"Which works better SOLO: Piquet or Two Hour Wargames?" Topic

We are moving and I have received orders from the High Command instructing me to conduct a strategic withdrawal and reduce my hobby footprint. She will be obeyed. I have a bunch of 25-28mm medieval for skirmish and 6mm medieval for more (but in a smaller place, 4ft x 4ft max). I have read through THW, but do not own Piquet. Any constructive advice appreciated. Thanks!

I have to say that I have tried both and much prefer PK.

Field of battle provides a really good solo game.

Mike

Only know THW. My crew has played that with all players on one side vs. the game system. We win, we lose, have lots of fun. Games are fast, like the title says.

I also have played both. I prefer PK but I personally don't like the action/reaction system as I think it bogs down the game. Many people love it.
That said PK isn't that great for skirmish games IMO. You really needs units at least a company or (medieval equivalent) size. The newer versions of PK such as Field of Battle play a little better as they have improved on the PK system.
Hope that helps

Joe

Haven't played PK, but THW, as already mentioned, uses the same base mechanics across many different genres. You can also find rule sets to play any size game from one-on-one melee (Red Sands series) to mass battle (Rally 'Round the King.)

They will both work fine, giving different experiences, of course. I think it is hard to beat Classic Piquet for solo games myself, but opinions will differ, needless to say. Field of Battle will work just fine for solo as well.

The Piquet Mailing list has been existence for more than 15 years(!), and has nearly 1500 members. Questions are usually answered there within a day or two.

However, for skirmish level gaming you probably are better off with THW, which has many games at that level.

Although I have played none of these, and can't comment on solo suitability, "Song of…", Dux Bellorum, and now Lion Rampant seem to have many aficionados, too.

Song of…. is playable solo, and I really recommend it for skirmish sized games.

THW I have and I play, and for me these rules are the best on the middle level – napoleonic brigade level or medieval 3 warbands against the world level. These are recommended to be played on 3x3 surface, but i found a way to play it on 1x1 without the problem.

For bigger battles, there are also some free solutions like Ancients Battlelines Clash, etc.

Never tried Piquet.

Yeah PK Field of Battle is great for solo gaming as is the ancient set Pulse of Battle. I was a late convert to PK but its my game of choice now.

I cannot comment on THW.

I have played and contributed to both, and write for THW's as well.

That out of the way, from what you are saying:

Skirmish: Go for THW. Someone please correct me if I am wrong but I don't think there is a skirmish level Piquet game out there.

Mass battle: Personally I prefer Piquet over Warrior Heroes and etc. Now there is a caveat. Piquet really just mixes up the sequence of play, with some other interesting bits. It will not make decisions for the other player and has no AI.

Warrior Heroes, like all THW games has an AI and solo campaign system that will make most of the other side's decisions for you.

Also Piquet, generally requires a larger game to shine. That is to say 12 or more 4 element units per side, where Warrior Heroes with its historical free supplement should let you get buy with fewer, or perhaps more importantly, unequal sides more easily.

Still you can't really go wrong with either choice.

Bob

Thanks, all for the advice. I'm sensing THW for skirmish, Piquet for mass battles. Since I have limited space (and I already own a set of rules), I better stick to skirmish.

Having chosen THW, I recommend looking at Chain Reaction/Chain Reaction Swordplay first. They give you a basic idea of how the mechanics work AND they're free PDFs :)