"Mexican Revolution" Topic

If you've ever considered it but thought it's all too hard, the golden age has arrived, what with the recent release of the colour plate-filled 'Armies of the Mexican Revolution' book, and coincidentally, now a glossy set of rules 'Villa Rides!'.

If this doesn't prompt figure manufacturers to fill the gaps in the existing Mex Rev ranges I don't know what will.

Sounds good; what a fascinating period.

We have been talking about minis here:
TMP link

Only problem: Keeping track of which side is which, and trying to figure out who the "good guys" were.

I just ordered the rules and have the massive 5 Volume set on the Mexican Revolution..a little dry readinf ,but tons os scenario possibities..

For anything up to 1914 there should be no issue with identifying the two sides, Pan: on the federal side only irregulars weren't uniformed, and on the revolutionary side you can probably get away with using figures clad only in civilian costume.

For an in-depth discussion of this and other aspects of assembling Mex Rev Armies see the 20th Century Discussion board thread of a year ago entitled '28mm Mexican Revolution Armies'.

Don't try; just accept the moral equivalence and roll those dice!

Good news – Peter Pig are planning to produce 15mm figures for the period, with first packs available August/September – so Martin's post on the thread referenced above.

A new PP figure range usually means a new set of rules. If PP will be doing Mex Rev rules we'll be spoiled for choice with three dedicated sets available!

As much as I hate to pour cold water on a glossy new set of rules that's created some excitement around the Mex Rev, I just had a look at the QRS for 'Villa Rides!' and wasn't hugely impressed.

It appears to be adapted from a barely-altered set of 19th century rules, and is an old-fashioned, chart-heavy modifier fest (percentage based, too). For instance, the combat chart is littered with modifiers for infantry in square(!) and 'non-lance-armed cavalry'. No Mex Rev cavalry were lance-armed, and no troops would have been capable of forming square had there even been a need or desire to do so in a conflict from the machine gun age.

I'll be sticking with CLA unless and until Mr Goddard releases something better.

I can't say I'm totally surprised: the chances of a set of mass battle rules for a niche subject being high-quality have always been low.

There are already army lists for the Mexican Revolution in the PP ‘Square Bashing' rules – so maybe a pdf of theatre-specific supplementary tweaks for a bit more period feel is the most likely first step.

I'm thinking of adapting the Osprey MWWBK colonial rule mechanisms for the period.

Wow, thank you, Henri, for telling us this.

Lances and forming squares? Really? That is pretty bad.

Makes me question my order for this set.

Henry-
thanks

Do report back when it comes in and you get a chance to go over it.

I don't have a problem with using the SB system for the Mex Rev, but the game set-up and objective rules need serious tweaking to accurately reflect the conditions of this conflict, there should be some additional special rules to capture the Mex Rev flavour, and the current army lists are too few, too generic, and not especially accurate.

What's needed is a complete SB supplement book for the Mex Rev to the same depth as the excellent 1st edition SB RCW supplement 'Proletarians to Horse'. This would have to come from someone who's read, absorbed the lessons of, and taken copious notes from Dr Joe L. Janssens' seminal series of books.

I'd think if Martin is prepared to go to the trouble of producing a Mex Rev figure range he'd want to support it properly; and from a commercial perspective a figure range and a rules supplement would feed each other's sales.

If you go to the thread entitled 'Converting TMWWBK for the Mexican Revolution' Basha Felika, you'll probably find all that you need.

Henry, agree with you 100% that a supplement like PtH would be a marvellous addition but a lot of work to put together and I'd not want to see the figures delayed while that was being prepared and tested.

And it was your earlier thread that got me thinking about the possibilities of this project in the first place, for which I (if not my bank account) thank you!

You're very welcome!

I should qualify the verdict given above on PtH by saying that it's excellent insofar as it goes; the table set-up and game objectives need additional tweaks to accurately reflect the conditions of the RCW.

And thanks for the heads-up on "Villa Rides" – a lucky escape I think

All, We are very excited as to the positive feedback that we have received from those who played Villa Rides. AS we mentioned in the title, the system is based for larger actions and is a derivative of our EAGLES PREY 19th Century rules EAGLES PREY: VILLA RIDES. The rules have been modified to reflect the action of the day and some of the points such as Lances or Squares (none of which were used in any Mexican Action) so that others can use the system for other regions in the Americas.

If there are any points or actual questions as to how the system handles certain things, please ask. Henry Martini, we want your level of enthusiasm in games and can answer any questions.

I will say that this system is currently going against the trend of being more "Games Workshop" style of game with lots of d6's and a quick results small scall action.

Basha Felika, join the villarides@groups.io and download the QRS and the Free Torreon Scenario which will give you a more complete view of the rules.

Manny
HR GAMES

Hi Manny

Apologies for the late response – how I wish I could monitor updates to threads I contribute to!

Thanks for the suggestion – I will certainly do that!