Just over a week ago I headed south to Sheffield for our Joy of Six game - Waterloo!
The Day
Mike and I set up the terrain and deployed the troops ready for action. We very quickly got some gamers interested in playing "for a turn or two". Some of the players were completely new to gaming - others had bought a copy of the rules, had played solo but weren't really confident that they were playing right - what better way to test your understanding than playing one of the most interesting and famous battles in history!
Mike did an excellent job of umpiring whilst I was less involved in the battle, more talking to potential gamers, answering questions and getting involved where needed.
I had forgotten to charge my phone, so my wife did an excellent job of taking photos and ensuring that we were fed and watered throughout the day. Last year - (click here) she had come to observe, was asked to play and lead the Austrians to a crushing victory! This year she was glad to just observe...
We were really pleased that Chris Pringle, rules author (see here for his blog) had come up North with Mark Smith, who wrote the scenario book we used. They spent the day circulating between the BBB games on offer and chatting with the gamers.
After a hard fought battle lasting eight turns with continual action from about 10.15 to 16.00, with much rolling of dice and charging of troops, the Allies won.
Photos:
Early on in the battle - the French (to the left) are advancing.
My one usable photo. Mike, in his brand new "Ilkley Irregulars" t-shirt, umpires the three French on the right taking on the Anglo Dutch defenders on the left.
In the background, other games were available ....
About the same time, the other side of the table.
Thumbs up from Napoleon - our first gamer to join and last to leave the table!
From the French (south) side, later in the game. Still plenty of action in the middle, Prussians arriving lower right.
Drone shot - East at the top, North to the left. The Allies on the left defend the ridge as the French take La Haye Sainte and swarm Hougoumont.
Conclusions, thoughts but firstly - THANKS:
1. Venue - Thank you to Peter, Lindy and the Baccus team for an excellent venue, helpful stewards and a great show!
2. Rules - Thanks to Chris for an excellent set of rules that deliver
HQGE - fast moving, absorbing games with most players doing something most of the time. Thanks to Mark for this, the last scenario in his latest
book. We had some spare copies of the book available on the day and were pleased that these were all successfully re-homed! Thanks for your support on the day!
3. Umpire - many thanks to Mike for ensuring that players got to have a great time on the day! A further big thanks for making the
terrain (excellent!) which contributed considerably to the visual impact of the game.
4. Players - many thanks to those of you who turned up on the day. It was great to see you getting stuck in to the battle - played with style, banter and good humour!
Conclusions
It was a really good day and a great opportunity to show how BBB can enable a few mates to play a significant battle in an accessible manner. Most of the players had just started, but the joy of BBB is that you concentrate on decisions, with a lot of the "admin" being done simply, efficiently and reliably within the rules and dice results.
It's been a lot of fun putting on the game and I'm pleased with the interest that we generated.
Thoughts - resources
There are a number of BBB resources that gamers can access, as follows:
1. Chris's
BBB blog gives regular updates on the latest goings on in BBB world.
2. There's an
io.group for BBB - gives free scenarios, AARs, advice, clarifications, etc.
3. For figures and conversions, look at this blog and others. Personally I really like
Baccus 6mm, other manufacturers and ranges are available.
4. There's a Facebook page
here that also has plenty of material to look at and read.
Finally - all in all it was a great day - well worth it. I guess i need to start thinking about JoS 2026....
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