Try out of new Version 2 of Over The Hills rules today at Stephens using my Russians against French circa 1812.Both used points system to field 250pt armies which seems about right for a 6' x 4' table with 15mm.
A few changes from original set but nothing drastic that we noted.
Skirmisher advantage is now a positive bonus only rather than a + or - as in V1.
Units that fire defensively can have support shooting from friends as Infantry now has slightly extended firing zone.
There may be some other changes to shooting and combat factors but nothing that leaped out at us.
Rules somewhat better laid out than V1 but still a lot of Optional (but desirable) concerning Fatigue and Morale Tests in a separate section.
However familiarity with the rules would aid this.
A limited try with rules but enjoyable stuff.
A nice alternative choice for a Divisional sized game to GDB, GDA, FOB or BP.
Not played these rules before. They look interesting.
ReplyDeleteThat they are.
DeleteGary, what distinguishes these rules from the other sets mentioned?
ReplyDeleteHi Peter, mainly they are a more 'gritty' set. If you want a set in which your Battalions have access to March Column, Column of Coys, Column of Divns (Attack Column), Closed columns and Bttn Mass then all covered here (as they are in BP supplement by same author) without too much in way of complexity. Inertia is in form of Orders for Brigades which limits options to charge etc. There are a lot of optional rules with a fairly basic game without them which to me is main failing of the rules in that they have not firmly 'set their stall' as easy or complex but try to do both which can make reading/assimilating them rather tougher than necessary with several options separated from relevant sections of rules. They are however overall very flavoursome and flow well. Units are rated for Fatigue Strength (combo of numbers/morale/elan) which is of course reduced by firing/combat morale outcomes so is essentially an attritional model. Individual Brigades have morale tracked as does overall army (ala FOB) whilst individual units can Rally off hits. Despite using D10s they do have a sort of old school feel but with modern trappings. As I say I like them but not really more than the other sets I play :-)
ReplyDeleteThanks, Gary!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the review. I have version 1 of these rules so I wondered what the changes might be. I think they are interesting too but not enough to forgo Field of Battle.
ReplyDeleteHi they give a more 'intricate' form of game and certainly cover all bases. Less dynamic than FOB but then arent all other sets :-)
Delete