Fast play and with lots of D6 - and not a hex in sight....
I was delighted when Osprey announced that they were going to release a set of ancient naval warfare rules and so acquiring a copy was an obvious step for me. The rules, called Poseidon's Warriors - Classical Naval Warfare 480 - 31 BC by John Lambshead, look really good. They are designed for large actions and the rules are fast play for sure. They are not even hex based....Players use squadrons - 5 vessels for the trireme era - and alternate moving these depending on the initiative.
This makes for a very interactive game and places a premium on good tactics.
The book contains not only the rules but also a naval timeline and suggested historical match ups. There is a nice selection of eye candy although if I was being picky I would have liked to have seen some models other than Rod Langtons in action. Don't get me wrong, Langton's models are lovely but my entire collection consists of Navwar models which are less detailed but are easier on the wallet. I will certainly be getting some of his terrain pieces though! My plan is now to use these rules for Salamis - so hexes will not be featuring.
Rounds out my Jutland library very nicely indeed....
The next acquisition is a couple of books concerned with Jutland. I must thank Dave Manley for recommending the Nick Jellicoe title - it really is a first class read - and I have to say I enjoyed the BBC documentary featuring the author. It also leads nicely into The Jutland Scandal. This book is really two books in one as it contains The Truth About Jutland by Rear-Admiral J.E.T Harper and also The Jutland Scandal by Admiral Sir Reginald Bacon. Needless to say certain historical figures did not come out particularly well in either title - and that is a story all of its own.
6 comments:
Nice acquisitions DC
Is that author any relation to the good Admiral perhaps?
Hi Paul,
He certainly is - his grandson in fact! He also has in his possession the maps prepared by Harper of the battle itself - the ones that do not help the reputation of a certain battle cruiser commander!
Certainly worth a read.
All the best,
DC
I'm sure that makes for a very interesting, if not unbiased, perspective!
Paul, it would be natural to be suspicious of Nick's book given his relationship to the Admiral. However, I found it to be a very well balanced book. It could have done with a bit of editing though, generally well written but a few cases of practically the same text repeated within a few pages. It doesn't detract from the book though, just mildly amusing/annoying depending on one's mood :)
Thanks DM!
Nice books!
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