I am playing my first Colonial war game this Friday 11-06-09 and will post a battle report. We will be using Too Fat Lardies "They Don't Like it Up em!" rules and playing they're introductory scenario. I do not have any Sudan figures as yet so what to do. As mentioned earlier when starting a new period I general turn to http://www.juniorgeneral.org/ for paper miniatures and once again the site did not fail. Don't get me wrong, paper figures do not IMO have the aesthetic appeal of lead minis but for the thrifty gamer or trying on a new set of rules they can not be beat. This picture shows an example of the King's Royal Rifle for the scenario.
The paper figs print out to approximately 15mm scale. However, you can adjust your printer to print them out larger or smaller if you wish.
I am basing them on square 30mm bases, this will fit the Lardie's rules and next up is Piquet Field of Battle. http://www.angelfire.com/az3/twohourwargames/index.html is running a special this week on their Colonial Adventures rules and I might pick them up. If anyone has a critique on the rules please feel free to post in the comments. I also have an interest in Pony Wars and Patrols in the Sudan. A few other rules have been mentioned on the miniatures page and have also sparked my interest.
I have begun the great delima of scale, 6mm, 10mm, 15mm or 25-28mm. Each has its' merits and drawbacks. But first to select a set of rules.
Finally, I ordered Tel el-Kabir by Donald Featherstone, a book on the Egyptian revolt for more background and perhaps to game some of that conflict as well. Back next time with my first battle report on the Lardie's rules.
I have an extensive collection of 6mm figures and scenery for the 1883-85 campaigns (still in England, alas) which I use on a standard size table. In this scale it really gives the impression of a vast desert. Even so, I'm horribly tempted to convert to 15mm (easier on the eyes!). Peter Pig make a very nice range of figures in this scale.
ReplyDeletePeter Gilder adapted the Pony Wars rules for the Sudan and they work extremely well. Mahdist forces are all controlled by card and dice, yet usually act as if guided by some malevolent intelligence to inflict maximum damage on the Imperial player(s).
Another book to look out for is "Fighting the Fuzzy-Wuzzy" by Major E. A. De Cosson. He was the water supply officer for Graham's forces in the eastern Sudan. The books recounts the logistics of the campaign and fighting from a soldier's point of view.
STOP what you are doing and (if you haven't already) GO to the "Major General's" website:
ReplyDeletehttp://www.zeitcom.com/majgen/
While not specifically about the Sudan, it is a marvelous resource for Colonial gaming. Look particularly at the various Terrain subjects and the Battles reports.
While it hasn't been updated in a few years, it is still wonderfully inspiring.
A blog to look at that is directly focused on the Sudan is:
http://sudan1883.blogspot.com/
Finally, you should take a look at "The Sword and the Flame" rules (often abbreviated as TSATF) by Larry Brom.
TSATF been the "standard" Colonial rules for close to 30 years. That doesn't mean that they are the best or that they will suit your needs . . . but more people play (or have played) them than any other rule set by a large margin.
-- Jeff
Prinz Geoffrey - a copy of my Sudan rules are on their way to your email id. These are based on my readings/understandings of Peter Gilders work. They may be of interest as they do allow solo play..
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