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"Soldiers of Napoleon. First thoughts review" Topic


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olicana10 Jul 2022 5:14 a.m. PST

Got my copy and spent most of yesterday reading it. I've just done a first thoughts review on my blog. Much is about the concerns, about the size of game, I had before I read them, concerns now much relieved.

link

RittervonBek10 Jul 2022 6:14 a.m. PST

I take it that the movement unit of "paces" is not the literal 1" on the table = 30" but rather a more in period term like "base width" or "MU" ?

Personal logo ColCampbell Supporting Member of TMP10 Jul 2022 6:19 a.m. PST

Available in US from On Military Matters -- link

Jim

Personal logo Extra Crispy Sponsoring Member of TMP10 Jul 2022 6:33 a.m. PST

The rules use the term "pace" as simply a unit you can adjust to your figure/table size. So you can make 1 pace = 1" or you can make 1 pace = 1 cm (or 2" or a furlong).

arthur181510 Jul 2022 6:40 a.m. PST

Olicana, thanks for your helpful review.

olicana10 Jul 2022 6:42 a.m. PST

I posted

Measurements are stated as paces and paces are left to the player to define. Typically in 28mm, one pace is 1".

As Mark (Extra C) says, a pace can be anything you say it is but, once defined all paces must be the same throughout the game.

RittervonBek10 Jul 2022 8:56 a.m. PST

Thank you for clarifying. Very useful review.

nickinsomerset10 Jul 2022 8:57 a.m. PST

Interesting, would they handle a large multi corps over a 20 x 8 table?

Tally Ho!

olicana10 Jul 2022 9:46 a.m. PST

@nickinsomerset, I know exactly what you mean. Like this one:

Two of the four tables used for Dresden – the other two are as big and full of troops. I think 7000 figures had arrived towards the end with about 6000 more still in boxes. That was after two days of gaming!

with LOTS going on

There is a section dealing with multiplayer games, what the author calls 'Great Battles' but having just read them before replying I suspect this is not a strong point. The suggestions given for doing Great Battles look like a bit of a bolt on without much testing. My general opinion is that this is a one or two players a side game: Ideal for a few mates meeting up for an evening's gaming.

I will not be suggesting it for the League of Gentlemen Wargamers' next bash. Something with a simpler move sequence is required for very big games.

nickinsomerset10 Jul 2022 10:58 a.m. PST

Olicana, cheers for that always good to see a proper battle. Tales from the Wargames Shed is happy, but may get a copy just because!

Tally Ho!

79thPA Supporting Member of TMP11 Jul 2022 3:59 a.m. PST

Thank you for the review. I would give it a try, but I find the cards off-putting.

arthur181511 Jul 2022 11:22 a.m. PST

Thank you, too. I would give it a try, but I find the price off-putting! There's no way I'm going to stake that much of my modest pension on a new set of rules that – however 'good', 'realistic' or whatever – I may not actually enjoy playing.

olicana11 Jul 2022 1:27 p.m. PST

To be honest, you don't get much for £30.00 GBP these days so I thought it was good value.

A single (28mm) 24 man unit will set you back £36.00 GBP, and a decent board game will set you back £50.00 GBP I went to see the new Top Gun film at my local cinema (in Ilkley) last week and two tickets with two large glasses of rioja came in at almost £40.00 GBP

arthur181512 Jul 2022 11:08 a.m. PST

£30.00 GBP GBP will buy me 150 10mm infantry from Pendraken that I know I will like (I have some already) and will use again and again.

No contest!

olicana12 Jul 2022 11:42 a.m. PST

Well, good luck to you in your diminutive endeavours. Enough said (smile).

However, with respect to your dotage, you are wrong. A rule set is cheap in comparison to the cost of toy soldiers (let alone painting time) in any scale. Isn't it the game experience that's ultimately important? That's down to rules not figures. Just a thought, Arthur.

P.S. Top Gun 2, with the roar of the engines in a cinema, was great! It wasn't 'the figures' but the game. Doubtless, you'll watch it on TV in three year's time and miss the point. Big screen, baby!

arthur181512 Jul 2022 2:50 p.m. PST

olicana, a rule set one likes and will enjoy playing again and again may be relatively cheap when compared to the cost of the toy soldiers (though much will depend on how many one is using to portray each unit and the size of the battles one is fighting), but a newly published rule set that one buys, tries and decides for whatever reason not to use regularly is an expensive mistake.

We can agree, however, that it is the game experience that is the most important thing and that is largely created by the rules.

I shall not watch Top Gun 2 even when it is shown on television; I have seen the original and would much rather watch The Blue Max, Aces High or The Great Waldo Pepper.

vlad4825 Jul 2022 10:44 a.m. PST

As I join the debate on the rules and the price – getting a rulebook (albeit soft cover) and a full set of custom cards for the game – plus shipping from the UK – all for about $60 USD Cdn really seems the going rate. While I wish rules – and all things – were cheaper these days, the cost for book and cards is well within the current industry standard.

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