Sunday 27 November 2016

Game 48 - Second Saratoga (Burgoyne's Gambit, 19th September 1777)



So, a quick post for a game that we managed to fit in despite a busy time (it will lift soon, and we’ll get some proper gaming in).

I’d picked up a few hex’n’chit board games, one of which used the Musket & Saber system. Reading this, it made sense to do the game with hexes and miniatures.

(Actually, I want to try the same scenario with Black Powder, as I need to give BP another go).



Best parts of the rules? Well, of course it’s an IGO UGO, so modern miniatures gamers will reel back in horror, though there were a couple of nice touches:


  • The obvious one where tactical movement could be used (double move could occur outside the enemy’s range).
  • The more subtle aspect, where a unit could respond with defensive fire in the active player’s turn, if it had not been fired upon. Sounds simple, but it meant that it was important for the active player to maintain fire across the line and try to target every unit – otherwise there would be a return of musketry. This is actually quite clever and forces the player to think as to where he might concentrate fire.


Enjoy the pics – we’ll be back soon.



 The British Centre


The American centre and left. Which would see the focus of British attacks.

Some American regiments about to fall back to the cover of the high ground.

 'How come he always gets a pic of us Zeke, huh?'


British troops massing for the assault.


 Attack on the American centre.

   

 While the American right maintains a stalwart defence.

In the end the American centre/left folded under British pressure, but it was nice fast game, which seemed to have some logic in the result.



 RANDOM PIC...the 'Supermoon' on the 14th November. (I had nowhere else to put these pics LOL)


More random pics...I picked these 'artificial grass samples' up from B&Q recently for £2 each. They're great! (B&Q is a hardware store in the UK, for our US viewers). They make great fields.


Back soon :)

10 comments:

  1. Good to see you back at the table !

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yes mate, good to fit a quick game in. I'm freed up after 7th December, and must get something arranged.

      Delete
  2. Yes I'm with steiner. It's been too long! Always a treat to see your AWI figures. A friend of mine has that boardgame. It seems like you enjoyed it with minis? That's one of the things I love about Volley & Bayonet. It's made with board wargamers in mind.

    I'll have to look into those B&Q artificial grass samples. or you'll have to send them to me and I'll pay you for them via paypal :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Cheers Steve. I also picked up some lock'n'load games, and there's some nice WWII/MOdern scenarios.

      Yes I can arrange to send you something, sure.
      The make is called 'blooma', and I got quite a few samples - each is 6" x 9".

      Delete
    2. I'm also thinking about making Game 50 a refight of Game 1, but perhaps using 'Hail of Fire' instead of the classic 'Rapid Fire' that we used back then.

      Delete
    3. That would be pretty cool I think. My recommendation is to play a practice game and knock a few platoons around for practice. That way you can ask the author if you have any questions prior to playing a bigger game.

      As far as black powder you should give it another go! Im adooting it more and more not because of any perceived superiority but because they give a good, quick and fun game that is uncomplicated and basing agnostic with historically plausible results.

      Ill look into that grass Darren. Thanks!

      Delete
  3. I did a similar thing last month and enjoyed the game very much, though using standard 4" hexes. you need a big area to replicate the folio games.

    Instead I did a throw down scenario (which I have since used to check out Black Powder). Some of my notes may interest you in setting up your next game. The resource section also includes two AAR's of the actual folio games being played -

    LINK
    http://battlefieldswarriors.blogspot.co.uk/2016/10/musket-and-saber-rules-with-acw-figures.html

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yes Norm, it was your blog that inspired me to do this :)

      Thanks for that link - a very useful post. I do find keeping the counter with the unit a bit problematic as things get exciting - but just needs experience with the system I guess.

      Delete
  4. Nice looking game...and supermoon!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Phil.

      Pity about the supermoon pics - it looked a lot better than that LOL.

      Delete