Napoleonic Wargame Club (NWC)

An interesting article at the wargamer:
http://www.wargamer.com/articles/campai ... rspective/

<center>[url="http://homepage.ntlworld.com/a.r.barlow/Napoleonic/nap.htm"]Lieutenant Colonel Antony Barlow[/url]
~ [url="http://www.geocities.com/anglo_allied_army_stats/Anglo_Allied_Army_Cavalry_Corps.htm"]2nd British (Union) Brigade, Anglo-Allied Cavalry Corps[/url] ~
~ [url="http://www.geocities.com/militaireacademie/dragoons.html"]4th (Royal Irish) Dragoon Guards[/url] ~
</center>

I read this article today from the miniaturists viewpoint (having played minis for over 12 years). He is dead on target. As an all around gamer I have always felt that it would be nice to be able to merge all of the nice points of boardgames, minis, PC games into one but alas the perfect wargame is just a mirage.

One thought that came to mind is that the Scenario Editor could be used as a set up tool for mini players. Or for a lone umpire (where another cant be found). A similar tool is Cyberbox or ADC2 but of course you have to have a map.

With the Scenario Editor you could set up the units where you want them and then (using the Editor) move them about the board as per the commander's orders. Units can be changed to routed, disordered status and losses and fatigue removed as a result.

While this style of play circumvents the game engine it does provide a tool in the hands of a gamer to recreate battles. Some guys dont want to push lead around or have to use a tape measure. The Editor has the LOS feature as well.

Sort of a mix of computer and minis game. You dont have to go with the values in the game. Combat, movement could be as you want.

Bridge damage could be assessed, etc. Cavalry charges - you could have your units wheel if you like, and even use custom OBs for road columns (adding in extra units that would come and go as the need arises) or cavalry in Extended Line (big Russian regiments).

British Extended Lines would stay together (routed or otherwise).

Yes, the Editor has some merits in this department. With an umpire the Fog of War can be retained. He could start up the game and send screenshots of what they can see at the time. Save the .scn file from turn to turn for a recap after the battle.

Computer games may still have a ways to go for them to ever match a minis game but no minis game can be carried in a laptop either. I was a huge minis player owning several Napoleonic corps, ACW, TYW/REN, Greeks, etc figures. For me those days are filled with fond memories but my eyes could never do that kind of work again. And playing with someone else's castings never did it for me (but I have thought of playing again nevertheless).

I am hoping that this article will convert some minis guys over to playing PC games. At the very least we have picked up some PR for this portion of the hobby and perhaps this club can benefit from a new member or two.

There is no doubt that some of the minis players will never convert over but perhaps a minority of them that are used to PCs will become new Lts in the club![;)]

Bill Peters
HPS Napoleonic Scenario Designer (Eckmuhl, Wagram and ... more to come)

[url="http://www.fireandmelee.net"]Fire and Melee Wargame site[/url]