DeRuyter
03-10-2014, 14:33
As noted in my previous play test AAR - I ran this scenario at the HMGS Cold Wars convention in Lancaster PA this past weekend. Thanks to Erin for the scenario. I did modify the special rules a bit. The original scenario can be found here:
http://www.sailsofglory.org/showthread.php?1618-BATTLE-OF-GRAND-PORT-AND-HURRICON-AAR&highlight=battle+grand+port
For the convention I used the standard game rules (two card system) plus the following optional rules, mods: Entanglement, Boarding, Modified sail changes, modified collisions, modified grounding. I had room for eight players and more than that showed up to play, plus a group of four set up a SoG game on an adjacent table, using the Advanced rules. The scenario ran for almost 4 hours and everyone had a good time despite some entanglements and groundings! One player had previously purchased a starter set and played a few games and another bought a set the next day after playing in the game.
As a general observation on availability several vendors at the convention had ships, accessories and even starter sets. I also did observe the SoG games put on by another Anchorage member (mdesensi). His games were Friday and Saturday nights and he had so much interest that he ran 2 games on Friday night. He was using the Basic rules with one card plotting. I believe he had six players with each commanding an SoL and a frigate.
Here is a brief AAR and some photos of my game. I will post my Turn sequence and player scenario briefings in the file section. The objective for the French was to destroy the British squadron or escape to sea. The British objective was to re-capture the Indiaman and of course to disable the French squadron.
The battle started with the British sailing in line ahead through the channel towards the anchored French fleet. (One of the French players asked me about rules for maneuvering on springs - thoughts for future HR). The British line was disrupted by the shoals placed by French players and forced to turn downwind. The French were trying to drive them towards the shore battery. One Brit sailed through a gap and towards the French who had raised sail and started maneuvering. At this point one British ship ran aground ( if they got too close to a shoal but not touching I gave them a random chance to hit it and they did!). Several of the French players struggled with their tacks. I represented the captured East Indiaman using an SoL with vastly reduced hull and crew boxes. Eventually one French frigate sailed behind the British line and got some good shots off. There was a lot of maneuvering, including several groundings on both sides and several entanglements, but eventually one French ship struck and the British had several ships near the captured ship which was about to strike. At that point I called the game as a British victory.
Table set up (some of the pics are blurry - I think the mats are confusing my iphone's focus!).
9295
The British change course to avoid the shoals.
9303
The French raise sail and start tacking around to meet the British while they are disorganized from the shoals.
9302
A British ship has run aground and has begun a kedging operation (ships boats are from Langton).
9304
French Players planning maneuvers - note British ship still on shoal.
9297
The fleets are now crossing. Note the French ship inshore of the Britsh and another has just crossed behind the lead ship. Also two British ships have collided and are entangled.
9296
The Brits have disentangled themselves but not before a long range raking shot hits one of them.
9305
More broadsides. The French ship on the left avoids the shoal by luck and by being taken aback.
9306
An exchange of fire with the shore Battery. I used the small battery in the pack for the scenario.
9300
The East Indiaman tries a stern rake but the angle is too great.
9299
Scene near the end of the game. Two British ships near the Indiaman on the left of the shot.
9301
http://www.sailsofglory.org/showthread.php?1618-BATTLE-OF-GRAND-PORT-AND-HURRICON-AAR&highlight=battle+grand+port
For the convention I used the standard game rules (two card system) plus the following optional rules, mods: Entanglement, Boarding, Modified sail changes, modified collisions, modified grounding. I had room for eight players and more than that showed up to play, plus a group of four set up a SoG game on an adjacent table, using the Advanced rules. The scenario ran for almost 4 hours and everyone had a good time despite some entanglements and groundings! One player had previously purchased a starter set and played a few games and another bought a set the next day after playing in the game.
As a general observation on availability several vendors at the convention had ships, accessories and even starter sets. I also did observe the SoG games put on by another Anchorage member (mdesensi). His games were Friday and Saturday nights and he had so much interest that he ran 2 games on Friday night. He was using the Basic rules with one card plotting. I believe he had six players with each commanding an SoL and a frigate.
Here is a brief AAR and some photos of my game. I will post my Turn sequence and player scenario briefings in the file section. The objective for the French was to destroy the British squadron or escape to sea. The British objective was to re-capture the Indiaman and of course to disable the French squadron.
The battle started with the British sailing in line ahead through the channel towards the anchored French fleet. (One of the French players asked me about rules for maneuvering on springs - thoughts for future HR). The British line was disrupted by the shoals placed by French players and forced to turn downwind. The French were trying to drive them towards the shore battery. One Brit sailed through a gap and towards the French who had raised sail and started maneuvering. At this point one British ship ran aground ( if they got too close to a shoal but not touching I gave them a random chance to hit it and they did!). Several of the French players struggled with their tacks. I represented the captured East Indiaman using an SoL with vastly reduced hull and crew boxes. Eventually one French frigate sailed behind the British line and got some good shots off. There was a lot of maneuvering, including several groundings on both sides and several entanglements, but eventually one French ship struck and the British had several ships near the captured ship which was about to strike. At that point I called the game as a British victory.
Table set up (some of the pics are blurry - I think the mats are confusing my iphone's focus!).
9295
The British change course to avoid the shoals.
9303
The French raise sail and start tacking around to meet the British while they are disorganized from the shoals.
9302
A British ship has run aground and has begun a kedging operation (ships boats are from Langton).
9304
French Players planning maneuvers - note British ship still on shoal.
9297
The fleets are now crossing. Note the French ship inshore of the Britsh and another has just crossed behind the lead ship. Also two British ships have collided and are entangled.
9296
The Brits have disentangled themselves but not before a long range raking shot hits one of them.
9305
More broadsides. The French ship on the left avoids the shoal by luck and by being taken aback.
9306
An exchange of fire with the shore Battery. I used the small battery in the pack for the scenario.
9300
The East Indiaman tries a stern rake but the angle is too great.
9299
Scene near the end of the game. Two British ships near the Indiaman on the left of the shot.
9301