Project Update

 I have been reviewing my project plans with the goal of trimming some off the list, planning the completion of a few, and thinking about what is to come. Wall of text below to capture my thoughts. 

Despite my original plans in 2008 to only go with 15mm figures, I now have figures in 3 scales (6mm, 15mm, 28mm). Most of my terrain is for 15mm. 

Some of my goals:

1- Keep spending reasonable. Using on hand lead helps, or fund by selling some projects.

2- Reduce overall # of projects with the intent of gaming them more often.

3- Meet my period and game type goals...skirmish and mass battle. Horse and Musket, fantasy, and guns. 

4- Consider reducing to only 2 scales. 

5- Have rules I like to play the project, or it tends to just sit.

6- Adjust my plans to be working on 1 major and 1 minor project at a time to break things up. 

I just sold off: UPDATE 16 APRIL 2021

1- 15mm Pirates: never used, other projects fill the same skirmish game requirement

2- 1/300 WW2 aircraft: not a particular period of interest, can play at a convention. 

3- Spaceships: never felt right when playing

4- 28mm plastic fantasy skirmish project with lots of extra sprues: Unsure on this one, I can at least sell off many of the extra sprues. If I do the Burrows and Badgers project, that will meet my skirmish requirement. -----SOLD

5-Song of the Splintered Lands anthropomorphic animals: Great figures, not used much. Will help fund Burrows and Badgers. -----SOLD

6- Zombies (this is a drastic shift...a week ago I was considering expanding this): Small collection (<100 figures), and big batch of Plasticville terrain. I think I found rules that I would like (Last Days), and I almost bought a large number of figures to flesh this out. This one if on the fence. -----SOLD

7- 6mm sci fi: A smaller project, half complete. Need more diverse terrain. I could purchase and complete this project in a few months. I am tinkering with my own rules based off the Panzer Korps WW2 rules. Or I could go the other direction and sell it off. Computer gaming may fit my higher level gaming desire.-----SOLD

TO SELL:

1-15mm sci fi: I think I can meet my skirmish gaming with other projects below. Selling this will fund the completion of 1 or 2 other projects.-----  to sell

2- "Craftee" wooden warriors: fun experiment-----to sell (relisted)

3- another set of boccage

4- plasticville buildings

5- ancients and fantasy plastic kits

6- more 15mm buildings

7- Rommel and Panzer Korps rule books

8-  6mm sci fi buildings

9- magazines

I will keep these projects:

1- Slaughterloo: I have all the lead on hand, half way done painting (2 years to go). After that, can add occasionally as they release new stuff. I use FOB3. This fills my "horse and musket large battle" itch.

2- 15mm Fantasy: Very large painted collection, and large bin of lead on hand. This will be the major project after finishing the Slaughterloo figures. I use a modified Pulse of Battle/Hostile Realms. Meets my fantasy mass battle needs. There are many additional figures I would love to add to this collection so it will be open ended. I also have some hex based rules using a Battle Lore base that I tinker with every so often. 

3- A Very British Civil War: I have platoon+ forces and I like the Combat Patrol rules. This meets my platoon skirmish requirements, indulges my "imagi-nation" desires, and many figures can be used with Pulp too. No planned additions.

4- Pulp: Never a period I was interested in but the Pulp Alley rules are just too good to miss. Figures do double duty with AVBCW. No planned additions.

5- 15mm WW2: 3+ painted companies on hand, no lead on hand. I use I Ain't Been Shot Mum from Too Fat Lardies and can also use these for platoon level (or squad since they are individually based) with Chain of Command or Combat Patrol. No planned additions. 

6- 15mm Imagi-Nation: The project that started it all. Dormant for a long time, the collection is complete. The Slaughterloo project has become my go to horse and musket game. No real value in these painted figures since they are "imagi-nation" and not painted historically.  No planned additions.

7- Albedo Anthropomorphic: I have some unpainted figures on hand and the Combat Patrol rules version for these figures. Would be able to do Platoon+ or squad actions. I just love the figures and plan to get more as they are released. This would be about a 3-4 month project to get to maturity. -----I have already bought some of these, so this is an actual project for the future.

8- Burrows and Badgers: While researching expanding my Zombie project, I watched some videos on this game. Great figures, campaign system, Otters (my favorite animal). So much to like. I bought the rule book, now have to decide if I go all in on this additional project. Pro: Only need a few painted figures to start, rule book on hand, relatively low cost, meets my skirmish and campaign likes. Con: Adds to lead pile, need terrain, pushes other projects down the list (Albedo). This would be a 3-4 month project.-----Just bought the whole range of figures.

 

Projects and lead mountain

I have been following a few threads on TMP and listening to some comments on the Meeples and Miniatures podcast about folks building up huge loads of unpainted figures. I decided to take stock of my projects and I think I am doing pretty well.

PROJECTS WITH UNPAINTED FIGURES

PULP: 30 figures in progress. Nothing else unpainted.

6mm SCI-FI: End of year or next year's project. One batch of figures and terrain. I plan to paint all these so nothing extra. This will be a growing project next few years.

KATZENSTEIN (imagi-nation): 25 x 8 figure cavalry units I will start next month. I will make one last large purchase of about 150 figures for this project at the end of the year and paint them all in 2018.

15mm FANTASY: Very large batch of Demonworld figures that I got for a steal on hand...will return to these in due time. These should be my only "lingering" unpainted figures. Never-ending project...so many 15mm fantasy figures to add to my already very large collection (171 four-base units).

Zombies: I bought about 100 zombies (and 1 survivor) with the money I raised selling unused lead and rules.


Not bad compared to the posts I see online of 1000s of figures! Other than the Demonworld figures that I know will be taken in small bites over time, I think I will have the rest of the figures all done in 18 months.

I have a few bits and bobs of left over figures from my mature projects. Nothing I plan to paint and probably down to 100 or so mixed figures since I sold the big bags of left over Napoleonics this week.

September 2016

Closed out the month with a solo game of Pulp Alley using the new solo cards. Very nice. There is so much to offer with the Pulp Alley system and supplements.

I saw a post on another blog about dice. Below are my original dice from playing D&D many years ago. An odd collection, but I have fond memories of that blue 20-sider.

PAINTING
0 completed :(

TOTAL: 0 points

In Progress: 12 x 12 figure units for "The Imperial Army" in my Katzenstein project

GAMES
1 x Pulp Alley game

PURCHASES and BUDGET
$0 this month: Nothing! My Wargames Illustrated subscription is due in October.
Total for the year: $411
Budget: $489 under budget, 
Plan: <$100 per month; on target
Reminder: bases (round), paint, and brush supplies...plus some shield transfers.

1814, Battle of La Rothier with Fate of Battle rules

Spent an enjoyable day gaming with a group of guys from the Maplewood Hobby Gaming Society (MapHoGS). Saw an announcement on their Yahoo forum about one of the gamers hosting a game just a few miles from my house. I have mostly gamed solo, with my son, or at conventions. This was a nice change to join some local folks (Allen, Bill, Steve, Lee, Jake, Garrett). Allen has been kind enough to offer an open invite for gaming.

Played the Battle of La Rothier in 1814 using the Fate of Battle rules, a variant of Buck Surdu's "Look Sarge, No Charges".

Great game even with the Russian-Austrian side on was on getting handed our heads.

My Cavalry finally drove off the opposing French Guard cavalry only to see Marshal Ney arrive to save that flank. Our center got devastated by the very aggressive enemy cavalry...kudo's to 12 year old Garrett for running over us like a Panzer Division in 1941.

Some pics of the game:

Ney arrived just in time

First quarter review

The first quarter of a snow filled year is behind me. Painting progress has been very good. Purchases are up so I have to bring that under control between now and Historicon in July.

Let's take a look at the plans for 2014...
Plans for 2014:
 1- Lots of figures still on hand for the fantasy project...will keep this at the priority for the year
---Humans---DONE
---Elves--- DONE
---Dwarves--- part 1 primed, rest put in que after new purchases
---Then buy next batch. Focusing on one manufacturer at a time. --- Bought three new batches...1 DONE, 1 primed, 1 in the que.

2- Texture the bases on the imagi-nation figures --- Not started, this will be the Spring lunchime project

3- Update the blog with links and followed blogs --- Procrastinating

4- Small additions to existing projects...keeping each to about a week's work and finishing them as they are bought. Expect about a months worth of painting. --- Painted the 6 planes, put the Zombies/survivors into the que

5- Attend Historicon and Cold Wars--- COLD WARS

6- Spend less than in 2013...need major work on this goal.--- Trending poorly

7- Start Pirates project --- counted them up...about 200 plus 100 civilians, and the ships, will start when I get burned out on 15mm fantasy

Here is a battle layout my son did with two friends...

Fantasy Rules

I have started writing my own fantasy rules for use at home. Why? because I like reading rule books and pulling ideas.
Play tested two short combat tests, and then one larger battle trying to tie things together.

Few pictures of the larger playtest below. Looking forward to getting some 15mm fantasy figures at Historicon.

Rules

I made a post a few months ago about the rules I use. I am still checking out new systems.

I used Carnage and Glory II computer moderated rules for my last Katzenstein Campaign battle. I liked that they provided the exact #s of casualties and tracked morale.

They will still be a contender, but Field of Battle holds the lead. There is a new FOB2 being published that I will pick up at Fall In.

I am going to try the Die Fighting rules for a game as well. I like the concepts such as use of resource dice.

I have Black Powder and have not played them but I think I will like FOB better. I do like the special rules that can be used to make units more period specific...would like to see that in FOB.

I was listening to the Meeples and Miniatures Podcast and heard more about the Too Fat Lardies rules. I will investigate them further.

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Original post

I have been collecting and reading lots of rules the past few years but I think I am settling into what I want for each period/genre. I originally thought I wanted lots of detail, but in practical application, it just does not seem feasible.




ImagiNation (Horse and Musket): Field of Battle

---Blackpowder and Carnage and Glory II are contenders.



Individual Skirmish: Flying Lead and the rest of the Songs of Blades and Hereos series



Squad/Team Skirmish: Force on Force and Tomorrow's War for Sci Fi



WWII: Flames of War



Ancients: Clash of Empires

---Hail Ceasar and Piquet are options



Space Ships: Starmada



Pirates: TBD (most likely SOBH variant)



Wild West: TBD (most likely SOBH variant)

Beach Musings

I am on vacation at the beach and have been thinking about how I came to this point in the wargaming hobby.

I started with miniatures when I was about seven or so. I had some sets of 40mm or so German and US figures...the "green army men" that many are familiar with. I soon graduated to 20mm Airfix and others and even found two boys from friends of the family to play with. We mostly used unpainted figures with a few haphazard attempts at getting some color on the figures. We made up our own rules and started in on vehicles as well (these we painted in all kinds of cammp). Most figures were WW II but we were happy to incude other periods. I remember having a force of Vietnam era US troops allied to my Afrika Korps Germans. I also remember having a STUG I painted and a German halftrack with rockets on the side plus several German armored cars. STUGs and ACs are still my favorites.



While writing this I vaguely remembered the older boy trying us out with some AWI horse and musket figures. We played our games on a sandtable my dad built in my basement (8'x4'). Lots of figures, lots of fun.



I graduated to computer wargames (played with the same guys) and figures fell by the wayside. I had a brief resurgence in my teens when I picked up some Napoleonic figures after reading Chandler's Campaigns of Napoleon. I made my first "imagi'nation" with Austrian infantry, Russian guns, and some French Cavalry.



Sadly all these figures are now gone (I have searched my parents basement several times) but the board from the sandtable is still there.



I refound miniatures while working on a computer game. I wanted to design and publish (have someone else program) a Napoleonic tactical wargame. It did not turn out how I expected, but I did get linked up with Matrix Games (www.matrixgames.com) and through tme I have been a part of publishing several games. I recommend our relaunched version of Horse and Musket. While researching my game design, I found The Miniatures Page and bough many sets of rules.



The final straw was broken when I purchased a mass of plastic Napoleonic figures just before I went to Iraq in 2008. I had them all boxed up ready to be shipped my way when I found lots of 15mmm metal figures online. I made the switch and have been at it for almost three years.



The first unit I painted was Austrian infantry in helmet (in imagi-nation colors) just like I did 20 plus years ago with the plastics.



I listed to View From The Veranda podcast on the beach this week. Always a pleasure along with the Meeples and Miniatures podcast. I am also reading old issues of Miniature Wargaming, MWAN, and Wargames Digest that I picked up for $1 each at Historicon. Great fun.

Rules

I have been collecting and reading lots of rules the past few years but I think I am settling into what I want for each period/genre. I originally thought I wanted lots of detail, but in practical application, it just does not seem feasible.

ImagiNation (Horse and Musket): Field of Battle
---Blackpowder and Carnage and Glory II are contenders.

Individual Skirmish: Flying Lead and the rest of the Songs of Blades and Hereos series

Squad/Team Skirmish: Force on Force and Tomorrow's War for Sci Fi

WWII: Flames of War

Ancients: Clash of Empires
---Hail Ceasar and Piquet are options

Space Ships: Starmada

Pirates: TBD (most likely SOBH variant)

Wild West: TBD (most likely SOBH variant)

Game Room

With the grudging approval of the Countessa Genessa, I have moved the game room from the back unfinished part of the basement to the finished portion.

Closet shelf units are a plus along with better light and environmental conditions.

I have a painting area, the main table, plus 3 other tables...small games, Memior '44, and a spare.

Musings

I have not been very motivated to paint this month and my 6 battalions of colonial militia sit partially done. I am committed to finishing them this month. A recent article in The Classic Wargames Journal about staying focuses has given me new hope...need to buckle down and get these guys done.

Next up will be starting the remaining 12 cavalry units for my imagi-nation. Heavy cavalry are in short supply in the KoK. After that is a single infantry unit (sappers and miners) and then I am done with all on hand infantry and cavalry. Generals, baggage/trains, and civilians will follow.

Made my first purchase of 2011...buildings from Miniature Building Authority. I now have one of each of their 15mm buildings. Not cheap, but very nice. Great for skirmish gaming.

I set up the table for the opening battle of my 2nd imagi-nation campaign. I am trying the Carnage and Glory II computer moderated rules. A small affair of a dozen units a side, but the outcome will drive the direction of the campaign.

Played a skirmish game with my son this weekend...he set up a scenario in which my rag tag band had to defeat his SEAL teams and rescue a hostage (law of war was not in effect for this one!). I started out getting ambushed and suffered heavy losses, but one of the Rebel Mini female figures I pained last month ended up taking out four SEALs and gaining notoriety. I also ended up putting a RPG round into the back of a truck carying his reinforcements and we called the game with each of us in control of half the board. Did not take many pictures, but here are a few.

Random musings

September has started out well, painted 4 x 12 man imagi-nations units, and I will finish a US Para platoon for FoW tomorrow. Plan to knock out a GE grenadier platoon over the next week. That will leave me with teh 13 Hares from Splintered Light. I don't think I will get to the Hare Fort I have planned, but it will still cap two great months of painting.

I sold several hundred dollars of books and rules on TMP this month. I had gathered a collecting over the past few years while searching for the rules I wanted to use. I do like reading rules and seeing the concepts these use, but it was time to cull the herd. The benefit is that I then spent the money on painting and basing supplies, the final figures for my imagi-nation (for now!), and some terrain. I got the FoW Normandy beach defeses set...expensive, but it comes with some great bunkers that I can use with FoW and for skirmish gaming.

I also traded one book for several FoW items...got a great deal by getting 3 Shermans, a Ranger Platoon, a Fallschrimjager Platoon, and a US Armored Rifle Platoon.

While at work, I have drafted up some notes for my next imagi-nation campaign. It will be a multi-sided conflict in the Grand Dutchy of Hippo-Heimer just to the North of Katzenstein. Rather than a simple linear campaign, this one will involve some map moves and I want to incorporate the Mythic Game Generator into things for random events. I am still short on cavalry, so things will most likely kick off after I get them painted this winter.

Some thoughts on figures: When I started getting figures for my units, I was excited that there were all kinds of poses and unique sculpts. In hindsight, I like to have the units in the advancing pose and not have as many poses in the units. My units are mostly AB figures and Warmodelling/Fantassin figures with a few others thrown in. The AB figures can be bought individually, and that is nice. The Warmodelling come in packs of 8 for infantry...and 6 for command packs. This does force me to use an extra drummer in each unit to get a command stand and three line stands.

Colors: My imagination has troops in all kinds of colors. This is intentional even if it losses some continuity. I am trying out combinations for the future and I have found I like blues mixes with grey, white, or tan/brown for my units. I will keep this in mind when it comes time for my imagi-nation ancient troops.

Basing: I have been using pumice texture and static grass on the FoW bases. Looks good. I just bought some grass tufts to try out too. I am not sure about going back and texturing my imagi-nation figures. It would be a big project.

Rules: I have settled into some rules sets-
Skirmish: Song of Blades and Heroes (with varients)
WW II: Flames of War
Space ships: Starmada
Imagi-Nation: Carnage and Glory computer rules
Ancients: writing my own! Individual figures/losses.
---I like the Pique rules sets. May not use them exactly, but working some concepts into my ancients rules.

Photos: My camera skills are horrible. I need to go back and take new pictures of all the imagi-nation units.

Time to get painting.