Or How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Ignore TMP
I had been a long-time visitor to TMP, aka The Miniatures Page, a forum for miniature wargaming. I think I first logged on in 2001 or 2002 and since then I have regularly accessed its pages. Well no longer. I have managed to get myself locked out. All for the rather lame offense of ignoring its editor.
TMP has an ignore feature that allows you to hide topics created from a specific user. Recently the editor of TMP has been posting a lot, mostly stuff that I do not find interesting. When he posted a rant against a former advertiser I got fed up and hit the ignore button. I wasn't sure what would happen. There is also a stifle feature (which hides all posts from the stifled user) and stifling the editor will cause a lockout. I wasn't sure if ignore would do the same - apparently it does.
I now find myself locked out of TMP. I tried un-ignoring the editor to no avail. I guess I need to e-mail and plead my case. But I shouldn't have to. I am involved in web tool design and know a little about UX (user experience) design. I have to say that this lockout is an example of a horrible user experience. The editor is forcing me to see his posts if I want to interact with the community (and there are still many good posters on TMP). I should have the option to see and not see exactly what I want. And I should not have to go begging to get my account restored. It should be automatic. I am so annoyed that I have given up on TMP.
Fortunately, I have found a better alternative. I have been frequenting the Wargames Website and find it a much more congenial site. The users are polite and the moderation sensible. I highly recommend it.
Saturday, October 26, 2019
Wednesday, October 23, 2019
The Plains of Doom
"Brother Anselm," the Elder spoke to the young adept. "The realm is is dire straits. An army of orcs is on the move. We don't have sufficient forces to stop them yet. We need time to gather reinforcements. Therefore, someone must delay the invasion . . . you must delay the invasion."
Anselm was stunned. He knew that he was being ordered to lead a suicide mission. Yet he could not refuse the command of the Elders. But with the determination of youth, he vowed to return from his mission.
_________________________________________________________________________________
Anselm takes up a position on the hill with Randall's rangers on his right.. He stations Gifford's rangers in the woods with Gernier's paladins guarding their flank. A horde of orcs appear.
They charge wildly ahead. Randall's bowmen inflict casualties on an orc warband while Gernier's paladins prepare themselves for an attack by giant spiders.
The spiders leap among the paladins but their fangs cannot penetrate the paladin's heavy armor. The paladins, however, have no problem slicing the spiders to bits. Meanwhile, Randall's rangers wipe out a warband.
The paladins charge an isolated warband and destroy it. However, Anselm's men get caught in a hail of arrows and take serious casualties.
Anselm retreats his men behind the hill. The orcs surge forward, causing casualties among the rangers.
Gernier's paladins find themselves under attack by three warbands! Yet they wipe out one unit. Alas, Randall's rangers are scattered from sustained orc volleys.
Gernier wipes out another warband!
But his men take serious casualties.
He retaliates and a third warband falls! Anselm pushes his lance forward, wiping out some orc scouts. The remaining orc unit takes to its heels.
Victory!
Notes
Kudos to Gernier's paladins, who managed to wipe out 4 enemy warbands. Clearly they were the heroes of this battle!
After my previous play-test, I tweaked my rules a bit and had another go (using my old 3mm orcs for the enemy). The rules changes worked much better. The paladins were clearly superior, but still got bloodied. Still needs some work but it's getting there.
One change I made was to use Squad Hammer's activation rules (use best of 2D6). It worked perfectly.
Although I am not using the Dragon Rampant rules, I decided to try out its scenarios. The first is called "Bloodbath on the Plains of Doom." I added a couple pieces of randomly determined terrain, which the paladins used to good effect.
Finally, I whipped up some new casualty markers out of some Litko wooden bases. I used a red marker to make blood splotches, with 1 spot on one side and 2 spots on the other. Units can take 2-3 hits so one marker is sufficient to track a unit's casualties.
Anselm was stunned. He knew that he was being ordered to lead a suicide mission. Yet he could not refuse the command of the Elders. But with the determination of youth, he vowed to return from his mission.
_________________________________________________________________________________
Anselm takes up a position on the hill with Randall's rangers on his right.. He stations Gifford's rangers in the woods with Gernier's paladins guarding their flank. A horde of orcs appear.
They charge wildly ahead. Randall's bowmen inflict casualties on an orc warband while Gernier's paladins prepare themselves for an attack by giant spiders.
The spiders leap among the paladins but their fangs cannot penetrate the paladin's heavy armor. The paladins, however, have no problem slicing the spiders to bits. Meanwhile, Randall's rangers wipe out a warband.
The paladins charge an isolated warband and destroy it. However, Anselm's men get caught in a hail of arrows and take serious casualties.
Anselm retreats his men behind the hill. The orcs surge forward, causing casualties among the rangers.
Gernier's paladins find themselves under attack by three warbands! Yet they wipe out one unit. Alas, Randall's rangers are scattered from sustained orc volleys.
Gernier wipes out another warband!
But his men take serious casualties.
He retaliates and a third warband falls! Anselm pushes his lance forward, wiping out some orc scouts. The remaining orc unit takes to its heels.
Victory!
Notes
Kudos to Gernier's paladins, who managed to wipe out 4 enemy warbands. Clearly they were the heroes of this battle!
After my previous play-test, I tweaked my rules a bit and had another go (using my old 3mm orcs for the enemy). The rules changes worked much better. The paladins were clearly superior, but still got bloodied. Still needs some work but it's getting there.
One change I made was to use Squad Hammer's activation rules (use best of 2D6). It worked perfectly.
Although I am not using the Dragon Rampant rules, I decided to try out its scenarios. The first is called "Bloodbath on the Plains of Doom." I added a couple pieces of randomly determined terrain, which the paladins used to good effect.
Finally, I whipped up some new casualty markers out of some Litko wooden bases. I used a red marker to make blood splotches, with 1 spot on one side and 2 spots on the other. Units can take 2-3 hits so one marker is sufficient to track a unit's casualties.
Saturday, October 19, 2019
Paladin Steamroller
A band of Blood Orcs (in red of course) emerge from the Shadow Deep to raid the peaceful lands of Telluria. Two lances of paladins and one of rangers block the way.
A charging orc band is decimated by the rangers' arrows.
The defenders charge! The paladins mix it up with some orc scouts.
The Shadow Deep (ably played by Onyx the Cat) looms larger but the defenders take the fight to the foe.
Two more orc bands are decimated.
The remaining orcs flee back into the Shadow Deep
Notes
Since my last post I have been jotting down ideas for small-scale fantasy rules. They are not quite skirmish, I am not using or tracking individuals; figures operate as units. However, each figure is essentially 1 man. As I pondered my options I thought about Dragon Rampant, which is also essentially a small-scale unit-based set of rules. My main issues with DR has been the buckets of dice / large number of hits per unit. I wondered if I could mitigate that by dividing hits and dice by 3 (giving 2 to 4 per unit). But then that messes up the way armor works . . . OH HECK WITH IT. I'll just write my own!
I gave the good guys 3 attack dice and hits per unit while the bad guys got 2. The good guys also got better armor. My goal is to have a small but superior force of good guys battling swarms of fragile bad guys. Well, the good guys were just too good - they just rolled over the bad guys without breaking a sweat. The biggest issue was activation. I basically used the Song of Blades and Heroes mechanic with the bad guys rolling 1D per unit. They just rolled horribly, resulting in a bunch of orcs just milling about waiting to get slaughtered by the paladins. I may need to rethink activation (I may use Squad Hammer's rule instead).
On another note, this marks the debut of my generic armies (at least infantry).
A charging orc band is decimated by the rangers' arrows.
The defenders charge! The paladins mix it up with some orc scouts.
The Shadow Deep (ably played by Onyx the Cat) looms larger but the defenders take the fight to the foe.
Two more orc bands are decimated.
The remaining orcs flee back into the Shadow Deep
Notes
Since my last post I have been jotting down ideas for small-scale fantasy rules. They are not quite skirmish, I am not using or tracking individuals; figures operate as units. However, each figure is essentially 1 man. As I pondered my options I thought about Dragon Rampant, which is also essentially a small-scale unit-based set of rules. My main issues with DR has been the buckets of dice / large number of hits per unit. I wondered if I could mitigate that by dividing hits and dice by 3 (giving 2 to 4 per unit). But then that messes up the way armor works . . . OH HECK WITH IT. I'll just write my own!
I gave the good guys 3 attack dice and hits per unit while the bad guys got 2. The good guys also got better armor. My goal is to have a small but superior force of good guys battling swarms of fragile bad guys. Well, the good guys were just too good - they just rolled over the bad guys without breaking a sweat. The biggest issue was activation. I basically used the Song of Blades and Heroes mechanic with the bad guys rolling 1D per unit. They just rolled horribly, resulting in a bunch of orcs just milling about waiting to get slaughtered by the paladins. I may need to rethink activation (I may use Squad Hammer's rule instead).
On another note, this marks the debut of my generic armies (at least infantry).
Wednesday, October 16, 2019
Paladins of the Shadow Deep
My work on the Paladins' Quest LARP rules has spurred an interest in some fantasy skirmish wargaming where the good guys take on a spreading evil. I am trying to decide exactly how I wish to go about it.
The immediately obvious approach would be to use Rangers of the Shadow Deep, a set of rules that pits a ranger and a handful of companions against the forces of darkness.
The premise is right up my alley, but I am not so sure of the rules (which I purchased and read). They seem to track more stats than I like.
The other issue is that I am not sure if I want to go full skirmish, meaning individually based figures. I have a vision of running a company of paladins, made up of 3-4 squads with each squad of 3-4 figures on a base. This seems like it would work well in 6mm. I'd rather not start a new project, however; it would be better to use the figures I currently have. Right now I have 3mm figures mounted with about a dozen foot soldiers to a base.
I'll cross the miniatures bridge when I get to it. First, I wonder if there are any rules amenable to my concept.
The immediately obvious approach would be to use Rangers of the Shadow Deep, a set of rules that pits a ranger and a handful of companions against the forces of darkness.
The premise is right up my alley, but I am not so sure of the rules (which I purchased and read). They seem to track more stats than I like.
The other issue is that I am not sure if I want to go full skirmish, meaning individually based figures. I have a vision of running a company of paladins, made up of 3-4 squads with each squad of 3-4 figures on a base. This seems like it would work well in 6mm. I'd rather not start a new project, however; it would be better to use the figures I currently have. Right now I have 3mm figures mounted with about a dozen foot soldiers to a base.
I'll cross the miniatures bridge when I get to it. First, I wonder if there are any rules amenable to my concept.
Saturday, October 12, 2019
Adrift
Wargame Doldrums
It has nearly a month since my last post and I find myself in the same position, wargaming wise. I am in a serious slump and don't envision getting out of it soon. I have not had any motivation to paint or play. Please be patient; I find that these things work themselves out if I don't try to force it.
LARP Adventures
One of the main reasons behind my wargame slump is that I have been very active on the LARP front. My frustration with Amtgard hit a peak in late August, as evidenced by this post. After that, I decided I wanted something better so I started jotting down ideas for a LARP that would address my issues with Amtgard. I then had a sudden inspiration. For years I've been wanting to do a Christian LARP so I decided to write the rules for one. Thus was born Paladins' Quest LARP.
Since then I have been writing the rules. I had a revelation for a new class-based system. Essentially the rules Christianize the standard D&D classes (renamed Callings). For example, we have cantor instead of bard and hermit instead of druid. Each class has a small set of abilities (Gifts). This makes the Callings much easier to learn and remember than Amtgard classes.
I am still writing. Work has been very busy, causing interference. When I do have spare time I devote it to Paladins' Quest, which keeps me away from wargaming.
If you have an interest in Paladins' Quest, please join our Facebook group (see below)
Help Wanted
I need help to fully realize my vision for Paladins' Quest. My idea is to write the rules and then post them online as free-to-use, open-source rules. To that end, I want to make a website that will host the rules and supplementary information about the LARP. I really need help with web design and creating graphics for the site. If you can or know anyone who can volunteer to help, please refer them to the PQ Facebook page (below).
Paladins' Quest Facebook page - https://www.facebook.com/groups/2464074170338291/
It has nearly a month since my last post and I find myself in the same position, wargaming wise. I am in a serious slump and don't envision getting out of it soon. I have not had any motivation to paint or play. Please be patient; I find that these things work themselves out if I don't try to force it.
LARP Adventures
One of the main reasons behind my wargame slump is that I have been very active on the LARP front. My frustration with Amtgard hit a peak in late August, as evidenced by this post. After that, I decided I wanted something better so I started jotting down ideas for a LARP that would address my issues with Amtgard. I then had a sudden inspiration. For years I've been wanting to do a Christian LARP so I decided to write the rules for one. Thus was born Paladins' Quest LARP.
Since then I have been writing the rules. I had a revelation for a new class-based system. Essentially the rules Christianize the standard D&D classes (renamed Callings). For example, we have cantor instead of bard and hermit instead of druid. Each class has a small set of abilities (Gifts). This makes the Callings much easier to learn and remember than Amtgard classes.
I am still writing. Work has been very busy, causing interference. When I do have spare time I devote it to Paladins' Quest, which keeps me away from wargaming.
If you have an interest in Paladins' Quest, please join our Facebook group (see below)
Help Wanted
I need help to fully realize my vision for Paladins' Quest. My idea is to write the rules and then post them online as free-to-use, open-source rules. To that end, I want to make a website that will host the rules and supplementary information about the LARP. I really need help with web design and creating graphics for the site. If you can or know anyone who can volunteer to help, please refer them to the PQ Facebook page (below).
Paladins' Quest Facebook page - https://www.facebook.com/groups/2464074170338291/
Sunday, September 15, 2019
Galleys Before the Doldrums
I'm in the gaming doldrums now, and pretty much haven't done a thing on the game front for a couple of weeks. Instead, I have been coalescing some LARP ideas.
A couple of weeks ago, I did run a short naval scenario as part of my Orlan War campaign. The game was regrettably short but I do have a few pictures.
Battle of Orlan Point
Heavily pressed by Azurian effort, Guleslan is trying to sneak reinforcements into Orlan. A single galley escorts 3 merchant caravels to a landing spot near Orlan Point.
Two Azurian galleys (left) intercept the Guleslanian convoy.
The Guleslan galley Red Victory unleashes a round from its cannon, damaging one of the enemy. Red Victory follows up with a boarding action.
The melee is swift and the Azurian vessel strikes. Red Victory chases after the other enemy galley. Meanwhile, the caravels make a break for it.
Seeing that the situation is hopeless, the Azurian galley flees. allowing the Guleslanian convoy to proceed unharmed. Red Victory has lived up to its name!
Notes
Monday Knight Productions heavy fighters and light fighters.
Also from MKP, Entomolian heavy and light fighters.
Finally, a MKP star bomber. Really it is too big for use as a bomber in my games (I want to keep things within the 1 inch squares). I think I can use it as a target.
A couple of weeks ago, I did run a short naval scenario as part of my Orlan War campaign. The game was regrettably short but I do have a few pictures.
Battle of Orlan Point
Heavily pressed by Azurian effort, Guleslan is trying to sneak reinforcements into Orlan. A single galley escorts 3 merchant caravels to a landing spot near Orlan Point.
Two Azurian galleys (left) intercept the Guleslanian convoy.
The Guleslan galley Red Victory unleashes a round from its cannon, damaging one of the enemy. Red Victory follows up with a boarding action.
The melee is swift and the Azurian vessel strikes. Red Victory chases after the other enemy galley. Meanwhile, the caravels make a break for it.
Seeing that the situation is hopeless, the Azurian galley flees. allowing the Guleslanian convoy to proceed unharmed. Red Victory has lived up to its name!
Notes
- For this scenario, I used some home-brew fast-play rules. Unfortunately, they were too fast-play. The game probably lasted 10 minutes.
- I can address the issue 1 of 2 ways - increase the number of ships or reduce the damage inflicted per turn. I haven't decided which approach to use, and have since been distracted by other projects (as noted above)
And now for something completely different
Although I have been playing tiny air combat in a 1930s-style setting, I really want to do dogfights IN SPAAAAAAAAACE. I had been looking at some and placed an order. They have arrived, but I have not yet got around to painting.
From Irregular Miniatures. These are actually alien land vehicles but I plan to use them as rocket ships. Heavy "bombers", light "bombers", and fighters.
Monday Knight Productions heavy fighters and light fighters.
Also from MKP, Entomolian heavy and light fighters.
Finally, a MKP star bomber. Really it is too big for use as a bomber in my games (I want to keep things within the 1 inch squares). I think I can use it as a target.
Tuesday, September 3, 2019
Dragon to the End
The Continuing Adventures of the Dragon Squadron
Mission 5
"Bad news, boys" Capt. Devin Drake announced to his men of the Dragon Squadron. "I just got off the line with Group. They want us to go after those artillery emplacements again."
Lt. Taylor Hicks groaned. Two of his comrades were lost on the last attempt to destroy the enemy artillery. Newcomers Al Hartley and Randy Palmer exchanged nervous glances. This did not seem promising.
Drake chose Hicks and Hartley to accompany him. As they approached, the saw only 1 enemy fighter on patrol. "Let's take out their air support and then go after the artillery." Drake commanded. "And if you get hit, head back home!"
The aircraft swirled around each other in an intricate dance of death.
But the Cobra struck first. Hicks fell before the enemy's guns.
Fortunately, Hicks was able to bail out. Alas, he was picked up by enemy infantry.
Back in the skies, the Dragons could not get a shot on the Cobra. But after a few passes, the enemy broke off for home.
Note: the Cobra flew off the side of the board. In my rules, this means that it disengaged from the fight.
Drake made a run and damaged one of the emplacements.
His second pass damaged another emplacement. Hartley missed.
And then gets hit by AA.
Following Drake's command, Hartley heads for home. Drake is then hit by AA.
Disobeying his own orders, he makes a pass at the damaged gun. He misses. With his controls causing problems, Drake also turns back for home.
Final tally - 1 pilot and plane lost with one gun destroyed and another damaged. A bit less than Group hoped for (the objective was to destroy 2/3 artillery emplacements); mark this down as another loss.
Later that day Drake took a call from Group Command.
"We're pulling you boys out of the action."
"What? Why?" asked Drake.
"You seem frazzled, and your boys are all new. Give them some training and get some R&R yourself. We'll need you soon enough."
With that, the Dragons' first campaign ends. With the way I'm scoring, it is technically a victory (3 successful missions out of 5), but it feels like a defeat - 2 losses to end the campaign, 3 pilots and 5 planes lost with only 4 victories. Not exactly a smashing success. But another campaign is in the offing.
Mission 5
"Bad news, boys" Capt. Devin Drake announced to his men of the Dragon Squadron. "I just got off the line with Group. They want us to go after those artillery emplacements again."
Lt. Taylor Hicks groaned. Two of his comrades were lost on the last attempt to destroy the enemy artillery. Newcomers Al Hartley and Randy Palmer exchanged nervous glances. This did not seem promising.
Drake chose Hicks and Hartley to accompany him. As they approached, the saw only 1 enemy fighter on patrol. "Let's take out their air support and then go after the artillery." Drake commanded. "And if you get hit, head back home!"
The aircraft swirled around each other in an intricate dance of death.
But the Cobra struck first. Hicks fell before the enemy's guns.
Fortunately, Hicks was able to bail out. Alas, he was picked up by enemy infantry.
Back in the skies, the Dragons could not get a shot on the Cobra. But after a few passes, the enemy broke off for home.
Note: the Cobra flew off the side of the board. In my rules, this means that it disengaged from the fight.
Drake made a run and damaged one of the emplacements.
His second pass damaged another emplacement. Hartley missed.
And then gets hit by AA.
Following Drake's command, Hartley heads for home. Drake is then hit by AA.
Disobeying his own orders, he makes a pass at the damaged gun. He misses. With his controls causing problems, Drake also turns back for home.
Final tally - 1 pilot and plane lost with one gun destroyed and another damaged. A bit less than Group hoped for (the objective was to destroy 2/3 artillery emplacements); mark this down as another loss.
Later that day Drake took a call from Group Command.
"We're pulling you boys out of the action."
"What? Why?" asked Drake.
"You seem frazzled, and your boys are all new. Give them some training and get some R&R yourself. We'll need you soon enough."
With that, the Dragons' first campaign ends. With the way I'm scoring, it is technically a victory (3 successful missions out of 5), but it feels like a defeat - 2 losses to end the campaign, 3 pilots and 5 planes lost with only 4 victories. Not exactly a smashing success. But another campaign is in the offing.
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