"Shako2 Scenarios" Topic

I understand someone has put together a scenario book for the 1809 campaign. Any idea where to find it and the cost?

Michael hopper

Log1cal.mh@gmail.com

No, but I would be interested.

By the way, what is the general thought as to a comparison between Shako I and II? Also, how does Shako II stack up to other rules systems out there now? I am talking about corps level and higher rules systems, that is. Has anyone compared it to Napoleon's Battles II, Age of Glory, etc.?

Still looking for a rules system that I really like for corps/army level engagements that doesn't take days to complete a battle nor does it so abstract things that it no longer feels like the Napoleonic period….

There were some significant rule changes between the two rule sets. Shako 2 flowed better and made better rule clarifications. The biggest change was command structure and divisional movement.

We played Wagram in 6 hours with 6500+ figures on the table.

link

Thanks for that. As a matter of fact, I think it was this replay that prompted me to ask? Did you or someone post this to TMP within the last few weeks? Rather stunning to get such a large battle done in 6 hours! I would guess you prefer it to Shako I then? lol

While devolped for use with Brent Oman's "Field of Battle", my own "Blunders on the Danube, 1809" covers almsot all the actions of the 1809 campaign against Austria:

link

The figure and grounmd scale are similar to Shako2, and I explain the troop and commander ratings in detail to facilitate conversion to other rules sets. Shako is the other set of rules that I have played and enjoyed in recent years!

Peter

I really wish Shako II had been published in a more affordable format, as the current price precludes a "browsing" purchase. The changes they made look good.

@ancientsgamer – take a look at March Attack, by Crusader Games. There is some discussion you can google here, and a lot of info (including an AAR by me) on their website. The summary: it uses an abstracted combat system and streamlined mechanics to play corps level (and larger) games in very fast time, while retaining battalion level mechanics.

Cheers,

Christopher

Christopher,

Yes, March Attack is another one I am looking at. The base unit as a battalion is one of the things I carry over from having started with Empire II. It may not be what I end up doing due to the amount of figures required though.

Chris

I also recommend "Blunders on the Danube, 1809". I also have Michael Hooper's "Rise of Eagles 1805" which is a very nice book. I didn't know he had released a 1809 volume. Thanks for the tip!

In response to an inquiry on the availability of an 1809 scenario book, there are 4 1809 books, 18 scenarios each. I didn't publish them. I've been dealing with a health issue.

While I haven't gamed with Peter (Gonsalvo)I am friends with one of his gaming group (hi Rob if you're reading this). They do high quality/fun games so I'm sure Peter's scenario book will be well received by anyone who buys it.

TO be fair, while I assembled the information, I had help with play tests, primarily Terry Griner, but feedback from my gaming buddies, Dave Waxtel, Chris Leach, Thomas Moore and the White Rock crew, Dirk Bracke and friends from Belgium as well, to name the people who contributed a lot.

Best regards to all

Michael Hopper
log1cal.mh AT gmail.com

ancientsgamer: Yes I posted this a few weeks ago, some had mentioned large Napoleonic games. Our next game will be Borodino.
Yes, we prefer Shako 2, it is overall a better written set of rules.

Well Michael, I guess you know what you need to do here

Get well and publish the darn books !!!!!

Any other advice you require, feel free to ask. :)

Keith

CATenworlde/Christopher,

Please contact me via email at ancientsgamer@yahoo.com. I need to ask you a few questions….

Peter's Blunders on the Danube is excellent and easy to convert for Shako II.
I do wish Michael a speedy and excellent recovery, and hope he is able to publish his as well.

Sound advice Keith! :o)
I hope you have a speedy recovery Michael.

Micahel,

Thanks for the kind words, and best wishes for a full and timely recovery! I would think the publisher of Shako2 would be inerested in picking up at least a "best of" compilation. ASLternatively, a pdf would be fairly easy to publish. I was fortunate that Brent and Piquet, Inc. were williong to pick up and publish my efforts.

Peter

Thank you Peter, very nice considering the quality of the stuff your group does.

I have had chats with some compatriots who have offered to help me get stuff published, hopefully reducing costs and the price of a scenario book (or a few). We have agreed to proceed so production assembly has started on one book of scenarios with the intent to have a book out in 2013. Depending on its success (read: recover costs) we'll do more books. The map work is the same style as Rise of Eagles, ditto for the orders of battle. The rest – well I don't feel I'll come anywhere near a quality Dave Waxtel production, but I'm planning to lower the price as well as the quality of the publishing. I'll be happy if the scenario content is in print and gamers want to add to their collection of scenarios.

You should keep going with your stuff too – lots of variety makes for options. I know, I know – so many periods of history to game, so little time.

Cheers

Michael

Hi Keith – yeah, yeah well I don't raise the dead or heal like I did when I was 20 but it's good to hear from you – keep in touch.

Ditto MaxShadow – I know the id but can't recall from where (sorry) – drop me a line at log1cal.mh AT gmail.com sometime.

Cheers

Michael

Michael,
Hope you're feeling better, it's been too long since you've made the trip down to Little Wars.

John

John S??

I've never been to Little Wars with the rest. I only see you at the Chicago Show for 54mm stuff, but you're right, it's been years.

I hope some day to make it to Little Wars though, think I'll have to make it a goal and put on an ancients game. Does 2014 count as enough warning?

Michael

Michael,
I thought you made it one year and sold off your Zulu's there. I could be wrong though.

2014 is enough warning, it would be good to see you. Say hi to the rest if the boys for me.

John

Did Michael Hopper ever publish the (4) 1809 Scenario books we were discussing back in 2012?

NEW NAPOLEONIC SCENARIO BOOKS BY MICHAEL HOPPER…

Fellow Gamers –

This post is to help my friend Michael Hopper spread the word to determine if there is interest in additional printed scenario books for Napoleonic miniature gamers.

email me directly – tim95th@gmail.com for a PDF with details of these books and a full complete scenario to illustrate format – and you can then contact Michael directly with your interst – details in the PDF.

Cheers,
Tim Harwood
tim95th@gmail.com

Yes please

heres a Shako question…. one of those which we assumed we knew the answer but I dont think is actually addressed in the rules…

Cavalry charge a unit of infantry, which receives the cavalry in line formation. The infantry havent tried to form square, just stood in line and volleyed the cavalry.

If the cavalry close to melee, do the infantry use the full melee factor or the lower/disordered melee factor.

We played it for years as the latter until somebody queried it, and, sure enough there is nothing actually stated in the rules that we could find. We had just assumed the infantry would be disadvantaged.

Any views chaps?

1815 Guy,

I think there is nothing in the rules that diminishes a line's ability to hold, but the odds of winning, versus the unpleasant consequences of losing, make it a questionable tactic. For instance, dragoons or uhlans versus regular line that chooses to stand and shoot have a 50% chance of receiving a casualty causing volley ,assuming point blank fire, (-2 modifier in melee) and a 16% chance of receiving a stagger result (-1 modifier in melee).
However, they have a 33% chance of receiving a +1 modifier for failed volley.
Remember, the cavalry mentioned above already have an inherent +1 advantage ( remember flank support doesn't count for cav. vs. infantry).

This means that overall, 50% of the time the infantry has a +1 advantage (67% chance of winning, including rerolling draws), a 16% chance of a 50-50 decision and a 33% percent chance ,( with a -2 disadvantage) of only winning 19 per cent of the time, including rerolling ties.
This calculates to a net 50-50 result. Considering that the infantry is destroyed while the cav. is only blown, the choice should be obvious.
One house rule that we have used for years is that Cavalry losses are never more than 2 in a single action, reflecting that arms ability to disengage from an unfavorable action.

Are the 1809 Campaign scenario books being printed yet?

Any questions on Michael Hopper's scenario books for 1809 and 1805… These are available to US residents shipping from Oklahoma via media mail or for international gamers from Canada.

Unless you want USPS Priority International Mail where 1 to all 5 books can be shipped for about $33 USD USD USD to Europe and will be with you in 6-10 days. Shipping costs vary depending on where you reside.

USA SPECIAL –
BUY ALL 4 1809 BOOKS AND GET RISE OF EAGLES for $10. USD USD shipping $7.00 USD USD total for the 5 books media mail.

INTERNATIONAL BUYERS – PRIORITY SHIPPING FROM US:
BUY ALL 4 1809 BOOKS FOR $146 USD USD USD AND GET RISE OF EAGLES for $10. USD USD This will offset shipping costs by $15. USD USD SHIPPING COSTS MAY VARY DEPENDING ON WHERE YOU RESIDE.

email tim95th@gmail.com for information or ordering.