"Is To the Strongest more popular in UK than US?" Topic

Recently, I played a game of TtS at a regional con and liked the game, especially the larger basing for 15mm figures than DBA. It was the only game of TtS being played that weekend. Looking through PELs from several recent cons across the country, it didn't seem there were many games of TtS being played. (I know, it wasn't a scientific study and that TtS is 8 years old now! ;-) But it seems as if TtS is more popular in the UK than in the US? Is that a fair assessment? And if so, why would that be?

Can't speak to its overall popularity but I really like the game.

Anecdotally, it would seem so. I have never seen a game played at a local store or con.

Seems to be – have never actually seen a game played locally either – I think Simon Miller is British as I recall

Yes, the author and most of the play testers are British. But here in central Mississippi I use it frequently for our bi-monthly club games. I also use his ECW set "For King and Parliament!"

Jim

I bought the rule set and am hoping to get a first game together soon. They look like a lot of fun

TMP member Gonsalvo typically runs several TtS events at Historicon and they are always very enjoyable. I know a few other people have run games at HMGS-E cons using them too.

I like them very much. In fact, they inspired me to back a number of Kickstarters so I can have cool, artistic playing cards for my decks.

Tried it a couple of times. Just wasn't my cup of tea.

We've played many games of TTS and for King and Parliament here in Oregon and enjoyed them all.

TtS is my favorite ancients and medieval rules set. I have played many solo games. Our gaming group at Leavenworth KS has played it several times. We have also played For King and Parliament. Great rules, very clean and they provide believable results. We use chips drawn out of bags and it's a lot of fun to fight it out chip against chip.

I have played TtS for years now and also put on a lot of games of it in conventions I have attended. Those who played it seemed to really enjoy the game. Usually each game I've put on, there is almost always one or more players who then ask me where they can get the rules too.
I point them to Simons website.

I played them at an HMGS-East con a few years back and enjoyed them thoroughly, ended up purchasing a bunch of 10mm Punic Wars stuff cheap in Wally's the same day and have played them multiple times.

Everyone who has played seemed to have enjoyed them. Here are my armies, I have the figures for a Successor army just need to paint:
link

link

It is about as popular as every other rules set.

Rules are just rules. Miniatures and terrain define the game.

I've played at Historicon and cold wars

"It's just about as popular as every other rules set."

That strikes me as a rather broad if also unsupported statement, that is opinion.

I respectfully disagree with your second sentence: "Rules are just rules."

If you would be so kind as to explain/expound this as well as the third sentence.

What about the players? What if the game is played solo? Also, what about historical context? Doesn't this factor in to the process at some point?

To lend weight to your opinions/arguments, I think one would have to at least refer to the annual wargaming survey findings, starting a year after TTS first appeared.

Cheers,
Chris

Rather well said, argued, or observed Carnot . . .

Simon Miller has expressed similar opinions. I believe in the introduction to his TTS! rules, he remarks upon the time and money spent on figures and rule as opposed to the time and money spent on terrain.

Then again, when I think of ancient battles like Raphia, Pharsalus, and oh, Cannae or Zama, it appears that terrain played no real part in the engagement. So, if a convention game has little to no terrain on its table, this could be called realistic or at least representative, in a sense.

Scale? Yes. If one is using Strength & Honour (I have purchased; I have yet to use) it seems that the grand scale limits the physical representation of huts, walls, stands of trees, etc.

On this subject, I recall Charle Grant's comments about scale in his book Wargame Tactics . . . Most wargamers erred on the side of incorrect scale.

Agree with you on skirmish games . . . That's where a solid tree, a hay stack, a wagon or some sort can provide cover, can indeed be a tactical advantage.

Sorry, too much coffee this morning and apparently, too much time on my hands.

Cheers & good gaming,
Chris

I don't play them at home, but I have played in several of Gonsalvo's games and they are consistently enjoyable and eye-catching.

I think it is more popular in the UK than here