trailape | 25 May 2014 6:58 p.m. PST |
Hi Team About a week ago I got together with my good mate Arnaud for a game of Field Of Glory: Napoleonic (FoG:N) at The League of Ancients (LoA) in Melbourne. We were both keen to blow the cobwebs away and have a crack at these excellent rules that fall neatly into that gap between Battalion and Grand Tactical level rules where you manoeuvre 'Regiments' or Brigades within the scope of a Corps Commander. It had been over a year since either of us had played and with a FoG:N tournament being hosted by the LoA in July we both wanted to get back into the swing of things. We made a few mistakes with the rules but hey, that's why were wanted to play a test game. We had both also forgotten what a cracking good game FoG:N is. Arnaud and I decided to play a 800 point per side battle. I opted for a Russian Advance Guard Corps of 1806 while Arnaud ran a French Infantry Corps of 1805. I won't give a blow by blow AAR but suffice to say we both made plenty of mistakes with the rules. Fortunately there were plenty of LoA players who were more 'current' with the rules and helped out as needed. You can see pictures from our game and a brief summary here: link [URL=http://s293.photobucket.com/user/trailape/media/18mm%20Naps/photo1_zps96e76858.jpg.html]
[/URL] As usual comments are welcomed. Almost all the miniatures are AB Miniatures and both armies are from my collection. [URL=http://s293.photobucket.com/user/trailape/media/18mm%20Naps/photo10_zpse53016b0.jpg.html]
[/URL] Cheers Scott |
Nick Bowler | 25 May 2014 8:30 p.m. PST |
I was turned off FoGN after my first game by the fact that there was no index or table of contents to speak of. When learning it was just about impossible to play. Maybe I should try again -- but is there some online index etc I can use? |
trailape | 25 May 2014 9:45 p.m. PST |
Impossible to play? Nah. There is a QRS that walks you through each turn pretty much and references the pages applicable to the section of the rules /game play you are in. Here is an excellent Power point slide show that takes you through a few turns: link Fantastic rules IMHO but some effort is required in mastering them. The NWA has some good resources: link |
trailape | 25 May 2014 9:53 p.m. PST |
|
arthur1815 | 26 May 2014 3:58 a.m. PST |
I have a copy of FoGN that I have read, but never used in a game for the reasons mentioned above and my current desire to play simpler, Old School style rules. They may, indeed, be 'fantastic rules' – though that is very much a matter of personal taste – but they require too much effort to master for me. IMHO, rules should be clearly explained and easy to understand, learn and play without additional material, PowerPoint presentations &c., but I guess I'm just old-fashioned, having grown up with Featherstone, Young, Wise and Wesencraft! |
Shardik | 26 May 2014 4:09 a.m. PST |
I've got rivers like those! Miniature World Maker I think |
trailape | 26 May 2014 4:40 a.m. PST |
Well, as I've said before FoG:N rewards the effort you put in. They are more 'Complex' than say LONGSTREET or MAURICE for example but they give a great game IMHO. All to personal taste of course. That said, I learnt to play without the assistance of the Power Point. I just find it of assistance for those that ARE having issues. I didn't find the rules that hard to get to grips with. We have apparently at least 18 players for the comp in July which is a big roll up for a Napoleonic set of rules by our normal standards here in Australia. |
Trajanus | 26 May 2014 5:35 a.m. PST |
FOG:N are a good set of rules but as has been said many times are not well written. That's literal. The rules are make sense and have a great system for representing the way units get ground down if left to fend for themselves for too long. The 'but' is the layout and poor editing leaves bits you need to know scattered about the book and makes the rules themselves appear confusing and hard to learn. They are neither of these in terms of their mechanics its the act of learning itself that's harder than it should be due to the production. The PowerPoint trailape refers to can be useful just to check you are heading in the right direction. All that said I think they are one of the better feeling sets of rules out there and don't get the recognition the ideas contained in them deserve. |
Bandolier | 26 May 2014 4:52 p.m. PST |
Great looking game. I'm another who enjoys FoGN. Subtle, effective and we always get clear results in 3-4 hours. Luckily for me I play with someone who knows the rules fairly well so it wasn't too hard to pick up. |
Ashenduke | 26 May 2014 6:17 p.m. PST |
Great looking figures and terrain. |
Fotherington Thrip | 26 May 2014 10:50 p.m. PST |
Nice game Trailape, what manufacturer are you Russian Generals for 1805? |
Bob Runnicles | 27 May 2014 1:10 p.m. PST |
Hmm, I have FOG:N but for some reason I've never looked at them that closely (I think I was on a Napoleonic slump when they came out). What's the element basing like for them? |
alphus99 | 27 May 2014 2:32 p.m. PST |
If anyone's interested there's a simplified QuickStart PDF incl. starter scenario on this link which I found helpful as a way of trying the rules out. PDF link |
trailape | 27 May 2014 3:46 p.m. PST |
Hi Guys My Russians are (for the most part) AB MINIATURES. The Generals certainly are. I base my miniatures on 40mm wide by 30mm deep bases for all but Artillery which are based on 40mm Squares. This appears to be the accepted 'Norm' here. I intend to base all my 'Attachments' (Artillery and Officers) on infantry size bases (40mm x 30mm). |
trailape | 28 May 2014 3:02 a.m. PST |
Hi Fotherington Thrip Actually,.. Some of my Russian General officers are Fantassin / Warmodeller miniatures. |
Maxshadow | 01 Jun 2014 5:01 p.m. PST |
Thanks for the link alphus99. I'll give this scenario a go as soon as I get a chance. Is there some ratio to battalions or strength that can be used to convert from OOBs? |