"Plains War Terrain post on my blog" Topic

We are fighting a battle in my Plains War campaign on Wednesday.

dinofbattle.blogspot.com

The ground is fairly flat, but doesn't have to look boring.

Enjoy!
Eric

I've always been interested in Plains War. Really like what you have done. Please post more.

I like your ideas! you should have posted a pic from the Campaign. the one that shows the Cavalry advancing thru the valley. That REALLY shows the detail of the hilss really well. great pic. Actually looks like the real LBH terrain.

Thanks,

John

Hi John,

The one from the campaign is in one of my first blog posts. It was a fun battle and I was really pleased with the way the terrain turned out.

Eric

Looks great! I'm thinking of something similar for my own set, so great to see examples.

What you are doing is probably as good as it gets for miniature gaming.

Just some thoughts:

For what it is worth, I have walked many of the battle fields. The slopes are really steep. You may want to experiment with impassible terrain with trails leading up from the river / stream bed.

Also, Indians have to eat and drink just like the rest of us. Game is abundant in stream/river bottoms. Battles with Indians almost always involve some kind of a water way -- this is not coincidental.

Needless to say the 'cuts' into surrounding terrain tend to be steeper around streams and rivers. Cliffs (these extend for short distances generally) and 'rims' (or rim-rocks stone outcroppings on top of the gully) being quite common.

all good points Quidveritas!

The hard part about designing realistic terrain it still needs to be playable. :-)

As you can tell by the photos we are going to be fighting along Fox River. In the campaign the Indian "supply" lines are pretty much anchored to rivers and creeks. The warriors can still be pretty rangy, but the villages are not.

Once the campaign is complete I will have a PowerPoint slide presentation of the entire campaign that folks can look at if they desire.

In this latest engagement, the cavalry could have had 4 more companies in the action provided they had been more aggressive. Such is life in the campaign saddle.

Eric

I've always been hugely interested in the Plains wars and hope you post loads of pics and reports

hussarbob1746.webs.com

Thanks for all the positive feedback and interest. I will post battle photos on the web from Wednesday's campaign battle.

Cheers,
Eric

A very nice looking game table and set of miniatures.

I love the realistic, rolling effect of the hills. Great for hiding from the enemy, and ambushing him.

Did you make the teepees, or purchase them?

Tipis are purchased from Gettysburg Soliders.

link

Eric

I spend 3-4 weeks in the Sioux Wars country every year. Your table looks great. It really has the look of that part of the world.

Many slopes are much steeper as quidveritas pointed out. But most are accesible by horses. I have done it. However, you can really wear a horse out on steep slopes. Of course, there are cut banks that are too steep for horses.

As you say, it has to be playable. I think what you have done is magnificent. I use 25 or 28mm figures and stepped hills. Not nearly as good looking as yours. However, when I have used my figures on tables with felt over pink foam, they will not stand up, particvularly the mounted figures going "across" a slope (sideways), rather than stright up or down. Wider bases would help, but I will just stick with my stepped hills.

I hope to see more photos.

Tom

thanks Tom! One day I hope to travel the area to see first hand what it must have been like to fight in such open and vast territory.

I'll be taking photos of the battle tomorrow. Should be a wild one. This is one of the last chances for the cavarly to catch the Indians before they leave for the winter hunting grounds.