Bostich.comboard and miniature gaming

In my quest to find games online that I can play with some frequency, I stumbled across an old Avalon Hill Classic called Victory in the Pacific.

The big hurdle, besides not owning a copy of the game (yet), was that the map is so awful by today’s standards.  I think if I’d played this game back in the early 1980s when it was still new I wouldn’t feel that way, but that’s not the case.  In addition, I needed another small project to fill some time.

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Commands and Colors: Ancients is a great game and system by Richard Borg available from GMT Games. It depicts battles in the ancient world from 3000BC to 400AD of varying scale. Much more can be said and is at BoardGameGeek.com, so I’ll let the great content there speak for the game.

For me the only real downside to C&C:Ancients for me is the portability: the base game has over 340 5/8″ wooden blocks, and there are currently 6 expansions for the base game. While not horrible to carry, it is a touch on the heavy side so it’s only likely to make it to the away table if pre-planned. Read the rest of this entry »

One of the big challenges with miniature gaming can come from not actually having miniatures for the game you’re hoping to play.  True, this is not likely if you’re an old-timer but for those new to the hobby it can be a big roadblock.  How many times have you seen people playing with black-primed or even bare metal?

Here’s another option I think works great for historical gaming: Counters!

French Cuirassier close on the 1/42nd Highlanders

It may seem counter-intuitive ;) but I’m talking about using the base-size for a given system, some good graphics, and some foamcore board to make nice big thick game-sized counters.  This is a really good way of quickly trying out a game system to see if it works, or works for you.  In addition if you are a member of a weekly gaming club it allows for small and light transport of an entire army for an evening game.

Are nicely painted well based miniatures better? Hell yes.  Counters however, can be a quick and dirty way of getting some play time. If you’re lucky: before your friends move on to another game.

I’ve uploaded a sample .PSD you can use to make your own counters for Lasalle, only Infantry and Artillery bases are shown:  Lasalle Counter PSD (168kb)

Painting is underway.  I primed the regiment using Liquitex Neutral Gray Gesso first.

Below is an example of the work in-progress:

Not sure how to paint the kit.

Luckily I have since found very good examples of how to paint the kit on the Victrix website.  So far so good though.  I’m not that great a painter, so from the 3 foot rule perspective these are coming out well.  The neutral grey was a good choice as the regiments at Salamanca wore grey pants.

My Lasalle army  is loosely based upon the 1st Division 2nd Brigade of Wellington’s Peninsular Army of 1812, supported by the 2nd Division .  Specifically elements present at the Battle of Salamanca.  Loosely based because I ordered my figures ( 15mm AB from Fighting 15s) and have had to find as close a historical match as possible.

An Infantry Company of Peninsular British supported by  Reserve Brigade of Dragoons, commanded by Maj. General Henry Campbell.

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