Losing / capturing banners in skirmish

[Patrice]

Probably not very original, but I share it anyway. 🙂

I try to make all my banners, flags, and other standards etc. two by two: one of each carried by the miniature standard-bearer, and a second one separated.

When the standard bearer is killed (or can no longer hold the flag for any reason) his figure is removed and the other flag is put on the ground. Friends or foes can then pick it up. It allows for more narrative, and if the enemy takes it it can trigger a morale test, and then you would want to retake it or get retribution in some other way – perhaps in a next game as in Sharpe’s eagle etc.

One example for the war of religion in Brittany in the late 16th century (these banners have been easily made with some pics found on the web and/or Paintbrush software, they certainly could be improved).

http://www.argad-bzh.fr/argad/en.html
https://www.anargader.net/

[Andrew Beasley]

I’ve played in games where the banner bearer is the last man standing but I’ve not seen this idea – clever.

Many years ago we made actual maps and had coins / fake gems that where traded back and forth but this takes ‘capture the flag’ to a whole new level!

[willz]

Good idea for gaming Patrice, my way was to use 0.8mm brass / aluminium hollow rods.   Attach flags and use a pin to join two half together, the photo’s explain it better.  The finales can be removed and you only have to make one flag, however it probably takes just as long to make as the two flag method😁.  Though on the plus side I can swap regiments around, basic red and blue uniforms can be Swiss or British 1700 to 1780’s.

 

 

[OotKust]

Patrice,

I admire your posts, however ask the question- what is a flag or standard doing anywhere near a skirmish? How can any competent commander allow such as monstrous dereliction of security occur? Other than “into a ‘camp’ environment” I can’t see it happening.

Many regards dave

Swinging from left to right no matter where the hobby goes!

[willz]

OotKust wrote:

Patrice, I admire your posts, however ask the question- what is a flag or standard doing anywhere near a skirmish? How can any competent commander allow such as monstrous dereliction of security occur? Other than “into a ‘camp’ environment” I can’t see it happening. Many regards dave

You are missing the point of pushing or small figures across the table Dave your troops won’t fight well for you if they have nothing to follow or inspire.  That’s why you need banners and flags, they are there to inspire ones own troops and instil fear into the enemy.  My dice rolling is always better knowing that my small troops are inspired to fight for a lords banner or regimental flag.

Well it feels that way and I keep telling myself that is was bad dice throwing why I lost and not my poor tactical skill and lack of military knowledge but I never blame the troops😁.

[Brian the Kiwi]

OotKust,  I could see it happening in games set in the pursuit phase after a battle has been lost.

Patrice, I like the idea of having actual miniature flags that could be captured when a unit is eliminated, and  I am tempted to do something similar with my Volley and Bayonet imagination forces, although I might see if I can use Wilz’s method as it may allow for easier storage.

Cheers,

Brian

 

[willz]

Brian the Kiwi wrote:

OotKust, I could see it happening in games set in the pursuit phase after a battle has been lost. Patrice, I like the idea of having actual miniature flags that could be captured when a unit is eliminated, and I am tempted to do something similar with my Volley and Bayonet imagination forces, although I might see if I can use Wilz’s method as it may allow for easier storage. Cheers, Brian

Cheers Brian, that is why I made them in the first place.   They fit better into the really useful boxes.

[OotKust]

>>You are missing the point of pushing or small figures across the table Dave your troops won’t fight well for you..<<

Quite so, I’ve spent a lifetime missing the obvious- nail heads; motivation; holes and free beers to name a few,,… 🙂

Swinging from left to right no matter where the hobby goes!

[Patrice]

willz wrote:

Attach flags and use a pin to join two half together, the photo’s explain it better. The finales can be removed and you only have to make one flag, however it probably takes just as long to make as the two flag method . Though on the plus side I can swap regiments around

Interesting idea. I’ve been doing that for flags on large devices (boat, fort…) but not thought about doing it on figures. It certainly makes sense when you have 2-3 figures on a same base (as in your picture).

OotKust wrote:

what is a flag or standard doing anywhere near a skirmish? How can any competent commander allow such as monstrous dereliction of security occur? Other than “into a ‘camp’ environment” I can’t see it happening.

Good point. It’s true it should not happen in large, proper, Napoleonic style (does this mean that the Sharpe series are not serious? OMG) but you could imagine situations in the Peninsular or the retreat from Moscow. I was also thinking about small actions or ambushes in less conventional fights, as could happen in the Wars of Religion, or TYW, FIW, AWI, RCW, SCW etc. the kind of imaginary skirmish I most often play. Supposed to be 1:1 but at the same time you may have two or three squads of infantry from different units, a few cavalrymen and perhaps a gun, for each player, so it also has the taste of larger encounters and having (and waving) a flag is appreciated.

http://www.argad-bzh.fr/argad/en.html
https://www.anargader.net/

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