David Bickley's Wargames Blog

The occasional ramblings of an average gamer, journeyman painter, indifferent modeller, games designer, sometime writer for Wargames Illustrated and host of games in GHQ.



Tuesday 25 June 2019

Start as you mean to go on!

I'd not bothered to clear away the recent 'Rebels and Patriots' F&IW game here in GHQ as Phil and I had decided to play it a second time now we understood the rules a little better. So, when William and Emma wanted to see Grandad's soldiers, there they were for them!


I have encouraged all of our Grandchildren to take an interest in what Grandad does. Three of the four have enjoyed painting their own figures with me and William has moved on to being interested in playing a game. (Emma just likes to paint at present!) We have a simple rule set using a Dx6 for firing and fighting: 6 is always a kill, 5 gives you a reroll chance. Movement is in base depths and Morale is down to 50% losses meaning no advancing! He seems to enjoy it and has beaten Grandad twice so far! 
Will any of them follow the hobby when they are older? Well, only time will tell. At least they have seen what fun it is at an early age. Remember the Jesuit maxim: Give me the boy before he is seven and I will show you the man. I'm hopeful I will have lit a spark in at least one of them to carry the torch forward when eventually I step off this mortal coil.
  


12 comments:

  1. Fingers crossed David, it's when they start beating you, you need to worry :-)
    Cheers
    Stu

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It's not all that difficult to beat me I should say.

      Delete
  2. David, Ive opted for Airfix 1/32 medievals for the grandchildren and Games Workshop plastic. Ive also lined up some of Rosmary Sutcliffe's books, just in case.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. They want to paint Grandad's little mens, so I utilise spare figures for them.

      Delete
  3. Well my nephew's are who I play against and even my teenage daughter has agreed to give me a game,I would say both nephews hated Rosemary Sutcliffe and still bring up the fact I inflicted her on them some decades after the event! Good to hear they're already playing!
    Best Iain

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Passing on the hobby will only ever work at a personal level in my book.

      Delete
  4. I have two sons, one a wargamer, so 50/50 success rate. Grandchildren I think it's looking dodgy, two girls one boy.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Now, George, there is a touch of stereotyping creeping in there at the end.

      Delete
  5. Ah, the Express and Stir shot.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I wondered who would recognise the pose!

      Delete
  6. Great to read this post. My three daughters will play board games but never got into figure gaming. One did enjoy painting Britains 54mm for me. When grandchildren come along we will see ...

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks for the kind sentiments TM. We are each doing what we can to keep the flame burning brightly.

      Delete