Over the years that I've been wargaming, I've gradually moved away from land-based themes to the point at which the vast majority of my projects are naval or air wargaming in focus. There aren't many periods or subjects for terrestrial wargaming that grab my attention for long enough to make them viable projects, to be honest, and I'm much more of an occasional dabbler as a result. There are exceptions, however, the Back of Beyond being one of them, as it grabbed my attention many years ago and has still clung on.
As a result, I'm intending to revive my Back of Beyond wargaming next year, with a new army to give it a re-boot. To help build up some momentum I've ordered a copy of Setting the East Ablaze 2nd Edition, which I am going to use as impetus for building either a Chinese Warlord or Turkish army. At the club, we've always used Contemptible Little Armies by Chris Peers but, as I'm not attending the club anymore for various reasons, I'm free to go my own way. I did get the first edition of the rules when they were published but no one at the club wanted to try them out, so they went to eBay.
I've heard and seen a lot of good things about Setting the East Ablaze, so I'm looking forward to trying them out, initially with my Bolsheviks and Oil Prospecting expedition armies, while I assemble and paint the Chinese Warlord or Turkish forces. I'm even thinking of scratch-building another armoured train out of Lego bricks and plastic card, assuming the Chinese Warlord army is the project focus. Who knows? It won't be for a while yet, however, as I have lots of naval and air wargaming stuff to do and a back log of projects to clear from the workbench.
I picked up these rules earlier this year. Only 1 game so far, but enjoyed them. Got a second game arranged this week
ReplyDeleteThe rules have a lot of followers, a second edition hopefully will provide more of what you want; the freedom of your solo plan should enable you to learn the basics of the game while adding the next force.
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