It is a reprint paperback copy - I could not afford an original.
I am maybe 20 pages in and already I find myself dreaming of either completing my languishing 1/72 Great Northern War armies (admittedly an earlier period than the book seems focused on - I have a few dozen infantry painted on each side, last touched several years ago, but I hate painting horses, so my dragoons and reiters are scarcely primed, let alone finished, same for artillery, however I have enough for both sides to easily play the action at Blasthof bridge once painted) or revisiting a dormant dream of fielding some Seven Years War armies (maybe not for Charge! The advanced game seems to require quite a few figures - although I have suitable Risk figures for the task).
I already had in mind a very small Napoleonic project, for which I blame Mr. Asquith's Guide to Solo Wargaming retreat from Russia scenario. This is something I had wanted to game many years ago but never made the investment in.
There is an itch growing that will require scratching.
That aside, I think lesson here is that old wargaming titles are a danger to one's limited hobby time.
This is a utterly charming book and l am so pleased you have bought it. I really look forward to seeing where the inspiration will lead you...
ReplyDeleteThank you, tradgardmastare. I do too - with the pile of GNW figures under my desk, I am more convinced that they'll be the first to benefit.
DeleteOh good purchase John - I bought a copy of the reprint this year too.
ReplyDeleteI was thrilled to find it had been reprinted. I've been searching for a copy on and off for some time but the least expensive one I could find was $75 usd which was just a little too rich for my blood.
DeleteCharge was the first wargame book I ever purchased, back when it first came out. Really set the hook, so to speak. I think it's the best one ever written--certainly the best I ever read.
ReplyDeleteAnd it will handle the GNW with no problems; the authors state the rules can be "moved backwards" by accounting for pikes. They don't say how, but I would think something like letting pike troops inflict melee casualties before non-pike troops get a chance to reply might do it.
BTW, I don't mind painting horses at all--if you want to send them to me to do for you, let me know at:
bumbydadATgmailDOTcom.
Best regards,
Chris
Thank you for that offer, Chris! I will give it serious thought.
DeletePart of my problem, I have been thinking since I posted this, was that I was following a 54mm guide for painting horses, and while I was pleased with the final result, it was frustrating to achieve. I think if I go to a simpler style (they're 1/72 after all) I might have better luck.
Regarding the GNW and the rules, funny you should mention that - I came across that sentence about moving the rules backwards last nigh. It's quite encouraging!
Cheers!
- John
I'm with Chris it was actually my 2nd book but it was always close to hand when I needed distraction or cheering up and for the last 20 years it has been in action in most years.
ReplyDeleteFor the pikes I would suggest that the pikes allow infantry to count in square against frontal cavalry charges. (or ignore for basic games). Those GNW figures were sooooo seductive when they came out!
It is certainly an enjoyable read - I would dare say I'd put it ahead of the Featherstone classics (Morschauser is still my favorite for reasons I don't quite know.).
DeleteGiven the paucity of pikes included in the Zvezda boxes - ignoring them for basic games is probably a good idea for me. I do have Strelets boxes with quite a few more pike (and some "interesting" sculpting there might I add) but that's a lot more painting then and I'm about as impatient as they come.
Speaking of Zvezda, those GNW figures were quite seductive. Until I started wargaming (a mere 15 years ago), I had never heard of the Great Northern War (Sweden? World power? What?) - it was through some old posts of Bluebear Jeff that I became inspired to learn about it. I figured it was a "someday" project (I was more into small skirmish games in 15mm at the time or cowboys in 54mm), but when I learned about Zvezda's GNW line some years later, I purchased several boxes of everything as soon as I could!
About the pikes--I've read that both sides had abandoned them by 1715 (maybe even earlier). If true, that would solve the pike conundrum, but would also make the GNW a bit less interesting.
ReplyDeleteChris again
Hi Chris,
DeleteZvezda really seems to have dropped the ball on this, given pikes, even in smaller numbers, were present throughout much of the GNW encounters between Sweden and Russia. I don't think I've encountered a rule set for the conflict that didn't include them.
As I mentioned in my reply to Ross, I do have a box (or two) of Strelets GNW figures, with plenty of pikes, but they are, well, kind of ugly in comparison to the Zvezda figures. That said, perhaps like Irregular Miniatures - which may complain about - they paint up better than you'd expect. I should give a few a test paint.
Cheers!
- John
I thought the figs were 54mm when I saw the next post first! I don't know how you black lined 1/72, but I'd be too lazy to do it. I'd probably just block paint and then use a heavy, dark Miracle Dip to try and achieve that result. I did that once for a nephew years ago with his 40K Gene Stealers - they were painted in a white / red scheme and came out quite well, as I recall.
ReplyDeleteSigh...another book? I must restrain myself! Plus, I'm on a "First Battle" by Frank Chadwick kick, and need to keep focus.
;)
I can't say that I didn't regret black lining 1/72 figures. The drummer's drum in particular. I probably sent as much time on that as the rest of the unit.
DeleteI was not familiar with Frank Chadwick's "First Battle" but now I've fallen down a hole on BoardGameGeek!