A Letter From the Enfilade Staff

Dear Future Game Presenter,

Although there have been ample events scheduled at past conventions, the Enfilade organizers would like to encourage the scheduling of games a little earlier this year. The idea is to have more games listed in the pre-convention events list to increase interest and attendance at the convention - whoop up the crowd so to speak. This will also allow more gamers to see what you are planning to and increase participation in your event. The Event Coordinator will also be able to insure that there is a table available for your event in the time slot you want.

In addition to all of the above benefits the convention organizers want to offer you a bribe. If you get your event form to Russ Bauder before April 1, 2000 so it can be included 'in the Enfilade 2000 pre-convention event list, they are willing and eager to present to you, at no cost, free and gratis, an engraved Enfilade 2000 crystal stein for your favorite beverage!

Planning to put on a game at Enfilade 2000? Why not take the time to fill out the event registration form now and send it in. Your event will benefit. Enfilade will benefit. And you get the bribe.

Small print To receive the bribe, your event proposal must be received in time for inclusion in the preconvention events list. The event must actually occur at Enfilade 2000. Only one bribe per event. The lovely, engraved Enfilade 2000 stein will be presented at the convention.

A Letter About Enfilade!

Dear Mr. Editor

At Enfilade 99 I was wandering around looking at the various games, when I saw something that disturbed me. I've thought about this for the past few months to determine if I should voice my concerns or if I was being too sensitive.

I became uneasy when I saw an individual wearing military "uniform items" that are routinely associated with the Viet Cong and North Vietnamese Army (on campaign). As a Vietnam Veteran (18 months/six campaigns) I do not appreciate seeing something like that at Enfilade or Breakthrough. Because of that war, friends were lost, friends were physically maimed, and friends remain psychologically tormented. I hope eventually that their sacrifices will be honored properly by America. Until then, the controversy of that war won't be over. It's a mournful time for those who endured.

People may want to game that era, but they do not have to wear military "uniform items" from that era. Perhaps the convention should prohibit the wearing of military gear from 20th century wars or at least WW I to the present. Hopefully, the convention staff will realize that the lack of a policy in this area can precipitate an ugly scene. I know other vets who would have "gone ballistic" and reacted violently. Let's stop the problem before it happens. Thanks for your help.

Napoleonic Ottoman Army

Dear Editor,

I recently attended a gaming convention in Tampa, Florida, where I had the opportunity to purchase an unpainted Napoleonic Ottoman army. At the urging of a colleague, I purchased said unpainted army, suffering from the phenomenon/mirage that paint already covered said corps*.

Shaking off a particularly nasty case of buyer's remorse, I began researching the uniforms and relations of the subject army during the period in question. I discovered the many advantages and disadvantages of owning such a miraculous army:

1 . The figures are useful over a very long period of time. The Janissaries are useful until 1828, but can be used in all gunpowder periods up to that time. The Nizam, however, are only useful for the Napoleonic period and for quelling internal strife. It is unclear if the Nizam ever fought a foreign army in any real force.

2. The Jacobite figures themselves will require some work. They are big, solid figures like those from Frontier but have some flash. The actual detail on the figures place them between Minifigs and Battle Honors on my subjective 'prior exposure' scale. Figures from each of these other manufacturers will be required to round out this army.

3. The Napoleon's Battles (NB) rules make this a fast-play army. The fact that half (1) of the army's units disorder after a single casualty guarantees this.

4. Under the NB rules (and suggested by some sources), the Ottomans appear to have the only cavalry that fights well while dismounted during this period. This allows one the pleasure of painting dismounted Turkish cavalry.

5. The Ottomans are the only army during the period that can fight itself (rebellions, civil wars, etc.), e. g., Janissaries vs. Nizam. This makes the Ottoman army the ideal tournament army, as no one can complain about play balance. Thus, one needs massive numbers of Ottoman units.

6. Cross-over units. You can use (depending on your tolerance for substitution) Circassians as Cossacks, Marlollos as Grenzers. One could, arguably, use French gunners in some battles. Having seen 7 Years War Austrians used as Napoleonic Spanish, I don't find these substitutions unreasonable.

7. They fight everybody at some point or another - Austrians, Russians, French (Egypt), British, etc.

8. Figures of kettle bearers, and the kettles themselves, will be required. The search for these essential pieces is in progress.

9. The correct shade of copper-brass will have to be mixed.

In conclusion, the Ottoman army of the Napoleonic period is clearly the only army one needs for playing Napoleon's Battles. Do not waste time on French, British, Prussians, etc. This army practically paints itself!

Remember - they're all fantasy armies.

* - the author is referring to the well-known phenomenon experienced by games when perusing unpainted figures, whereby they appear in the mind's eye as already painted, mounted and ready to play, This illusion leads inevitably to purchase of said figures.