"Naval action" Topic

Ran a naval game using the excellent Blood, Bilge and Iron Balls rules at our club last week – loosely based on the action at Porto Praya in 1781.

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It is not often one has an opportunity to say this in connection with a naval game, but my compliments on the scenery.

B

Very nice! What kind of gaming mat did you use for the ocean surface? Really like the mixed blue-green effect. Looks good close-up and far away.

Thanks guys, the mat is from terrainmat.com, the islands are Amera mouldings painted and flocked by yours truly.

Beautifully done, in all aspects. Bravo!

Darn! Don't do Facebook anymore!

It looks good Vol. I love the idea of the "Acetate" around the islands to show the depth of the shallows. Nice ships, nice scenery, nice photos and a nice AAR.
Be safe
Rory

I've also used the acetate to standardise some of the bases – most are Langton bases, but some other friends' ships are not so we tack them to Langton-sized acetates which stops those arguments about which ship can get through those shallows and which can't.

Ok, I reopened FB just to look at this! Worth it! How did you achieve the firing effect through the cotton smoke?

Nice one Mithlond
Be safe
Rory

Thanks guys, your appreciation is much appreciated! Vol, that is our club stock of smoke/fire – it is a blend of white (mainly), orange, red and black/grey hamster bedding, just pulled, stretched and sculpted a bit when it's put down.
Thanks
Paul

Paul,
As Vol says the smokey bits look great. Can I ask, How do you clear it from the ships afterwards? I would be scared that it would pull at the models and damage them!
Be safe
Rory

…And the rules: How do they play out?

Rory, no problem with the smoke, it's not tightly stuffed in, more just strategically placed or balanced for a bit of fluff on the game – it's how we like to play at the club, the terrain and fluffy bits are just as important sometimes as the game!

I like the rules a lot, Capt, easy to pick up and master and are designed to be fast play so no differentiation between size of cannon, just number. Damage is drawn through cards. Ideal for a club game where everyone can pick them up after a few turns. You'll see from the FB page that the games are always well attended!

If you want to find out more you could look at the Pen and Sword site or the author's site:

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Are you getting another rule set Rory for your collection?

Oh! dear Vol,
You are getting old! A friend of mine was nice to me. He sent me a copy of a lovely book. It was nice to hold a set of rules in a hard-back book. Not a down-load or soft folder type. This friend got the above rules for me. I will not name the friend Vol, as he maybe a little red faced now!!!!!!!
Thanks and Be safe
Rory

How do you rate them Rory?

Frist! I have not played them.
I love the book, that is nice. The ships logs are easy and well drawn. The only down side I can see is a 3rd rate is a 3rd rate etc, No National different to the fleets. Wish that had been added. O.K. French firing at masts and Brits better gunnery. I would like to see more!
This maybe wrong and the game play's well without the differences in Nations. I must wait and see until I play them.
You have played them so it's what you think of them that is important.
Be safe
Rory

There are Spanish additional rules on the website which make them fun to play – but nothing on anything else.

We've found the British optional rule gives them a good advantage – not many French players have bothered with the French optional rules yet.

Paul,
You cannot hit masts a short range. The mast target rule for the French makes them work better at longer ranges. That is very French. To keep the French away from close range is good as if they in close the French get hurt! I would use it!
What is the website?
Be safe
Rory

The author's site – link above.

Thanks
Paul

Paul,
have found Pen & Sword site, no Spanish fleets. I cannot find Alan Abbey's site?
Be safe
Rory

This member is very dumb. I've found it. Thanks!
Be safe
Rory

Redfaced!

Me too Vol!
I'm Redfaced too. Mithlond must think me a dumb-nut!
We are getting old Vol, sad but true.
Be safe
Rory

Not at all! :-)