"Donald Featherstone's Solo Wargaming back in print" Topic

I am pleased to announce that it is back in print and is available from johncurryevents.co.uk (and in due course from other places).

Shoot, that probably makes my old copy no longer a collector's item. Doesn't matter I guess, wouldn't sell it anyway. It is good to see some of the "classics" getting reprinted.

Brilliant. Just ordered my copy.

I have a copy that is at least 30 years old, I love it. I hope it sells a bunch. Mr. Featherstone was very influential on my wargaming.

Mike "Bunkermeister" Creek
bunkermeister.blogspot.com

That is the best price I've ever seen for that book and the shipping from the UK looks very reasonable and fair.

Just placed my order.

Excellent news – must get around to ordering the Charge companion….

My copy arrived yesterday. I am very pleased. Thank you John.

The best price I ever saw the original book for was 20p

(ex-library and a bit battered in a charity shop bargain book bin)

Gentlemen,
I am swiftly moving towards getting my British colonial troops ready for the Gordon Relief Expedition. This will be my first venture into solo wargaming. My question to you learned gentleman is, which of the two rules do you reccomend/ Featherstone's Solo Wargaming, ir the Two Hour Wargems. You comments are greatly appreciated. Thank you.

-The Irish Mick
Arizona Territory

Hi Irish Mick,
Think you are getting confused with which item does what. As a starting rule set for British Colonial battles, you would be better off looking at something like The Sword and the Flame rules. These are geared towards 60-100 Brits versus 3 times as many natives. Then buy Solo Wargaming by Featherstone to expand on these (and make them work better in a Solo mode).

Next, get a subscription to Lone Warrior, and buy the back issues that start with LW issue 161 (that's the start of a Colonial NWF campaign, that uses The Sword and the Flame rules). A great secondary rule set is Mythic GME (costs about $7 USD as an Adobe download). Mythic adds the Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Unpredictability and Variability that replaces having a live opponent.

Two Hour Warames makes a brilliant rule set that is great for a small encounter (like a 12 man Brit company trying to clear out 24 Mahdi in a mud villiage), but it isn't as useful for larger numbers of men or "formed" Brit companies. As a 30-year vet in Colonial wars, and about that long doing some sort of Solo, I hope the advice helps.

Solo is a great hobby, and Colonial is among the best periods to adapt to Solo gaming! Good luck and let us all know how it comes along.

I didn't find it useful. My copy was a first edition, back in the day. I tried out a few of his ideas but nothing took. I gave it away….

Seur DArmadilleaux,

Have you played Colonial Adventures?
It easily handles as many figures as the Sword and the Flame and of course includes full solo rules.

Bob

Two Hour Warames makes a brilliant rule set that is great for a small encounter (like a 12 man Brit company trying to clear out 24 Mahdi in a mud villiage), but it isn't as useful for larger numbers of men or "formed" Brit companies. As a 30-year vet in Colonial wars, and about that long doing some sort of Solo, I hope the advice helps.

Just to clarify Colonial Adventures is based on 20 man units where players command three of four of them units at a time. European troops have the option to be in a formed line, column, or open order.
Tribals have mob and open order formations.
Includes solo rules, scenarios and a small campaign system.
Hope this helps,
Ed

Well sir, that was very informative. Would put a smile on the adjutants face it would! I will follow your suggestions to the leter.
I failed to mention that my armies consist of 54mm Trophy, Sudan Campaign, and the same for the 2nd Afghan War. I also have a Naval brigade consisting primairly of Imperial.
Now, are the Sword and the Flame rules compatable with my troops? You assistance would be greatly appreciated. I have been in winter quarters for quite awhile, and I am a little rusty to say the least.
BTW, since my counter part bugged out to the big city, not to be heard from again, I have also been building up my advesaries, using AIP. My first excperience with plastics. I grew up with tin soldiers, so did not get into the 'little guys', nor plastics. I added lead flashing to the bottom of the figures, and they now have the feel of real tin soldiers.

-The Irish Mick
Arizona Territory

Irish Mick, Yes Sword and the Flame would work with 54mm troops, although you will probably want to double the ranges (in other words, take the published (25/28 mm) ranges and double them). Shooting and moving distances are then really "effective range", and a bit short for the scale (cause your 54 mm guys could nominally hit a target at 10 "real" feet or more, but I doubt you have a wargames table that big, unless you are playing outdoors!).

Off hand, the same approach should work with other rule sets. 25/28mm looks impressive, so 54's should look stunning

We've played with double-range for 54's and it works out OK.

Some guys mount the plastics on pennies, or on washers, or on the circles that come from electrical boxes, anything to add some extra weight.

Hope this helps

Bob
Seur D'Armadilleaux

-Bob,
Which volume is best suited for the colonial period?

-The Irish Mick

Irish Mick, I THINK you are asking which issues of Lone Warrior cover Colonial Solo Wargaming, and the answer is that there have been 5 issues, LW 161 to present, and a new issue is due out shortly. A one year's subscription in the USA or Canada (4 issues) costs $25 USD US Funds payable to Solo Wargamers Association, 1707 Ridge Road, Leavenworth, KS 66048; $30 USD elsewhere. As I recall, available back-issues are in proportion ($6 each, which includes shipping). Hope this answers your question

Bob
Seur D'Armadilleaux