October 2006

(October 06)Added “Invincible Armada” and “Full Plastic Body Bag” to the list of small games.

Although HF&G seems a reasonable game, the DBx mechanic is beginning to feel a bit “bland”. DBA itself works fine, as does DBR, but I'm not sure about HF&G for the ACW, particularly as I have it for Napoleonic. Looked at “Minischlacht” but don't know about formations for ACW or representation.

The playing card based turn sequence is getting popular. Wonder if it would work with some other games (e.g. DBA?). Mini-card idea sent to Nugget.

Decided to get some of the Hexon II terrain from Kallistra. Had lots of good reports in Nugget. Hope it will (eventually) give me the “rolling terrain” solution. Hexes I know but I guess I can live with that. Couldn't do Matakishi's method because 9mm cork tiles are no longer available it seems.

Went to SELWG on Saturday. Arrived 1pm, left at 4pm. Bought the Kallistra terrain, had a chat with a few WD guys (not many there), wandered around a bit and that was it. Unexciting.

The Hexon II terrain is really nice. The hexes are not too obvious and figures will stand up on the hills! Well worth the money (phew!).

Tried the terrain out with a DBA game (Byzantine vs. Norman). Looks great. This game I am experimenting with the Playing Card Sequence instead of PIP dice. Seems to work. Couple of mods required: Close combat is resolved on the defender's activation. This means that if the cards fall right, two or more bodies can engage a single defending body. Secondly, a Fatigue Point (DBA variant rule I always use) can be removed if an element does not move. For purposes of defining a body (each body gets a card), a group of elements in contact with each other (including corner to corner, i.e. one has been recoiled) constitutes a body.

Started developing a hex based army level ACW game. Christened it “High Water Mark”.