Friday 14 April 2017

It Fair Set Me Thinking

This post is inspired by Joseph’s comments on Hats off to The Crow which made me think I might expand on my thinking on the suitability of TMWWBK for the Plains War.


First I think the rating system lends itself well to the characteristics of both sides.  Looking at the stats for the Crow (I’ve used the same ones for the warrior societies) we have fast moving skirmishing cavalry who will be very happy in close fighting.  In TMWWBK terms the combatants look like this: 

Crow/ Dog Soldiers
Irregular Mounted
6 points
8 Figures
Tribesmen
Tribal Cavalry
5 points

10 Figures
Cavalry

Irregular Mounted
6 points

8 Figures
Speed
6
Speed
6
Speed
6
Discipline
0
Discipline
0
Discipline
1
Firing
5+
Firing
5+
Firing
5+
Fighting
4+
Fighting
4+
Fighting
5+
Weapon
Modern Rifle/ Carbine

 Bows 

Modern Carbine
Range6-12
0-3
4-9



The given special rules for the Lakota etc, and the Cavalry are the same but the free actions do make a difference. The former get a full move and fire in skirmish, and to stand to, while the cavalry get to attack and to stand to.

At first glance there does not seem massive difference in the troop types although we can quickly note the Cavalry are ever willing to attack and the Indians to skirmish.  We can also spot an Indian advantage in melee and a cavalry one in discipline. Shooting seems even until you consider the differences in ranges from left to right 6-12, 3 and 4-9 for the Cavalry.  All very promising to my mind. I should add I've halved all distances to suit 15mm.



For a scenario I've chosen 'Get Off My Land' which will do nicely for Custer's gold prospecting expedition in the Black Hills.  The original was unmolested but not this time!

7 comments:

  1. Should work fine for the period.

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  2. I think so Ray, we'll see very shortly.

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  3. Late to the game and all. I am a Yellow Ribbon fan and lover of Field of battle. I also have been gaming and reading about the Pony War's since I was a kid. I like what you are doing. The thing I loved about YR was that Indians were almost impossible to coordinate attacks with. Then they would simply leave when they felt they had accomplished what they wanted. I did notice that you rated Indian rifle range as longer. I would disagree. The Cavalry carbine had better range than a Winchester which seemed to be the weapon of choice if the Indians could get them. Rate of fire if the Indians could get close. However, with them filing rifled barrels, cutting down guns and using suspect ammo meant than other than the LBH most times the Indians would never have the same firepower or range as the US army. The fact that the Indians could get close and the US Cavalry under Custer had no real defensive position spelled disaster. Remember during the retreat from Weir Point the Cavalry lost exactly one trooper facing many of the same warriors who had wiped out Custer. An orderly withdrawal was made back to Reno Hill.

    Anyway. you have me going thru the new rule set more closely now. My men are painted and ready to go! Nice stuff here!

    Thanks.

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  4. Good to see you here John.

    All good points which I'm fully in agreement with especially about Indian fire-power. I'm just finishing off horse stands so my cavalry can actually follow the manual and dismount to skirmish. I also need to repaint my dismounted Indians so I can make better use of cover.

    The rules are quite good at reflecting the Indian mind set bands will sometimes not move when Western logic says they should. You have to provide your own narrative but if you know the period that's not a problem.

    Yellow ribbon is probably the best set of rules for pony wars but TMWWBK is very usable too.

    Glad you like the blog.

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    Replies
    1. It's great to get feedback from someone who knows YR, FOB TMWWBK and the period. I will try the rules out for Pony Wars based on your recommendation. I have also been looking thru my other 15mm Colonial figs to use for the rules. I am a fan of Dragon Rampant so the colonial version should be a good fit.

      Thanks!

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  5. I'd be very interested to hear how you get on with them John. I have some US infantry and a Gatling to paint up so I can have a go at another type of Plains game with a mixed US force.

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