ago when Peter (Grid based wargaming) offered to host a remote game using Squad Hammer Core rules and his Star Wars Legion collection in a remote game.  Peter played a solo game using these rules about a month ago (see Star Wars Game Report).  With a mentor to walk me the through the game mechanisms, how could I pass up this generous invitation?  Well, I could not especially since Peter crafted an interesting scenario to help my introduction into this yet unexplored genre!

Peter's game is on deck for Thursday. 

Been an Even Longer Time…

Yes, another deep dive into The Lead Pile today.  On this excavation, I pulled out 20 Three Armies' Spanish infantry.  These figures were purchased many years ago.  Not even sure if these figures are still available.  A handful of these Spanish figures remain in the bins of unpainted figures but not enough to form up another regiment of foot.

These 20 figures muster out as Regiment Inmemorial Del Rey with its violet facings.  Flags are from Adolfo Ramos.  While I did not have an illustration of the grenadiers' bag, I tried an impressionist view of how it may have appeared.  

Similar to the 28mm Punic Wars project that last saw a new addition about four years ago, the 28mm Napoleonics project last saw a new unit march out from the painting table in January of 2021.  The Napoleonics project has been waiting for a new unit for even longer than did the Punic Wars project.

After pushing out two units from two seemingly dormant projects, efforts return to tackling some of the more active projects.  One of those is the 18mm SYW/WAS project which will see some more Piedmontese mustering out shortly.  These upcoming Piedmontese are relevant since next game up on the table is a look at the War of Polish Succession fought in Northern Italy in 1734.

Another Great Wargaming Survey analysis is in work too as a reminder that the 2025 survey is coming up in August.

Been a Long Time...

Yes, a long time has passed since I last fielded a new unit for the 28mm Punic Wars project.  Besides some game markers, the last unit to march out from the painting desk was a pair of Gaestatae units back in NOV 2021.  Nearly four years since the project witnessed any activity on the painting front.

The main reason that no new units have appeared in a long time is that there are not that many figures left in The Lead Pile.  Really, only a bunch of odds and ends remain with not much chance of fielding complete units unless I push some skirmishers into the production queue.  Already, plenty of skirmishers have mustered out such that more are not needed.  Still, I may paint and field these skirmishers someday to get them out of The Lead Pile.

With that explanation (excuse?) laid bare, today sees one more unit of Libyan heavy spearmen march out from the painting desk.  These thirteen figures had to be scraped together to form one more heavy spear unit.  Most of the figures are Renegade Miniatures but the Renegade cadre is augmented by a couple of Aventine figures and even possibly a Crusader figure or two.  Good to have these figures painted and out of The Lead Pile!

On the gaming front, no game this week.  Today's game at Scott's was called due to illness (not mine!).  Looking to get that game back onto the schedule.  Having cleared my table of the four-game run of Mortimer's Cross, my attention is turning toward horse & musket periods.  At present, I am focused on recreating a couple of battles from the War of Polish Succession.  Much work needs to be accomplished before I am ready to bring these to the table.  Study continues on scenario design and development.  Hopefully something tangible to share in the near future.

Spinning My Wheels

Spinning both figuratively and literally!

Upper Falls split by Canada Island.

The literal wheel spinning gives a nod to an increase in mileage out on the bike.  While not up to the mileage of old, I am pushing an average of about 150 miles per week.  This is much better mileage than logged during the winter and early spring months of indoor training.  Good to get out in the pleasant weather before the daytime temperatures nudge the thermometer up into the 90s.  Doubly good to get the roadwork in before the hazards of negotiating crosstown traffic make the journey a bit stressful until I can get out onto the relative safety of the bike path and relax.

Upper Falls, South Channel

Saturday morning's ride saw me stopping on the Post Street Bridge for a brief snack break in the middle of downtown.  Breakfast consisted of downing a couple pieces of sushi while I enjoyed the pleasant view of the Upper Falls before making the long and hot climb back up the South Hill and home.  With no measurable rain for more than a month and the mountain snowpack long gone, the Spokane River is running low with both Lower and Upper Falls showing their mid-summer, natural state of exposed rock and reduced water flow. 

Lower Falls under Monroe Street Bridge

The figurative wheel spinning is happening on the hobby front.

Following the series on Mortimer's Cross battles and the chronicling of those very enjoyable games, returning to the keyboard and painting table has been difficult.  After wrapping up a series of battles, I am frequently distracted by what might occupy the table next.  That research continues.  After suggestions, a return to the 18th Century may be in the cards.  Early candidates include War of Austrian Succession and War of Polish Succession battles.  Which one to tackle first is still undecided.  

Another distraction is that Nancy and I brought a new dog into the family.  We all are adjusting quickly and this fellow has every hint at being a very good dog.  His calm and friendly disposition is unmatched by any dog we have had before.  The animal shelter says he is a poodle (mix?) but when I conducted an image match, a Spanish Water Dog came up as a close look-a-like.  Time (and possibly a DNA test) will tell, I suppose. 

Lee delivering a bow rake into Steve after I softened him up!

Finally, I did get a game in this week!  Reject Richard hosted another of his superbly directed playtests for the Age of Sail rules he is designing and developing.  Game ran smoothly and Lee and I came away with a victory.  Great fun!

Jon delivering a stern rake into Dan to seal the deal!

Richard's account of battle can be read at Naval Playtest 4 - Nearly There!

Next time, maybe some new units to parade?  By the way, the dog is asleep at my feet as I type, snoring...

Another Hard Day for Edward!

In the last Battle of Mortimer's Cross (see The Man Who Won't Be King), the game saw Edward IV wounded and carried away by the enemy.  That day was a hard one for Edward.

Following that episode, Chris, and the Two Dave's joined in to refight this battle for a fourth time last week.  With only three players, Dave B. (DB) took command of the entire Yorkist Army (red dice) alone while Chris and Dave C. (DC) split the Lancastrian command (blue dice).  DC would take command of the army and Pembroke's center Battle with Chris taking command of the two Lancastrian wings.

As a refresher, initial deployments looked thusly,

Initial deployments

As the title suggests, Edward may have seen another hard day on the field.  Let's find out!

When the battle begins, Edward places Herbert and his own command on Engage orders.  Devereaux is given Defend.  On the other side of the field, Pembroke puts himself on Engage while the two wings opt for Maneuver orders.

Let the battle begin!

Straight away, Pembroke and Edward collide along the Old Roman Road.  As the two bodies of men close, archers fire and retire to the rear.  The two melee lines crash into each other with Edward and Pembroke leading the way.  In the initial collision, men fall on both sides.  Edward's battle takes the worst of the punishment and falls back.  Edward is wounded in the chaos and is captured by the Lancastrians!  Deja vu from the earlier game!  DB cannot believe his luck but then neither can DC!  Pembroke either fails to pursue or chooses not to do so.  I don’t remember which!

Pembroke and Edward clash...

and the Yorkists retire without Edward!

Herbert, on the Yorkist Left continues his march toward Tudor while across the battlefield, Wiltshire takes the fight to Deveraux positioned on the Yorkist Right.

With a slight lull in the center, the wings move into action.

Tudor, who by now has successfully changed his orders to Engage, moves on Herbert.  Herbert's archers are driven off and Tudor's melee line smacks into Herbert's melee line.  Herbert suffers tremendous casualties and retires pushing his archers back as well.  Tudor follows up but cannot reach Herbert's men to continue the melee.

After driving off enemy archers, Tudor attacks!

Herbert's MAA are heavily bloodied and retreat.

Back in the fight along the Old Roman Road, Edward (well, ex-Edward now), brings up his second body of MAA forward to engage Pembroke.  Pembroke's first melee line stands firm and the Yorkists are repulsed.  With the enemy falling back, Pembroke launches a counterattack.  The Yorkists are forced back once again.  Nearing exhaustion, Pembroke cannot break the enemy's will.  The Yorkists stand firm and Pembroke retires.

Yorkist MAA attack in the center...

and are driven off!

Pembroke pursues...

but cannot break the enemy's line.

Against the Yorkist Right and Devereaux, Wiltshire goes in.  In very heavy fighting, Devereaux is pushed back not once but twice!  Wiltshire's success and tenacity pushes Devereaux and his Battle right off the table!  One Yorkist Battle broken!

Wiltshire attacks...

driving Devereaux clean off the table!

The fighting in the center continues.  Pembroke's first melee line attacks Edward's MAA.  Stubbornly and somewhat unexpectedly, the Lancastrians are repulsed!  As Pembroke's first line falls back, his second body of MAA advances to contact the enemy.  The enemy is driven back in a chain reaction as formations behind are, likewise, pushed back.  Edward's Battle clings to the edge of the board.  With Wiltshire now unopposed on Edward's right ready to strike, Pembroke makes one more push into the wavering Yorkists.  That one last shove is all that is needed to put Edward's Battle to flight.  This battle is over.  Victory to the Lancastrian Army and Pembroke!

Pembroke renews his attack and is repulsed.

Lancastrian reinforcements join in pushing the enemy back.

Yorkist Center clings to the table...

but one last attack puts the Yorkists to flight!

This was a convincing win by the Lancastrian Army as the Butcher's Bill, below, attests.  Yikes!  Congratulations to DC and Chris for a well-played game.  Despite DB's seeming inability to put up a solid defense due to the Dice Gods, the Lancastrians capitalized on every Yorkist misstep and missed opportunity.  

Butcher's Bill

DB, that was a tough game, and another hard day for Edward.  The dice rarely showed you any favor on this day.  You took it all with grace.  Usually, DC is on the end of terrible dice rolls so seeing DC's fortunes reverse was a positive even at your expense.  We should bring you fellas back to the table for a rematch but, perhaps, a new battle.

Thanks again, guys!  This was a very entertaining game.

The British Are Coming!

No, not those British! 

While the SYW/WAS collection has not seen any action on the gaming table in more than a year (has it really been that long since Bassignana?), painting for this project continues.  As illustrated in the half-year painting update in Saturnine Orogeny, work on the 18mm SYW/WAS collection comprised nearly 39% of all painting output for 2025 through June.

Marching out from the painting desk are two regiments of SYW/WAS British foot.  These 46 figures muster out as the 3rd and 4th Regiments of Foot.  Foot figures are from Blue Moon led by Eureka Miniatures' mounted colonels.  Looking into The Lead Pile, this looks the end of the Blue Moon British figures.  Any more British units will be made up of Old Glory figures and I have several bags of them.

While other projects are seeing more efforts at the painting desk, two regiments of Piedmontese will be mustering out shortly.  After that, a whole mishmash of projects will be working through the painting queue.  A pair of Great Italian Wars units may beat the Piedmontese out of the gate, though.  We will see.

Painting has taken a backseat to gaming this week with three gaming sessions on the docket.  Monday saw two playtests of Reject Richard's Anglo-Dutch Wars naval rules that were easy to learn and great fun.  Excellent rules.  This game even has me eyeing my pile of unbuilt Anglo-Dutch ships.  Eyeing only.  I do not think I maintain the skill or patience to build up enough ships for two fleets.  Still, a guy can dream.  Richard's Battle Report can be read at Naval Playtest 3.

Tuesday saw a return to Mortimer's Cross on my table in a remote three-player game.  Great fun in a challenging game for Edward IV.  Battle report to follow soonish (I hope!).  My next decision is whether to set up another refight of Mortimer's Cross or go out in search of a new battle to fight.  Time will tell.

Finally, Wednesday saw four battles of Cunaxa fought on Scott's table.  Using Commands & Colors: Ancients, we played out four games in about two-and-a-half hours.  Again, great fun!  Scott went 2-0 and I managed to go 2-1 in the session. Poor Kevin was skunked again at 0-3.  In the four games, Artaxerxes won two games and Cyrus won two games.

That is it for the gaming for the week just passed.  No games on next week's slate yet but, like the weather, that can change quickly.