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 14 October 2021

The Last of the Paddaquoi?

 Earlier on in the month Jon was able to visit for a game here in GHQ. As he wasn't especially mobile {due to a leg problem} I didn't think a large battle was a good idea, instead opting for a French and Indian War game with a mixed French force raiding British territory. Points were awarded for objectives held or seized from the opponent's force. We used Black Powder 2 rules, with my 'in house' adjustments substituting companies and regiments for regiments and brigades. Some pictures from the action ~

The general layout for the game viewed from the British (Jon's) side of the table.
First action from the game when French and British regulars clash at the northern ford. French movement was sluggish and this enabled the British to deploy more effectively.
The mixed force of Native American allies and French woodsmen found the southern ford a serious obstacle, taking two turns to get any men across safely.
With the French regular infantry struggling to force a crossing at the northern ford, the British are able to extend their defensive line. The Rangers arrive on time to secure the British flank and harrass the already hesitant French.
Hawkeye and his band of Paddaquoi warriors arrive on the British left to shore up the morale of the nervous homesteaders.
The Rangers deploy in support of the light artillery position covering the norther ford across the river. 
De Bykli urges his regular infantry forward in a bold charge to dislodge the stubborn defenders!
Finally the right-hand French column forces the crossing at the southern ford and shakes itself out into a loose firing line to harass the British defensive position and threaten the homesteads.
The fighting at the northern ford intensifies but the French can make little headway despite British disorder!
On the British left the regulars have successfully halted the French enveloping move and even driven off one of the groups of woodsmen. 
One group of Native American allies succeed in driving off the homesteaders and setting the cabins alight! This swings the game advantage to the French, unlikely as it seemed from the overall situation.
However, with the French regular infantry put to flight at the northern ford the Rangers are unopposed and can set the Native American village aflame, winning the game for the British forces in Turn 10.
The figures, bar a Warlord Games Native American character figure and a Foundry mounted British officer, are all by Redoubt Enterprises. The wickups are from Grand Manner - when you could actually buy from them unpainted resin! Other buildings are MDF kits from Warbases, suitably kit bashed in most cases! Fences, trees and the new river are all from The Last Valley while the roads are the old Scenic Effects rubber sets (If anyone has any unwanted ones I'm in the market!) I'll probably replay this game with Phil next week while it's all out in GHQ. 
 

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18 comments:

  1. Lovely looking game, texture and narrative rich, shows the versatility of BlackPowder rules.

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    1. Thank you Norm. BP2 is very versatile and handles adaption easily we've found.

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  2. A very entertaining scenario that certainly swung to and fro. The natives stirred things up but ultimately it was the French that let Mr.B. down and their fishing quotas have been suitably cut.

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  3. A fine looking game, the river sections meld in well. The regulars were just not up to the job in the end, perhaps they will do better next time?

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    1. The river sections are really just what was needed. We shall see how the rerun turns out in due course.

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    1. Thank you George, we do our best in GHQ to deploy a decent looking game.

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  5. A lovely looking game as always David…
    It’s nice to see that Black Powder works well with smaller units.

    All the best. Aly

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    1. Kind words,Aly, thank you. BP2 a very flexible toolkit we've found

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  6. Once again David a cracking looking game. Thanks for sharing your game with us folks. Love the river sections.

    Cheers,
    Helen

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  7. Looks superb, minis and terrain!

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  8. Lovely looking game! I may just need to borrow that scenario....

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    1. No charge! Hope it plays out well for you Jeff.

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  9. Always great to see a French and Indian War game and yours was a visual delight!
    Regards, James

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    1. Thank you James, very kind. Like buses though, there will be another along shortly. DB

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