Scum Of The Earth – 18th Century Imaginations

[Daniele V]

Just some pictures from this evening game, the first battle in our 18th Century campaign between the fictional duchies of Vanesia and Futilburg, with the excellent Scum Of The Earth rules. Vanesia won the battle and now is advancing into the Futilburg territory… we are having good time 🙂 … miniatures are plastic 1/72 (Hat and Revell)

 

[Tony S]

What lovely figures! Using plastic figures like that seems perfect for an Imaginations campaign.

We once played a Scum of the Earth campaign as well. Great, fun set of rules. Nice to see someone dragging them out into the sun again!

[Thaddeus Blanchette]

Never heard of Scum of the Earth. Got a good link to a fair review?

We get slapped around, but we have a good time!

[Thaddeus Blanchette]

Read a bit about them now. Am I right in thinking they could be used for the 1865-70 War of the Triple Alliance, or easily adapted in that way? If so, I may have discovered my solution to the dilema posed by the Perry’s new line….

We get slapped around, but we have a good time!

[Daniele V]

Yes they can be used for everything from ECW to 1914. More on the fun side, but very well thought and written.

[Thaddeus Blanchette]

Exactly what I am looking for! Battles with, say, 30 figures on a side in small areas.

We get slapped around, but we have a good time!

[Daniele V]

With 28mm you can make one unit = 6 foot / 3 horse figures (instead of bases) and play comfortably on a 60×60 cm area. There are some photos in the rules that show it. You need about 5-6 units so it’s the right figures count. And with separate characters, unit traits and random battle complications, I think Scum Of The Earth is perfect for your project.

[Tony S]

I’d have to agree with Daniele completely.  Scum is quite flexible.  It makes no bones about the fact that it is quite a “toy soldierish” set of rules, with the emphasis on fun.  In that respect, it is much like “Rebels & Patriots” by Mersey from Osprey (although I think Scum is a better game in many ways).   Low figure count, fun rules, easy built in campaign system, highly customizeable and the rules themselves are relatively inexpensive as a PDF – it’s perfect for the new Perry range!

I’ve always thought the problem with the Great Paraguayan War is that most rules find it difficult to handle one army that never, ever had a unit’s morale break from losses.  (Well, if memory serves, one Paraguayan unit did once rout, but it was immediately subject to decimation and broken up in shame).  There are some ways in SotE to model that I think.  I seem to remember there’s a trait that allows a unit to remove a figure if they wish, to reroll a morale roll.  Just change to that, they MUST remove a figure if they fail a morale roll, and then automatically pass.  Or something like that.

We also tried a few games of making all movement rolls of one into a discard, not just units in bad going, for the ACW.  Made things a bit more reactive and interesting.  Just love the random movement rolls by the way!

I’d be curious to hear how your proposed Perry Paraguayan Project progresses!  Keep us updated!

[willz]

An excellent display of wonderful 18th century wargaming.  Love the use of 20mm plastic figures, thanks for sharing.

[Author]

Posts