tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7615782020735321095.post1113684897832383269..comments2024-03-22T10:01:23.989+00:00Comments on Wargaming for Grown-ups: Fear & Losing in MesopotamiaTrebianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02221916804339000102noreply@blogger.comBlogger8125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7615782020735321095.post-89038819783510020382015-02-10T20:46:36.246+00:002015-02-10T20:46:36.246+00:00Nigel Tallis? I think I've got one of your boo...Nigel Tallis? I think I've got one of your books, Mister.<br /><br />The use of "battle carts" is deliberate. Sort of an "in joke" with the MNG. <br /><br />After doing these games I wrote some long bits in WD's Nugget about the use of the Sumerian vehicle, chariots in general and the transition to horse cavalry. I tend towards the view that these vehicles are different to later chariots, but they should be an effective prestige weapon, due to the expense involved in building and running them. Rules systems where they are sort of a comedy turn doesn't do it for me.<br /><br />I thought one of these had already been built, but I'd be intrigued by your project. I shall watch it with interest.Trebianhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02221916804339000102noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7615782020735321095.post-29593004712198198172015-02-10T15:44:41.916+00:002015-02-10T15:44:41.916+00:00Amusing - though actually it's 'battlecar&...Amusing - though actually it's 'battlecar', not 'cart' (though I can see where the confusion would arise, what with the 4 wheels. Personally, I just call them chariots now.<br /><br />If you're interested in these things then I'm about to launch a Kickstarter to build and test one. VIP backers will get a ride ...Nigel Tallishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16185235525394378071noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7615782020735321095.post-33183048538096236792014-07-01T16:44:55.562+01:002014-07-01T16:44:55.562+01:00The main issue with the javelin throwing version w...The main issue with the javelin throwing version was the amount of mobility they were given to make them be used as a missile weapon rather than a melee weapon. It might be time to revisit that, as you say.Trebianhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02221916804339000102noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7615782020735321095.post-24058071241916261462014-07-01T15:09:58.639+01:002014-07-01T15:09:58.639+01:00Now the carts are down to 2 bases, allowing them a...Now the carts are down to 2 bases, allowing them a (2 dice) fling may not seem as 'wrong' as it once did.SoA Shows Northhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14181076390844159417noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7615782020735321095.post-60641435938024850422014-07-01T09:16:28.827+01:002014-07-01T09:16:28.827+01:00I'm not entirely convinced by my current inter...I'm not entirely convinced by my current interpretation, either, although I am less convinced by the alternatives.<br /><br />My only outstanding issue is the javelins on the battle carts. I'm including them in the melee rather than allowing for a shooting phase for them. That may not be right. However, when we did use them as missile platforms it didn't feel right at all.<br /><br />Good to hear you think it is a good game. If the players are engaged it helps a lot. Trebianhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02221916804339000102noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7615782020735321095.post-38662367755988384012014-06-30T22:08:09.500+01:002014-06-30T22:08:09.500+01:00The key aspects of this sort of game are ... is it...The key aspects of this sort of game are ... is it a good representation? Does it give a good game? and ... Is it balanced?<br /><br />We usually agree on count 2, and count 3 is seldom relevant: I think, as historical wargamers, count 1 is what it is all about ...<br /><br />This one is a good game - and fairly balanced, too.<br /><br />Am I yet convinced that it captures the character and threat of pre-chariot battlecarts well? I don't know as I can't say I'm sure what that character truly was - then again, this game makes a good case for one view and is worth the air time for that reason.<br /><br />PhilSoA Shows Northhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14181076390844159417noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7615782020735321095.post-331673947355642142014-06-27T14:55:17.337+01:002014-06-27T14:55:17.337+01:00We don't reconcile. We just agree to differ. T...We don't reconcile. We just agree to differ. Then I go and change the rules. We're a fairly honest group. An oft heard phrase is "Well, that's rubbish then". Sometimes it's a fair comment (eg when I've got the odds wrong) sometimes it's because we disagree on the interpretation.<br /><br />We have an issue to resolve on how dangerous it is to pursue fleeing troops. We all agree that there should be some risk top the pursuers, it's just how much. So far I went with "quite a bit of risk", but I'm scaling it down.<br /><br />The important thin is for the game to provide entertainment, even if people disagree with my interpretation of history. Chariots (or battle carts) are a real conundrum. Trebianhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02221916804339000102noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7615782020735321095.post-42829822538327255382014-06-27T14:27:01.203+01:002014-06-27T14:27:01.203+01:00Interesting battle. On the design front, how do y...Interesting battle. On the design front, how do you go about reconciling what the players feel proper against your desired results? Seems to me to be a tight rope to walk. Jonathan Freitaghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07862373894196924886noreply@blogger.com