Today I essayed a first, tentative, alpha test of my Steel Lard scenario Running from Bull Run.
It's an exploration of the Union retreat after the first battle of Bull Run in 1861. The emphasis is on the Union players attempting to impose some kind of order on the fleeing troops. An officer who can march back to Washington at the head of a formed body of troops, rather than as just one man among a fleeing multitude, may be destined for greater things in the battles to come!
I didn't lay out the full terrain this time - just enough to get the basic mechanisms tested.
This is quite different to just designing a Sharp Practice scenario. Because I'm dealing with troops who are effectively already routing, I'm pretty much designing a new game. The first contact between what I thought was a pretty good plan and the wargames table has already led to a load of changes!
I wanted to capture the impression of a road crowded with fleeing men and vehicles. I think this worked reasonably well....
At one point a few Confederate pursuers made an appearance. Led by Lt Jessop West, they let fly a volley needing 5s and 6s to hit. Rolling ten dice they could surely expect some success...
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...or perhaps not. |
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