January 11, 2012 by beerogre
Video Sponsers: Heavy Gear - Infinity
Andy and Darrell take a look through what is probably one of the premier historical game systems on the market at the moment... Black Powder from Warlord Games.
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Sounds like fun and a lot of colorful minis. BUT I really really hate that most historical games don’t have a points system. Building the armylists is half the fun of this hobby and why can’t they include a point list so that you can fight a resonably balanced fight? If you don’t wanna use the lists, fine but include them.
How fun is it to battle against an army just full of elites and nothing else? I’m sorry but the “bring what you have” method requires a really really tight group.
That’s just it though. This game is meant for you and a group of your friends who know and respect each other – a real ‘gentleman’s’ wargame. If your opponent is fielding only elite units with tons of special rules and has only painted maybe 1-2 figures, then Black Powder isn’t the game for them. I’d also argue against the idea that building army lists is ‘half’ the fun of the hobby. Really, it should only be a tiny fraction – the real fun should come from painting your miniatures and then putting them on the table. Also, remember that,… Read more »
This sounds like a fun system. I do like to see big units of historical models. It’s a personal thing but seeing 10 models on the table and be told it’s 1000 men, doesn’t work for me, unless it’s skirmish gaming. Sometimes a smaller scale can help these BIG battles.
That sounded intresting. Thanks guys.
For years I have done historical reenactments of the rev war and I always had a love for such games.
rumour has it warlord’s going to make a points system for black powder (as they did for hail caesar) so if its true ill definately get the book soon
You’re right – they’ve already released the Last Argument of Kings book for 17th and early 18th century warfare, and they’re currently working on Albion Triumphant, which will be their first Napoleonic supplement.
after reading Sharpe I became more interested in those kind of armies and history period.
I agree with @tenntrollet about the “bring what you have” method.
Just a note for Darrell – The US Civil War was in the early 1860s. George Washington wasn’t around during the Civil War. Given that Napoleon died in 1821, pretty sure no one invited him to fight in the Amercian Civil War. 🙂 And the American Revolutionary War was fought in 1775-1783, when Napoleon was between the ages of 6 and 14, so I pretty much doubt anyone in the US was going to ask for his help. Now, perhaps the war of 1812 maybe???? You’re a bit all over the place on your US history… Don’t get me wrong… Read more »
Ah… but he was… Commence Argument From Wikipedia Mode During 1861 to 1862, Napoleon III positioned France to intervene in the American Civil War on the side of the Confederacy. The United States repeatedly warned that this meant war but the emperor inched steadily toward officially recognizing the Confederacy, especially after the crash of France’s cotton textile industry and his successes in Mexico. Through 1862, Napoleon III met unofficially with Confederate diplomats, raising their hopes that he would unilaterally recognize the Confederacy.[35][36] The emperor, however, could do little without the support of Britain, which refused to recognize the Confederacy. In… Read more »
Oh dear Andy, face palm moment! Are you seriously confusing Napoleon Bonaparte (died 1821) with his far lesser nephew Napoleon III?
Should have kept reading the discussion below 😉
And a note for Andy, the Prussians are not in white, those are Austrians! The Prussians are in dark blue
Ok- If there was ever a Spotlight vid in which you should have broken out the Meerschaums and the brandy & snifters, its this one… the self described ‘game for gentleman gamers’… come on guys. I appreciate the tongue in cheek humor and lighthearted style of writing, it’s a Rick Priestly tradition that goes way back to Rogue Trader but was lost a bit as GW evolved. I’ve always appreciated Priestly’s aesthetic approach to wargames, that there is something certainly fun & appealing about them, but taking it too seriously is a bit mad. I mean real war is horror… Read more »
I’ve been looking at these rules for a future project in the American Civil War. After watching and reading several reviews and previews, I think I’ll go for it. It just seems to be written so cleverly, and presented so beautifully, with understandable and enjoyable rules! On Napoleon, I’ve never heard that he was invited to participate in any American wars; certainly he could not have been involved in the Revolutionary or Civil War. Rather, Napoleon’s actual role in American history lies in the fact that he sold President Thomas Jefferson a large amount of land controlled by France in… Read more »
France vs USA does sound like a great what if- Statue of Conquest on No Liberty Island 😉
@ubiquanon
Hi Britain did have a war with America from 1812- 1815, It was called the war of 1812.
If Napoleon was asked to aid in some way I have no idea, but seeing 1812 was when the french were retreating from Russia and 1815 was the year of Waterloo and Napoleon did go into exile in between i would have thought he was a bit busy.
As Britain had been at war with France since the turn of the Centuary it would be quite possible that the American would ask for some aid from our enemies
Ubiquanon already mentioned the War of 1812 in his post!
The USA (and most certainly the CSA) never asked Napoleon for help. Don’t look to Beasts of War for historical info!
Napoleon III wanted to aid the CSA, that may be the nugget of truth Darryl is thinking of, but he was nowhere near as good as his uncle.
youre probably right on all counts
@huscarle In point of fact we, the US, received aid from the French, specifically from De Grass and Rocheambeau, during the later part of the American Revolution. Many U.S. American’s forget that in no small part are we deeply indebted to the French (and also by treaty to Austria) for our independence. Their Navy, in particular, proved to check the Royal Navy’s complete domination of the U.S. coastal cities. Had the French not provided over 8,000 men in the Siege of Yorktown (matching the number of US troops), in the final and most significant battle, it is uncertain that the… Read more »
That’s answered that then. Good point about the minie ball it really did move warfare more into the modern era.
This rule set has been out for a while and I havn’t heard anything bad perhaps someone who has tried it could post a quick review as to how it works for such a wide range in time.
Maybe these are core rules and you will get supplements introduced later?
thankyou enjoyed that
Great to see Historicals coverage
Im a big fan of Fire n Fury for ACW and Age of Eagles for Nappies (can do AWI as well). Black Powder looks interesting
ps
Perry one of best value fig makers in gaming (good sculpts and lots of figs for reasonable amounts)
they should do a Sharpe platoon hahaha
I’m Canadian and I sure I read somewhere (don’t ask where I forgot) it said we had Polar bear cavalry. I think it’s about time someone added them into Black Powder!
I’ve had many games of different periods at my club using Black Powder rules, and every game has been fun and enjoyable. I love the order system, you point to where you want your men to go, roll the dice, if you roll very low they go where you wanted them to go. if you roll slightly higher they go half way. If you roll too high you fail and watch all your men standing around scratching their ar***! Meanwhile a red faced general is spitting feathers and wants you hung from the nearest tree. Get these rules Guys, you… Read more »
looks like they may be good for solo gaming as well