"6mm Blenheim" Topic

Found some good online resources… plus I have the new edition of Black Powder, and the 1e supplement, Last Argument of Kings. I am trying to figure out how to go about doing Blenheim (or part!!) in 6mm, and I will probably go with Baccus.

But…

I am newb. Very newb. I feel a little lost on how to set up brigades listed in LAoK as containing 3 regiments of infantry each… some of my sources say a good depiction and layout should have 2 ranks of inf/cav, double rank line I guess?

I am wondering about the right purchase from Baccus in terms of army packs, etc.

Not even sure about right questions to ask. Any one with Blenheim experience and 6mm?

I have played Blenheim a couple of times, but with 10mm figures. However, the rules used and base sizes are equally suited to 6mm. The rules are "Twilight of the Sunking" from Pike and Shot society. Much better suited to big battles than Black Powder, as basic unit is a brigade, represented by 2 x 60mm. X 30mm bases.
Bases of this size will take around 24 to 30 Baccus infantry figures. I base my 10mm in 2 ranks, but I think you could probably fit 3ranks of Baccus infantry on a base this size, slthough two full ranks plus part rank with colonel, standards and musicians might look better.
This chap runs a game at Joy of Six show in Sheffield each year and you can see how the figures look, although his games are GNW, rather than WSS:-
link

Thanks. The supplement for Black Powder references a standard profile from the main rulebook, which when I push down to 6mm looks to be pretty close to the 60mm x 30mm bases, so that's workable.

I'll check those rules… if I can find them.

Anyone know of a store in the USA that carries Pike & Shot Society books/rules/etc?

Re Pike and Shot -don't know of any shops that sell their products. I got my books and rules by going through their WEB site pikeandshot.org Ordering was easy and service was excellent.

As a "very NEWB" ( your words) you will need to know some of the historical and military background that will explain the unique place the WSS and associated wars have in European history. Knowing the various military tactics that were used by different armies is important to be able to transfer both the feel and strategies to your table.

Black Powder is s a good set of rules but IMO tries to be too generic in covering a wide period of history from 1700 – 1900 and thus the WSS ( Blenheim) section is OK at best. Transferring the 15mm/28mm bias of the rules down to 6mm is another complicating factor even for experienced gamers.

You have already mentioned Baccus as your source of figures and have asked questions on how many packs you will need. Their Polemos system is actually your one shop shopping for everything you need. The rules are good and fit into their popular Polemos system and are easy to learn and play.

The WSS rules have an excellent historical and tactical summary that will enable you to learn about the period and what you need to know to organize and paint your armies. They offer an online Painting Guide for the period.

The Polemos system also lets you purchase army packs that include figures bases flags and rules plus some buildings that will literally let you start gaming from one box, at what, to me, is a reasonable price Later on, as you can expand, you can buy all the individual and group packs that you need. The packs and rules are synced with Baccus figure packs so you get exactly what you need.

The standard base is the 60x30mm that will also allow you to easily convert to other rule systems should you choose to do so.

This may sound like a Baccus commercial but I am only a customer that recognizes the efforts Baccus has made to help gamers get into and enjoy a period at reasonable costs

Ah now, that's very handy, I appreciate your input.

My "newb" status is in the minis genre… I am actually aiding in development of a hex-and-counter wargame that launches a series for GMT Games (Bayonet & Musket Battle System). The first game is going to be Blenheim and Neerwinden.

I've been reading up quite a bit… so I have a bit of a feel for the weapon systems and tactical concerns of the era. My pushing counters around lead me to think of minis, because I'm liking this era a lot. I figured a bit of added fun could be had with a minis-focus.

Sorry to question your "period" knowledge " for as a game designer you certainly will have what is needed. Saying that I think you will appreciate the effort that Baccus has made in their Polemos system. The only change I would make would be in the actual basing Platoon firinginfantry ( British and Dutch) can be based in 2 ranks of 12 with the French and allies being based in 3 ranks of 8.

Another vote for Twilight of the Sun King for this period. We've also done some fairly huge battles with them.

I did my Brigade bases using 2mm figures, approx 150 on each with deeper ranks for the French.

I ordered TotSK. Thanks for the suggestion. I will order the WSS Polemos set too.

2mm will disappear from my old eyes 👀.

I'm torn now… 6mm vs. 10mm. I think my painting style for 6mm might lean too much on the darker side, so I'd have to adjust from habits… the 10mm videos I've seen show some pretty nice details.

So, I await Twilight of the Sun King, and mean time I am planning a smaller fight to fit on my regular 4x6 table, and to see if my 30x60mm index card units can offer as proxy for the visual coolness. At least before I invest.

Hello Mike Welker!

6mm vs 10mm, difficult decision. A lot depends on your painting skills and your pocket book. Both scales have good details, 10mm being larger generally means more detail to paint. That means it will take you longer to paint them. For me 10mm takes twice as long to paint then 6mm. There is also the cost factor, I think 10mm is more expensive per figure then 6mm. I've not looked at them in a long time but when I did they were twice the price of 6mm. You will also probably have to buy excess figures to fit whatever basing system you choose and how you structure your armies.

The Baccus Polemos system matches how they sell their figures so you have no figures left over. You can paint a 6mm figure anyway you want, full detail, little detail, no detail. Your painting a unit not a figure. The unit from three feet away can look amazing regardless of detail.

I would add to Redblack's excellent post that Baccus has a forum that fully supports all their products. In an older version of their forum there was a full report on a Blenheim project and if I recall it correctly I think some of the infantry bases were four rows deep!

You might want to also consider long term. If you ever want to expand into other periods Baccus has just about everything covered.

Best regards,

Glenn

Okay, these are great points. I'll do Baccus 6mm.

Having finished up 15mm Brit & German companies for my WW2 gaming, I am returning to my 6mm project. I am either going to use Volley & Bayonet at half scale or the Twilight of the Sun King rules (which latter looks to be far more simple to handle and is directly focused!).

Anyone know of a handy 6mm orders of battle reference?