Trajanus | 15 Mar 2018 9:22 a.m. PST |
Obviously predicated on liking BP in the first place and restricting the observations to the Napoleonic titles. That said, what do people think? An answer to the effect that the pdf versions are but the hard cover isn't would be fine. Assume players will have a sound knowledge of the period even if that's at odds with your view of BP! |
shugyosha | 15 Mar 2018 10:00 a.m. PST |
The books provide a ton of period flavor through new rules, unit stats and army lists. You have to pick and chose what to use because you could easily overburden base BP with all the different formation rules for example. For me they are toolboxes. I use relatively few new rules and model my units as regiments, not battalions but I still like the books for all the options they give me. If I want, I can do smaller games with more details for example. The scenarios you get are similar in style to the base book. Some omissions on scenario information but flavorful and inspiring. I would suggest physical books, to look up rules as you play (unless you like to do that on a tablet). |
Spooner6 | 15 Mar 2018 10:45 a.m. PST |
The American Rev book is pretty useful. Lots of background info and a good uniform/campaign database by regiment. The scenarios are interesting in that is showcases many different ways to style your game. Up scaling and down scaling from Regimental. Chris |
GarryWills | 15 Mar 2018 10:53 a.m. PST |
I would say yes – if for no other reason than a lot of other BP players will have seen them. They are all a bit of mixed bag, but contain enough jewels to justify the expense. I particularly like Glory H and Last Argument of Kings. As others have said adding special rules to the basic game can definitely be over done, but for example LAOK introduced firing only if a unit has moved only once, which is simple to operate and improves the game. Garry caseshotpublishing.com |
Joes Shop | 15 Mar 2018 2:21 p.m. PST |
I don't play Black Powder but took a chance and purchased the American Rev. book: it's excellent and the information provided can be used with any other rule set. Worth the price paid. |
Winston Smith | 15 Mar 2018 9:41 p.m. PST |
Obviously predicated on liking BP in the first place… Not exactly. I have a lot of scenario books for rules I don't play. The British Grenadier books are excellent as a generic scenario book, and I just got the Sharp Practice Swamp Fox book. Maps, orders of battle, backgrounds… Just what I need. |
Marc at work | 16 Mar 2018 2:06 a.m. PST |
Mostly just fluff in my own opinion – and I speak as the owner of two Naps books. Very little in way of rules, but a lot of units guides, pictures etc. So sort of 50:50. I haven't regretted mine, but I reckon I could have lived without them. |
Supercilius Maximus | 16 Mar 2018 4:42 a.m. PST |
Another vote for the "Rebellion!" supplement; not a fan of the rules, but the above book is worth the money. |
Jabba Miles | 16 Mar 2018 6:21 a.m. PST |
Would say yes as they save you having to work out national characteristics yourself from scratch and they have some useful additional rule suggestions to give more of a napoleonic flavour. Do you need the hard copies? probably not. The useful bits could always be collated and printed out from the PDF versions if required. I have a hard copy of Albion Triumphant 1, as the Peninsular is my main area of interest, a PDF copy of Albion Triumphant 2 and will most likely get the PDF of A Clash of Eagles at some point (for some of the rule tweaks) |
Trajanus | 16 Mar 2018 8:22 a.m. PST |
Thanks to one and all! Decided to take the cheap option with the PDF. of Albion Triumphant 1, as that's where my interest and miniatures fit. That said, if I like what I read, knowing me I'm just as likely to walk up to a trade stand one day and by the hard copy – never could save money! |
GarryWills | 17 Mar 2018 9:21 a.m. PST |
If I was buying just one it would be clash of eagles because it effectively contains the same rules content as AT1&2 plus extras Regards |