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Thread: A couple of solo games using 'Powder Monkey' solo rules

  1. #1
    2nd Lieutenant
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    Default A couple of solo games using 'Powder Monkey' solo rules

    Yesterday, my friends and I had a couple more games of Sails at our club, very tough little battles even though we were fighting against a French force using the PM rules!
    The full write ups are on my blog at http://herkybird-richardbradley.blog...-to-glory.html
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    Our previous games are at: http://herkybird-richardbradley.blog...t-try-out.html

    And: http://herkybird-richardbradley.blog...olo-rules.html

    Hope you like them!

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    Ordinary Seaman
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    Very entertaining read. Thanks for posting, and congrats on your win!

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    Admiral of the White
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    Thanks for the links and AAR's. Very enjoyable reading with an added bonus that the AI is quite capable of taking on the human player and doing very well it seems. In the times that you've played have you decided which ship class is most fun to play (whether solo rules or not)?

    Cheers!

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    Thanks for the AAR, it was a nice read. I also discovered, to my dismay, the AI to be fairly competent.

    During the read, I was asking myself if you are applying the damage counters in the correct way. In picture 11/32, the first volley against the Commerce de Marsaille, you covered three solts with three chits, although no chit exceeds the burden of the commerce and only one ox should be filled yet. Was this only to visualize the damage taken?

  5. #5
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    Quote Originally Posted by Hobbes View Post
    Thanks for the AAR, it was a nice read. I also discovered, to my dismay, the AI to be fairly competent.

    During the read, I was asking myself if you are applying the damage counters in the correct way. In picture 11/32, the first volley against the Commerce de Marsaille, you covered three solts with three chits, although no chit exceeds the burden of the commerce and only one ox should be filled yet. Was this only to visualize the damage taken?
    Hi Hobbes, the chits were correct during the game, unfortunately in the pictures they were stacked (my fellow players dont turn the stack over when the box is full! - despite me telling them its clearer!) As we were using the advanced rules, the first 3pt fire marker filled the first box despite the CDMs burden being 6. In retrospect, the chits would probably have been better laid out for the pics? - my bad!

    I am glad other players are enjoying the solo system too!
    Last edited by Herkybird; 01-20-2015 at 16:03. Reason: More detail

  6. #6
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    Quote Originally Posted by Nightmoss View Post
    Thanks for the links and AAR's. Very enjoyable reading with an added bonus that the AI is quite capable of taking on the human player and doing very well it seems. In the times that you've played have you decided which ship class is most fun to play (whether solo rules or not)?

    Cheers!
    Hi Nightmoss, I think we all have our favourites. Personally, I like running '74s. The solo system, I think, based on the few games I have played, possibly is most dangerous using '74s too, and I dont think thats because I wrote the rules!!! - the 74 combines reasonable manoeuverability with good firepower, though it will tend to lose out in a slug-fest with a 1st rate!
    Last edited by Herkybird; 01-20-2015 at 16:00. Reason: Typo!

  7. #7
    Admiral of the White
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    Quote Originally Posted by Herkybird View Post
    Hi Nightmoss, I think we all have our favourites. Personally, I like running '74s. The solo system, I think, based on the few games I have played, possibly is most dangerous using '74s too, and I dont think thats because I wrote the rules!!! - the 74 combines reasonable manoeuverability woth good firepower, though it will tend to lose out in a slug-fest with a 1st rate!
    I would agree that 74s are formidable on the mat. They've fared quite well in the solo games I've played. Thanks for the reply!

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    Ordinary Seaman
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    Richard,

    Thank for sharing the solo rules and AAR!


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    I must also thank Richard for the solo rules, which I have downloaded this morning.
    Bligh.

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    The few games I've solo'd in anticipation for the campaign have been great. I've used the advanced rules and the AI holds its own.

  11. #11
    2nd Lieutenant
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    Thanks for all the positive comments everyone! - my friends and I have found PM a tough opponent to beat, though we are not very experienced SofG players yet.
    I hope the system gives you many hours of enjoyment...and a few sleepless nights! (lol)

  12. #12
    Admiral of the White
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    Perhaps it's my poor eyesight, but I'm having trouble at times distinguishing some of these cards from one another? It's usually the more subtle turns. I'd rather not guess if the card I'm supposed to use is a 6, 7 or 8 (or 1, 2 or 4). Anyone have suggestions on how to better tell which card to use? Thanks!

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    Nice follow up reading your games Richard. Having used the charts they are exactly what I expected having used your WoG charts. Excellent work.

  14. #14
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    Quote Originally Posted by Nightmoss View Post
    Perhaps it's my poor eyesight, but I'm having trouble at times distinguishing some of these cards from one another? It's usually the more subtle turns. I'd rather not guess if the card I'm supposed to use is a 6, 7 or 8 (or 1, 2 or 4). Anyone have suggestions on how to better tell which card to use? Thanks!
    I have found it doesnt really matter if its not exactly the right card chosen when using the chart, so long as its approximately right it plays ok.
    You could put small numbers on the chart yourself - as a general rule, the higher the d6 score, the sharper the turn until you hit 7.
    I didnt want to put numbers on the icons, as they looked cluttered at the size they have to be, also, I had to allow different ships in the same class to have different numbers for the same turn. I am not sure if this is the case already, as I only have 14 models so far! I imagine it would be a likely development in the game if not!

    If you want, I can send you a chart with the numbers on so you can see what it looks like. Just send me your E-Mail address to me (My E-Mail is richardbradley5@gmail.com) - and I will do one.


  15. #15
    Admiral of the White
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    Quote Originally Posted by Herkybird View Post
    I have found it doesnt really matter if its not exactly the right card chosen when using the chart, so long as its approximately right it plays ok.
    You could put small numbers on the chart yourself - as a general rule, the higher the d6 score, the sharper the turn until you hit 7.
    I didnt want to put numbers on the icons, as they looked cluttered at the size they have to be, also, I had to allow different ships in the same class to have different numbers for the same turn. I am not sure if this is the case already, as I only have 14 models so far! I imagine it would be a likely development in the game if not!

    If you want, I can send you a chart with the numbers on so you can see what it looks like. Just send me your E-Mail address to me (My E-Mail is richardbradley5@gmail.com) - and I will do one.

    Thanks Richard. That extra work for you isn't necessary. I have all the charts printed out and writing the numbers in will take very little time. I was going to use your system on my next solo game regardless so this is a good reason to get cracking. Cheers!

  16. #16
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    I will do the charts with numbers anyway if enough people think its necessary - thanks for saving me the extra work, it would probably take more than an hour each chart, and as I said, I am not sure its better with little yellow numbers anyway!

    I really hope you enjoy using the rules anyway....!

  17. #17
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    I'm about to sail the first Campaign scenario. Once finished, I will use these rules and compare the two games. It will be an interesting exercise.
    “You can discover more about a person in an hour of play than in a year of conversation.” ― Plato

  18. #18
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    Quote Originally Posted by 7eat51 View Post
    I'm about to sail the first Campaign scenario. Once finished, I will use these rules and compare the two games. It will be an interesting exercise.
    I look forward to viewing the results Eric.
    I hope to follow suit sometime next week.
    Rob.

  19. #19

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    Nice AARs.

    Interesting solution for the rigging.

  20. #20
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    Quote Originally Posted by Comte de Brueys View Post
    Nice AARs.

    Interesting solution for the rigging.
    Danke Sven! - my rigging is less ornate than that elsewhere on the anchorage, I tried to do mine the same way, but I only made a mess, so I went for something simple, which is fine plastic netting painted black, and a simple black polyester thread between the masts, which reinforces them somewhat.

    At my club, we tend to do things that look ok at normal play distances, IE about 2 feet. This rigging is in line with that philosophy!

    I wish I could replicate the beautiful rigging several people have managed, but there you go!

    Incidentally, I am currently painting Bavarians to go with my French in the War of the Spanish Succession. They are doing well so far!

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