Tuesday, 6 March 2012

FIW - Test Game


Last week I conned Postie into a small game to test my French Indian Wars skirmish rules. I was quite pleased with how the game went, there were a few unforeseen problems, which with a little thought, we managed to iron out....I think???
Onto the game......The British have set up a small camp somewhere in the wilderness, the French have arrived to throw them back to New York.

The initial setup - It's early morning, the 55th, Virginia regt and a small unit of combined Grenadiers are on parade, whilst Gorhams Rangers and some Indian allies are on patrol through some heavy woods, while on the right, Rodgers Rangers and Gage's light infantry explore the woods.

 The Parade

 Rogers Rangers and Gage's advance, while the French allies lie in wait.

 Gorhams Rangers and their Indian allies advance.

 On the left the Rangers and Indians tread cautiously and change formation, while on the right
 the its a bit of a slaughter for the Brits.

 Back to the left, the Montreal Militia and the Compagnie Francaises de la Marine enter the woods. The Marines and Militia know the Brits are coming.

 With the sound of gun fire, coming from the woods, the 55th, Virginians and Grenadiers
 form up ready for battle.


 It's all gone wrong, on the right the Rangers are just about still there, taking terrific casualties, while the left is a disaster, the Indians and Gorham's fell into the French trap. All but 3 men from Gorham's lay dead or dying in the woods, while the Indian allies never made it out at all.

 The triumphant Militia sneak forward.

 And reach the end of the woods, while the 55th line up to face their foe.

 A disastrous few rounds of movement for the English then followed. The French line regt Guyenne was able to advance right up to the 55th and give unanswered fire....not good!

And that was the end

To the victor, the spoils of war.

48 comments:

  1. I was going to say Court Martial for the British Commander but as he "bought" it a dishonourable mention in dispatches methinks.

    Good report Ray. Rule writing now? Clearly a man of many talents!!

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  2. Postie for the win!

    Nice report mate

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  3. Very nice table and report, Ray!

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  4. That's a great report Ray. Really nice looking game too.

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  5. Great battle report. I only played the period once myself at a club demo (they needed a whacko that was willing to haul a 2pdr around) and I really love the setting and the era.

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  6. Good game. You truly are a man of many talents.... I don't care what everyone else says about you.

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  7. Very nice and even more so when one adds in the rules are your own. Well done on a great period!

    Christopher

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  8. Nice report and well illustrated game.

    Nice pic of the victor too ;P

    Darrell.

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  9. He told me on Saturday he beat your ass twice....

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    1. Not twice, after starting the first game, I realised the firing was far too powerful, so we stopped and started again with a few amendments....Git!

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  10. Awesome report! You know I'm a big fan of the skirmish game!

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  11. Nice game and an enjoyable read, really like this era.

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  12. A great looking battle report. The table and the units all look great.

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  13. How many tents were harmed in the making of this?

    Looked like a fun game. Love to power pose at the end. You show those pythons!

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  14. *sigh!* Another wonderful report, packed with gorgeous *sigh!* looking troops; I can feel myself becoming very tempted by this period! *sigh!*

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    1. More money spent, I can here the bank balance wailing as I type!!!

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  15. Nice Batrep, Sir. Are you pleased with how the rules played-out?

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    1. I am, there are still a few things I need to add in, random events, artillery and even some cavalry, but I need a few more play tests berfoe I can unleash a proper game with the lads.

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  16. Fun looking game. I enjoy the pictures of the great figures and terrain.

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  17. Nice looking game Ray. But as it was only you and Postie it doesn't count as having "put on a game". What's the inspiration behind the rules you've been writing?

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    1. No your right, that's what I was trying to explain to his nibs Fran today. As for the inspiration, I've not yet found one set of skirmish rules yet that I think fits with how I want the game to play, so the only solution is to write the rules myself. I do own several other SYW/FIW rule sets as well as other skirmish sets. For my rules I've taken mechanisms and ideas from many sets of rules and with ideas of my own, the only problem is trying to mash them altogether to form a coherent set of rules. Fingers crossed!!!

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  18. Great batrep! Beautiful pics and excellent minis. That's pretty cool to play your own rules. All of your FIW stuff has inspired me to try the period with THW's Long Rifle. I've got some Conquest Minis Indians and Settlers, just need some French, now.

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  19. Excellent stuff. Rules meddling and meshing not as easy as one might expect

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  20. You've got some nice pictures on this one Ray. That first photo with the troops on the hill is my favorite. And your flags look splendid on the table. Next you'll be publishing your own rule books and Fran will have to play by Ray's Rules.

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    1. His does all the time, he just doesn't realise it yet!!

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    2. Well I'm certainly not to tell him Ray. I'm not that brave!!

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  21. well, looks like you had a good game, and rightfully so, the lobster took a beating from the frogs. Hurray for Ze Kinge of France!

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  22. A very good and interesting battle report, Ray, with a lot of English blood in it.

    So, you were the British Commander...

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  23. Looks like a fantastic game, and a nicely written AAR. Great pics too.

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  24. Nice battle report and pictures. Does postie have a belt with stars on it for all the games he wins!

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  25. Nice battle and report but its a pity you lost

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  26. Great report and some nice looking figures. How did your rules?

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  27. Looks a great battle....but you lost using your own rules!
    I guess Postie is just that good :)

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  28. I cannot believe that you would post your own defeat on your blog. Well loser don't wright history so I guess it is only fair

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  29. Painting, flags, music, blogging and now also rules..Cool Ray, and a good AAR..

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  30. Great Pictures Ray I always like seeing pics like that

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  31. Great report and thanks for sharing!

    That are really some nice painted figures. Can you tell me what you've used for the indian skin?

    Greetings
    Peter
    http://peterscave.blogspot.com/

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    1. Hi Peter, I used quite a few different shades of brown, for the skin, from leather brown to red brown.

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  32. Nice batrep. Glad your rules seem to be working out. Play-testing can be nerve-raking. How on earth did Postie manage to beat you at your own game? Was it an obligatory contractual loss? You know, like Fran's photos?

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    1. Absolutely!! That's what I'm telling everyone anyway!! You've gotta let the poor lad win now and again??

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  33. Thanks Ray!

    Greetings
    Peter
    http://peterscave.blogspot.com/

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