I think I am getting old….

 

While skimming around other blogs today I saw a review on a wild west miniature game. Then I noticed it was a “Warhammer Historical” game. I have always looked at the books but never got very serious simply because the population of players isn’t very high around here.

http://www.warhammer-historical.com

After skimming over the line of historicals, I find myself interested in the Gladiator and Wild West books. These have always been interesting parts of history for me outside the World Wars and Medieval times. I was tempted to rustle me up the Wild West books and give it a try.

Here is the blog I saw the review on:

http://anatolisgameroom.blogspot.com/2011/09/legends-of-old-west.html

I have manged to get copies of the books to start reading the game rules and such. The book layout is very nice with lots of artwork and
the rules seem simple enough. If you have ever played 40k or Fantasy you already understand some of the game already, at least the charts and concepts. If you have ever played Mordheim, Gorkamorka or Necromunda you have the other foot in the grave already to loving this game. The concepts are almost identical with some small changes so old players from any of those three systems will adapt VERY quickly.

My quick skim of the Internet found several 25-28-32mmmm models that would work and are priced better that GW’s stuff. The base cost for this hobby will be very low maybe $100-$200 tops and I can have several posse options. A player just wanting a single gang can get one together for about $20-$40 depending on what you want. Scenery can be as cheap or as expensive as you want. They have everything from paper scenery, precut wood kits and resin sets. The last two can get rather expensive quickly and I am going the cheaper route of building my own I think. What is nice again is your only using a 4x4 or 3x3 for most games.

So far, after looking around I am thinking an Outlaw gang (that can double as Comancheros with a few model swaps), Banditos, Lawmen and one other to start with. I have always had a soft spot for the Escher from Necromunda and may end up getting some female models to adapt to one posse or another. What is sad is this is just the tip of the types of groups you can play as the Frontier expansion allows you to play Texas Rangers, US Calvary and Infantry, Native American Tribes of all types and Buffalo Soldiers. The second book for the Alamo didn't excite me at first as it gets into larger scale fights but the back had a nice surprise for smaller games offering more new factions such as Mountain Men, Banditos and the Comancheros. One of the last books I have yet to get also has a Chinese Tong gang that sounds interesting.

What else is nice is that you can play campaign style games as well as one off games for something different in gaming. The scenarios are mission based and not like your standard shoot'em up 40k or hack-n-slash of Fantasy. I figure this is why I always enjoyed games like Necroumunda, Gorkamorka and Mordheim was because you had to think more and plan for the next game. In a standard 40k or Fantasy, you just put your crap out, finish and reset with the same army or change to a new one. In games like this, they get hurt, gain experience and can even die making it more dynamic.

This also takes me back to my childhood where I would watch old western series like the Lone Ranger and the Cisco Kid among other shows alongside great western movies that cast great actors like John "Duke" Wayne, Clint Eastwood, Charles Bronson, Lee Van Clease to name a few of the greats. The idea of playing a game in that time period could be interesting and worth a try.