"Historical Scenario Mash Ups - acceptable?" Topic
15 Posts
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Sparker | 15 Apr 2013 2:05 p.m. PST |
Dear All, I am seeking the group's opinion on an idea I've had about scenario design for commemorating the 200th anniversary of the larger engagements of the epic 1813-1814 campaigns. Looking at Leipzig, for example, even a self diagnosed meglomaniac like me realises that you can't do it all in 28mm on a 1:20 figure scale, even using super fast rules like Black Powder. I'm not admitting utter defeat just yet, but it would be a stretch
Our Borodino refight last year just about reached the limits of command and control:
So what about merging 2 or 3 salient clashes into one large game? So still reflecting the sweep and grandeur of the battle, but concentrating on key aspects. The wargaming equivalent of a mural where different parts of the wall focus on key events being evoked
So, just off the top of my head, still using the Leipzig example, one part of the table could be centred around Crobern, another the cavalry clash at Liebertwolkwitz, and so on. Yes, I know they took place on different days and miles apart, but this is all about the art of the fudge
a pastiche if you will. But if the game conditions, reinforcements, victory points were all worked out in advance to give both teams a chance of victory, but reflected the historical strengths and weaknesses of each side, and the terrain was arranged to similarly, holistically, reflect any advantages accrued to the occupier, would you accept such a Mash Up as a historical mega-game worthy of such a commemoration? Or just an exercise in fantasy
And our time would be better spent concentrating on one, doable, aspect of the battle? Any thoughts please
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MajorB | 15 Apr 2013 2:25 p.m. PST |
So long as you don't call it "The Battle of Leipzig" but rather make it clear that it is a pastiche, I don't see why not. The words "inspired by" can come in quite useful
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arthur1815 | 15 Apr 2013 2:26 p.m. PST |
I have no problem with your approach, which seems a sensible response to the practicalities of staging such a large battle without resorting to tiny 6 or 2 mm figures and highly stlised rules. |
French Wargame Holidays | 15 Apr 2013 2:42 p.m. PST |
I think your approach is quite doable Sparker! cheers Matt |
ferg981 | 15 Apr 2013 2:50 p.m. PST |
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Flashman14 | 15 Apr 2013 3:30 p.m. PST |
Yup I like the idea a lot. |
Der Alte Fritz | 15 Apr 2013 3:52 p.m. PST |
You realize, of course, that you are quite mad. We should all be so mad once in awhile. |
Brian Smaller | 15 Apr 2013 4:06 p.m. PST |
The problem with historical games is getting real depth on the battlefield. Our arms are only so long. |
79thPA | 15 Apr 2013 4:37 p.m. PST |
I agree with the major; no reason you can't do it and no reason not to have fun but it is not Leipzig and should not be billed as such. |
Edwulf | 15 Apr 2013 4:50 p.m. PST |
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Provost | 15 Apr 2013 8:09 p.m. PST |
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Gonsalvo | 15 Apr 2013 8:19 p.m. PST |
"The Battles of the Nations". A much more practical way to handle it
but I see James has announced his plans to do it in 1:50 ratio! Peter |
Sparker | 15 Apr 2013 9:59 p.m. PST |
1:50 – a mere bagatelle! Thanks gents for useful feedback. I think we shall entitle our game somthing like: 'The Battle of the Nations 2013 – inspired by Leipzig 1813. An interpretative installation reflecting the dramatic, passionate climax of the Befreiungskreig' (If we're pretentious enough we may just qualify for Arts Council funding – I've seen worse e get it!) |
Marc the plastics fan | 16 Apr 2013 4:47 a.m. PST |
I would have no issues what so ever with you calling it the battle of Leipzig either – because that is what it is. All our games tend to have some form of "foreshortening" involved, so I cannot see that yours is any worse. I quite like the sound of it. I reckon a lot of big battles would respond nicely to this approach. look forwward to seeing the pictures |
Sparker | 18 Apr 2013 11:52 p.m. PST |
Thanks again Gents. Inspired by what Lord Raglan's group are planning, (discussed by PM) I may rethink. As I understand it, his group are going to do a Cavalry game first, and give the winner of that stoush certain advantages in the main refight. I may try and convince our group to similarly do a smaller, casual battle of Leibertwolkwitz (14th Oct 13) first before the main event, just to scratch that cavalry itch. We might then stick to a 'bog standard', albeit rather large, game around the fighting on the 16th on the Southern sector, but to make it interesting, give the victors of the preceeding cavalry bash a few advantages
. Since they may be considered to have outscouted their opponents, they would deploy second, but move first, with perhaps a plus 2 to their initial set of Command die rolls
. Naturally the French disadvantages in horseflesh and numbers of cav would be reflected in the Liebertwolkwitz scenario. A less radical approach, but potentially as much fun
It will be interesting to see how M'Lud Raglan's group go in May
lots of eye candy please! |
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