How do you play yours?

[Prince Rhys]

Whatever the period or genre, how do you typically play wargames with miniatures specifically?

Do you typically utilise an umpire/games master?

Do you tend to play games with one regular opponent regularly?

How long do your games typically last or want them to last?

Do you utilise a campaign system and generate battles in that way?

Do you design scenarios regularly?

Do you pick armies from an army list up an agreed point maximum for an ensuing battle and then pick or dice for terrain just before playing?

This is meant to be specific to your regular typical games, whether it be at a club or on a Sunday afternoon in a friends garage.

Do you typically utilise free rules, scenarios and, army lists?

Are you willing to try anything at least once even if their is a cost associated?

Or regardless of cost, do you read blurbs, reviews and other info first before making a decision as to whether or not to give them a try?

I realise there are a lot of ambiguous questions but would be genuinely interested to hear from y’all.

Rhys

[Northern Monkey]

Do you typically utilise an umpire/games master?

Rarely, but sometimes particularly with new rulesets

Do you tend to play games with one regular opponent regularly?

Ive 3 regular opponents and more if I need them at the club

How long do your games typically last or want them to last?

2-4 hours depending on the various factors, rules, general chat, etc, i’d play all day if I had the time

Do you utilise a campaign system and generate battles in that way?

sometimes, more so in solo play

Do you design scenarios regularly?

not really, again more so in solo play

Do you pick armies from an army list up an agreed point maximum for an ensuing battle and then pick or dice for terrain just before playing?

Generally speaking yes

Do you typically utilise free rules, scenarios and, army lists?

Yes, well made fan material is a very handy resource

Are you willing to try anything at least once even if their is a cost associated?

depends on the cost, as long as its not a great initial outlay then yes

Or regardless of cost, do you read blurbs, reviews and other info first before making a decision as to whether or not to give them a try?

I do tend to check a new game out quite thoroughly before buying into it, though there are the odd impulse buys

My attempt at a Blog: http://ablogofwar.blogspot.co.uk/

[Shandy]

I usually play with one regular opponent and without umpire. I love to design scenarios, so we mostly play scenario based engagements. Our games are 2-4 hours (preferably 2), we normally agree to a turn limit as we usually don’t have the time or stamina to play longer than that.

Once started, I’m quite focussed on a project, so I plan ahead, read reviews and do some research before I try something new. I’m rather disciplined when it comes to buying wargames stuff (not so much with books, unfortunately…). However, if someone invites me for a game, I would try anything I guess (apart from things I feel uncomfortable with on a thematic level).

And yes, I use fan made material and get a lot of inspirations from magazines and blogs!

My blog: http://wargamingraft.wordpress.com

[Bandit]

Prince Rhys wrote:

Do you typically utilise an umpire/games master?

My local group: Yes.
Me: It varies.

Prince Rhys wrote:

Do you tend to play games with one regular opponent regularly?

My local group: We dice off for sides so there is not typically any specific player vs another specific player game after game.

Prince Rhys wrote:

How long do your games typically last or want them to last?

My local group: Approximately 3 hours, sometimes extended to 6 if played over two nights.
Me: Approximately 4-6 hours.

Prince Rhys wrote:

Do you utilise a campaign system and generate battles in that way?

My local group: In recent history only when I do it.
Me: Whenever possible.

Prince Rhys wrote:

Do you design scenarios regularly?

My local group: The handful of us who host games, yes.
Me: Constantly.

Prince Rhys wrote:

Do you pick armies from an army list up an agreed point maximum for an ensuing battle and then pick or dice for terrain just before playing?

My local group: It varies widely, normally the host tries to make the game “balanced” in one way or another.
Me: I attempt to avoid such and work with historical scenarios as much as possible.

Prince Rhys wrote:

Do you typically utilise free rules, scenarios and, army lists?

My local group: Entirely commercial rules, mostly stuff we’ve played for years or more, occasionally newer stuff.
Me: Mostly old commercial rules, I’ve never been one for “upgrading”, and my own Napoleonic project.

Prince Rhys wrote:

Are you willing to try anything at least once even if their is a cost associated?

My local group: They vary, mostly they are down on new things.
Me: I’ll play anything at least once so long as I don’t have to host or if the cost is moderate, I will hold off on buying new rules until I’ve played several times and developed a good feeling about them.

Prince Rhys wrote:

Or regardless of cost, do you read blurbs, reviews and other info first before making a decision as to whether or not to give them a try?

My local group: Mostly yes but there are a handful of guys who get captured by “ooh shiny” and just buy anything they don’t recognize.
Me: Yes, I read up a lot on rule sets before buying them, everything I can find, I’ll browse in the store if I can and I aggressively seek out reasons to rule sets out.

[Piyan Glupak]

Do you typically utilise an umpire/games master?

No, I am lucky if I can get an opponent.

Do you tend to play games with one regular opponent regularly?

Solo, at the moment.

How long do your games typically last or want them to last?

Not more than about an hour.  If I do get an opponent, then the games I play might take less than that, but the solo play mechanism makes the games take longer.

Do you utilise a campaign system and generate battles in that way?

No.

Do you design scenarios regularly?

Only occaisionally.

Do you pick armies from an army list up an agreed point maximum for an ensuing battle and then pick or dice for terrain just before playing?

If the particular rules use points (for instance, HotT or DBN).  DBA for instance has just army lists, sometimes with some options.

Do you typically utilise free rules, scenarios and, army lists?

Difficult to answer.  I frequently use free adaptions of commercial rules that still need a copy of the commercial rules.  For instance, I use the ‘2.2+’ modifications for DBA 2.2.   I also use  DBA RRR for English Civil War and other pike and shot games.  (I used to use DBR.)

Are you willing to try anything at least once even if their is a cost associated?

No.  I have to bear in mind cost, likely cost to enjoyment ratio,  whether the playing area is convenient, any effort necessary to paint new figures or re-base old ones, for instance.  I tend to go for rules that seem similar to those that I know I like.  When my financial circumstances allowed me a larger wargaming budget, I had several disappointments with rules that I bought.  I tend to be cautious about buying new rules these days.

Or regardless of cost, do you read blurbs, reviews and other info first before making a decision as to whether or not to give them a try?

Definitely.   I like to see third-party reviews, if possible.

[Nick the Lemming]

Prince Rhys wrote:

Whatever the period or genre, how do you typically play wargames with miniatures specifically?

Badly. 😀

Do you typically utilise an umpire/games master?

No, very rarely. Most of the time it’s 1 vs 1.

Do you tend to play games with one regular opponent regularly?

No, I’m part of a club, so I tend to vary my opponents. I do play some more than others because of shared interests etc, but I’m happy playing anyone.

How long do your games typically last or want them to last?

We tend to get to the club at around 6-7, and play till 9.30-10. If a game can’t be played in under 4 hours, it’s not for me. If it can be played in 2-3 hours, that’s the best. The games we play tend to be around that sort of time.

Do you utilise a campaign system and generate battles in that way?

Not really, we’ve done a couple of campaigns but the more recent ones have been using really simple systems, like the one in Maurice.

Do you design scenarios regularly?

Sometimes, though I wouldn’t say regularly.  We do play quite a few games that have in-built scenarios though (Muskets and Tomahawks especially, with its scenarios and side plots etc).

Do you pick armies from an army list up an agreed point maximum for an ensuing battle and then pick or dice for terrain just before playing?

Usually, yes. Army lists and points are good for pick up games. Terrain varies, depending on what rules we’re using. Sometimes someone will just set up a table filled with stuff and we’ll go from there, other times scouting and terrain placement is part of the rules so we follow that procedure.

This is meant to be specific to your regular typical games, whether it be at a club or on a Sunday afternoon in a friends garage. Do you typically utilise free rules, scenarios and, army lists?

Not really, we have a stable of games that quite a few of us play, and that we’re happy with, though we do try new rules when they come out (the latest example is Sword and Spear, which I really like). If someone’s got a rule system they want to play, someone else is usually interested enough to give them a go. If they happened to be free rules, that’d be fine.

Are you willing to try anything at least once even if there is a cost associated?

It depends on how high the cost is.

Or regardless of cost, do you read blurbs, reviews and other info first before making a decision as to whether or not to give them a try?

Usually, but not always. Sometimes the author is enough for me to plonk down money (Hi Sam Mustafa!). Then I try to get a review done quickly so that others can make the same great decisions I did. 🙂

 

Glory Eagles de l'Empereur! blog

[Roger Murrow]

Post deleted (technical issues)

 

 

[Iannick]

Do you typically utilise an umpire/games master?

We try to. Didn’t use to do it but trying it is adopting it. It makes for a smoother and faster game. And the possibility of surprises…

Do you tend to play games with one regular opponent regularly?

I play with a small circle of friends. I wouldn’t call it regularly though!

How long do your games typically last or want them to last?

Around 5 hours for a real battle, 1-2 hours for skirmish games.

Do you utilise a campaign system and generate battles in that way?

Nope. I’d like to try that one day though.

Do you design scenarios regularly?

Yes.

Do you pick armies from an army list up an agreed point maximum for an ensuing battle and then pick or dice for terrain just before playing?

Depends on the game. We play Warhammer with pts values for example, but we never do when playing Napoleonics or most historicals. Forces are determined by the scenarios or historical OOB’s in those case. Same with terrain.

This is meant to be specific to your regular typical games, whether it be at a club or on a Sunday afternoon in a friends garage. Do you typically utilise free rules, scenarios and, army lists?

Most of the rules we use are commercial, but I’m not averse to trying free rules. I sometimes base my scenarios on free examples available online.

Are you willing to try anything at least once even if their is a cost associated?

Cost is less of a problem than time (well, reasonable cost of course)! I don’t mind trying something new and buying the rulebook for example. I’m less inclined however to try something new if I have little interest and it involves me spending time painting stuff.

Or regardless of cost, do you read blurbs, reviews and other info first before making a decision as to whether or not to give them a try?

Usually, unless I know the author or I trust a friend who’s tried them. I will read people’s opinion on forums, more than I read extensive reviews

http://murawskiminiatures.com

http://maraudersandcitadels.blogspot.ca

http://parlabouchedemescanons.blogspot.ca/

http://www.clashofempires.ca/

[Frog]

Do you typically utilise an umpire/games master?

 

Very occasionally, but not typically.

 

Do you tend to play games with one regular opponent regularly?

 

2 regular opponents who can always be counted upon to show up, another 3 that are usually around.

 

How long do your games typically last or want them to last?

 

1-4 hours, depending on the type of game and number of players. Perfect length for us, as it allows for more than one game per session.

 

Do you utilise a campaign system and generate battles in that way?

 

Sometimes. 

 

Do you design scenarios regularly?

 

Yes, absolutely. That is our “normal” way of doing things.

 

Do you pick armies from an army list up an agreed point maximum for an ensuing battle and then pick or dice for terrain just before playing?

 

Never. No points battles. Never, never, never! Scenarios only.

 

Do you typically utilise free rules, scenarios and, army lists?

 

Rules no, army lists no, scenarios yes, providing that it seems to be well-researched.

 

Are you willing to try anything at least once even if their is a cost associated?

 

Definitely not. There’s a finite amount of time available for gaming; my regular opponents and myself feel it’s best not to waste any of that finite amount of time on periods/genres which are of no interest. We play games in which we have an interest in the subject matter, not to simply play a game.

 

Or regardless of cost, do you read blurbs, reviews and other info first before making a decision as to whether or not to give them a try?

 

Absolutely! There’s nothing worse that buying a new set of rules and spending the time to read them only to discover that (for whatever reason) they’re not your cup of tea. It’s better to do a bit of research first to see if the rules seem to be what you’re looking for prior to making a larger investment in time in reading and trying them out after purchase.

 

Hope my 2 cents helps!

Bunch of monkeys on your ceiling, sir!

[Henry Hyde]

Do you typically utilise an umpire/games master?

Nope, but I often act as umpire myself, partly because I enjoy it, partly because I am a glutton for punishment.

 

Do you tend to play games with one regular opponent regularly?

I wish. I have three or four visiting chums who are my most frequent opponents, if you can call perhaps half a dozen times a year ‘regular’.

 

How long do your games typically last or want them to last?

Two to four hours, but I happily play for longer if I have the time. When I organise games, they tend to be walloping, all-weekend affairs with multiple players.

 

Do you utilise a campaign system and generate battles in that way?

Often, yes – always, when I’m umpiring.

 

Do you design scenarios regularly?

Yes.

 

Do you pick armies from an army list up an agreed point maximum for an ensuing battle and then pick or dice for terrain just before playing?

Only for Kings of War fantasy. Otherwise, never. see the “scenario” and “campaign” things above.

 

Do you typically utilise free rules, scenarios and, army lists?

Only Kings of War. Unless you count me having written my own rules as “free”!

 

Are you willing to try anything at least once even if their is a cost associated?

Not anything, no. But if the period and ruleset/genre interests me, yes. And the editor in me wants to point out “…if there is a cost associated”.

 

Or regardless of cost, do you read blurbs, reviews and other info first before making a decision as to whether or not to give them a try?

Regardless of cost? Not on your nelly. The older I’ve got, the more conscious I’ve become about ‘return on investment’ and have become especially resistant to taking up periods just because a chum who I rarely see is temporarily enthusiastic about it! Anything I take up now has to be ‘for keeps’.

 

Editor, Battlegames
http://battlegames.co.uk
Battlegames on Patreon
https://www.patreon.com/battlegames
Author, The Wargaming Compendium
http://amzn.to/leWoNO

[Nick the Lemming]

Henry Hyde wrote:

I wish. I have three or four visiting chums who are my most frequent opponents, if you can call perhaps half a dozen times a year ‘regular’.

 

If I’d known, I’d have given you a call when I lived in Brighton. Me and my mate Al played regularly when we both lived there.

Glory Eagles de l'Empereur! blog

[Angel Barracks]

Do you typically utilise an umpire/games master?
No, I make sure I only play with people that are laid back so the need to arbitrate is not there.
It would be handy for hidden deployment though!

Do you tend to play games with one regular opponent regularly?
I don’t play much.
Mostly solo for a while but possibly regularly with the same guy yes, just started.

How long do your games typically last or want them to last?
2 hours or so, that involves chatting though!
That suits an evening after work just fine.

Do you utilise a campaign system and generate battles in that way?
Not yet, I am working on a campaign system with the help of my gaming buddy though.
So soon yes.

Do you design scenarios regularly?
Not regularly, but every game we play is scenario driven.

Do you pick armies from an army list up an agreed point maximum for an ensuing battle and then pick or dice for terrain just before playing?
No, they are pre-determined as per the scenario.
However the campaign will grant us a pool of troops to pull from which may be capped by a points system I am also working on.

This is meant to be specific to your regular typical games, whether it be at a club or on a Sunday afternoon in a friends garage.

Do you typically utilise free rules, scenarios and, army lists?
Totally, we play KR 16 and it is all free:
http://angelbarracks.co.uk/rules.html

Are you willing to try anything at least once even if their is a cost associated?
No.
I only play things that appeal and my funds are very limited, I won’t jump into something new unless I have played it a few times before, normally by borrowing others models.

Or regardless of cost, do you read blurbs, reviews and other info first before making a decision as to whether or not to give them a try?
Yup.

[Mick A]

These days I prefer to umpire games for people rather than actually play myself, this normally allows me to paint both sides, do the scenery and think up the scenario.  Certainly no shortage of volunteers to play the games at the local club 🙂

[Henry Hyde]

Nick the Lemming wrote:

<div class=”d4p-bbt-quote-title”>Henry Hyde wrote:</div>
I wish. I have three or four visiting chums who are my most frequent opponents, if you can call perhaps half a dozen times a year ‘regular’.

If I’d known, I’d have given you a call when I lived in Brighton. Me and my mate Al played regularly when we both lived there.

And if you now tell me that your mate was Al Birch, I’ll fall out of my tree.

Editor, Battlegames
http://battlegames.co.uk
Battlegames on Patreon
https://www.patreon.com/battlegames
Author, The Wargaming Compendium
http://amzn.to/leWoNO

[Nick the Lemming]

Henry Hyde wrote:

<div class=”d4p-bbt-quote-title”>Nick the Lemming wrote:</div>

<div class=”d4p-bbt-quote-title”>Henry Hyde wrote:</div> I wish. I have three or four visiting chums who are my most frequent opponents, if you can call perhaps half a dozen times a year ‘regular’.

If I’d known, I’d have given you a call when I lived in Brighton. Me and my mate Al played regularly when we both lived there.

And if you now tell me that your mate was Al Birch, I’ll fall out of my tree.

 

No it wasn’t, so you can climb steadily and carefully out rather than falling. 😀

Glory Eagles de l'Empereur! blog

[A Lot of Gaul]

Do you typically utilise an umpire/games master?
I typically play my miniatures wargames solitaire. If I did play as a member of a group, I would much prefer to utilize (or serve as) an umpire.

Do you tend to play games with one regular opponent regularly?
If gaming “with one regular opponent regularly” includes solitaire play, then yes.

How long do your games typically last or want them to last?
I generally aim for a game that can be completed in a single afternoon session, i.e. 2-4 hours.

Do you utilise a campaign system and generate battles in that way?
Often, but not always.

Do you design scenarios regularly?
Sometimes, although I am happy to use predesigned scenarios, as well.

Do you pick armies from an army list up an agreed point maximum for an ensuing battle and then pick or dice for terrain just before playing?
No. I much prefer battles, armies and terrain that are determined by a well-designed scenario, rather than by points lists.

Do you typically utilise free rules, scenarios and, army lists?
I will try free rules or scenarios if they are of interest to me.

Are you willing to try anything at least once even if their is a cost associated?
Or regardless of cost, do you read blurbs, reviews and other info first before making a decision as to whether or not to give them a try?
If a rule set piques my interest, I will do as much research as possible to find out as much as I can before deciding to spend money on it (or to download a free set). If I do purchase a rule set and subsequently find that I do not enjoy playing it, then I will usually sell it to recover some or all of my initial outlay.

Cheers,
Scott

"Ventosa viri restabit." ~ Harry Field

[Guy Farrish]

Do you typically utilise an umpire/games master?

Yes, if at all possible it makes life a lot easier and yet more complicated as the umpire can handle a lot of the ‘fog of war’

Do you tend to play games with one regular opponent regularly?

Ish – at the moment yes but I tend to have a few groups I move between and solo

How long do your games typically last or want them to last?

Want – about 4 hours+, typically a bit less than that

Do you utilise a campaign system and generate battles in that way?

Not often – usually a specific scenario

Do you design scenarios regularly?

Yes – see above

Do you pick armies from an army list up an agreed point maximum for an ensuing battle and then pick or dice for terrain just before playing?

At the moment yes, I am bringing on a returnee to wargaming from his early WRG days so he is more familiar with a points based one off routine – but this will change as I don’t really like or approve of army lists and points – real generals didn’t do this – they tried to engineer the worst possible mismatch in their favour

This is meant to be specific to your regular typical games, whether it be at a club or on a Sunday afternoon in a friends garage.

Do you typically utilise free rules, scenarios and, army lists?

A mix of home brew, amended and commercial rules, home made scenarios and rarely army lists.

Are you willing to try anything at least once even if their is a cost associated?

Depends on the cost but generally yes

Or regardless of cost, do you read blurbs, reviews and other info first before making a decision as to whether or not to give them a try?

Rarely try on the basis of blurb alone– has to be a combination of pre existing interest and well written blurb. Reviews certainly help though

[Mark Lewis]

Nick the Lemming wrote:

<div class=”d4p-bbt-quote-title”>Henry Hyde wrote:</div>
I wish. I have three or four visiting chums who are my most frequent opponents, if you can call perhaps half a dozen times a year ‘regular’.

If I’d known, I’d have given you a call when I lived in Brighton. Me and my mate Al played regularly when we both lived there.

Nick, when were you there ? Did you ever play at Brighton Wargames club ?

[Nick the Lemming]

Mark Lewis wrote:

<div class=”d4p-bbt-quote-title”>Nick the Lemming wrote:</div>

<div class=”d4p-bbt-quote-title”>Henry Hyde wrote:</div> I wish. I have three or four visiting chums who are my most frequent opponents, if you can call perhaps half a dozen times a year ‘regular’.

If I’d known, I’d have given you a call when I lived in Brighton. Me and my mate Al played regularly when we both lived there.

Nick, when were you there ? Did you ever play at Brighton Wargames club ?

 

I moved to Brighton in the late 80s, and left around 2001. It was mostly me and a friend or two, we didn’t belong to any club other than the poly’s roleplaying club for a while, which also did some wargaming. Mostly though it was someone’s house, mostly my place or my mate Al’s place.

Glory Eagles de l'Empereur! blog

[Author]

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