Tabletop Wargaming.

[macsen rufus]

Please don't feel I'm trying to divert you from the tabletops, but can I shamelessly suggest a certain mod for MTW It covers late bronze to early iron age, 1280BC to 700BC, on a modified whole-Europe map, now with two added campaigns for Punic Wars and the conquests of Alexander. Follow the links in the sig if it takes your fancy I have to admit, a lot of the DBA/DBM websites have come in very handy for research and ideas for the mod...

I was never really disciplined enough for tabletop games with my hordes of Airfix figures as a youngster, but I recall certainly half the amusement to be had was in the painting of them. I had all sorts - Napoleonic (real fun to paint...), WW1, WW2, ancient Britons, even 7th cavalry. I'm sure the appeal remains for 8yr olds today as it did back then

[William Waller]

I have wargamed with figures since I was 12 years old. I am now 49!

I first started Napoleonics using Airfix figures and then moved onto the English Civil War my favourite period. I still have a 15mm New Model Army.
I also have a Norman and saxon Army.

However I now live in a small cottage in Norfolk England with my wife, my Gundog and my wifes Lurcher dog (For Lurcher read "I run like a lunatic on my walk then become a professional couch potato for the remaining 22 hours")

Therefore I really have no room for a wargames table that can be set up and left. Thats why I love the Total War series. I can game in my favourite periods with campaigns thrown in!!

Can I suggest that you also look at "Field of Strategy". This is a free downloadable wargame that covers Medieval, 18th Century, Napoleonic, WW2 and modern era. It is both strategic and tactical. Napoleonic and War2 have campaigns.
As I say it is free. The graphics are not going to set the world on fire but the game play is superb. It can also be played "Hotseat" against the computer or via internet. Well worth looking at. Search the title on a search engine and you will find it.

As to the War Hammer Rules I use the War Hammer English Civil War rules and they are very good. Although I have drawn up a system of my own which I use.

[YAKOBU]

Hi everyone

Thanks for all your comments.

I e-mailed the wargaming club but no reply. They have a meeting tonight so I will turn up and check it out.

I'm not very artistic so wouldn't really have an interest in painting my own figures.

I hadn't played Total War in a while but a friend has got me playing a Goth's Mod 2-player PBM for BI. That may revive my interest in the game.

[Kekvit Irae]

Personally, for table-top (strategy) gaming, nothing beats a game of Mordheim. It's Warhammer Fantasy in a much smaller squad-level scale. Simple enough to get newcomers interested and for veterans to transition to WHF or WH40k. Plus I've been working (on and off) on a WWII conversion ruleset for the game, since the ruined cities would be perfect for a squad-level Stalingrad battle.
As far as historical games go, DBA is fun, but there's really no variety in units. A unit of Hundred Years War Blades is the exact same as a unit of Early Roman Republic Blades. Still, it's really the only game my father plays frequently, so it's all good.

[YAKOBU]

Just an update.

I went along to the wargaming club Wednesday but wasn't totally impressed. 6 guys were having a gladiatorial battle which didn't interest me. 2 others were having a WW2 battle which was a little better. Aside from that not much happened.

I have looked into DBA which may be ok for my son but it is too simplified for me. DBM looks a little better but the armies get more expensive. It does seem to cover differences in quality of troops though.

I received a DBM book I ordered today and the Roman army list changes every 100 years nearly!! That restricts the period you can use that army for.

I have checked out the Essex Miniatures site which looks good. You can get a DBA army painted and based for about £120. That may be a starting point.