On the Duchy of Tradgardland and Man of Tin blogs, there has been an ongoing challenge to fit a wargame into a matchbox. It made me think of what I would do. Man of Tin mentioned Peter Laing knights as one option. I thought that Peter Laing WSS artillerymen with linstocks would make good dueling swordsmen.
However, if one wants a large battle, I think Irregular miniatures 2mm blocks would be a good option. Ideally I think that the user would have to know the rules so it wouldn't be necessary to have a copy of the rules in the box. I could see using a roster system to keep track of losses and maybe a drawn map for a battlefield.
I have used small containers to carry miniatures and dice to use with Mike Lambos solitaire wargame books.duelist. I believe this is about as small as I could go. I do believe a game in such a small box would be best as a skirmish game.
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| The matchbox I used is 1/2" thick. |
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| It is 1 &1/2 x 2 inches. |
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| The matchbox with some Irregular 2mm blocks and a couple of scenery pieces. |
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| the small container I used for Mike Lambos solitaire wargame compared to the matchbox. |
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| Miniature dice would work well for this size game. |
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| The mentioned Peter Laing artillerymen that could double as duelists. |
Great suggestions John! As an alternative to the Laing artillerymen, there are ECW figures 'lunging' with swords in the old Les Higgins range...
ReplyDeleteI will have to look up those figures.
DeleteSome good ideas there. I do like the 2mm blocks of troops and terrain.
ReplyDeleteThe 2mm blocks are good generic miniatures that I think look good in games.
DeleteThe tiny blocks are one innovative solution but i also think your duelling Peter Laing (Artillery) men with ‘pistols’ are also inspired! A couple of my ACW and ECW officers with ‘pistols’ are ECW artillery in this ‘firing’ pose.
ReplyDeleteI think having such a small box, maybe using the 2mm blocks with 3x3 The Portable Wargame would be the way to go for "large battles". I looked up Les Higgins ECW figures and found the mentioned dueling figures. I find myself being drawn down a rabbit hole I don't want to go down.
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