From Jason K. Burnett I have almost all of the figures painted up for the playtesting of my Kung Fu Theatre rules next Wednesday. I bought a bag of peasant infantry from Old Glory's samurai range and was able to put together six schools of kung fu from it. Each school has four figures, two armed and two unarmed. The armed figures in the pack came as an assortment of clubs, nunchuku, large hammers, and scythes (which I popped the blade off of and straightened the handle to make staves). The two rules system is based on two key ideas: 1. Some characters (Bruce Lee, Jackie Chan) are so much more important than other characters (Tough Guy #3) that they are virtually invulnerable to their attacks and can remove them from the combat with a single blow. Conversely, characters of the same importance (Master Teacher 91 vs. Master Teacher #2) will spend a great deal of time locked in combat before one is able to overcome the other. 2. Different weapons and different schools of kung fu will be more or less effective at different ranges (kicking, punching, or trapping). Also, different schools of kung fti will give special proficiency in certain sorts of actions. I'll let you know how it works out, and if it works out well I'll send you a copy of the rules.
(Editor's Note: Thanks for writing, Jason. Enjoyed having you in my game at the New Orleans Convention! Would like to hear more about your rules!)
From Henry Hyde, Editor of Battlegames Online After a great deal of behind-the-scenes work over a number of months, the brand new Battlegames went online at 2.15am GMT today. By no means complete, like all serious Web sites, this will continue to grow both in breadth and depth over time. New features include: * A blazingly-fast and accurate search engine * Massively expanded Global Gainers section * the start of a brand new Beginners section, to help bring in 'new blood' and explain the hobby to the outside world * A vast new History section that will detail every single conflict, and most of the major battles, from earliest recorded history to the present, with details of forces, uniforms, tactics and so on. In preparation, and coming online within the next month: * Online purchasing of recommended books, CDs, videos, games and magazines via Internet traders you already trust. * Interactive features, Flash movies and other fun stuff * More original articles and illustrations All your old favorites are even better: * Notice Board your free small-ads section Battlechat your chance to have your say Marketplace - free listings for wargames suppliers * Links - sites competing for the coveted Award for Excellence Further plans include unique Battlegames merchandise for purchase online, and valuable incentives for the submission of material. Watch this space! Thank you all for your patience, support and encouragement, and though I still have a huge backlog to plough through, (especially of links to visit and grade), please keep your emails coming! I am now devoting much more time to Battlegames than ever before, and the proof will be in the pudding! Please pay a visit, bookmark and come back regularly, Battlegames just got better!
(Editor's Note: Good luck, Henry!)
From Jeff Farmer Thanks again for the 15mm TYW officers you sent me several weeks ago. I took your advice and contacted Outland Games to get more of their TYW figures. Those little guys have a real flair to them. If you hadn't sent me those samples, I would never have been aware of their existence. I should be in Houston today, at the home of my buddy Jesse, who is hosting a game. Unfortunately, a busy week at work and some other weekend commitments have left me too tired and unmotivated to travel from Austin to Houston. Ironically, most of my wargaming friends live outside Austin there are only two people in this city with whom I game right now. Anyway, here I am at work on Sunday, messing around on my computer like a geek! You have been kind enough to answer a couple inquiries for me in the past, and I thought perhaps you could help me with a couple more: Do you know anyone who has played the new Civil War game "Battle Cry" by Hasbro/Avalon Hill, and have you heard any comments about it? Also, I have been considering buying some new American Revolution figures to bolster my collection (I recently saw "The Patriot.")
In issue no. 104 of MWAN, you reviewed B & B's 20mm range of figures. In your opinion, would these figures be compatible with "small" 25mm figures, such as the old Der Kriegspieler/Iron Brigade figures, old Minifigs, etc.? How would you rate the anatomy of the B&B figures: are they slim or stout? Last of all, were your sample figures wearing a lot of equipment, or did they lack knapsacks, etc.? Your review seemed to indicate that you received mostly command figures to review, but I am particularly curious about the line infantry figures in particular. I visited Brookhurst Hobbies' web site, but these figures are unfortunately not pictured. Hal, at one time, I would never have bothered to "look before leaping" regarding wargarne purchases. I would have bought "Battle Cry" the moment I saw it at the local hobby shop, and four or five bags of the B & B figures would already be on their way to me in the mail. Like most wargamers, though, I have been too greedy and impulsive in the past. I am trying to clean up my act!
(Editor's Note: No, I haven't heard of anyone playing BATTLE CRY, though I suspect it is basically the same game I purchased in 1965. My only opponent was my Mother, who, if I remember correctly, played very well! Re B&-B 20mm A W1, they are not as bulky as the FPW line, in my mind. 1he figures I have are American command and don't have any equipment to speak of I don't know about matching up with the smaller 25mm - however, I will send you the figures and let you decide on your own. I really like them and think you will as well! I sent off the Hessian gun w/crew for painting to add to my 20mm SYWproject but they are very good! Does anyone out there know about "Battle Cry"? If so, please drop Jeff a line.)
From Bjorn Bergerus of Stockholm, Sweden. Forgot to mention a good and well-known shop with very central location in Stockholm for all kind of games and game attributes (dice etc.) - from family games to strategic, fantasy, computer etc.. Tradition Svenska AB Gallerian, Hamngatan 37 S-111 53 STOCKHOLM SWEDEN Tel. +46-8-411 21 51 1 didn't think of it as they don't have any figures other than some fantasy/science fiction I believe, but if I would be looking for a boardgame or to buy some dice or other stuff I guess I would go there (although their central location perhaps doesn't make them the cheapest alternative always).
Found a home page for the company carrying moulds for 40 mm semiflats: Prince August. The moulds would be for soldiers from 'the Age of Marlborough' - but known to me as 'Swedish Karoliner (Caroline)' from the Great Northern Wars 1700-1721 (have many of them), but could probably be painted to represent most armies' troops around the first half of the 18th century (1700-1750 Saxons, Russians for sure and probably also French and British etc.). They also have moulds for 25 mm Napoleon figures (normal, i.e. 'non- semiflat' - have some) and also some Fantasy figures (haven't any). http://www.princeaugust.ie The company appears to have their factory and main office in Ireland.
(Editor's Note: Thanks for information, Bjorn; if interested, I'd love to have something from you're wargaming in Sweden!)
From Bill Stewart Glad to hear that you are painting again. I suspect the figure manufactures are glad too! I have switched to 25mm for most of the new projects. My eyes are such that the 15mm stuff is starting to look like 6mm did 20 years ago. If the trend continues, I may have to go to 54's. Went to Dick Larsen's house last month and played a 25mm ACW game ala Featherstone. Had a great time. Dick and I completed an ECW project using 25mm Old Glory. I really love these and they paint up quite quickly. I switched to 25mm because the 15mm figures, which I liked a lot, are no longer available. It turns out that the sculptor for OG 25's was the same as that for the 15mm I like so well. Anyway, we put on a game at Breakthrough in the Fall and another one at Enfilade in the Spring. The games were well received both times with many positive comments on Dick Larsen's rules and the OG figures. I have since switched to a new horror. A 25mm Napoleonic game based on the Sharpe novels using The Sword And The Flame. It was inspired by the Gary Chalk article in Wargames Illustrated #146 called Adobe Architecture. Although he wrote about building a town for land based pirate operations in Central America, the structures are perfect for Napoleonic Spain. The figures are mostly Old Glory along with Redoubt's Sharpe and Harper. I plan initially to use four 20 figure units per side maybe adding a Spanish Guerilla unit or two later. There is one British Rifle company (of course!) and one of British line lights. If I had it to do over, I would have used British Light Infantry instead since they operated so closely together in the Light Division. There are also two French line voltigeur companies (two, 20 figures units per company as in TSATF).
(Editor's Note: Thanksfor e-mail, Bill. Your Peninsular War project sounds fascinating! I've been collecting appropriate 25mm Peninsular War figures for some years and have even had a bunch of Spanish guerillas painted up for me. I haven't worked out what exactly I'll do with them, but your idea sounds very tempting. Al1 are mounted individually on metal stands and I've thought perhaps I would do a "skirmish" type approach with them. The "TSATF" unit organization sounds like a 'Plan." This is one way to use those beautiful 25mm Napoleonic castings made by REDOUBT and OLD GLORY! What do you plan on usingfor rules? Would like to hear from you regarding this project! OLD GLORY has a set of very tempting 25mm structures for their Pirates line, however, they state the buildings can be used for the Peninsular as well. I've thought they could do "double-duty" for my 25mm Spanish Civil War and Peninsular War projects. Even though I am collecting figures for my 15mm Peninsular War project, I still find it difficult to stay away from the 25mm lines; especially with Barry Edwards' "PLAYABLE NAPOLEONIC RULES" still having a considerable hold on my imagination! I've had this rules set in the back of my mind for at least fifteen years now and perhaps someday I'll do something about it. It's such an attractive rules system. Hope to hear more from you, Bill)
From Ed Watson Haven't had a chance to game much lately, but I have worked up a Zulu war scenario to play with my regular gaming partner. Sgt McChesme (from Gunga Din) must lead a patrol through hostile territory while dealing with poorly motivated soldiers and native levies. I have also set up a fantasy game to introduce my friend's daughters to gaming i It's a typical "go into the dungeon and find the artifact" scenario. I started out playing D&D in the late 70s, which was after board games (Avalon Hill, SPI), which was after GI Joes and Airfix armies and before Historical gaming. Some time in there I spent seven years in the army, mostly as an 11B. I heard you were a tanker. Don't worry, I won't hold it against you.
(Editor's Note. - Good to hear from you, Ed; I don't remember what an "11B" is! Although I was a "tanker", I wasn't a good one as I totally lack any "mechanical" ability and it. seemed to me that one spent one's entire waking hours making repairs to the M60 Is we had. I started out as a driver and graduated to loader before becoming parts clerk for the company).
From Scott Hansen My next scenario will be on the Yalu for the Russo-Japanese War. For the Greek War of Independence, Spiros Kousmosis has artillery crew figures for both sides now.
They come three figures to a pack with a gun for $2.10. Spiros is sculpting Albanians and Greek Regulars I plan on writing on this period for MWAN. I have 240 Greek Infantry figures completed so I can start on the Greek Cavalry and the Turks. I haven't painted in over 6 weeks. I can't work up the energy. My next period will be the Burma Wars of the 1820's. I've ordered British Sepoy troops from Minifigs and purchased the British at Historicon. I will use Falcon Figures UX available from The quartermaster for the Burmese. I've been encouraged by Mark Bevis's scenarios in "Miniature Wargames" magazine. Now I know what figures to use, especially for the Burmese. I might do a game on the 1863 New York city draft riots. I've been encouraged by Chris Engle's articles. I would build several blocks of buildings using one of Chris's ideas from Styrofoam having them joined together. I wouldn't need that many figures. I've always wanted to do a riot/revolution game.
(Editor's Note: Thanks for cort espondence, Scott. Can you give us some information on the "Spiros Kousmosis "figures you mentioned?)
From Dr. Rennie I just visited the SSI website and they are offering the Ultimate WWII package for $19.95 which includes Panzer General 2 and Soldiers At War, two superb games. Also included are two DOS games, Silent Hunter (a submarine game)and Steel Panthers 3 (a brigade level tank game). I have not played either of the DOS games as they are obsolete as far as I'm concerned BUT the other two(PG2 and SAW) are more than worth the $19.95. They are both excellent games that originally went for $39.95 each or more! They are very playable in two hours or less for the most part and are fun games with lots of choices that can keep you occupied for months.
From Bob Cordery I enjoy reading MWAN, and look forward to seeing the rules in #109. I was particularly pleased to read that you have l5mm Sudan Campaign Armies ready- painted and that you intend to put them to use soon. I have become interested in colonial wargaming (along with many other people) over the last two years, and although large WWII battles using the soon-to-be published MEGABLITZ system still form an important part of my wargaming, most of time and effort goes into playing colonial wargames. As and when I make improvements to the rules, I will keep you appraised of any developments. My colonial website is at http://www.users.d ircom.co.uk/~warden/colonial. The latest battles I have played using SCWaRes
(Editors Note: Colonial rules submitted to MWAN which will be in MWAN #109) can be found at: http://www.users.dircon.co.uk/~warden/colonial /wickes.htm or http://www.users.dircon.co.uk/~warden/colonial/mirkat.htm.)
The pictures were taken with a cheap digital camera, and the terrain features cork tiles (for the playing surface), plastic floor tiles (for the sea), Sugarcraft and Essex palm trees, Major General Rederring-in spired hills and mountains, buildings and ships made from FIMO (a polymer clay that is similar to Sculpy), and 15 mm figures. The figures I use are Essex 15mm figures, painted by Essex and MiliArt. I bought some ready painted troops from the latter, and although they are not masterpieces they look good en masse. I have figures from other 15 mm manufacturers stored for future use (mainly Warrior), but I am waiting for Peter Pig to 'do' colonials - he has promised to make some soon (i.e. in the next year or so), especially as they can fit in with some of his other ranges.
(Editors Note: Thanks for the set of Colonial rules, Bob; I have admired your work for some time! They will he in MWAN # 109. Anxious to check out your web site! Glad you enjoy MWAN; I've enjoyed your hobby writing in the past! Although I've gotten away from Colonial wargaming over the years, it is still one of my favorite periods in the hobby! Everytime a new colonial line comes out, I am sorely tempted by the figures. I have a large 25mm NWF collection encompassing 1840-1900 andjust looking at the figures is exciting for me! OLD GLORY has a new line of 15mm Sudan figures; I am not sure if they are "early " or 1890's Sudan, but suspect they are 1890's. I particularly enjoy the "early " Sudan with Gordon attempting to curb the "uprising. " Would love to hear about the new WWII rules you mentioned; I hadn't heard of them before. Can you give us an update on them?)
From Gerard Quinn I was sorry to read Mitru Costea's "I Quit" article, and to see the same mean-spirited attitude of the person who has driven him from the hobby reflected as well in several letters to the editor in MWAN #107. The nasty personal attacks against Mr. McBayer are simply beyond the pale. I had only skimmed his original article in # 103, but after reading the letters I went back and read it carefully several times. He did not name names or threaten anyone. A reasonable man might disagree about the threat he perceives. However, his detractors do not explain why he is allegedly misguided, but instead employ inflammatory phrases like "pseudoreligious claptrap," "self-righteous... demagoguery, " and "the Spanish Inquisition." One whines that when he read the article he felt like he was "being mugged." Two are critical of his religious beliefs, obviously without actually knowing what they are. One even goes so far as to find Mr. McBayer's position just one jump away (for the "weak- minded") from the espousal of Axyan supremacy or mass suicide! This goes way beyond fair comment. No one should be subjected to this for simply writing an article for a gaming magazine! Further, you - the epitome of the gentleman - need not apologize for having printed Mr. McBayer's article in the first place. If any apologies are owed, they are owed to Mr. McBayer from those who abandoned reasoned argument for personal insults.
(Editor's Note: Thanks for your thoughts, Gerard; if there is one task I have difficulty with regarding being an "editor", it is being an "editor ". I do well at getting things done on a timely fashion, at ensuring that MWAN can pay it's bills, at getting out information to people, etc., however, the term "editor" implies that one "edits " submitted material - in this case, both Mr.. McBayer and the respondents - to reduce the likelihood of offending the readership. I will be the first to state this is a real shortcoming of mine, and furthermore, one that I don't trust my judgement in. Being fifty-four years old leaves one with a solid realization of one's strengths and weaknesses and my weakness certainly lies in this area. I would like to improve, however, I know it is not likely to happen; it is just something I am not good at. The problem arises when my shortcoming results in an issue such as this has resulted in and disturbs readers.
On the other hand, while one acknowledges one's strengths and weaknesses as they grow older, there is a blessing involved as to "accepting" the weaknesses based on having learned that there really aren't too many events in life which are so "critical" as to waste much time worrying about. I would define this 11 event" within that category. I would just hope that nobody's feelings were hurt over it. I do thank you, Gerard, for jumping in to defend Mr. McBayer and making me think about this a little more. Very thoughtful of you! Please say hello to your son -12 years old- for me and thank him again for submitting an article for MWAN #109; it was extremely well written!)
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