As I look back on 2024 the standout games for me have been multi- player clashes with three or four players per side. One suggestion for developing the club was to play such a mega-game maybe once a month.
One or two points have to be mentioned as we consider what we have tried before. Firstly, the work involved. I personally enjoy setting up a big game but it’s not for everyone. It is a time commitment and getting people together all on the same day at the same time can be problematic. One of my pet hates are Facebook lurkers who say they are coming and then don’t show up. We have five main contributors now who I know we can rely upon. I don’t intend advertising events until these main players have committed so as to avoid any disappointment.
Those who follow our club, Cardiff Dice Studz, on Facebook will no doubt be aware of the latest discussion on rules for megagames. In my opinion, such games should not just be one player rules with more figures. The recent multiplayer ancients battle of Catalonian Plains benefitted from Simon Miller’s excellent To the Strongest rules. We had just two players who were familiar with the system but the game went smoothly with four newbies and the laziest member of the club in attendance.
If ancients was covered then the gunpowder age utilises Black Powder and Battlecry. For 28mm the scenarios are just perfect. And so Command and Colors for World War Two?
And I was off! Memoir 44 uses plastic miniatures just like Battlecry. Why not use my massive Flames of War collection to play the period. We have been toying with hex based games for a few years now and so the idea came to fruition…
In a quick trial game, I brought on three Shermans to take on the German juggernaut. As an anti- armour specialist I gave the Elefant four damage and the ability to kill tanks on a roll of 6. As heavily armoured, the Elefant could ignore a retreat result.
The Sherman’s as a medium tank gets just three damage and no special roll unless the 76mm variant.
Ranges are as per the rules. There are rules for cover and terrain which I need to try out but I don’t foresee a problem.
The bases from Flames of War seem to fit just fine and there is even a nod to Squad leader with leaders adding dice to combats.
So far then it all looks good. A fast and easy to understand set of rules that will need a minimum of explanation. Further expansion to other units would be easy to fit.
We shall have to see how this project pans out but the omens are good. The ruleset can be downloaded for free and I have a hexed mat to trial a proper game on the weekend. As always happens, the madness consumed me and I’m considering a 28mm version on a six inch hex. Madness I know….
If you have any experience with playing Memoir 44 I’d love your thoughts? I do feel better now that my ww2 collection is once again being used. The club has dealt with playing cards, will they take to coloured dice? We shall see…
Despertaferres 
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