Mister Tibbles | 05 Mar 2014 10:31 a.m. PST |
Why do gamers enjoy the SYW period? What does the SYW offer to make it more attractive than the AWI, Napoleonis, or ACW? (I ask because the new BM 18mm have caught my eye on the homepage, but I know little about how the battles and wars were fought. I do play Napoleonics and ACW.) |
OldGrenadier | 05 Mar 2014 10:37 a.m. PST |
Uniforms that are almost as fancy as Napoleonics, battles that are smaller and more manageable in size, and slightly simpler tactics. |
WCTFreak | 05 Mar 2014 10:41 a.m. PST |
SYW is better than: -AWI, because on mainland europe you have real battles not some little skirmishes in lonely woods -Napoleonics, less confusing battles and less myths -ACW, more factions, differing troop types |
JCBJCB | 05 Mar 2014 10:49 a.m. PST |
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The Goon from the Moon | 05 Mar 2014 10:59 a.m. PST |
Simple answer is that you have to read a bit about it and make your own mind up. We can give you all the reasons in the world but if it doesn't fliat your boat, they are wasted words. Start with a quick pic search to see if you like the look of it. If you do, move onto a basic history. Wiki is a good place to start with limited time consequences. Also, have a look at the Kronstat (sp) site. |
The Goon from the Moon | 05 Mar 2014 11:00 a.m. PST |
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HistoriFigs | 05 Mar 2014 11:17 a.m. PST |
I always found this piece from Table Top Talk, September 1966: 'The Case for Eighteenth Century Wargames' summed it up nicely for me. tabletoptalk.com/?p=1158 |
Jcfrog | 05 Mar 2014 11:43 a.m. PST |
Gorgeous looking troops. less troops than nappys overall, shorter battles. WAS is also an option with even more variety. Maybe the usual line up and go club fight, is actually only valid for this period. jc |
The Gray Ghost | 05 Mar 2014 12:06 p.m. PST |
all of the above plus it is easier to make imaginations than any other time. |
vtsaogames | 05 Mar 2014 12:34 p.m. PST |
I play SYW, AWI, Napoleonics and ACW, plus other periods. Play 'em all, sez I. |
Dan Cyr | 05 Mar 2014 1:01 p.m. PST |
Come to the SYW con in a few weeks (South Bend, IN) and find out. Dan |
Duc de Brouilly | 05 Mar 2014 1:29 p.m. PST |
Looking at the French armies of the SYW – the regiments have names, not just numbers; they carry the most superb flags, unique to each regiment, and the cannon have red gun carriages (OK I know some say they were blue) with beautiful decoration on the barrels; then you have cuirassiers in bearskins! In other words, it's a damn fine looking army. |
Evzone | 05 Mar 2014 1:32 p.m. PST |
Imaginations, Grant and Featherstone. |
brunet | 05 Mar 2014 1:45 p.m. PST |
all what is said above together but above all tricorns; plain, white lace, yellow lace, gold or silver lace. Just great. And it is true, the WAS offers even more but information is maybe less available. |
Herkybird | 05 Mar 2014 2:22 p.m. PST |
And who doesnt want to be Frederick at Leuthen or Rossbach, or Marshal Daun at Kolin? |
(Stolen Name) | 05 Mar 2014 3:02 p.m. PST |
The hats man, it's the hats! |
21eRegt | 05 Mar 2014 3:07 p.m. PST |
The games and gamers tend to be less contentious too. Maybe it is the lace. :-) |
Dye4minis | 05 Mar 2014 3:16 p.m. PST |
To fully appreciate the advances in warfare in Napoleonic times, you must first understand what warfare was like before that. What got me hooked so many years ago were the tricorns! I am now a sucker for any and all tricorn wearing figs!Enjoy the trek! |
Sysiphus | 05 Mar 2014 3:17 p.m. PST |
The uniforms seem more straight forward for painting. The hats are nice, too. |
agrippavips | 05 Mar 2014 3:27 p.m. PST |
Read "The Military Life of Frederick the Great" by Christopher Duffy. You will understand and be hooked. |
basileus66 | 05 Mar 2014 4:13 p.m. PST |
Two words: Christopher Duffy |
Early morning writer | 05 Mar 2014 4:26 p.m. PST |
Better than AWI? No, but different – both great periods (AWI actually allows even more uniform variety – and that's saying something!). Napoleonics? SYW allows you to skip the column versus line debate and the French don't get to beat everybody all the time. But there are a few towering personalities. ACW? None of the 'south will rise again' taint. Plus the SYW is vastly more colorful than ACW. For me, I just love the balance between infantry, cavalry, and artillery – any arm can be decisive in any given battle. And probably easier to play to conclusion than any of the periods mentioned (maybe about the same with AWI). On this one, just jump in. You'll enjoy it. And it is a world wide conflict so pick your poison – North America (French and Indian War), Europe with Prussia versus Austria and Russia and little bit of Saxon and Sweden and further west the French. British ally with Prussia! Hanoverians, too. Plus conflicts in Spain. And then there is India and Clive and Plassey, jewels and elephants and all. |
spontoon | 05 Mar 2014 5:17 p.m. PST |
Easy answer? No Americans. Yet! |
John the OFM | 05 Mar 2014 7:03 p.m. PST |
What does the SYW offer to make it more attractive than the AWI, Napoleonics, or ACW? Well, it's NOT! It is not "more" attractive than other periods, but it is every bit "as" attractive. One plays it because one is attracted to the history, the uniforms, the tactics
It can be called the FIRST World War. (Even though earlier conflicts could also claim that dubious distinction.) |
Green Tiger | 05 Mar 2014 11:47 p.m. PST |
I am with the earlier poster
Why does it have to be ASN either or? From a wargames point of view,the smaller size and formal tactics particularly lend themselves
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OSchmidt | 06 Mar 2014 5:15 a.m. PST |
The egos are smaller than in Napoleonics, the Imagi-nations, the formalism of it all, and for me the 18th century is just a narcotic I cannot get enough of. I love the art, the literature, the music, the painting, the world view, and the glorious days before nationalism ruined it all. Sitting down to a formal dinner with any of the great persons of the age would be a pure delight. Sitting down to dinner with Napoleon would be an ordeal, he would talk only about himself and no one else could get a word in edgewise. Listen to Haydn's Symphony 101, the Clock, and you'll know. War at the pace of a Contretanz, maneuver by minuet. |
Gone Fishing | 06 Mar 2014 8:10 a.m. PST |
OSchmidt beat me to it, but the music is about the best there is; you can play mood setting period music and it is a classy addition instead of a teeth-grinding distraction! The uniforms are some of the most colourful in history. I like the 18th century in North America also. Small, brutal forest fights are the material for some great games. |
OSchmidt | 06 Mar 2014 9:26 a.m. PST |
Dear Daryl Yes. You are correct. It also aids when you serve wine and treats. I have games at my house so I have the advantage that I can put on a nice dinner after the game, Something central European, Vienese Chicken, Goulash, etc. While the Seven Years War is the nominative operative for the period for me it's the whole "Long 18th century" from 1683 to 1783. I must confess a weakness for the women too. Nice, slightly zaftig women in elaborate gowns and clothes and tight laced corsets-- the best presents are those you get to unwrap. Seriously though the 18th century is a period you can easily imprint fantasy and "war as it should have been fought" with all this "Gentlemen of France, you may fire first" stuff As I've said before, I think that for such an awful business as war, the 18th century had the best way of dealing with it. Gentlemanly conduct during it, and everyone knocks off around Labor day to go into winter quarters and then go home for the harvest and holiday seasons, and leaves after Carnival in March. |
Gone Fishing | 06 Mar 2014 12:48 p.m. PST |
OSchmidt, it is clear you are a gentleman. A great game is made only better (far better!) with the addition of fine music, a bottle (or two) of claret, a themed meal (goulash is excellent; I also love paprikash), perhaps followed by a sweet washed down with a spot of port. It is of such things that immortal games are made
Years ago I read about a game in which the Russian players had to have a shot of vodka before each turn. I still think about it and wish I had been there! |
Old Contemptibles | 06 Mar 2014 1:27 p.m. PST |
What does the SYW offer to make it more attractive than the AWI, Napoleonis, or ACW? Silly question . Like OFM said, it isn't more attractive than the AWI, Napoleonics, or ACW. They are all equally attractive. They are just different. I play them all. Why does it have to be one or the other? |
nsolomon99 | 06 Mar 2014 4:21 p.m. PST |
The cavalry, its the cavalry, the monarchies still had the money to sustain armies that were 30% – 50% cavalry. Whats not to like about thundering charges of multiple regiments, dozens of squadrons? Not occasionally but every battle. |
Cardinal Hawkwood | 06 Mar 2014 9:25 p.m. PST |
I refuse to explain.It should be obvious. |
ge2002bill | 06 Mar 2014 9:41 p.m. PST |
Start with this blog report link and go back in time by clicking Older Posts. Bonne chance, Bill P. ----- PS Dan is right. If you are anywhere able to get to north central Indian at the end of march see the game list: link |
Ray the Wargamer | 06 Mar 2014 10:25 p.m. PST |
Different kind of warfare than Napoleonic. Gross simplification follows: SYW was linear
everyone lined up and banged away at each other while the cavalry fought on the flanks. Napoleonic was more about maneuver warfare
units moved faster. It's a different kind of challenge to play SYW vs. Napoleonic. Good change of pace. |
Sparker | 06 Mar 2014 11:00 p.m. PST |
Well its the only War the French lose
. Isn't it? |
Mister Tibbles | 07 Mar 2014 10:16 p.m. PST |
Thank you, gentlemen, for all the good information and resources. I does look like a wonderful period to game. |