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.



Thursday 3 October 2019

Those who the 'Dice Gods'...

...ignore! Well, over the last almost 50 years of wargaming I've seen a fair few odd things occur during games, but I don't recall anything as unusual as the unfolding of our latest game here in GHQ, a Black Powder 2 FRW game pitting Austrians and their various Allies against Republican French!

After 7 turns Phil and I decided to call it a draw. Why you might ask? Well, in all those years I alluded to earlier I have never, ever seen a run of such awful dice by both players in a game! Hardly any units moved in the early phases due to inept command rolls. Those that did get into action hardly covered themselves in glory. Shooting was poor, hand to hand in those few encounters almost as useless. In all the Austrian heavy cavalry was repulsed, but the French suffered losses which lead them to caution rather than Sweeping Advance moves. The Austrian Hussars swept the French Hussards away, charged a Light Infantry unit in the flank and was promptly sent packing to the rear despite causing 6 casualties and suffering only one. While the Hussars of the Damas Legion sabred the gunners of a French 12lber battery only to retire Shaken and Disordered!
The objective of the game, the central low ridge found itself half occupied by Austrian Infantry, half by French Light Infantry, neither side being able to dislodge the other!








Well, it looks pretty, but as games go it really was a none event! As I said, those who the 'Dice Gods' ignore can't really do much about things, just a Gallic shrug of the shoulders and on to the next game.

19 comments:

  1. I've seen similar things in my time, but not quite as extreme as this. As you say, you can only shrug your soldiers and move onto the next game.

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  2. The wonderful 'parade' has made up for it :-)

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    1. I think there would have been more movement in a parade. Both sides got the result neither deserved :~)

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    2. Thanks Norm, as Phil said, more movement in a parade!

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  3. Despite the dice proving to be recalcitrant David your game looks magnificent!

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    1. Thank you Carlo, encouragement always welcome here.

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  4. It bappens in The Burrow all the time! I like the emigre skirmishers.

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    1. Reassuring to know that. Thanks for the support and encouragement.

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  5. Well from our end it all looks splendid at least!
    Best Iain

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    1. I'm pleased you enjoyed the visuals at least Iain.

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  6. I think we have all been on the receiving end or watched our opponent shrivel in front of us, but both players, not often.

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    Replies
    1. Not seen its its in 45 years wargaming!

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  7. Welcome to my world David. My usual response is to buy some new dice hence I have loads of dice in all colours and sizes. All you can really do is grind out a result. Not every battle was a spectacular sucess or failure although these are the ones you enjoy the most.

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    1. I'm glad I'm not alone in possessing a dice mountain. The trouble is the new ones soon seem to pick up the bad habits of the old I've found!

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  8. Yet another fantastic looking game David!

    Christopher

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    1. Thanks for such enthusiastic endorsement Christopher.

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  9. A splendid looking game as always David...
    Been there... still there... didn’t get the T-shirt... welcome to Aly’s world...

    All the best. Aly

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    1. Thanks Aly, depressing though isn't it?

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