How about a gridded PITS?
martin :)
Yes, I think this would be a great move!
Thanks Sean.
The side effect, for good or bad, is that I would tinker and streamline some bits.
1. Fighting.
2. Facing
The fun continues.
martin :)
I'm looking forward to the journey.
After playing PITS a few weeks ago, which IS a very good game, measuring felt like an anethema to me 😁
Martin hopes to have a playable play test version for the WWW
Stewart
That should be simple Stewart?
Stewart and I did the last version quite quickly, in preparation for an Historicon trip in 2012.
My initial thoughts are:-
1. One unit per square.
2. Usual 2 square templates.
3. 5x3 table
4. Retain force sizes and basing.
5. Retain patrol scenarios
martin :)
I would like keep the 6x4 table for cavalry manoeuvre around the scenery and enemy
I think units in column will require two squares to turn to face flank attack
Stewart
Quote from: Stewart 46A on April 25, 2025, 04:36:02 PMI would like keep the 6x4 table ...
Good luck with that one, Stewart :D
Simon
QuoteHow about a gridded PITS?
I'd vote for this
Don't worry Stewart, it has always been 5x 3 and will remain so.
It will probably be best to use a normally 6" gridded table. Most folk already have a 5x3 for other piggy games.
In PITS the table is used lengthways to give more travel distance.
The grid. 6 inches is wide enough for 4 bases (12cm) comfortably. Pushing to 5 bases would be uncomfortable because 6" = 5 bases.
This would limit units to 8 bases in two ranks, or 12 bases in 3 ranks (Dervishes?).
martin :)
Yes, PITS has always been 5x3.
Gridded PITS should be slightly easier (??) as the "skeleton" would remain the same.
Units in squares would have to have a definite direction and formation, rather than the usual plonking.
Scouts and guns would not need full square occupation.
Fights will probably become a pile of dice rather than base v base.
Same for shooting. Although jams still need to be there. This was an important aspect to Martini Henry armed foot.
Maybe add in:-
1. Unit leader qualities (similar to CK)
2. Train.
martin :)
This is all exciting isn't it?
Helpfully there is a full range for PITS ad several of us have the forces alraedy painted up.
Stewart, Sean,Big mike and martin. Any others??
We will form a play test group at some point.
martin :)
I started, and then stopped. This should give me the impetus to start on PITS once my current projects are completed :)
Simon
This sounds like a great idea. I have plenty of PITS forces ready to go. It is a great set of rules already, but everything can be improved with grids !!!
Nick
If this becomes a thing, I will get some Eygptians and finish off my Camel Corps.
I will put some ideas togther .
However, AK and TCR are still being finished.
martin :)
Although I have not looked into it but maybe the same idea of patrols works for other colonial fights.
NW frontier?
Don't know if the British did much patrolling v the Zulus ( a very short war (5 months) with not much occupation during the war).
Boers, not sure.
martin :)
I do like the idea of expanding the PITs world a bit to include other Victorian "battles" ?
I need to get some more troops as I can use them for Sq Bashing 1919 ? Paint some up in Home Service Colours ? Especially if Martin was to make the "Spiked Helmet"? Please 🙏
Miles
I like the sound of a gridded Pits, but owing to financial constraints and painting time, I would go for Pits in the Wild West, and probably fiddle about introducing trains, stagecoaches and wagon trains. Already have plenty of hostiles and everything else.
I think this is my most eagerly awaited thing for the rest of the year.
Of course, AkK, Company Rules and the Napoleonic thing are on the list of eagerly awaited, but the emergence of the first version of gridded PITS will see joyous inging in the streets and probably a street party.
After that, character packs for Mexico and the Robin Hood game will be very much be welcomed in Stoke on Trent.
Gridded PITS will be a great project. Many of us have armies and scenery so that all the playtest games will look nice.
The things that will remain the same
1.Table size (5x3)
2. Template size (12x 6)
3. Force size
4. Missions.
5. Concept of scouting
6. Period covered.Plus others??
martin :)
Yes please. Do you envisage keeping the scenery reveals?
MIke
Yes, the scenery reveals will remain. They are at the heart of the game I think.
The reason for the gridding is to speed up the game and make many of the mechanisms easier.
e.g. New scenery piece cannot be placed in proximity to scout or Anglo/Egyptian unit is easier than an exclusion distance with associated measuring.
Movement will be in squares. Possibly some D6 rolls for scouts and cavalry to proceed further?
Each square will probably only be allowed to contain just one unit. This will spread the game out. Allowance will be made for formation and supports etc so the other squares will matter and help.
Fights will be unit v unit rather than base v base.
Because each player will be using a single unit in a fight more detail about the parts of the unit can be included. This might mean deduction/addition for the current considerations such as rifle armed dervish or good NCO. Probably a hit and save roll method. Officers save better etc.
Jamming will still remain as a cumulative unit effect.
Ambush etc will remain.
The game will still be "choose a mission", "point up a force" (various types) travel longways down the table. i.e. 5 foot= 10 square distance.
The 5x3 cloth with 6" squares is probably owned by most players here (AK, Western,SCW,FM etc).
The random cards will remain although they might be modified.
martin :)
I'm delighted that you'll be keeping the essence of the rules as they are, while streamlining mechanisms and adding more flavour, Martin.
Sounds like a winning combination?
Simon
Yes, my anticipation is having to kept in check...but it's all very exciting.
Have I mentioned the new book by Peter Hart on the Sudan campaign? I think it's a few oosts down from this one. I've just finished it and it's very good.
It will be sunny side up.
martin :)