The annual Christmas Argument ...I mean Game, kicked off with some 30yw FoG:R action.
Now, I was convinced that I would not like these rules, but actually, despite some getting used to, they reflect Renaissance Warfare really well, across multiple 'periods within in periods', and the opposed rolling d6s work quite well with suitable tension during melee etc. Also a very nice pre-battlefield set-up process.
A nice turn sequence which churns along, but grinds suitably for the period's inefficiencies seems to work well too. Definitely worth checking out and reading through for further try-outs.
Figures are from the 'bruvas' massive collections.
It should also be pointed out that significant dice were blamed in the making of this production.
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| Battlefield layout - a pre-game phase dictates terrain for Spanish and French pike and shot, and varying cavalry types |
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| Spanish cavalry, which will spend all day defending the right flank |
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| Early moves in the centre which will see mass infantry melees |
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| French cavalry making aggressive moves on the Spanish right |
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| ...as French infantry moves to force the centre |
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| Spanish cavalry set to make a mess...or fall back screaming |
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| Spanish attacks in the centre and on the left - the left being particularly effective (much dice were blamed in the making of this production) |
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| Contact made centre left |
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| Vicious fighting for the high ground |
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| French units come off worst in the exchanges |
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| ...though on the Spanish right, the cavalry battle could go either way...and ultimately open up the flank |
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| now THAT is a cavalry fight... |
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| While on the Spanish left, the horse is making short work of their French counterparts (you can tell I am not playing on that flank...) |
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| In the end, the French are bled white by a myriad of successful Spanish attacks...and the game is called. |
A very good set of rules - comprehensive, cohesive, and even 'fun'. Worth looking into a lot more, I think, and covers the late 1600s, which is always a bonus.
Excellent holiday game! While I have a copy of FOG-R, I was so turned off by FOG that I never read the Renaissance version. To me, FOG was tedious and seemed too much like work.
ReplyDeleteMany thanks Jonathan. Yes, I agree entirely - rules like these do try to be 'all things to all men' and only end pleasing nerds LOL.... however, the guys have played these so often that it was seamless and maximised the game over book flipping, so I can see the attraction once you gain experience with the rules.
DeleteI am also told that FOGR is a better iteration of the needless complexity of FOG, though I can't confirm.
Practical engineering types always just want to get the job done in a way which maximises the goal - be it simulation, history or tense enjoyment; cries of 'the rules echoing the period by being just as inefficient as maneuvering matchlock musket brigades in real life' don't always wash if it becomes tedious. i would say that the best rules strike a balance between 'full spectrum tedium' and 'simplicity'.