Armchair Dragoons Forums

Wargaming => Intel Dump => Topic started by: judgedredd on January 11, 2021, 04:24:35 PM

Title: What Next?
Post by: judgedredd on January 11, 2021, 04:24:35 PM
I am going to have another stab at Mrs Thatcher's War - but whilst I've got that on the table, I could be reading another manual in preparation...so I could do with some assistance.

I have 34 games on BGG (+5 expansions) and 24 of them haven't been played (some are expansions).

I've looked through the list and I've narrowed it down to these 5 that I'd really like to get on the table.
Title: Re: What Next?
Post by: Barthheart on January 11, 2021, 04:27:42 PM
Voted OST. I think you'll enjoy that.
Title: Re: What Next?
Post by: bob48 on January 11, 2021, 04:40:31 PM
I voted for the Pacific one as I'm quite curious about the system.

...I'll be much more interested in 'Decision at Kasserine' when you get it :-))
Title: Re: What Next?
Post by: bbmike on January 11, 2021, 04:47:48 PM
Another vote for OST. Which volume do you have? I've got the Pacific version scheduled to hit the table at some point.
Title: Re: What Next?
Post by: judgedredd on January 11, 2021, 04:53:33 PM
LOL Bawb. I promise if I get it it'll be next...after Me Thatcher's War and whatever gets the vote above...promise

Another vote for OST. Which volume do you have? I've got the Pacific version scheduled to hit the table at some point.
I have OST V2 with Ghost Front and OST V3 with Hell Bent
Title: Re: What Next?
Post by: bbmike on January 11, 2021, 04:56:37 PM
 :bigthumb:
Title: Re: What Next?
Post by: bob48 on January 11, 2021, 04:57:21 PM
Just send it to me an' I'll do it for you...you having a lot on yer plate and all that  ;D
Title: Re: What Next?
Post by: judgedredd on January 11, 2021, 05:22:13 PM
You know I'd be willing to...... all you've got to do is say the word
Title: Re: What Next?
Post by: bob48 on January 11, 2021, 05:36:51 PM
Just kidding, JD.

..........you might not get it back  ;D
Title: Re: What Next?
Post by: trailrunner on January 11, 2021, 06:09:52 PM
Didn't you recently buy ASL Starter Kit 1?
Title: Re: What Next?
Post by: Staggerwing on January 11, 2021, 06:21:11 PM
I voted for The Hunters. I see I'm not the only one...
Title: Re: What Next?
Post by: thecommandtent on January 11, 2021, 08:11:15 PM
Voted for Last 100 Yards but looking forward to your AAR no matter what is picked.
Title: Re: What Next?
Post by: BanzaiCat on January 11, 2021, 09:00:05 PM
I voted for The Hunters. I see I'm not the only one...

I did, as well. If JD hasn't tried the system yet I think he'll like it a lot.
Title: Re: What Next?
Post by: Doctor Quest on January 11, 2021, 09:29:31 PM
I will vote for The Hunters as well. The Battle Of The Atlantic is fascinating subject. I still need to watch "Greyhound" for that matter........
Title: Re: What Next?
Post by: BanzaiCat on January 11, 2021, 09:50:27 PM
My buddy Dave plays the ship's doctor in that one. Good flick.
Title: Re: What Next?
Post by: Doctor Quest on January 11, 2021, 09:52:09 PM
That's pretty cool!
Title: Re: What Next?
Post by: bbmike on January 11, 2021, 09:59:06 PM
I will vote for The Hunters as well. The Battle Of The Atlantic is fascinating subject. I still need to watch "Greyhound" for that matter........

I forgot about Greyhound! I wonder if it's available to stream yet.
Title: Re: What Next?
Post by: Doctor Quest on January 11, 2021, 10:28:06 PM
It is on Apple TV and I got a free one year subscription.
Title: Re: What Next?
Post by: judgedredd on January 12, 2021, 02:02:45 AM
Didn't you recently buy ASL Starter Kit 1?
Yes - I'm afraid it didn't make this initial cut  :whistle:

Two horse race at the moment. Voting ends at 16:00 GMT so I can crawl under my desk and get the manual out and start reading. If it's a tie, I'll leave it to the dice gods.

Voted for Last 100 Yards but looking forward to your AAR no matter what is picked.
I'll think about it. I have to say I think I go too deep with my AARs. I'm looking at Brant's and thecommandtent's AARs and I'm enjoying them alot without all the detail on die roll results and rule explanations.
Title: Re: What Next?
Post by: Barthheart on January 12, 2021, 08:25:18 AM
...
I'll think about it. I have to say I think I go too deep with my AARs. I'm looking at Brant's and thecommandtent's AARs and I'm enjoying them alot without all the detail on die roll results and rule explanations.

Wait! Brant does AARs?!?  :o
Title: Re: What Next?
Post by: bbmike on January 12, 2021, 08:27:57 AM
Only for soccer and music.  :whistle:
Title: Re: What Next?
Post by: judgedredd on January 12, 2021, 10:10:43 AM
...
I'll think about it. I have to say I think I go too deep with my AARs. I'm looking at Brant's and thecommandtent's AARs and I'm enjoying them alot without all the detail on die roll results and rule explanations.

Wait! Brant does AARs?!?  :o
Oops - honestly I'm always getting you two mixed up!

Sorry Barth
Title: Re: What Next?
Post by: Barthheart on January 12, 2021, 10:28:11 AM
...
I'll think about it. I have to say I think I go too deep with my AARs. I'm looking at Brant's and thecommandtent's AARs and I'm enjoying them alot without all the detail on die roll results and rule explanations.

Wait! Brant does AARs?!?  :o
Oops - honestly I'm always getting you two mixed up!

Sorry Barth

 ;) No worries.... though I'm not sure how you mix us up?!?  :hehe:
Title: Re: What Next?
Post by: bayonetbrant on January 12, 2021, 10:53:43 AM
;) No worries.... though I'm not sure how you mix us up?!?  :hehe:


Seriously...   I'm waaaaaaaay better-looking!  :bigthumb:
Title: Re: What Next?
Post by: Barthheart on January 12, 2021, 10:54:13 AM
 :ROFL:
Title: Re: What Next?
Post by: Doctor Quest on January 12, 2021, 11:11:33 AM
Only for soccer and music.  :whistle:

....and cord cutting......
Title: Re: What Next?
Post by: bbmike on January 12, 2021, 11:45:56 AM
 :bigthumb:
Title: Re: What Next?
Post by: judgedredd on January 12, 2021, 11:57:47 AM
It's a 3 way tie - now....how do I use the dice roll to generate a random number between 1 and 3?
Title: Re: What Next?
Post by: bbmike on January 12, 2021, 12:02:13 PM
You don't own a d3?  :o
Title: Re: What Next?
Post by: bob48 on January 12, 2021, 12:09:04 PM
It's a 3 way tie - now....how do I use the dice roll to generate a random number between 1 and 3?

Roll a D6, half the result and round up to the nearest integer :-)

Title: Re: What Next?
Post by: bbmike on January 12, 2021, 12:16:21 PM
Maths! (http://www.aarcentral.com/emoti/run.gif)
Title: Re: What Next?
Post by: bob48 on January 12, 2021, 12:18:39 PM
There were two subjects at school that I was not very good at, and maths was 3 of them.
Title: Re: What Next?
Post by: judgedredd on January 12, 2021, 12:26:36 PM
lol - you half wits. I meant the forum die roll tool... :2funny: :2funny: :2funny:
Title: Re: What Next?
Post by: BanzaiCat on January 12, 2021, 12:53:36 PM
It's the Die Roll tool. You'll see the d6 icon.

Click the icon, then type 1d3 or whatever you want to roll, then post the message.

Rolled 1d3 : 3, total 3


(https://www.armchairdragoons.com/forum/Themes/lazarus20/images/dice_warn.gif) This dice roll has been tampered with!
Rolled 1d6 : 3, total 3
Title: Re: What Next?
Post by: BanzaiCat on January 12, 2021, 12:54:29 PM
If you edit a die roll post, you'll get that 'tampered with' message.  ;D
Title: Re: What Next?
Post by: trailrunner on January 12, 2021, 12:58:28 PM
It's a 3 way tie - now....how do I use the dice roll to generate a random number between 1 and 3?

1 or 2 = choice 1
3 or 4 = choice 2
5 or 6 = choice 3
Title: Re: What Next?
Post by: bbmike on January 12, 2021, 01:03:00 PM
Another option would be to wait for more votes.  :whistle:
Title: Re: What Next?
Post by: judgedredd on January 12, 2021, 01:17:24 PM
Rolled 1d3 : 2, total 2


Like so?
Title: Re: What Next?
Post by: judgedredd on January 12, 2021, 01:31:24 PM
2 is OST...and whilst I am happy about that result, I had already decided to wait until tomorrow morning...give the other side of the pond a decent chance to vote.

I'll close the poll at 14:00 GMT tomorrow.
Title: Re: What Next?
Post by: thecommandtent on January 12, 2021, 07:58:53 PM
There were two subjects at school that I was not very good at, and maths was 3 of them.

We'll there's another keyboard covered in drink....   ;D
Title: Re: What Next?
Post by: judgedredd on January 13, 2021, 03:31:14 AM
US Civil War has jumped ahead
Title: Re: What Next?
Post by: judgedredd on January 13, 2021, 09:26:55 AM
The US Civil War has won....that's the next game  :bigthumb:
Title: Re: What Next?
Post by: bayonetbrant on January 13, 2021, 10:08:54 AM
The US Civil War has won....that's the next game  :bigthumb:

w00t!
Title: Re: What Next?
Post by: thecommandtent on January 13, 2021, 07:37:39 PM
The US Civil War has won....that's the next game  :bigthumb:

Excellent!
Title: Re: What Next?
Post by: Staggerwing on January 13, 2021, 10:28:00 PM
The US Civil War has won....that's the next game  :bigthumb:

Excellent!

Not enough submersibles. I'll wager that the crew of the Hunley would have preferred a vessel at least 40-50 years newer.
Title: Re: What Next?
Post by: judgedredd on January 14, 2021, 01:53:41 AM
I would've been excited for any one of those to be selected...it's why it was my shortlist.

I did forget to add Armageddon War...but never mind...it's not got a Use By date on it  ;D
Title: Re: What Next?
Post by: judgedredd on January 20, 2021, 04:56:29 PM
I've just setup the 1861 Scenario. I thought I would do a 3 turn scenario to see how I go.

Man - this is a tough game to setup. Took me an hour...for the short, 3 turn scenario!

Whilst the map is beautiful,  the states are hard to read. They aren't easily identifiable (text and borders are quite subtle) - particularly where a rivers forms part of the border. Also the hex numbers are very difficult to see...I mean, stupidly difficult to see

On top of that - honestly - I think I may be in over my head. Just as an example, the Scenario 1 (1861) setup states the N Atlantic Blockade is 5, S Atlantic is 7 and Gulf is 8....but I have no idea what those numbers mean.

Admittedly I am still reading the manual...I'm at page 14 of 20 so I haven't got to the naval section yet...but I have browsed through that and can't see any mention of what these values mean.

And...I've read the scenario victory conditions and - I'm lost.

I'm keeping with it. I'll finish the manual and watch a couple of videos...see if they fill in some of the blanks.
Title: Re: What Next?
Post by: bbmike on January 20, 2021, 05:00:23 PM
Hmm, so the question is...What Next? (https://www.aarcentral.com/emoti/thinking.gif)

 >:D
Title: Re: What Next?
Post by: judgedredd on January 20, 2021, 05:05:41 PM
lol - no - I'm gonna stick with it. I have real love of the US Civil War - I've got to stick with it
Title: Re: What Next?
Post by: bob48 on January 21, 2021, 10:20:57 AM
Reminds me a lot of the old game by 'Victory games' which looks to be about the same scale. That was not an easy game to play IIRC.
Title: Re: What Next?
Post by: judgedredd on January 21, 2021, 01:10:39 PM
I think I'm just overwhelmed. Not just with the rules...but what I have to do. It's not like other games where there's a victory hex or two...or destroy the enemy.

You have to think about victory points  preventing bonus points etc...who owns what and where.

And as I said the map is beautiful but it is lacking definition. Especially for someone not overly familiar with the lay of the land
Title: Re: What Next?
Post by: Martok on January 22, 2021, 01:12:17 AM
I don't know, JD.  If the game is honestly that much of a struggle, maybe think about setting it aside -- at least for now -- and play one of the other ones in the poll.  OST sounded interesting... 


Title: Re: What Next?
Post by: judgedredd on January 22, 2021, 01:56:47 AM
Don't think I didn't think about it - but...I do like the Civil War and I wanted to at least give the 3 turn '61 scenario a go...even just to try and reinforce what I've read. Doesn't matter who wins...understanding movement, combat, resources etc will help immensely for next time it's out .

I don't want it to slink away and never come out...and if I do that, there's a good chance I'll look at it in the future and just remember how difficult it was - rather than how much fun I had

I'm going to stick with it...it sets a dangerous precedent putting a game away because things got tough.
Title: Re: What Next?
Post by: Barthheart on January 22, 2021, 06:56:54 AM
...it sets a dangerous precedent putting a game away because things got tough.

Not always... sometimes a game is just not for you. No shame in that. Not every game can be for everyone.
Title: Re: What Next?
Post by: bob48 on January 22, 2021, 07:02:27 AM
I agree with Vance; put it on one side for a while and go on to something else on your list. You may find that you go back to it after a while and it'll all click into place.
Title: Re: What Next?
Post by: judgedredd on January 22, 2021, 07:24:58 AM
You know....I wonder if this is the same issue I have with computer games of similar scale. Grand strategy stuff with no "clear" direction often throws me.

War in the Pacific. War in the East. War in the West.

Compare this to my enthusiasm for a battle like Battle Hymn:Gettysburg that I really did love.

Tactical might just be my thing. Manoeuvring across a big map that encompasses 2000-3000 miles doesn't do it for me as much as manoeuvring across 100 miles using the terrain.

Ok - I'll give it some thought...maybe I'll bite the bullet on this one just now.  :'(
Title: Re: What Next?
Post by: judgedredd on January 22, 2021, 05:54:22 PM
I decided ya'll might be right. Sorry to those who voted for the civil war...I know I want doing an AAR anyway...but still you voted and I dumped you

I hope to get back to it one day
Title: Re: What Next?
Post by: Barthheart on January 22, 2021, 07:59:17 PM
 :bigthumb:
Title: Re: What Next?
Post by: thecommandtent on January 22, 2021, 10:06:41 PM

And as I said the map is beautiful but it is lacking definition. Especially for someone not overly familiar with the lay of the land

I've never thought about this before but I wonder how much not being familiar with the local geography or vice versa can help or hurt our understanding of the map we are gaming on.   JD's example above intrigues me. I've never played this game or had a close look at the map but as someone who's grown up knowing the map of America I wonder if the lack of definition would bother me or if I would even notice it..
Title: Re: What Next?
Post by: judgedredd on January 23, 2021, 02:24:21 AM
It depends I guess on your level of understanding. Honestly, it would be up to each individual

Regardless of knowledge, some people would be bothered by it and some wouldn't. It would obviously hurt someone who doesn't know the geography more than someone that does - hence why I found it difficult.

And I do have some knowledge...I'm not ignorant to the US layout - but state lines were lost on the map to me. The issue for me was particularly place names. I knew where Richmond "would be roughly", Washington, Baton Rouge, Montgomery. But other places too some time to search for. I can't remember the name of the place, but it took me at least 15 minutes to find it.

One last thing about the map was the central states. I found that confusing because they really were not distinguished on the map.

So the map was a block. Beautiful - but not overly helpful with regard to definition.

But lets not just blame the map for me boxing it back up. I was almost through the 20 page manual and I was lost. I don't think that was a problem with the manual but more about grand strategy games. I just didn't really know what I was doing.

I'm not selling it yet. I do want to get it back on the table and give it a go - but like I said, grand strategy might not be for me (so Empire of the Sun might join it if I do sell!)
Title: Re: What Next?
Post by: bob48 on January 23, 2021, 06:23:10 AM
And not to forget, there was still a lot of territory which had not yet been settle sufficiently to actually have become a State.