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General Post Captain questions and Answers


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#1 Kenny Noe

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Posted 20 July 2015 - 07:47 AM

All,

 

More questions from folks at Historicon. 

 

1.  Do you need the same turn gages as for GQ?

No.   Post Captain (PC) has its own set of Turn Gauges, which are quite different from GQ 3.3 to reflect the specifics of sailing vessels.

 

2.  Do the rules, or free downloads, include battles and ships outside the Napoleonic Wars?

PC is focused on the 1793 -1815 period.  It also includes rules and Ship Cards for the War of 1812 as well as the French Revolutionary Wars and the Napoleonic Wars.  The Bonus File also feature downloads for American land units and shore batteries.  The system is easily expandable to earlier periods and PC extensions will include the 1775 - 1783 era, often called the American War period.  In addition, PC Bonus Files provide the means to build your own Ship Cards for other time periods.

 

3.  How man ships can one player command?

Most gamers can comfortably command two - six ships. Well experienced gamers can handle more.   We recommend limiting to two ships per player for the first couple of games until comfortable with the rules.

 

4.  Are small ship actions possible? Are they fun?

Most AoS games are designed around fleet actions, where many of the details must be simplified to be able to handle large numbers of ships.  PC is at the other end of the spectrum, designed specifically for single ship duels and squadron actions with a focus on maneuver, sailing and tactical combat.  Most gamers find these small actions are the most fun as they provide a wide range of opportunities to exercise their tactical skills.  Small fleet actions also make good scenarios, and optional fleet action rules streamline things for sizable fleet engagements.   Very large fleet battles, like "Trafalgar" or "Glorious First of June" would be more time-consuming simulations best left to experienced PC gamers.  Don't forget PC also covers cutting out expeditions, gunboats and shore raids, providing a whole additional range of interesting challenges ignored or only lightly covered by other rules.

 

 

 

5.  What is a reasonable estimate of the maximum number of ships one player should command? Is it similar to GQ or FAI in this regard?

As answered in # 3), above, most gamers can comfortably command two to six ships in a scenario.  In this regard, it is similar to GQ andFAI.  While the detail systems are quite different - it is a time of very different technologies - the general level and design approach are similar, ensuring PC its place as a member of the GQ family.

 

6.  Most gamers indicated an intent to use either 1/1200 or 1/2400 scale ships. You said the scale didn’t matter – correct?

PC can be used with any scale miniatures.  Play aids  (Maneuver Gauges, Turn Gauges and Wind Gauges) for 1:1200 and 1:2400 are included in the game.   Aids for 1:1000, 1:2000 and 1:3000 miniatures are ready for download from the Bonus Files on the ODGW website.
 

 

Hope this helps



#2 pyruse

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Posted 24 July 2015 - 06:20 AM

Are there any scenarios available for Post Captain?

And is there any reason it won't work with 1:600 scale ships?



#3 Kenny Noe

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Posted 24 July 2015 - 10:33 AM

Scenarios will be available as part of the free Bonus file section soon.  The fellas are writing as fast as they can.... 

 

Thanks for your interest.



#4 David Nichols

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Posted 25 July 2015 - 06:14 PM

Post Captain uses a ground scale the same as the model scale, so in theory any scale of ship model can be used.

The Cannon table has ranges up to 2000 yards, but 1000 is the maximum practical range, so you would need a table with enough room st start the ships more than 60 inches apart.

You would also need to make up a set of wind guages, rulers and turn circles scales for 1/600th or get the team here to rescale the ones in the rules (they already have sets at 1000, 2000 and 3000 scale as well as the 1/1200 and 1/2400 in the rules.

 

Cheers

David



#5 pyruse

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Posted 26 July 2015 - 07:42 AM

Thanks - I'll probably just use the 1:1000 scale rulers. The ground scale will be a bit small, but it will keep the table size down



#6 Cpt M

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Posted 26 July 2015 - 08:29 PM

Are there any scenarios available for Post Captain?
And is there any reason it won't work with 1:600 scale ships?


Scenarios are coming soon (as soon as the author (me) gets them done. Got delayed due to some real life issues).

As for 1:600; David pretty much head it on the head. The main issue is the area needed. Since the game uses actual scale, a hundred yards in 1:600 would be 6". So average engagement ranges (400-600 yards) would need at least 24"-36" (and more for sufficient maneuver room). That said, for one on one battles, 1:600 would be doable (and be a visual treat!). I'll see if we can get a set of gauges for 1:600 posted on the site this week. Stay tuned!

#7 coachburd

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Posted 29 July 2015 - 06:37 AM

I have read through the rules twice. We are going to run our first game thus Saturday. Two rules clarifications. can you back sail more than once in a segment or is once each segment therefor 3 times in each turn. If you back sail in a red segment do you have to say you are back sailing again in the white segment or is it assumed. Also if you lower your movement from 7 to 5 by back sailing in the red segment does it stay at 5 until you do something else.

Turning a segment could you make more than one minor turn in a segment and still be able to reload your guns or do you add the cummalative turns together and they have to be less than the minor turn.

First read through rules we all really like them

#8 David Nichols

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Posted 30 July 2015 - 07:29 PM

I have read through the rules twice. We are going to run our first game thus Saturday. Two rules clarifications. can you back sail more than once in a segment or is once each segment therefor 3 times in each turn. If you back sail in a red segment do you have to say you are back sailing again in the white segment or is it assumed. Also if you lower your movement from 7 to 5 by back sailing in the red segment does it stay at 5 until you do something else.

I believe that Backing Sail and reducing movement factors are different actions...

 

You can reduce your MFs by 2 (or 3) each segment and until you negate that reduction by increasing MFs again they stay at the lower level (hence the +/-2 (or 3). I read this as minor sail adjustments, partial backing of the mizzen topsail and the like.



#9 Cpt M

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Posted 30 July 2015 - 11:23 PM

I have read through the rules twice. We are going to run our first game thus Saturday. Two rules clarifications. can you back sail more than once in a segment or is once each segment therefor 3 times in each turn. If you back sail in a red segment do you have to say you are back sailing again in the white segment or is it assumed. Also if you lower your movement from 7 to 5 by back sailing in the red segment does it stay at 5 until you do something else. 
 
Turning a segment could you make more than one minor turn in a segment and still be able to reload your guns or do you add the cummalative turns together and they have to be less than the minor turn.

First read through rules we all really like them


"Turning a segment could you make more than one minor turn in a segment and still be able to reload your guns or do you add the cummalative turns together and they have to be less than the minor turn."

Yes, the turns would be cumulative. You would have to stay below the total for a minor turn (1 MF if on the F scale, 1.5 MF if on the M scale and 2 MF if on the S scale) during the entire phase to allow for reloading of the guns.

"can you back sail more than once in a segment or is once each segment therefor 3 times in each turn. If you back sail in a red segment do you have to say you are back sailing again in the white segment or is it assumed. Also if you lower your movement from 7 to 5 by back sailing in the red segment does it stay at 5 until you do something else."

My interpretation is that you can back sail only once in a phase (the length of a phase doesn't really allow more). And you can back sail in any phase (without declaring). You can recover the 2 MFs in the next phase through acceleration.

#10 David Nichols

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Posted 31 July 2015 - 02:40 AM

Since posting above I have had a look at the rules (great to have a soft copy on tablet at work :-)

 

I can see where the confusion might occur -

 

4.4 refers to Changing speed (plus or minus 1 to 3 MFs, partly based on sail ssetting), you can reduce speed by this method each tactical phase until you have stopped if you wish (at speed zero you would drift).

 

It also mentions letting fly the sails to reduce speed by 3 MFs each tactical phase (so this may be a way to slow down more rapidly).

 

4.8 on the other hand is about backing sail (restricted to when you have the wind abeam or forward of the beam) this option seems to be a variation of the rule in section 4.4 with the associated ability (in 4.9) to heave to.

 

One way you might in practice use these rules (assuming a SoL under fighting sail, 6 MF).

On the first couple of phases reduce MFs by 2 each phase (ease main tops'l sheets, haul clewlines and buntlines), so you reduce to 4 MFs and then 2 MFs.

On the Third phase (assuming you have the wind abeam), you back sail and heave-to (1 MF and under control rather than drifting),

 

Cheers

David



#11 coachburd

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Posted 31 July 2015 - 06:15 PM

David

Thanks for the reply. We have our first go at the rules scheduled for tomorrow. It will be a frigate battle.

#12 David Nichols

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Posted 01 August 2015 - 09:45 PM

Are there any scenarios available for Post Captain?

 

There are a few sources for historical and fictional scenarios that can be used with Post Captain

 

The board Game "Wooden Ships & Iron Men" from Avalon Hill includes a number of small actions (though many are actually from the AWI)

There are more AWI scenarios for WS&IM in The General Vol25 No 4, none involving more than 5 ships on one side.

Presumably CoA's Close Action and it's scenario books would be another source.

 

For collectors of old issues of The Courier, volume VI was an Age of Sail theme year...

Number 6 has an article with single ship scenarios from the American wars - AWI, the Quasi-war with France, the War with Tripoli and the 1812 War

Numbers 4 and 5 have a pair of articles on the War of 1812 on the Great Lakes

These can now be purchased in soft copy from Wargames Vault.

 

For followers of the Lard, there are some scenarios for KMH (often from the life of Hornblower) in varios TFL Specials.

 

Cheers

David



#13 RazorMind

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Posted 01 January 2016 - 12:40 AM

Cutting out scenarios were mentioned in the rules as available online but I could not find any in the Bonus files, can you point me to their location?


"I wish to have no Connection with any Ship that does not Sail fast for I intend to go in harm's way.

Capt. John Paul Jones

#14 Cpt M

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Posted 05 January 2016 - 08:47 PM

The first three Cutting Out scenarios are in final prep and should be posted within the next week.



#15 RazorMind

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Posted 06 January 2016 - 12:02 AM

Yes!!


"I wish to have no Connection with any Ship that does not Sail fast for I intend to go in harm's way.

Capt. John Paul Jones

#16 Tom Oxley

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Posted 25 January 2016 - 12:43 PM

With a number of players using Sails of Glory models, I wondered if it might be possible to get 1/1000 guages and ruler.  The Sails of Glory models are supposed to be that scale.  For now we are using the 1/1200 guages and rulers provided.  Trying to make a convert out of somebody who has a bunch of the ship models.

 

Tom Oxley



#17 tripper

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Posted 25 January 2016 - 05:42 PM

Not having any sail of glory ships mine are all Langton . I am not sure you will gain much from using a 1/1000 scale ruler. I haven't done the math but the difference can't be that much as to make it look ridiculous

#18 Cpt M

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Posted 25 January 2016 - 09:26 PM

With a number of players using Sails of Glory models, I wondered if it might be possible to get 1/1000 guages and ruler.  The Sails of Glory models are supposed to be that scale.  For now we are using the 1/1200 guages and rulers provided.  Trying to make a convert out of somebody who has a bunch of the ship models.

 

Tom Oxley

Gauges for 1/1000 are available for download in the Post Captain Bonus files.  Below is the link:

 

http://www.odgw.com/...r2-20150617pdf/



#19 Tom Oxley

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Posted 26 January 2016 - 02:12 PM

Thanks!  We hope to do a demo game at Cincycon, not ready to run a full blown game but something folks can watch anyway. 

 

Tom Oxley



#20 RazorMind

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Posted 28 January 2016 - 09:29 PM

Cutting out scenarios done yet?  Hoping to see them soon.


"I wish to have no Connection with any Ship that does not Sail fast for I intend to go in harm's way.

Capt. John Paul Jones




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