Trying FGDN Tomorrow

[themattcurtis]

I've wanted to try FGDN -- and figure that the Russo Japanese War module would be the easiest way to ease my way into some fairly detailed rules. No planes, no subs....and while Japanese torpedoes have some potential, there won't be a ton of protractors being handed back and forth as we plot angles for our Type 32s.

And out of that module, I've picked Ulsan as a good intro scenario. Good visibility, relatively calm seas and the two lines start out within 8.5k yards of each other. Kind of a "quick start" scenario similar to the one they offer in the boxed set.

Just got to paint my minis up. While the counters are beautiful, there's just no substitute if ya go the brushes and willpower to paint up your fleets.

What I like a LOT is that the boxed set includes a painting guide. So there you go :-)

I'll have a report Monday. Only reason I'm burdening the forums with this post is that I'd like to see some kind of miniatures discussion here. I have three naval sets myself. NWS's Dreadnought Rising, MJ12Games' Grand Fleets and now this. I mean, I have Fire When Ready, too, and AandA's Stations Manned and Ready. But I don't have the itch to break those out. Anyway, I'll let folks know how it turned out.

Matt
PS -- BTW, can anyone recommend a good book on this war other than that two-volume document I think was originally written by a German observer? I see that online but don't want to spend $150 on a book. Right now I have The Tsar's Last Armada; Rising Sun, Stumbling Bear; Osprey's Campaign book and The Fleet That Had to Die. And I've printed out the entire research society site, as well. But I want more :-)

[asnrobert]

I never really got into miniatures myself. I had a bunch for Harpoon, and painted them up, but I could never find anyone to play, so they went by the wayside 9i was so glad when computer games came out :D)

[john964]

I've wanted to try FGDN -- and figure that the Russo Japanese War module would be the easiest way to ease my way into some fairly detailed rules. No planes, no subs....and while Japanese torpedoes have some potential, there won't be a ton of protractors being handed back and forth as we plot angles for our Type 32s.

And out of that module, I've picked Ulsan as a good intro scenario. Good visibility, relatively calm seas and the two lines start out within 8.5k yards of each other. Kind of a "quick start" scenario similar to the one they offer in the boxed set.

Just got to paint my minis up. While the counters are beautiful, there's just no substitute if ya go the brushes and willpower to paint up your fleets.

What I like a LOT is that the boxed set includes a painting guide. So there you go :-)

I'll have a report Monday. Only reason I'm burdening the forums with this post is that I'd like to see some kind of miniatures discussion here. I have three naval sets myself. NWS's Dreadnought Rising, MJ12Games' Grand Fleets and now this. I mean, I have Fire When Ready, too, and AandA's Stations Manned and Ready. But I don't have the itch to break those out. Anyway, I'll let folks know how it turned out.

Matt
PS -- BTW, can anyone recommend a good book on this war other than that two-volume document I think was originally written by a German observer? I see that online but don't want to spend $150 on a book. Right now I have The Tsar's Last Armada; Rising Sun, Stumbling Bear; Osprey's Campaign book and The Fleet That Had to Die. And I've printed out the entire research society site, as well. But I want more :-)

Matt do you have the others in Admralty series I currently own FG&DN and the WWII sets Rising Sun, Supermarina Vol 1&2, No Sailor but a Fool, Mighty Midgets and Baltic Arena. I am currently awaiting the release of Atlantic Navies volume 7 in the series. Tomorrow I am doing FG&DN Falklands.

[themattcurtis]

I have the FGDN ship data for WWI, but not the scenario book. I have all the minis I need to play historical or hypothetical Med actions, so I didn't bother getting that book.

I want to use FGDN to play a small campaign where Spee and his squadron actually head west instead of towards South America -- and end up tangling with Jerram, the Australians and the IJN :-)

[john964]

I have the FGDN ship data for WWI, but not the scenario book. I have all the minis I need to play historical or hypothetical Med actions, so I didn't bother getting that book.

I want to use FGDN to play a small campaign where Spee and his squadron actually head west instead of towards South America -- and end up tangling with Jerram, the Australians and the IJN :-)

To say Spee would have trouble would be an understatement. by sailing east instead of west he had fewer RN bases and ships untill he got closeer to the North Atlantic. He also had the advantage of simpathitic SouthAmerican states like Chile and Argentina. By going west he would have to avoid ships operating out of Hong Kong,Singapore, India, and South Africa. He would also be unable to use the Suez Canal as Egypt was a British protecrorate IIRC at the time. Plus he would have to contend with other ships operating out of West Africa.

[themattcurtis]

Yep. But that's the hypothetical we're going to test out. We have a bunch of material to draw on, so we're going to have Spee versus Jerram. Spee against the NZ troop convoy that was escorted by warships including Ibuki.

That's the fun of hypotheticals. Throw your minis into certain death with no greater consequence than losing a battle at your local hobby shop.

[Ed Rotondaro]

I've wanted to try FGDN -- and figure that the Russo Japanese War module would be the easiest way to ease my way into some fairly detailed rules. No planes, no subs....and while Japanese torpedoes have some potential, there won't be a ton of protractors being handed back and forth as we plot angles for our Type 32s.

And out of that module, I've picked Ulsan as a good intro scenario. Good visibility, relatively calm seas and the two lines start out within 8.5k yards of each other. Kind of a "quick start" scenario similar to the one they offer in the boxed set.

Just got to paint my minis up. While the counters are beautiful, there's just no substitute if ya go the brushes and willpower to paint up your fleets.

What I like a LOT is that the boxed set includes a painting guide. So there you go :-)

I'll have a report Monday. Only reason I'm burdening the forums with this post is that I'd like to see some kind of miniatures discussion here. I have three naval sets myself. NWS's Dreadnought Rising, MJ12Games' Grand Fleets and now this. I mean, I have Fire When Ready, too, and AandA's Stations Manned and Ready. But I don't have the itch to break those out. Anyway, I'll let folks know how it turned out.

Matt
PS -- BTW, can anyone recommend a good book on this war other than that two-volume document I think was originally written by a German observer? I see that online but don't want to spend $150 on a book. Right now I have The Tsar's Last Armada; Rising Sun, Stumbling Bear; Osprey's Campaign book and The Fleet That Had to Die. And I've printed out the entire research society site, as well. But I want more :-)


Matt:

There was a board game of the Russo-Japanese War from Avalanche Press, but I am not sure if it is still in print. It won an award fof best historical game the year it came out.

[Mike Malanaphy]

Matt:

There was a board game of the Russo-Japanese War from Avalanche Press, but I am not sure if it is still in print. It won an award fof best historical game the year it came out.

Hi Matt,

If your looking for a primarily naval book, H.W. Wilson's "Battleships in Action" covers the war in good detail and holds up well today. Wilson had extensive naval contacts and mentions observations by foreign observers. Should be able to get it through NWS as it is a USNIP publication.

[themattcurtis]

Thanks. You mean this store? I'll email Chris.

We played our Ulsan scenario, btw. And the Russians were able to get their tactical victory thanks to a lucky hit by one of Gromoboi's 8" guns that penetrated one of Idzumo's casements and detonated the ready ammunition -- causing another 22 points of damage. The ship didn't lose any further guns in the explosion, but it did put it over its 115 pt (50%) damage threshhold -- effectively crippling the hull and dropping the speed of the Japanese line enough for us to escape. Sheer luck, and an optional rule re: the Japanese shells. The ship had taken four CRIT hits by the time we got that roll. We didn't lose any ships, and were able to slink back to Vladivostok. Folks had fun :-)

I'll have an actual report from next time we play. Work is killing me.

[john964]

I just got the word that Clash of Arms Games has released Command At Sea Vol VII Atlantic Navies. This new modual contanes new 4th ed rules and Data Annexes for the Royal Navy, French Navy and Kriegsmarine.

[Warship NWS]

I just got the word that Clash of Arms Games has released Command At Sea Vol VII Atlantic Navies. This new modual contanes new 4th ed rules and Data Annexes for the Royal Navy, French Navy and Kriegsmarine.

Thanks for the heads up.. we are adding that edition to our store today, keep watch for the special pricing! ;)

[john964]

Thanks for the heads up.. we are adding that edition to our store today, keep watch for the special pricing! ;)No offense Chris but I've had my copy on order since last January. Now I'm waiting on the post office.

[Warship NWS]

Well... just so you all know its on our store now for $79.99 .. $20 off the retail price.

Thanks. :)