over the thanksgiving break, i've devoured the entirety of the horatio hornblower: the complete adventures dvd boxed set from a&e, and now i want to reread all the novels (which i haven't touched in years). i'd forgotten how much i loved this stuff.
to get to the point: does anyone know of any in-print wargame titles that handle napoleonic era naval battles? i've looked about, but i haven't found much. also, i'm not much of a modeler or painter, and assembling those 1:1200 ship miniatures, rigging and all, is a little intimidating. any leads would be much appreciated.
The rules aren't simple to pick up, but if you take it slow and don't try and work with all the optional rules right from the start, it's well worth the effort.
To provide some perspective on complexity, it took me about three hours to explain the game to a group of around eight new players, although it's worth pointing out that I was also new to the game at the time.
OTOH, I (fairly) recently played a two player game with a new player, and it took less than an hour to get him up to speed.
Once you get playing though, book- and chart-flipping is fairly minimal, with 90% of what you'll need on two reference cards.
Having pointed out the downside, I must stress that if you want Napoleonic naval combat, it really is worth picking up this game, especially if you can get large groups together. CA sells itself primarily as a multiplayer game, and this is what it really is. Due to the game's simulataneous movement and limited signals system, more payers quite simply equate to more fun, as long as you've got at least two players who have a few games under their belt, or who at least have a fair bit of general wargaming experience.
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If you didn’t think of checking the tavern for one-armed men, consider it a comment on your skill as a player.
-- Matthew J Finch, A Quick Primer For Old School Gaming
I can't speak for in print games, but if you want fairly good age of sails wargaming, pick up a copy of Avalon Hill's "Wooden Ships and Iron Men."
The game covers a variety of cannon shots (double load, chain, 1st load, etc...), boarding / repelling parties, crew experience, and nationality of ship.
I wouldn't suggest it, except that there's currently 4 copies on ebay right now, and, with Master and Commander out, there'll probably be others showing up for sale while interest is peaked.
If you want sailing detail, get Heart of Oak. More suitable, reportedly and from what I recall about 20 years ago, for small-scale engagements rather than replicating the Battle of Trafalgar.
There is the miniatures issue to deal with, but I believe it comes with some cut-out paper or cardboard counters. Nothing fancy though. (It'd be cool to see some such with nicer artwork that could be downloaded and printed out, like Sparks or whatnot.)
It's available directly from FGU. Reportedly the best way to order it is to phone in.
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Playing --
WoW: Kirin Tor - Aylfric, Beastmaster Hunter and Guildmaster of the Pig & Whistle Society; Sophelis, Elemental Shaman; Sterodh, Fury Warrior
D&D: Cirion, Eladrin tactical warlord
Looking for a group in Toronto to play with, accessible from the downtown core. 4e D&D or something in the action-adventure vein
Originally posted by Daniel Coffin i'm not much of a modeler or painter, and assembling those 1:1200 ship miniatures, rigging and all, is a little intimidating.
They just released the 2nd edition on CD. First Ed is available as a PDF. I have the first Ed, but have not played the game as is most of my friends only like fantasy games.
I can't speak for in print games, but if you want fairly good age of sails wargaming, pick up a copy of Avalon Hill's "Wooden Ships and Iron Men."
I have a copy and play it occaisionally. It's pretty fun. I don't do a LOT of wargaming, so I'm not too hung up on the realism factor it may or may not have. Pretty easy to learn the rules to play the basic game and the advanced rules aren't too much either.
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