1 July 2021

Some thoughts going forward

 

A meeting of the local town council tries to make sense of the action on the outskirts

Its been far too long placing another post on the blog.  I promise its been for the very best of reasons in terms of work, family and simply more time playing in other games and periods.  Napoleonic's and Ancients have been a major focus for quite sometime however the call of the Sudan has certainly been still there.

Obviously the rules are continuing to be incredibly popular as demand for them is still strong and the images on various blogs and social media of the period are still very prevalent.  Its great that the Sudan is being played no matter what the rule system is - Sands, BlackPowder, The Sword and the Flame etc.

A square prepares for the enemy

Just a reminder about loading the deck for every game.  If your game is set for 30 turns then
30 -35 cards is what you need to load the deck with.  Make sure the cards match the forces
 you have available to you and make some up for yourself at the same time with the blanks.



Some beautiful old Connoisseur Sudan British Infantry

The plans are to start to work on a long delayed series of scenarios for the Sudan, especially geared with the old Gilder feel to it and in many cases, scenarios related to me from many gamers who took part in the actual games with Peter at the Wargames Holiday Centre.

Obviously some new scenarios will also make there way onto the blog and if you are always looking for immediate inspiration, have a look at what the current Wargames Holiday Centre and Legendary Wargames in Yorkshire are planning alongside Sudan aficionado Dave Docherty.  Those games are always top shelf and of the very highest order.  


Im aiming for at least a post a month from now on so stay tuned.

33 comments:

  1. Nice Carlo, lots of Allah akbar being yelled in the coming weeks then!

    cheers
    Matt

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    1. Thanks for the comment Matty. Yes it will be great getting the lads out again that’s for sure. It’s been far too long.

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  2. Great to see you getting back to the Sudan again. Is the campaign book still in the pipeline or is it being replaced by a scenarios only book. I hope the former and will await the outcome eagerly. Stay safe.

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    1. I still want the campaign book to come along Andy and I’m sure I’ll also see if chaps like yourself and DD can assist in putting something extra special. That’s the wish at least.

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    2. Any time Carlo. Happy to oblige and would be honoured to be a part of the project. You have my email address if you want to discuss. Cheers

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  3. A nice place-holder post Carlo; plenty of lovely photos, just what I like!
    Good luck with the planning, James

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    1. Thank you James and as always greatly appreciated.

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  4. Good to hear from you again, Carlos.
    Your wonderful photos gets me excited about my 28mm Sudan Project. Would love a scenario booklet.

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    1. Thanks Hal for your very kind comments.

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  5. good to have you back Carlo. A set of scenarios and or a campaign book woud be most welcome. have you considered doing some inroductory size scenarios, to give something for collectors toaim towards?

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    1. Absolutely a cracking idea Andy. I have several thoughts on this and will look to get some ideas up soon.

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    2. That's great to hear, whilst I'm here, I have a few minor rules questions. I'm not sure what purpose the command figures (ie the mounted British officer) serve in the rules other than to look good, am I missing something?
      Also I would like to just check the figure ratio of native cavalry/camelry, as the base is up to 5 figures does it represent 50 cavalry. so should I pull a card with 200 cavalry on it I need to deploy 4 bases?

      cheers for your help Andy

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    3. The mounted Colonel in the rules is very much aesthetic in terms of the factor that every Imperial unit in the Sudan has to have its titular commander, if only to quote Newbolt “ Gne Gatling jammed and the Colonels dead” from the superb poem Vitai Lampada…but seriously, Colonels can be given different skills etc which help their particular regiment e.g. extraordinary mathematics skills acquired in the halls of Oxford allow Colonel Andy Wells the ability to add +1 to any artillery battery he is attached to etc.
      In terms of scale yes 1:10 so a card of 200 cavalry is indeed four bases of up to five figures.

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    4. BTW Andy the Colonels/ Generals characteristics was a great idea from Dave Docherty which I use all the time now. Clever chap that Dave…

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    5. We also use individual characteristics for our officers and give them specific tasks such as defeating an Emir in hand to hand combat, or accidentally getting a rival officer into a sticky situation. They all add flavour to the games.

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    6. Is there a link to these rules by Dave...?

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    7. Not that I’m aware of Andy.

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  6. I second the great idea about a campaign/scenario book - having an ORBAT to aim at really helps the painting along.
    BTW do you allow mounted troops to fire and move, if so how far. Also, if troops dismount can they fire in the same turn? I reckon yes to both?
    I know I asked before, but can you remind of any differences between the first and second edition of your rules or deck?

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    1. Hi Rob - apologies for my tardiness on replying to your post and email as I was away on a much needed break down south. There are no differences with the various editions of the rules, just reprinted original editions.
      I’ll check on the ruling for mounted troops giving in the same turn as I believe they can but want to double check the original notes from the WHC. Back to you over the next few days.

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    2. While checking on that I have a few more queries:
      When shooting small arms do you just throw once to hit for all shooters at a target, or separately for each 'regiment' or each 'company' (or each cannon / machine-gun)? I assume for Mahdists, who don't shoot much anyway, that it's once per 'group'.
      I assume the wound recording record for Mahdists at the back is for recording odd figure casualties that aren't removed because of how they're based?
      From your photos you have imperial officers included on the base with their troops so I assume they are included in the 12 figures per company.
      Is there a role for higher-ranking officers that are not part of a company?
      I know I can make my own interpretation up to suit myself but I would like to follow in Peter's footsteps where possible.

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    3. Hello Rob and apologies for the delay in replying. It’s been crazy at work!! I did send this through via email however perhaps it didn’t arrive.
      Yes mounted can fire as per the charts on page 22 and 23 of the rules though it has limited effectiveness compared to foot.
      Yes they can move and fire up to 12” which, similar to foot, is their full move in line formation.

      Troops dismounting take 1/2 a move as per notes on page 12. I would allow firing if no other movement occurs in the turn.

      Hopefully now with it on the blog as well to make things a bit clearer.

      Thanks again Rob and stay in touch.

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    4. Hi Rob - just roll nice for the regiment biting. If you have 48 figures from the York’s and Lancs then use that number as the reference. Then batteries and Nordenfeldt, Gardiner Gun etc. and other type weapons roll once as well per unit. You are correct for the Mahdists, once per “mob” or group.

      You are correct on the casualty recording. Simply carry the balance over ten over however remember that melee results are based upon casualties caused as well.
      Yes company officers are included in twelve bases companies for infantry, six figure squadrons and batteries however the Regimental Colonel is always seperate.
      The role of the higher ranked officers is certainly one which can be played with for sure. Have a read over sone of the scenarios on the blog and the battle reports got done ideas to inspire.

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    5. Should read “ roll once for the regiment firing”…they can bite too if they want😅

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  7. Carlo,
    You took on a mammoth task when you adopted Pete Gilders Sudan rules and gave them new life (with much colour in printed rules and fun in the card deck). Hopefully this ongoing workload (with rules card deck ambush cards - I missed out on the extra ones) and ideas for campaign and scenario booklets has not overloaded you amid our crisis torn world of covid and trying to live any kind of normal life. I hope you are able to resume posting and perhaps your fellow Sudan gamers can share the rules questions through a forum on likes of io groups. (Perhaps there is one already so forgive my ignorance.)
    I found the card deck quite beautiful and inspiring and I think it would be great to extend it or simply make more blank cards available. My card deck came with five blanks, I could have easily used 20 or more in time since the card decks came out.
    Hope to hear all is well "down under" and if anyone can point me to any forum or groups sharing experiences and ideas on the rules let me know by posting here!
    Carl Luxford, England

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    1. Hi Carl and thanks for your kind words.
      Yes it was quite an undertaking however one which has rewarded me so much from an emotional and Wargames camaraderie sense. Financially, well…it was always about getting the rules out so as long as it was cost neutral, the rest didn’t matter.
      You can always email me at: carlopagano@bigpond.com.
      All questions answered. Blank cards are always popular and I think next time we will certainly provide a few more. Unfortunately weight to post is critical when putting something like the Sudan rules together as postage is do incredibly expensive. Adding 30 grams of weight doubles any potential Wargamers international postage cost . Just crazy.

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  8. HNY Carlo
    I hope this is the year that we finally see the campaign and scenario book. Remember, if you need anything from us at Legendary Wargames in the way of play testing or ideas, don't hesitate to ask.
    Cheers
    Andy

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  9. P.S. If printing and posting is too risky or too much trouble, maybe a pdf product is better?

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    1. Hi Andy - this is indeed the year mate. I’ll certainly be in touch with thoughts, ideas and some testing for sure. I’m not a fan of pdf releases to be honest as I’m still a big believer in tactile printed books for rules and guides of this vintage.

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    2. Tactile experience is definitely best. Super to hear that it is coming this year. May be Dave Doc and ourselves could do something special to help fill or promote the book? I await updates with bated breath.

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    3. I had a great Zoom call with DD about a month ago and we discussed a few things. We should do the same Andy.

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    4. Anytime you want. You have my email details I believe?

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  10. I love a good rule book or guide in paper. It will cost more to ship, but Carlo, you are right, it's a better product than a pdf.
    All power to your writing and gaming mojo in 2022.
    Carl, England

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    1. Thanks so much for the support and feedback Carl. Let’s see what we can do in ‘22 to get this moving.

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