Black Powder: Delaying Action, Part 3

The Russian grenadiers now emerged from the valley and immediately went into action, one battalion formed line and opened fire at the Bavarian Dragoons, while another charged the forward battery and wiped it out. Ont the Bavarian right, the Russian squares fired at the Chevau-Légers, but without much effect.

On the Bavarian left, although the Russian dragoons retired, things began to look bleak. The Russians we outflanking the thin blue line, which began to waver. We maybe should have ruled they were in dead ground for the Russians on the back of the ridge, but this was only my second, and Kevin's first, game, so as earlier stated, we are not quite at grips with the rules, yet.

On my right, one of my line battalions, appalled by the slaughter of the artillery crews, charged the  Russian grenadier column, but the fight was a draw, and the melee continued. I wanted the two battalions on the far right to advance and attack the Russian squares, and again I should have let them use Initiative moves before doing anything else - I really need to get used to that rule, as it will do away much of the frustrations arising from failed Orders.

The situation on my left flank. The Bavarian general had repositioned himself to take control of the brigade, but a little too late.

A Russian dragoon regiment doubled behind the infantry and got in position for attacking my shattered line from the back.

A general must know when a battle is lost, and the Bavarians sounded general retreat to avoid being totally surrounded. Here is the situation on my right, when the signal was given.

Of course, it was only a matter of time, before the Bavarians would be overrun, as the Russian force was more than twice the size, so things just took their natural course.

My thoughts after the first two games:

It looks and feels very 'napoleonic' - we still have to fully get to grips with the rules, but as more games are played, I, at least, should begin to have learned more of the basics by heart, so I can begin to focus on the more detailed aspects.

It is, of course. a 'light' game, as rules for this period go, but that just makes it easier to use for quickly arranged gaming appointments, as you don not have to read up on a thick volume of rules before getting stuck in, so that is fine.

I am yet to see a decisive charge, so maybe it is not as effective as I first thought, but we shall see about that...

Black Powder: Delaying Action, Part 2

It is getting late, again, as we just came back from the movies (Solo: A Star Wars Story), but I thought I should continue the AAR from last night's game of Black Powder.

The Bavarian light brigade stubbornly refused to move forward through the forest (on hindsight, I should just have let them move on Initiative, but I have not got the hang of that rule, yet...), while some of the line infantry deployed in line to receive the approaching Russians (now hidden in the valley) with some hot lead, and the artillery crossed the bridge.

The Russian line firing over the heads of their companions should not have been allowed to do so, as only artillery can shoot over troop formations, but I did not bother to check at that point.

One Bavarian battery advanced far enough to open up on the massed column of grenadiers advancing across the valley, but it seems they forgot to aim in all their haste (what is the chance of that roll??

Well, at least the cannon cannot explode or something (I think...).

Bavarian shooting was very bad that day in general - two battalions forming line and firing point blank at the Russian dragoons without causing a single casualty is all the testimony one needs for that!

The Bavarian brigade general managed to rally the battalion that fell back a bit earlier.

The Bavarian cavalry brigade went into action, but the Russian infantry formed squares, stopping the attack in its tracks.

This is it for today, we are again close to midnight, and I have some windows to close, and a dog to let in, before going to bed.

Black Powder: Delaying Action, Part 1

I had a gaming appointment this evening, so i spent half the afternoon setting up the table and the armies for another run of Black Powder, this time against Kevin.

Kevin does not have his own 1:72 army, yet (although he has purchased some late Prussians), so I was putting him in command of my early Russians, facing my Bavarian division.

The Russian army is about twice a s big as the Bavarian, so I decided to play a scenario where the Bavarians have to hold back the Russian force for as long as possible,, to prevent them from uniting with the Austrians.

I arrayed the two armies, ready for final deployment when Kevin arrived.






Kevin got to move first, and the Russians, making extended use of column formations, advanced into the valley

The Bavarians also advanced - the light infantry spread out and entered the forest on the ridge, while the left flank tried to seize the high ground, but failed.

A Russian dragoon regiment swept forward, but failed to make contact with the Bavarian infantry., while the Russian Jägers outflanked the Bavarian line.

Enfilading fire by Sharpshooters is devastating, as proven by the swift annihilation of a Bavarian battalion, while another was driven back with heavy casualties.

It is midnight here, now, and I need some sleep - I expect to continue this AAR tomorrow.

2018-05-06, Black Powder: Testing the Rules

Sunday afternoon I was visiting one of my oldest friends and gaming buddies, Michael, with my entire family, and I was bringing my 1/72 Bavarians, some terrain, and the Black Powder rules for a test run.

Archduke Michael had dusted off his Austrians and we set up two roughly equal forces (we do not tend to fuss about with points values).

I had prepared army lists with troop types and profiles for both sides, so we could get stuck in fairly quickly.

We played on my new 3x3 mat, using cm. instead of inches, each battalion 8 figures (1 rank = line, 2 ranks = attack column, 2 files = march column), cavalry regiments only 4 figures (normally, I would use 8 figures, 2 bases, for the possibility of using different formations, but for some reason I never got around to paint the second half of the Bavarian cavalry regiments, so Michael just mirrored that).

Our initial setup. The Kaiser's line infantry came on in massive columns, with the light infantry and light dragoons spread out on their left flank, while the Electorate's finest were deployed more thinly, with light infantry in skirmish formation up front screening the line infantry advance, and the cavalry (Cuirassiers and Chevaulegers) placed on the right, ready to advance on the enemy position.

Archduke Michael opened the ball with a blunder, sending half of his line infantry and artillery marching off towards Vienna.

This unforeseen turn of events of course made the Austrians a bit reluctant to advance - the remaining line infantry brigade was rearranged to make up for the loss of the entire right flank...

...whereas the Bavarians sounded general advance, the center forming into line for more firepower.

The Austrian commander desperately sent off one aide-de-camp after another to order the German infantry brigade back onto the field, but with little effect. The Bavarians closed in on the weakened Austrian position which started some spread fire.

The Bavarian cavalry brigade thundered forward to the sound of picket fire from the skirmishing light infantry.

The Austrian light infantry formed squares, which halted the attack. Luckily for the Austrians, one of the aide-de-camps had found the stray infantry brigade, and it now reappeared behind their right flank.

The Bavarians kept closing in on the enemy position, while the Austrians built up a massive infantry column on their right flank.

Two Bavarian battalions charged one of the Austrain squares...

...and broke it.

In response, the Austrian light dragoons closed in, but the Bavarian attack columns quickly reformed into square.

The light Austrians formed attack column and retired a few yards.

The massive Austrian  attack column charged the skirmishing light infantry, which evaded (I did not do this entirely correctly, but pulled them a bit to the side - they should have moved directly backwards, but this is what test games are for). The Hungarian infantry in the center also advanced to point blank range of the Bavarian line.

The Bavarian line steadied itself and delivered a full strength volley. Not enough to shake the Hungarians, though! The light infantry formed into attack column to be able to support the line against the expected attack.

The Bavarians on the left flank charged the Austrian massed infantry and took some beating, but held their ground.

We had now reached dinner time (we were barbecuing tenderloin and some mushrooms, potatoes, and cabbage), and decided to call it a day.

One or two turns more would probably have seen some decisive action - I fear my leftmost infantry would have been annihilated, but hoped to be able to break the enemy center, and bring up the regiment lingering in the field at centre left to prevent the massed Austrians in turning my line.

As we left the battle, it may have swung either way.

We both liked the ease of the game flow, and we agreed that a lot of the situations arising 'felt right'.

I did not discuss this, but one aspect I find less enticing is the emphasis on decisive charges. I think it is too easy to just bunch up a heavy mass of attack columns and drive forward - if you get 3 moves you can move from well out of reach of muskets and only suffer closing fire - but I have to play more games to fully get the impression of how it affects the game.

Shall we play Black Powder again. Yes. Will it be our first choice of  Napoleonic rules? Maybe - for me it depends heavily on what else I come across, and how this holds up against other sets. I am definitely set on playing nappies on a regular basis, again. It was my first and foremost wargaming love, and there is not much I enjoy more than a gaming table filled with soldiers in neat rows and colourful uniforms!

SotHT: Rebasing the Germans, All Done!

Did the finishing touches (added leaves) this afternoon.

Next up are some Mummies, and a Black Cobra. And THEN work should commence on the subterranean temple interiors!

Armed, Dangerous, and Very, VERY Angry!

SotHT: Rebasing the Germans, WIP 4.

A little bit of progress.

I hope to get the bases highlighted later this evening, but no promises, as I didn't sleep well after working last night, so am rather tired.

Afternthis batch is re-based, I need to do some mummies and a couple of snakes, and then it is time to build some stairs to lead down to the Hidden Temple from the surface.

As soon as I have done that, and sorted out the various floor plans, markers, and other features to be found in the sjub-terranean corridors and rooms, I shall start fleshing out the leagues to figure out if I need to paint additional minis to add to the factions.

SotHT: Rebasing the Germans, WIP 3.

A bit more work done on the Ahnenerbe.

I roughed up the edges on the washers, and added some more filler to the bases.

The extra filler makes sure there is no gap between filler and integral bases, and creates some uneven-ness for a more naturalistic look to the finished bases.


Then I applied PVA-glue, and put the minis in some beach sand.

SotHT: Rebasing the Germans, WIP 2.

Got a bit of filler added to the bases today.

Not a big deal, but progress, never the less. I had hoped to run over them a second time before going to work late this evening, but I need to rest a bit in order to stay awake all night.

I still have to remember to rough up the edges on the washers...

SotHT: Rebasing the Germans, WIP 1.

I allowed a sneak peek on these yesterday, but I think I better show the 'before' picture again, for reference.












As you can see, the basing was almost done (just some flock wanting), but as these have integral bases, there is no need to place them on plastic plinths, and steel washers can be used instead (and should be, according to my current standards).

I got the slottas removed earlier today (I even had to apply my Dremel to remove some plastic that had been superglued too well to two of the minis).

I then glued the minis to some washers (and forgot to rough up the edges before doing so, dang!) and left too dry until tomorrow.

The remainder of my hobby time for today was spent on trying to paint a DreadBall core to look as if lit up from the inside. I failed. I am not sure if I shall leave the core as is and just paint the blasted thing polished steel/silver, or if I shall give it another try. I went for a green core, btw, to mimick the X-Box logo, but it really did not turn out as planned...

If I finish the ball tomorrow, I shall of course show off the result, but in the meantime, stay tuned for progress on the German 'archaeologists'.

SotHT: Rebasing the Diggers, Finally Done!

So, after 2 weeks of hardly any progress, I sat down at the painting desk with a firm resolve to get this batch put aside.

I'm not quite sure if the bases are a wee tad too yellow (highlight is Coat d'Arms Buff), I'll have to see them on one of my desert tables before deciding whether I should add white to the buff and do a final light drybrush highlight.

Next up for the Secrets of the Hidden Temple project is rebasing of the German 'archaeologists': another matter of removing slottas from integral bases, and glue the minis onto steel washers.

The rebased diggers.

The Germans are going to get the same type of 'all-round' bases as the Turks, as they are likely to appear anywhere between Berlin, Nigeria, Borneo, and the Amazonas.

Before surgery.