Friday, May 16, 2025

Dominion of Frederick the Great Battle

      I've been trying to get a game of one of the newer "Dominion of.." sets of rules played. Of course wanted to use miniatures with the game. Unfortunately the figures I've been looking for are packed away. Probably just as well, as the figures I wanted aren't painted, which would mean a delay in playing.

   The answer was right under my nose: my cigar box armies of 2mm Irregular Miniatures. I brought out the figures and fought the battle of Mollwitz, using the guide in "Dominion of Frederick the Great".

The start of the battle. With these rules, every unit costs at least 2 points, elite units 3 points. I put 2 stands of blocks for normal units, three stands for elite. This is for my benefit, so I remember to give elite units their bonuses.

The Prussian artillery defeated the Austrian center;the Austrians push an infantry unit into the center. The Austrian cavalry on the left drives off the Prussian cavalry. A Prussian infantry unit fills the gap.

The Prussian right flank infantry drives off the Austrian cavalry. The Austrians use their last reserves to fill the breach. The Austrian center manages to drive off the Prussian artillery. The Prussians send forward their last reserves.

The Prussians break the Austrian center; the Austrian cavalry on the right drives off the last of the Prussian cavalry.

The end of the battle. The Prussian right tries to eliminate the last Austrian infantry, but fail. The Austrian  cavalry hits the Prussian  center on the flank, and the Prussian  center crumbles. The Prussians are down to one unit, and must retreat.

The game lasted around 15 minutes, which was expected. I can see using these rules in those periods of inactivity when i just want to get some gaming in. I can also see using the "big battle" option mentioned in "Dominion of Pike and Shot".


Tuesday, May 13, 2025

"Dominion of..." Rules Booklets

     Sometimes rule sets will get the wargaming world abuzz. It also happens in the niche wargaming world.  A perfect example  is Bob Cordery's "The Portable Wargame", which has inspired many wargamers and led to several books and and variations.

    The newest set of rules that has the "Portable Wargame" world excited is Steve Parker's "Dominion of.." series of wargame rules for different periods. The rules themselves are explained in around six pages, followed by a playthrough of the rules. He also includes army lists and battles. For the best description of the rules, Bob Cordery's Wargaming Miscellany is a good place to go.

  These rules are available through the Wargame Vault for a very reasonable price. I downloaded the rules, then print them out with 2 pages on each sheet. It makes for nice little pamphlets. Most of the books I divide in half, with the rules and playthrough in one pamphlet,

My "Dominion of.." booklets.

and army lists and battles in another. They come out quite nice. Stapling them together can be hard, as I have a small stapler. I am thinking of buying a heavier stapler, and also getting some card stock for the covers.

On the back of each booklet, I put a copy of the "Quick Reference Sheet".


Saturday, May 10, 2025

More 18th Century Peter Laings

    While looking for figures on Ebay, I came across several lots of Peter Laing 18th century miniatures. While I have quite a few already, one of the lots was of American Revolutionary  War figures, which I have very few of. Another plus was they were here in the USA, so the postage wasn't bad. I ended up buying 4 lots (the 5th lot was a little overpriced). 

   Now I just have to figure how to use them.



The lot of AWI figures.



Friday, May 2, 2025

"The Duellists" Inspired Project

     A couple of weeks ago I watched Ridley Scott's " The Duellists". As usual, it got me in a Napoleonic  mood. I started looking for some Napoleonic figures that would work for painting up as duelists of the period. Perry Miniatures does have a set of figures specifically of duelists with spectators. It is a nice set, but I'm not sure that this isn't a project that will just be a one off game. I also was thinking of trying to kitbash Airfix Royal Horse Artillery figures into a couple of swordsmen, but with my limited number of figures of this set, I decided against it.

   As the main protagonists in the movie were hussars, I looked at my different plastic  1/72 hussars in my collection. In the end I chose 2 Airfix British Hussars.  I just glued them to bases, sprayed painted black and slapped some paint on. Although not the best poses, I am happy enough with them. The project also cost no extra money, which was nice.



The figure on the left is Gabriel Feraud of the 7th Hussars, the right figure Armand d'Hubert of the 3rd Hussars.

Of course  while duelling, one would keep their weapons closest to their opponent However, I think the pose works.

I might do a little more touch up on the figures, and put a coat gloss coat on them.