Is HoW any good then?

[BaronVonWreckedoften]

Ah, but was it a "put him where he'll do least damage" ploy?

[Tony of TTT]

The problem is that determination of commander status is done randomly and you can end up with them all in critical positions. Basically a Poor commander is less than half as effective as an Average one.

If a Poor commander was slower to react, fine but, if the dice go against you then you can sit out the game unable to do anything. If you consider that acceptable, fine, I don't.

Were nations fielding what were supposedly professional armies that short of generals that they were forced to field a significant proportion of useless ones ? History shows slow reactions, dithering and misunderstandings but very rarely complete inactivity.

Without making mods in this part of the rules I consider them useless. With mods they are reasonable and quite quick without being too abstract,

[Jeremy]

Agreed, and which is why I always view rules as a toolbox to suit me needs and not a ‘be all and end all’

[Tony of TTT]

Me too Jeremy. Sadly I play with some who don't think quite the same as me and try and stick close to the original - even when it fails them.

[tim.w]

Hmm, you've put me off. Will see if I can get a copy of Rank and File though as I'd love to play in one of EB's WSS games someday.

[Paul]

Piquet FoB is worth a look too. I love the ebb and flow that is created in the system and the flexibility to create period flavour, although I've only had a couple of test games with card counters

[goat major]

I've had several games of HOW and all have been thoroughly enjoyable. I wouldnt be put off - its relatively cheap to buy the rules and they don't force you to rebase so not much investment required

[Jeremy]

I've had several games of HOW and all have been thoroughly enjoyable. I wouldnt be put off - its relatively cheap to buy the rules and they don't force you to rebase so not much investment required

Agree completely. The rules are ok, however the fabulous terrain, figures, companionship, and not to mention seeing General E. Pickled with his Wonderous Battlefield Performance more than make up for whatever they may lack (the rules, not the Gateway tactics!)

I certainly wouldn’t look at changing them for Loose Ass games. They’re not perfect (which rules are?) but I’ve had a blast each time we’ve played them.

[Essex Boy]

Three things.

Firstly, thank you Whiskey Tim. I look forward to the day when my floppy hat fellows travel north for a game (together with Gary's lovely chaps of course).

Secondly, I'd hate to think that HoW would become LAW's 'official' rules. It's not that I don't like them (although I'm not overly keen) but I think variety is the spice of life. By the by, I believe Rank and File are still available as a download....

http://www.crusaderpublishing.com/shop/ ... t=0&page=1

And lastly, I need to correct a misconception which I've just noticed (and which I think I'm probably guilty of myself). General E. Pickled was the first commanding officer of the armed forces of the Gateway Alliance. Following a serious battlefield injury incurred in the service of the GA the general retired to his estate in Hockley and his command passed to his nephew, newly promoted General Leigh-Pickled. I hope that clears up the occasional confusion over the present commander of the GA.

Iain

[Paul]

General E. Pickled was the first commanding officer of the armed forces of the Gateway Alliance. Following a serious battlefield injury

ie. Death, due to being hammered so thin, by several thousand hooves, that he didn't so much need a coffin as an A1 Envelope in order to be sent home.
(Although I understand that there may have been some unnatural post game necromancy by Lichemaster Hyde and his apprentice EB to resurrect the General as some sort of mindless, undead creature! Presumably some sort of re-inflation was required )

Rank and File do look good though, once my 6mm project is large enough to do battle I might well give them a go.