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#91
Battle Reports / Re: Not So Little Battles 2026
Last post by dwkay57 - Jun 08, 2026, 07:26 AMThe spreadsheet helps a lot Martin as does playing each command in a consistent order and them having orders to follow. The only head scratching occurs when doing a commander's reaction test in trying to remember if that group advanced or retired last go. But as the other chap is quite relaxed about it we usually reach a compromise.
It was an interesting and unusual game Jim. I thought it was going to end a lot earlier as the Near Eastern morale was pretty low following the sack of Upper Lake Town and the early loss of some commands. If Herod's e-characteristics had been slightly different, he might well have held position on the safe side of the bridge, which essentially would have given the Celts victory.
It was an interesting and unusual game Jim. I thought it was going to end a lot earlier as the Near Eastern morale was pretty low following the sack of Upper Lake Town and the early loss of some commands. If Herod's e-characteristics had been slightly different, he might well have held position on the safe side of the bridge, which essentially would have given the Celts victory.
#92
Battle Reports / Re: Not So Little Battles 2026
Last post by Jim Webster - Jun 08, 2026, 06:58 AMIt was certainly an interesting game 
#93
Battle Reports / Re: Not So Little Battles 2026
Last post by Martin Smith - Jun 08, 2026, 06:42 AMNice one 👍🏼. Must be hard to keep track of what's what when playing solo, with large armies spread over the battlefield.
#94
Battle Reports / Re: Not So Little Battles 2026
Last post by dwkay57 - Jun 07, 2026, 07:00 PMAnd my latest solo battle - the Battle for the Puddle District - broke most records for historical and geographical inaccuracies as my British Celtic tribes had an encounter with some of my Near Eastern armies.
Very short report attached here for those who enjoy a less than serious approach to their wargaming. Further reports for those with a decent sized cup of coffee on my website.
Very short report attached here for those who enjoy a less than serious approach to their wargaming. Further reports for those with a decent sized cup of coffee on my website.
#95
Shows & Events / Re: Carronade at Falkirk; June...
Last post by Imperial Dave - Jun 07, 2026, 01:30 PMWell done Dave 
#96
Shows & Events / Re: Carronade at Falkirk; June...
Last post by Dave Knight - Jun 07, 2026, 10:22 AMThe Carronade show was a great success. Being at a new venue can be difficult, but the fact there was more space and it all being on one level was a real bonus and all the feedback has been very positive.
I didn't see as much of the show as I would like being on the Test of Resolve stand all day, but not only were sales good but we also ran 10 short participation games to introduce people to the rules which all went down well. ( I did find time to raid the flea market and picked up some bargains which was an added bonus!)
I didn't see as much of the show as I would like being on the Test of Resolve stand all day, but not only were sales good but we also ran 10 short participation games to introduce people to the rules which all went down well. ( I did find time to raid the flea market and picked up some bargains which was an added bonus!)
#97
Battle Reports / Re: A sample of the Optio preg...
Last post by Martin Smith - Jun 06, 2026, 09:38 AMQuote from: dwkay57 on Jun 05, 2026, 07:27 AMUsing the Martin Smith method, each commander chooses a march strategy. When the sides get within a reasonable distance (about 5 miles of each other), the dice then choose each sides "approach".Flattered,😳, but NB I stole the idea from someone else- might have been William Silvester's solo wargaming book, or Joy of Wargaming's youtoobs.
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Enjoying following this discussion, though 👍👍.
#98
Battle Reports / Re: A sample of the Optio preg...
Last post by Jim Webster - Jun 06, 2026, 08:51 AMQuote from: dwkay57 on Jun 06, 2026, 07:31 AMSo the dice just helps to avoid second guessing.
I think that's one way in which an element of chance is needed. Technically it doesn't have to be dice, you could write the options on cards and draw cards randomly, but in all candour dice is quicker and easier and can give the same result
#99
Battle Reports / Re: A sample of the Optio preg...
Last post by dwkay57 - Jun 06, 2026, 07:31 AMNot quite Justin. Remember it is a solo battle so there is only one player (i.e. me acting on behalf of both generals). I did have an article - Solo Tactics - published in Slingshot a couple of years back which outlined the process at a "battle about to start" time. It is similar for this pre-battle jostling.
For General A I devise 3 or more strategies based on him knowing that General B is about 25 miles north-east to north-west of him. These could be something like: a) take all the army up the western route; b) take all the army up the eastern route; c) send a corps up the western route and everybody else up the eastern route with me. I will weight the strategies as to which I think General A would choose (e.g. option a) 1, option b) 2 or 3, option c) 4 or 5 or 6).
I will then do the same for General B.
I roll the dice for both generals simultaneously and set their armies off in accordance with the chosen strategies until they make contact usually via scouts and then sort of repeat the process but to a more "lets prepare for battle" thinking.
So the dice just helps to avoid second guessing.
For General A I devise 3 or more strategies based on him knowing that General B is about 25 miles north-east to north-west of him. These could be something like: a) take all the army up the western route; b) take all the army up the eastern route; c) send a corps up the western route and everybody else up the eastern route with me. I will weight the strategies as to which I think General A would choose (e.g. option a) 1, option b) 2 or 3, option c) 4 or 5 or 6).
I will then do the same for General B.
I roll the dice for both generals simultaneously and set their armies off in accordance with the chosen strategies until they make contact usually via scouts and then sort of repeat the process but to a more "lets prepare for battle" thinking.
So the dice just helps to avoid second guessing.
#100
Weapons and Tactics / Re: Bronze mace found in Polan...
Last post by Andreas Johansson - Jun 05, 2026, 10:54 AMThe article says that
Neat find, though.
QuoteThe best stylistic match is a late Bronze Age Hallstatt A culture mace head found near Cherkasy in central Ukraine.which rather suggests a more local origin.
Neat find, though.