"Historicon 2017" Topic

Just wanted to post up that I will be at Historicon this year – not in any 'official' Waterloo Minis role, but as a player. I am not running any games (again 'officially') but I am bringing my ships and my Form on the Admiral's Wake rules. I will be setting up on an empty table wherever I can find one in the main hall. Feel free to stop on in and sit down for a game, or just shoot the breeze.

If you've never played FotAW, I encourage you to give it a try.

I can't make Hcon but good luck. I think FoTAW is my favorite Age of Sail rules.

Hope I run into you there Jeff.

Wont be hard to find me, I'll be the middle-aged white guy with a beer and some ship models in front of me!

I recently just got into sailing games and picked up the FoAW rules. (in fact just ordered my first ship from Waterloo minis last night).

I'm curious if you make any modifications to the rules and would share them?

@ Stew art: I did post in your thread about being new to the sailing games.

1) I did modify the game. In fact I asked you for the author's email because I don't have it and I bought my copy from him at Fall In in 2013. I'd be happy to share what I've done. Send me an email at waterloominisATyahooDOTcom.

2) So you should be able to tell from email that I am also waterloominis. :) I'd be happy to answer any of your questions about the ships. I am a mid-level modeler/painter at best, and there is always plenty of help here on this board, as I know you've discovered.

ha! We're playing thread tag.

I sent an email! thanks so much!

PM sent about rendezvousing for a game.

Jim

I don't intend to hijack this thread, but I will also be at HCon running some AoS games (using my "Steer to Glory" rules). Would love to meet up with some TMP folks.

Thursday, 13 July, 12-6pm
Great Frigate Actions – head-to-head challenge matches.

Friday, 14 July, 1-6pm
Willaumez vs Cochrane off Tortola, 1806.

Saturday, 15 July, 1-6pm
Nelson & the Inshore Squadron, 1804.

See catalog for Hall/Table details

B

Jim: got your PM. I'll be looking to set up games somewhere in the main hall in the evenings – maybe 6 or 7ish? Last time I was at HCon, there was space available for that. I think I'll try to get a game in each night.

Blutarski: no worries. That's kind of the other reason for starting this thread was to see who would be there and what sailing mischief we could get into! I am going to try to get into your game on Saturday.

Jeff @WM

SgtPrylo wrote – "I am going to try to get into your game on Saturday."

Jeff, consider yourself the first pre-registrant. You will most certainly have a command.

B

Blutarski,

I'm also registered for your Saturday afternoon game. See you then.

Jim

Jim – I'm stoked! Really looking forward to meeting you and SgtyPrylo.

B

Hi, Jeff! I hope to see you and play some Form On…with you. I'd like to compare rules modifications with you, and push some of your ships in action if I may. Still my favorite rules for the period. See you soon!

Looks like we'll have quite the game going on. Rob, looking forward to it! I'm bringing two very different encounters: a clash of SOLs, and a fleet of American frigates vs. a mixed bag of English frigates and 64s.

Jeff, have you ever run the American vs British scenario from the rules? I've played it probably half a dozen times and the British never seem to stand a chance. I love matching up all the US big frigates against Brit 64s and 74s…it's usually a pretty good fight! Please keep a spot for me if you can; I'd love to game with you!

FWIW, I am running my Frigate Captain Challenge on Thursday. It's on a walk-up basis anytime between 12-6pm.

Players can choose from the following actions -
> Constitution vs 2x British 38 gun frigates.
> Essex vs Phoebe.
> Chesapeake vs Shannon.
> President vs Endymion.

Each scenario is played twice, with sides being switched. Best overall performance wins that match. Best match performance among all the matches played wins the overall challenge and gets a prize (as yet tbd).

Time should be sufficient for three or four matches. Stop by if you are free that afternoon.

B

Rob, always a spot for you!

Blutarski, you're going to make me change my whole schedule if you keep this up! I am looking forward to it!

Beat to quarters!

Getting excited for the Con. Ship production in full swing, as it usually takes something like a Con to get me going on the lead mountain. In the two weeks since posting this, I've completed the following (through standing rigging only, will add running rig later):

USS President (44)
USS Essex (36)
USS Chesapeake (36)
USS Adams (28)
USS Congress (38)

The following three are various stages of production, but will be done in time:
HMS Java (38)
HMS Endymion (40)
HMS Africa (64)

These will add to what I have already for the light(er) ship battles:
USS Constitution (44)
USS United States (44)
HMS Guerriere (38)
HMS Nymphe (38)
HMS Agamemnon (64)

For the Big Boys, I am bringing the following:
British
HMS Victory (100)
HMS Britannia (100)
HMS Royal Sovereign (100)
HMS Prince (98)
HMS Tonnant (80)
HMS Mars (74)
HMS Belleisle (74)
HMS Agamemnon (64)
HMS Africa (64)

French
L'Orient (120)
Bucentaure (74)
Pluton (74)
Fourgeaux (74)
Formidable (74)
Redoubtable (74)

Spanish
Santissima Trinidad (136)
Principe de Asturias (112)
Rayo (100)
San Justo (74)
San Ildefonso (74)
San Leandro (64)

The Big Boys Battle is a British v. Combined Fleet 'what-if'. It's my standard convention battle, and never fails to disappoint.

See you there!

Sarge -
IIRC, both Bucentaure and Formidable are French 80s.

FWIW

B

What a line up!! I am getting really fired up for the con…really looking forward to some sailing ships!

B, saw that after I hit 'Send'. That's what I get for being in a hurry. They are rated as 80s in the game.

Just a reminder that I will be setting up 'unofficial' games for Historicon this weekend. I am aiming for 7 o'clock(ish) and in the main hall. I may be transient from night to night as the table I get may change. I say 7ish because I would assume it won't be as simple to find me as if I had an assigned table.

I can handle multiple players – up to 10 – so if you have anyone with you that's interested, don't hesitate to bring them!

Look forward to seeing you all!

All in all, a successful Historicon. I ran 5 games over the weekend, had a lot of fun, and met new and old friends. My thanks to Rob E, Malcolm, California Rob, Stewart of the RN, Joe, Chuck and Mark from Pro or Con, Ted, James B, and others whose names I can't remember right now.

We had lots of fires, broken rudders, fallen masts, and magazine explosions. Broadsides were fired, ships were boarded, and island forts destroyed.

We all had great fun, and there was much good-natured trash talking in each game. There were American victories, English victories, and Combined Fleet victories.

The culmination of the weekend was the final game in which I had six very experienced players at the table. This was the first time I didn't have to teach the rules in 4 years of using this system. The result was a game that was beautiful to watch. Anyone who might naysay FOTAW's card system needed to watch these guys maneuver their fleets with precision and gusto.

Dr. Dewitt (Developer of FOTAW) stopped by to see what I had changed in his rules, and I got great feedback from others on what I could do different as well as what worked well. To his everlasting credit, Dr Dewitt did not berate me for my alterations, but listened as I went through them. In the end, I took to heart all of the suggestions, but what was most important was that people enjoyed the game.

I look forward to next year!

glad to hear that FoAW ran so well and was fun by all.

I think I saw a picture in a Hcon pic / AAR thread, which made me think: what size hexes do you use? were those 4" hexes?

-Stew

4"

Do you have a link to that thread?

aha! thanks!

pretty sure the thread was this one…

TMP link