Tuesday 30 April 2024

40mm Peninsular Foraging game

I have been working on some foraging rules for Sharp Practice so games can revolve around troops competing for livestock and supplies. First game for some while last night so I decided I would give the first draft rules a try.

The additions are one side of A4 which tries to use existing rules from Sharp Practice applied to the lifting and driving of livestock to gain points for our games. I will share them once play testing is finished.

Steve commanded a formation of 24 Paris Muncipal Guard Grenadiers with 4 groups of skirmishers

I had 24 Spanish with 2 groups of rifles and 2 of Guerillas.

One of my groups of Guerillas was on table in the church with a convoy of material outside but no command figure so I would struggle to manage them. 

There were also three groups of sheep, three groups of cattle, a bull and a group of goats. The capture of this material and escorting off table scored points for each side. 

We randomly placed the livestock on table and then started turning the cards, all the skirmishers were quickly on and as soon as I got two flag cards I activated the Guerillas in the church to get to the convoy. Steve also got all of his Skirmishers on table but not his formation.
In terms of points players get a point for a base of livestock, 3 for the convoy and 2 for the Bull as its a bit more dangerous and unpredictable. 

So far I have got lucky and the convoy is ready to start moving towards my lines.
Second go and the Rifles on the right come out first, Iopt to move, move, fire inflicting just one shock on the French voltiguers. Nearly all the livestock are within 24 inches of the rifles and so must test, tests see over half of the livestock move pretty quickly towards the French, Bugger! 
The Guerillas move again and, ignoring the livestock, keep the supply train moving to the table edge.
The Bull remains in the middle of the table looking menacing.
The Rifles fire again and again the livestock scatter, mainly towards the French.

Spanish regulars deploy on and advance towards the French and the sheep.
The supply train keeps moving and its 2 points in the bag for the Allies, Will it be enough?
The Paris municipal guard get moving towards the livestock, will Steve focus on the foraging points or seeing off the allies?
The movement of the livestock has made the job of the Volitguers easy, even the Bull is brought under control pretty easily and they have 3 points to move off table.
One base of cattle trot right up to the guerillas escorting the supply train and the Allies suddenly have 3 points, almost by accident.

Its fairly even stevens so far, we havent got much gaming in as we have been working through the rule mechanisms and making sure they work.
With the night nearly done the rifles fire again and this time a startled Group of sheep run straight through the Paris Municipal Guard and are snaffled by a group of Voltiguers behind them.
There are still a base of cattle and another of goats up for grabs but it will be a bloody business for either side to go get them slap bang between the two opposing formations, last move and the French are winning 5 points to 4.
To add insult to injury the volley from the Paris Municipal Guard kills two riflemen and knocks over their Sergeant. Think we need to chalk this down to a French victory.
A victory for the French and a good playtest, a few rules tweaks required but overall worked well. 




10 comments:

  1. A lovely looking action and fun to follow. How is it that animals etc moving randomly seem to know what they are doing and aim to frustrate you, though I guess moving away from the loud noises makes sense.
    The Paris Guard are a unit I've liked for a long time.
    I like the look of your church too.
    Stephen

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Cheers Stephen, the movement is entirely random, just unlucky on this occasion.

      Delete
  2. Great looking game Roger and lovely to see some of your excellent 40mm collection in action!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Looks like great fun mate. Xmas game?! Cheers, Chris

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Unfortunately wont work for 8 players but defo one for us.

      Delete
  4. A cracking looking and sounding game Roger…
    Mharaid and I had a similar game some time ago…We included Geese in the livestock and had an option for them to get aggressive and go on the attack…I think they caused more fear than the firearms…

    All the best. Aly

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Geese! Like it maybe one to add to the list of livestock.

      Delete