I've been a bit ill over the last couple of days and I'm now whacked up on antibiotics, so wargaming and modelling has been shoved to one side for the moment. I have, however, had plenty of time to think about what I'll be up to in the Autumn, which is looking like it might be quite free, given the lack of work around. I do have a few weeks of gainful employ lined up for September but after that who knows, so I might find myself with some extra time for a new project or two?
One of the things I have been considering is a replacement for my erstwhile standard set of air wargaming rules, Bag the Hun, with something a bit more streamlined and fast play. I have played Bag the Hun to death and think it's about time I changed to a different, lighter and more flexible set of rules which don't need a hex mat. Not that Bag the Hun isn't a good system but I guess I'm just a bit tired of it after many years of playing and umpiring, not to mention writing scenarios and running participation games.
I have a few rules systems in mind but the one I'm thinking about at the moment is Sturmovik Commander, which has the bonus of being completely free. It's very streamlined and designed for fast play games, with no shortage of aircraft statistics, special rules and other extra bits to add some depth. I'm thinking of using it for 1/600th scale games, using the Tumbling Dice range of models that I've also been painting for the Wings at War series of games, specifically MiG Alley and Desert Spitfires. I've had a mind to switch scales from 1/285th for a while, so this would be a good opportunity to do so.
The Wings at War series is the other set of rules that I really want to get to grips with, as I have yet to actually play MiG Alley despite now having virtually everything I need including aircraft, flight stands, terrain and ground targets. I quite like the idea of some WW1 air wargaming with Duel of Aces too, although Desert Spitfires should really be my next Wings at War focus. In the meantime, I'm thinking of the Winter War for Sturmovik Commander as a possible starting point for a bit of plane painting over the next few months.
I have a whole load more naval wargaming things to do first, however, so there's no rush!
I am very surprised indeed...i’ll watch your search with interest.
ReplyDeleteYep, it's just run it's course I think and the good points (formations, friction, leadership etc) and outweighed by the not so good (buckets of dice, hexes, weird outcomes etc)
DeleteWe've been playing with David Manley's unpublished Air War 1940 rules. The game mechanics are similar to the Air War C21 rules, so no hexes. I believe he is trying to get the rules published before the end of the year.
ReplyDeleteThat sounds perfect..especially as I really like David's approach to rules.
DeleteI'd suggest taking a look at Blood Red Skies, I've enjoyed the gameplay experience of it immensely. The rulebook pdf is free from Warlord, and the various physical accessories are nice but not essential: you can replicate their mechanics with a couple of scratch tokens.
ReplyDeleteThat's not a bad idea at all!
DeleteHello Jim.
ReplyDeleteI play at Arm Weapons And Climb Solo from the same editor, i think the rules are quite similar. It's a very simple rules, fast and easy to play in solo. It's also very easy to create some personnal rules or to adapt them on your models or any other modern area scenario. It's a very cool game.
Thanks Remi,
DeleteI'll take a look at that...sounds really cool.