Last night my wargame nemesis, sorry buddy Ian came over for our regular Monday game. We try to play something that is easy to set up and play in 90 mins. This approach introduced me to boardgames in a way I have never viewed them before.
Recently Ian introduced me to memoir 44. I have to be honest, out of all the Command and Colors games this one is my least favourite. I have not done well playing it but I think it has been down to cards and limited unit numbers. In last week’s game it was all over in two turns as I had no cards to move my right flank units into cover and had to watch my slimy snake, sorry nemesis, sorry wargame mate! Ian, rolled over them with his tanks.
I just wished I could choose where to deploy orders and challenge myself tactically rather than applying the luck or lack of it based on the cards I got.
I remembered a boardgame called Frederick’s Wars, hold the line by Worthington games. Anyone who has played a C and C napoleonic version will pick up on the system.
What is good is that each turn, each side rolls a random die to determine the number of additional Activation Points they get on top of your Generals basic. These are then spent to move, fire, melee or rally units on the table. The board size is exactly as per C and C 13×9 hex.
When I bought this game 5+ years ago I was lucky enough to also pick up the additional add-on for the battles of the Jacobite Rebellions, an era that I have always been interested in.
We both really enjoyed the game, especially the challenge of us dictating the strategy.
Ian managed to win as the Prussians but we both agreed it was enjoyable being able to command not react.
It also gave me an idea to replace the tokens with miniatures, maybe 6mm Baccus. So watch this space.
The Think Tank 