My Chase Rules - and an AAR

[Dobbs]

Just after the start of the Forenoon watch (roll 8), His Majesty’s 74, Outrageous spies a ship 5-8 miles distant (roll 8 on Spotting Range – Hull Up, 7 on Information), possibly a warship, and apparently unaware of the frigate. Captain Ullman gives the command to intercept. Play proceeds with the range closing by rank, but no appreciable time passing until either ship chooses to flee, or play moves to the tactical board.

When approximately a mile away, the Chase, now identified as a 40 gun frigate (roll 9 on Information - +2 for range), alters course toward Outrageous and closes (roll 6 on Spotting Range, 6 on Information).

A few minutes later and half a mile away, it becomes apparent (Outrageous – 10 +3 on Information) that the Frenchman has identified his opponent and feels outgunned (French – 11 +3 on Information). She quickly wears and turns to flee. Play now begins using the chase time scale. Firing before movement, then movement and the passing of half a full Watch. Over the next two hours Outrageous’ crew carefully lays and fires the bow chasers. The results are unimpressive.
O – 3, 2, 1 +sail, crew, which converts to 1, 0, 0 +sail, ½ crew

The Frenchman is not passive and spends the time returning fire with his stern chasers. A lucky hit throws splinters into Outrageous’ waist, sending a few unlucky souls to the orlop deck.
F – 2, 0, crew, which converts to 0, 0, ½ crew

Chase – O – roll 1, F – roll 4, O subtracts -1 for Burden 5 chasing, F adds +2 for Burden 4 fleeing.

By midway through the forenoon watch, the gunplay hasn’t been impressive, but it is apparent that Outrageous has gained a little. The Frenchman is now moved 1 rank closer on the Short Tactical range. Information and firing is resolved for the next turn, but since both ships already know as much as they can about each other at this range, Information does not need to be rolled.

O – 4 and a leak, 2, 2 and crew, 1 and crew, a crew, and 0, which converts to 2 and a leak, 1½ crew.

F – 2, 2 and crew, a crew, 0, which converts to 1 crew.

Chase – O – roll 3, F – roll 4, O subtracts -1 for Burden 5 chasing, F adds +2 for Burden 4 fleeing

By the start of the Afternoon Watch, the Frenchman has gained back what he earlier had lost.

O – 2 and a crew, 2, 2, 2, 1 and crew, converting to ½ a crew.

F – 4, 3, 0, converting to 2, 1.

Chase – O – roll 5, F – roll 4, O subtracts -1 for Burden 5 chasing, F adds +2 for Burden 4 fleeing.

By 4 bells in the Afternoon Watch, Outrageous has gotten her nose bloodied, with little to show for it, and the French frigate is showing what her superior sailing qualities can do. Captain Ullman, aware that it’s just a question of time until the frigate outruns Outrageous, decides to use the 74 for what she’s best, and spends the next half-watch yawing to present her broadside (2 damage draws, but an additional 3 is added to the fleeing die roll).

O – 3 and a fire, 3, 2 and rudder, 2 and rudder, 0, 0, 0, 0, converted – 1 and fire, 1, and two rudder hits.

F – 0, 0.

Chase – O – roll 5, F – roll 2, O subtracts -1 for Burden 5 chasing, adds +3 for firing main broadside, F adds +2 for Burden 4 fleeing, subtracts -3 for two rudder hits and a fire hit.

The First Dog Watch starts with the Frenchman looking ragged, but still pulling away, now at the extreme limits of Long Tactical range. The Frenchman has begun putting her water over the side ( a +1 for fleeing). Outrageous continues to yaw, as it is probably the last chance to catch the faster Frenchman.

O – 4 and mast, 4, 2 and rudder, 1 and sail, 1 and crew, 1, 0, 0, converted, 2 and mast, 2, rudder, sail, ½ crew.

F – 0, 0.

Chase – O – roll 1, F – roll 6, O subtracts -1 for Burden 5 chasing, adds +3 for firing main broadside, F adds +2 for Burden 4 fleeing, +1 for pumping the water over the side, and subtracts -2 for the rudder hit and mast hit.

As the Last Dog Watch begins, the French frigate is hull up. She’s been knocked about badly. Her speed is diminished, but not enough for Outrageous to overtake her. She is no longer in gun range, but just in case things go poorly for the Frenchman, Outrageous continues pursuit…