In an effort to upgrade my Impetvs armies to include a two-frame, dice tray at the back of each stand, I pulled all of the 28mm Sumerians from their boxes and set to work. Having made short work of this little project by adding Warbases' dice trays to the 28mm Sumerian collection, I figured why not take a group photo while they are all out of their boxes?
When lined up across the table, I was surprised at how this project has grown even though new units are only added occasionally. For a sense of size, each hex is five inches, so the footprint of this display is about three feet square. Several collections remain to receive this treatment. Maybe Punic Wars will be next? First, I need to place another order with Warbases for a restock.
Why lead off with the Sumerian collection for this upgrade? Well, Nancy is hosting a game day for her social group next Saturday and asked if I was interested in hosting a game. Since there are men with an interest in history joining, she suggested several rounds of Commands & Colors. Now, only one person had played a wargame and that was a game of Commands & Colors years ago. Still, several were interested and willing to give it a try. Well, the size of the potential participant pool grew, and table space was drawing tight. With three tables reserved upstairs, my little game was pushed downstairs into the game room. A game with a small footprint on my large gaming table was not going to work especially with three or four players interested in playing. A change of plan was needed. How about a game to introduce these gamers to tabletop miniatures gaming? My choice? A small four-player, Basic Impetvs game using the Sumerians. With four, like armies on the table, I figured that after a brief overview and coaching throughout, that we could get through a game in about 90 minutes. At least the players will get a taste of miniatures wargaming. Will introducing four non-wargamers to a simple wargame with figures be a bridge too far? We will see. Wish me luck.
Impressive collection Jonathan!
ReplyDeleteThank you!
DeleteLooking forward to a major recruitment opportunity. Good choice, plenty of spectacle on the table.
ReplyDeleteMajor requirement operation? I doubt it! Hopefully, we will have some fun.
DeletePositively biblical spectacle Jonathan!
ReplyDeleteAmbitious to teach non-wargamers a set of wargames rules.....
My advice (for what it's worth) is not to give them too much to think about, but lots to do.....
If they know "these can move X hexes but cannot shoot, but a good in hand to hand combat" and "these can shoot from x hexes but don't do well fighting hand to hand" that's enough to keep them moving the game along. Plenty of dice throwing and keep people involved.
People pick up RPGs quicker than wargames as it's all about deciding what to do or being told you can only do certain things.
Neil
Pre-Biblical spectacle, I think!
DeleteGood advice, Neil. My plan is to keep it simple, don't overload players with mechanisms, offer suggestions, let them roll some dice, and with luck, have some fun.
A splendid Summery of your impressive collection of Sumerians. Good luck with the introductory game.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Phil! Fingers crossed!
DeleteA marvellous array of the hosts of Sumer! That's an impressive collection Jonathan! Best of luck with the intro-game!
ReplyDeleteMuch appreciated, David! I have my work cut out for me with this group. But, they are open to giving this a try. That is all I can ask.
DeleteThat is a decent sized collection Jon, it looks very impressive laid out like that! An interesting challenge for you with the upcoming game day, you might even recruit yourself a couple of new FtF opponents!
ReplyDeleteDecent-sized collection, indeed! With other collections needing a similar treatment, you may see some of them out on parade as well. I will not hold my breath on recruitment, but who knows?
DeleteVery impressive Sumerians On Parade Jon!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Phil!
DeleteThat is one very impressive collection, Jonathan.
ReplyDeleteI would certainly echo Neil's advice. Keep it simple to let them concentrate on doing stuff and rolling dice. Sounds like it will be a great day.
Thanks! I will try to keep the intro game simple and moving along.
DeleteThat is a fantastic looking collection
ReplyDeleteThank you, Neil!
DeleteThere is a lot there, and all beautifully done. My Monday night gaming friend and I have been trying to learn Midgard, ostensibly a ninety minute game each of which has been taking four or more hours. Getting through a game in ninety minutes with three novice players does seem like a challenge, but if anyone can pull that off it is definitely you Jonathan.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Lawrence! I know BI quite well so I reckon I can quickly answer any questions and settle any adjudication on the fly. In F2F games, play is usually much quicker than in a remote setting. BI can play fast so we will see. I appreciate the vote of confidence!
DeleteThat is quite a sizeable Sumerian army when paraded together. Did you think of One-Hour Wargame rules for an introduction to wargaming?
ReplyDeleteI did consider OHW and other rules but as noted to Lawrence, above, I am quite comfortable umpiring BI so figured I ought to stick to what I know.
DeleteThese are my favourite figures from your collection. The public game sounds a great idea. I like Peter’s suggestion of OHW, big units, but just 6 per side, seems ideal for the task in hand. OR if you have them, the Neil Thomas book ‘Ancient & Medieval Wargaming’ (Published History Press). Armies always comprise of 8 units.
ReplyDeleteWhat makes the Sumerians your favorite out of all others? Certainly not the uniforms!
DeleteI do have both Thomas books but having either six or eight units per side does not provide four players with meaningful commands. It might be good for an introduction, but I want players to experience plenty of decision points. Besides, OHW and AMW are a bit too attritional for my tastes in these types of games.
You could go BIG OHW / AMW in the same way as DBA goes BiG if unable to settle on anything else.
DeleteWhen I was a teenager (last week) ad just discovering wargames pre-internet, I found a thriving club and on my first visit a pipe smoking senior took me under his wing and sat me down to a very small game of ancients …. with chariots. This bloke would have been the first ‘real’ other old hand wargamer that I would have met and I think the moment and the chariots just stayed in my nostalgia zone. Plus I have never gone back earlier than Roman in my own gaming (unless you count a boardgame on the battle of Kadesh - yes more chariots!) and so they peek my interest.
Norm, so it is chariot armies in general and not specifically Sumerians that are your favorites? I have a number of other chariot armies that require a similar dice frame treatment. Perhaps when they are out for upgrades, those will become a new favorite?
DeleteI can only recall seeing sumerians moving across your painting table …… but if I saw more biblical armies, they could easily all become my favourites 🙂
DeleteI need to parade some of the other Biblical armies!
DeleteThe Sumerians look great Jonathan.
ReplyDeleteAnd if you are going to introduce new players to historical wargaming you can't start much earlier than a game with Sumerians and their chariots and battle carts!
Thanks! We start the journey at the beginning of civilization.
DeleteExcellent Sumerians Jonathan! I think using BI will be successful as an introduction as they are not overly complicated.
ReplyDeleteThanks! I agree that BI can be taught easily but to neophytes?
DeleteIm often a bit surprised how much stuff I have in a particular army if I get it all out of its boxes. I see that you are no different! Lovely Sumerians.
ReplyDeleteWe are no different!
DeleteThat is a pretty good sized Sumerian force Jonathan
ReplyDeleteI think so too!
DeleteSuch an impressive force. You have been showing us these a unit at a time so I did not realise that they had become such large forces. Interesting that you taken a bit by surprise at their number when you set them up for their 'photo shoot'!
ReplyDeleteThe game will be marvellous, I have no doubt.
Best wishes, James
Thanks, James! Having units dribble out one at a time over years masks its true size although I can watch as the number of boxes grows.
DeleteExcellent collection of Sumerians! Wonder what the collective noun might be for them, hmmm? I will be interested to hear how the game goes and if you make any potential new wargamers out of your players. Good luck with the event. Perhaps leave some books lying about for players to browse through about the period and armies. Ongar pulled chariots are a great way of hooking folk in visually. Alan Tradgardland
ReplyDeleteThank you, Alan! If I survive this test, you will see a follow up post. Nancy wondered if the players will, instead of actually gaming, simply spend the time browsing through all of my figure collections. Good idea about leaving out an assortment of books. Since my painting desk is in the game room, that will be open for inspection too.
DeleteA very impressive collection Jon and nice to see them on parade:). Good luck with the hosting of the newbies in the basement and hope it all goes well. You never know, you might have some new opponents for future games!
ReplyDeleteThe collection seems greater than the sum of its parts! We will see how I get on with a group of strangers. Should be interesting.
DeleteLovely looking collection Jon, and good luck with the game, I’m not sure Sumerians would be my choice for an introduction to gaming but hope it goes well 👍
ReplyDeleteThank you! Well, the collection was out and the mix of units uncomplicated. Why not start at the beginning? I considered a more colorful period but stuck with Sumerians with limited troop types and tactics.
DeleteI bet you were surprised your self when you laid all these fine looking fellows out on the table, they sure look pretty cool to me!!!
ReplyDeleteGood luck on the gaming day, sounds like it'll be fun.
I was surprised! As typical, I likely over built. Should be a very interesting exercise guiding four non-wargamers across the fields of battle.
DeleteGood luck Jon. Strangers and running a game would be well beyond me.
ReplyDeleteThanks! This attempt may be beyond me too!
DeleteGreat looking collection, much bigger than I was expecting! BI is a good choice, especially with an experienced hand such as yourself to guide them,straightforward but with enough detail in it!
ReplyDeleteBest Iain
Thank you, Iain! BI is a good choice for me, too, since I can umpire the game with little hesitation or uncertainty.
DeleteSuch a fantastic and impressive showcase Jonathan!!
ReplyDeleteThank you so much, Phil! I enjoyed your recent Antietam video.
DeleteAnd it came to pass that Jonathan of the Palousites did lead forth an mighty host and display it unto the nations.
ReplyDeleteGreat idea on the introductory game. if anyone can pull it off, it's you.
Thanks, Chris! If I survive the introductory game, you’ll read about it here.
DeleteWow, this collection certainly did grow and it's an impressive sight all laid out mate. Bravo.
ReplyDeleteGood luck with the game - I'm sure your newbie players will catch on quick under your tutelage.
Thank you, Dai, and I hope you are right. Three of the four participants have never tried a wargame. There is so much about Wargaming that we take as given.
DeleteAn impressive array - hope the game goes well!
ReplyDeleteThe game played to a logical conclusion and all went away smiling. Well, I think I wrecked my back again. Sigh.
DeleteParticipant from yesterdays game here. It was totally awesome and I'm already jones-ing for more :)
ReplyDeleteWendy! That’s great that you enjoyed the game!
Delete