I had the privilege of being invited to play in a Waterloo BBB game at Shrivenham. I was going to write a full report but one of my fellow players, Steve J, has beaten me to it. Rather than replicate what he's done, let me point you to his lovely full photo-AAR here. Likewise Stu on his Cirencester Wargames blog here.
Apart from echoing his thanks to our hosts, comrades and opponents for their good company and an excellent day, I'd just add one photo and one Reflection of my own:
Replayability. I suppose I've fought Waterloo five or six times now. Each one has played out differently to some degree. This time was radically different again, the French following a plan I'd not seen before and producing a shape to the battle that I'd not seen before. That plus the fact of it coming down to the last objective changing hands with the last dice on the last turn made it a seriously good game.
I'd echo the whole replayability bit too Chris, even if the French went with the same plan, due to the unknown arrival times or not of Grouchy and Blucher, or both. A brilliant game and looking forward to seeing you at Colours, all being well:).
ReplyDeleteYes, the variable reinforcements added just enough fog of war. We will be doing ACW at Colours: The Wilderness. See you there!
DeleteHi Chris,
ReplyDeleteSplendid write-up! I was just reading Steve’s report of the game over on his blog—what an absolute nail-biter of a finish! It’s fascinating to hear how radically different the French plan made this refight feel. Bloody Big Battles clearly delivers fantastic replayability for these grand encounters.
All the best, Andy
And replayability of the game system every week or two for the last 15 years - it doesn't get stale, it stays fresh, partly because the tense nail-biting finish is normal, partly because we play different battles from different wars that therefore have different flavour, but without having to wrestle with new rules every month.
DeleteHi Chris,
DeleteFifteen years is a proper testament to the design! I have to admit I’ve never actually played Bloody Big Battles myself, but seeing how consistently it generates those down-to-the-wire finishes—and lets you leap between different eras without wrestling with new rulebooks—makes a very compelling case for giving it a go!
All the best, Andy
You'd be welcome any Monday evening in Oxford, Andy! https://oxfordwargamessociety.org.uk/dates.html
DeleteHi Chris,
DeleteThat’s a remarkably kind offer, thank you! Oxford is a bit too much of a trek from up here in Grimsby, mind you—I’m not well enough to drive at the moment, and I certainly couldn't ask my wife to undertake a round trip like that! I truly appreciate the invite, though, and I'll definitely keep following your battle reports with great interest.
All the best, Andy
Oxford has some reputation as a tourist destination, as well, so maybe your wife might like to make a long weekend of it? You wouldn't be the first such wargaming tourist to visit OWS. Meanwhile, I hope your health improves. Best wishes, Chris
DeleteHi Chris,
DeleteThat’s a very clever suggestion—Oxford is certainly a marvellous city for a break! I’ll definitely pitch the idea of a weekend away to my wife when I'm feeling better and see if we can orchestrate a trip down south. Thank you again for the kind wishes regarding my health and for such a warm welcome—it's very much appreciated!
All the best, Andy
"Oxford has some reputation as a tourist destination" I'll testify to that. Sometimes my wife and I thought we were on Harry Potter sets. Actually, I think we were.
ReplyDeleteAnd the gaming on Monday nights is great.
:-)
DeleteThat was a fabulous game, venue and re-fight Chris with Steve's and Stu's reports doing it full justice. It was extremely pleasing and impressive that the scale allows for the entire battlefield to be represented so as to really bring the flanks and the full arrival of the Prussians into play, rather than the more limited area of the historic action such as we had for our bicentennial version. Sensational!
ReplyDeleteBest wishes, James
Cheers, James. Each size of game gives different experiences and provides different insights. For me, fighting a whole big battle is hard to beat.
DeleteHaving played Waterloo multiple times in the last year and a half, it's still an interesting battle because of the decisions you can make and the variability of the arrival of the Prussians. It sounds like you all had fun. Look at the Colin the Wargamer blog, Waterloo tab for our play through s. Cheers Colin
ReplyDeleteAha, yes, thanks, Colin. Let me add a link to your blog here: https://colinthewargamer.blogspot.com/
Delete