tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5185876513552272723.post5426661985702081821..comments2024-03-28T03:10:23.679-07:00Comments on Polemarch: The Art of DestructionThe Polemarchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10958736917525649927noreply@blogger.comBlogger19125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5185876513552272723.post-40728281520341227332015-09-03T10:25:44.731-07:002015-09-03T10:25:44.731-07:00The Vikings believed in feline management skills. ...The Vikings believed in feline management skills. Freya had a cart pulled by two cats. The fact that she could get two cats to pull in the same direction at the same time makes her the most powerful god or goddess ever. She also snorted fire from her nose apparently, although I have not tracked down that reference yet. Perhaps a wargaming intern could learn both of these skills.<br /><br />Managers! Bah!!Ruaridhhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13003128932063213463noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5185876513552272723.post-21098463175664383712015-09-03T07:39:43.452-07:002015-09-03T07:39:43.452-07:00Perhaps they could also learn feline management sk...Perhaps they could also learn feline management skills? <br /><br />Of course, that assumes that there is such a thing. Mind you, the fact that there is not such thing does not appear to deter most managers I have had the misfortune to encounter....The Polemarchhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10958736917525649927noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5185876513552272723.post-18655994318994049712015-09-02T15:32:57.780-07:002015-09-02T15:32:57.780-07:00Precisely. In return for rolling your dice, they w...Precisely. In return for rolling your dice, they would learn about game theory, statistics, and possible strategy and tactics. They would also learn useful snippets of history. The role of wargaming intern could provide them with many transferable skills for the future.Ruaridhhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13003128932063213463noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5185876513552272723.post-31465374677716098352015-09-02T15:01:02.223-07:002015-09-02T15:01:02.223-07:00A well-educated, low-waged dice roller. A wargamin...A well-educated, low-waged dice roller. A wargaming intern?nundankethttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12895608927860103442noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5185876513552272723.post-38298777289090163562015-09-02T10:34:10.614-07:002015-09-02T10:34:10.614-07:00Why would you pay someone, when you could get a po...Why would you pay someone, when you could get a post-grad to do the job for nothing? ;) Of course, you could certainly employ someone to roll the dice for you. I dream of a WW2-style war-room where I stand behind my lectern with my rules on it, directing the action from the mezzanine, while my trusty minions roll the dice and move the figures. Oh my, is it time for my pills already? Gosh!<br /><br />Now, about the Battle-Tern(tm), how many shall I sign you up for, and how would you like them themed? These delightful lecterns for your rules will give you all the gravitas you need when pronouncing on the rules. I think sir would prefer the Parthenon-Tern(tm), I believe it would suit sir's gaming. Suits you, sir, suits you.<br /><br />Actually, I am a big fan of the dice tower and dice tray precisely because they stop sudden assaults on my figures by enemy dice. Now, if only I could devise a process for making my games proof from Feline On-Board Artillery while they are in progress.Ruaridhhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13003128932063213463noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5185876513552272723.post-49022377479600728322015-09-02T07:54:33.530-07:002015-09-02T07:54:33.530-07:00Good heavens, I didn't even know that such thi...Good heavens, I didn't even know that such things existed - dice trays, dice towers...<br /><br />Can we pay someone to roll them for us? please don't answer yes because then I'll start raving about the state of the hobby, and how it wasn't like this when I was a lad.....The Polemarchhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10958736917525649927noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5185876513552272723.post-33284774233646386872015-09-02T07:31:50.409-07:002015-09-02T07:31:50.409-07:00Rolling dice onto figures can be a problem, but I ...Rolling dice onto figures can be a problem, but I have a dice tray and am making a dice tower to prevent that issue. As a gamer, any gaming related gadgets and gimmicks are clearly necessary and not merely a luxury. One thing I greatly feel the lack of is a lectern for my rule book so that I can pontificate about the rules from behind it during games. One day it shall be mine! Anything that helps keep clutter off the actual gaming surface is a Good Thing.Ruaridhhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13003128932063213463noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5185876513552272723.post-58295413485426925762015-09-02T03:23:39.068-07:002015-09-02T03:23:39.068-07:00I have casualty markers and order markers, both of...I have casualty markers and order markers, both of which work really well (in my humble opinion, of course) and are aesthetically pleasing. laving the casualty markers at the place of combat is a nice idea - you can then see the pile of bodies. i wish I had the industry to paint up a suitable number of casualty figures. In the PM rules, of course, while there can be push backs, routers are gone so the markers could stay there. <br /><br />The other problem I have is rolling my dice onto figures, but that is probably me, not anything to do with the aesthetics or process of wargaming generally.The Polemarchhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10958736917525649927noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5185876513552272723.post-10262787105980118642015-09-01T08:52:20.317-07:002015-09-01T08:52:20.317-07:00For some of my games I bought some dice frames fro...For some of my games I bought some dice frames from Minibits. Gluing the frame to the stand and placing the die in it tends to preclude absent-minded appropriation of the die for dice rolling purposes.<br /><br />There is certainly a balance to be found, but painting a few additional single 6mm figures is not a great inconvenience. Casualty figures tend to be more involved because I always need so many more than I already have. This probably says something about my skills as a wargame general though.<br /><br />I base my 6mm figures on 60mm x 30mm bases. This always leaves a bit of space at the front and back of the base. I have been considering sticking a small rare earth magnet on the front and rear of the base. I could then easily attach status markers to the front and back of the base, making it easier to move all at the same time.<br /><br />Another idea I wanted to try with my Wars of the Roses figures was to make casualty markers for each livery. The idea would be to place the casualty markers at the spot where they happened, giving me an easy way to track the flow of the battle by following the lines of miniature bodies. I would still need an easy way to keep track of each unit's status but it might add something to the visual effect of the game.Ruaridhhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13003128932063213463noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5185876513552272723.post-30091397284373274672015-09-01T04:51:18.358-07:002015-09-01T04:51:18.358-07:00It is a balance between convenience and aesthetics...It is a balance between convenience and aesthetics, I think. And I tend to lose 5 mm dice, or pick them up to roll them in a fit of absence of mind.The Polemarchhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10958736917525649927noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5185876513552272723.post-54710687339901352922015-09-01T04:50:11.643-07:002015-09-01T04:50:11.643-07:00I shall see if Mr Camera is charged up and willing...I shall see if Mr Camera is charged up and willing, but the ditches are horridly simple. And straight.The Polemarchhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10958736917525649927noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5185876513552272723.post-33013236556316943442015-09-01T04:46:51.044-07:002015-09-01T04:46:51.044-07:00I have already appropriated the idea with plastic ...I have already appropriated the idea with plastic card, miliput and floral wire. I went for 6 - 8 foot spears; it remains to be seen what painting does to them...The Polemarchhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10958736917525649927noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5185876513552272723.post-38260075228531109462015-08-31T06:19:48.358-07:002015-08-31T06:19:48.358-07:00I'm with nundanket in using casualty markers w...I'm with nundanket in using casualty markers where I can. The use of a single standard-bearer figure placed in front of a unit to indicate charging, or behind it to indicate retreat/recoil is a good visual clue as to status. I do use 5mm dice but still find them visually intrusive, even though they are also convenient.Ruaridhhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13003128932063213463noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5185876513552272723.post-19152779766506271112015-08-31T06:16:46.806-07:002015-08-31T06:16:46.806-07:00That's a good idea. I may have to borrow it.That's a good idea. I may have to borrow it.Ruaridhhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13003128932063213463noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5185876513552272723.post-58166858816245364282015-08-30T04:28:01.764-07:002015-08-30T04:28:01.764-07:00Aesthetically I am in accord as to deploring clutt...Aesthetically I am in accord as to deploring clutter, though I haven't found an ideal solution to marker dice, chits, etc. <br />While I always find your prose witty and clear, after this post, curiously, I find myself wishing for a picture or two, as your battle reports are quite rare and I would have liked to have seen the ditches you made.<br />Cheers,<br />MMad Padrehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00410143683610813671noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5185876513552272723.post-32811841443560054272015-08-29T06:17:45.863-07:002015-08-29T06:17:45.863-07:00I'm interested by the idea of markers with wir...I'm interested by the idea of markers with wire javelins in 6mm scale. Should avoid clutter, though.MSFoyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14470241067504971068noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5185876513552272723.post-1064965017044012772015-08-29T05:43:21.252-07:002015-08-29T05:43:21.252-07:00I like this idea. Simple quick and effective.I like this idea. Simple quick and effective.nundankethttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12895608927860103442noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5185876513552272723.post-68521986596511265432015-08-29T05:42:34.213-07:002015-08-29T05:42:34.213-07:00I was thinking of using 3 different markers: "...I was thinking of using 3 different markers: "deaders" to indicate casualty/permanent loss; loose "command" figures to indicate disorder; loose foot/horse soldier to indicate "shock"/lowered morale status.<br /><br />On the question of bases "turning in", isn't that just a feature of indivisible bases that you have to factor in? If one base of hoplites has seen off another then I presume that replicates a pretty major push back of a significant part of the opposing phalanx, so it's surely right that the successful block has an opportunity to either turn in and fight neighbouring sections or follow-up on the retreating portion?<br /><br />In reality some would surge forward following-up the defeated foes and some would fight other nearby hoplites. So maybe just give a smallish bonus to the neighbouring bases in the next round? If the successful base represents very well trained troops who might be more likely to "turn-in" they could add a bigger bonus next turn.nundankethttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12895608927860103442noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5185876513552272723.post-11064833804219821972015-08-29T03:35:47.666-07:002015-08-29T03:35:47.666-07:00As far as markers go, I also hate to clutter the t...As far as markers go, I also hate to clutter the table up with chits and what have you. I made these up, and they seem to blend in a bit better than coloured stones, poker chips etc. <br /><br />http://prufrockian-gleanings.blogspot.jp/2013/01/quick-and-easy-disruptioncasualty.htmlPrufrockhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17659918463589870423noreply@blogger.com