"Getting Started with Irregular Wars" Topic

Hi All,

I've pulled out some 15mm minis to have a second go at preparing to play Irregular Wars. From a couple of readings of the rules, it seems like a good game. Specifically, a friend and I often get together so that our youngest sons (4 year-olds) can have play dates. Lately we've realized that they occupy each other and that we could be playing a small game of something while they are playing. With the 2x2 playing surface and the smaller forces, Irregular Wars seemed like a good choice. Also, I find the period and the many out-of-the-way settings very inspiring.

Now that I'm getting miniatures ready to paint, here are some questions and thoughts in no particular order:

1. I'm using Feudal Castings ECW and similar ranges to do English Adventurers. Chris is painting Khurasan's Iroquois range. What other manufacturers make minis suitable for IW forces?

2. Is anyone out there playing it? I have to say, I am intrigued by the 2x2 ft playing surface. Seems like a good opportunity to make a sculpted board.

3. I know that 2nd edition is in the works. I assume that the 3cm x 3cm basing will remain the same. I plan on going ahead with this basing convention as I don't see using these minis for anything else.

4. How long does a game take to play generally Again, if you've played it yourself.

5. Also, I saw on the author's blog that there is a sample English list for 2nd edition and he's added a Priest to the company list. I was actually thinking of using a standard bearer instead. Or a drummer and a standard and using it to the same effect. Does that sound reasonable?

Thanks for any thoughts and insights, Look forward to getting this game off the ground.

JET

I am sure the owner will be along soon, I will send him a message on FB for you

I am currently working on an "early" Royal English force, with five (maxed out) options. I am four companies (elements, for those not familiar with IW) shy of completion. I'd hoped to finish by the end of the month, but I have a lot going on for the next week, and my 'reinforcements' order took forever to get here (hooray for six day Priority Mail!). I plan to complete three more options by the end of next month- other projects need attention- then on to some Spanish adversaries.

1. I am a big fan of Essex; they just appeal to me. Despite the fact that I chop off and drill out all my pikes! Khurasan look great, but don't look compatible, so I'm sticking with the old standby.

The real problem with Essex is that many codes for this period contain no variants- much more important for this era than, say, horse & musket. Also, they don't always picture variants for codes that DO contain them, and their descriptions aren't that helpful. One of the reasons I made a second order was that I image searched to found out what some packs really contained.

Just a general note: MER-75 "Assorted medium pikemen in hats" has (at least) four variant bodies, unarmored and in trunk hose, two with well-done pinked doublets, great for gentlemen pike. IMO, too few of Essex's codes have trunk hose.

2. I have played a couple of solo games, but both were unfortunately broken up over a day. I'd say 45 minutes per, using three optional picks with 'median' rolls. So, I just picked two rather than roll a d3, and averaged other highs and lows out. I love the build system. It reminds me of that used for some of Two Hour Games' systems, except that with IW, you are better able to tailor your forces to what models you have, while with Rally around the King, you have to have significantly more elements around in case their roll comes up. Not a problem for many, I suppose, but for me, painted minis mean setting aside precious time, so I don't want THAT many elements warming the bench each game.

3. I love 30x30mm for the pike & shot era (and up through the WSS when the ranks began to really thin down), so, despite my phobia of basing schemes not widely transferable, I went with it. IMO, it looks great..

5. I think that would be great- probably more fitting for the more secular factions like the English. But then, I know little about the Anglo-Irish conflict- my period interest lay in the New World and the Anglo-Spanish War.

I am really excited about IW, and plan to post pics when finish my phase one build. And my apologies for the rambling and jumbled post!

It is a good set of rules. I went off the beaten path and made my bases be 1"x1", but other than having both side have the same size bases, it works.

Painting Spanish and Incas for it right now.

Dan

I'll leave the author to respond to the other questions, but I'll contribute a few words on miniatures.

I've collected an Irish army using mainly Khurasan figures supplemented by some QRF, Viking Forge/15mm.co.uk, Sergeant Major Miniatures and a priest from Peter Pig. link

For the English I'll be using Khurasan (when they appear) and Essex. I don't see any problem with mixing them.

However, while waiting for the Khurasan English I've also collected Portuguese and Hollander forces, both comprised of Grumpy Colonial Portuguese and those will now be the armies I'll paint up first. In the meantime I've been using counters. link

I love the period and the rules are very good, but I will not work in base sizes incompatible with what I already have so, regretfully, I must pass. However I wish you the best in playing what is my favorite period.

I have played it a few dozen times, always enjoyable. My figures come from Khurasan, Feudal Castings, Minifig, Essex, VIKING Forge, Grumpy and Eureka.

Hi Jet, thanks for your interest in the game. To answer your original questions:
1) Others have been mentioned, but I have to say that I am particularly fond of the Grumpy ranges – especially if you are doing colonials. Their Portuguese are suburb little figures, mostly in bare feet wearing jacks with a variety of headwear and I have used them as the basis of both my Colonial Spanish and my Hollanders. Their 'halberdiers' come with open hands and seperate halberds and make perfect pikemen, but the halbers themselves are a bit flimsy. Not sure about an American stockist but they are available:
from Eureka in Australia (with lots of pictures) link
and from ERM in the UK link

2) I can't speak for how many people play it but I know there are certainly a dedicated group from Australia, the UK, Europe and the States who are having a look at the 2nd edition drafts for me. The 2'x2' is great if you are space poor and certainly, if you have the storage room, there would be great opportunities for sculpting a board.

3) Yes, the 3cm x 3cm basing is still the recommended convention but in reality, as long as all bases are square and the same size for both players, Their shouldn't be too great an issue. Smaller bases will make companies more maneuverable while larger bases will make them less so.

4) Between 45 minutes and a little over an hour is the usual time for a game.

5) Effectively, the preacher in the English Adventurer list is representing a firebrand trying to rouse or bully his men to get back in the fight when thing's start to go wrong. Considering the game scale with companies of (normally) 50-150 men, you could have standards scattered throughout your army but you could conceivably base the 'preacher' on a standard bearer, drummer, ranter or anything else as long as you can rationalise a very weak melee unit which will help morale. The preacher, like all priestly units in the game, does have a fun, weak and short range 'curse' attack which I suppose you could call short range pistol fire if you went down the flag/drum route.

I hope that helps a bit with your project!

@corona66

There is absolutely no need to use 30mm bases providing the bases are square, combined to create squares, or mounted on square sabots.

I seriously considered beginning with 40mm bases. link