PITS inclusion

[martin goddard]

We were chatting last night about PITS gridded.

PITS is very much centred on the Sudan campaign.
PITS is not a generic set of the all too common "line up the natives and shoot lumps out of them" colonial rules.

I am thinking that with amendments PITS can cover patrols on the north west frontier and possibly south Africa. I don't think it suits Zulu war or Opium war.  Possibly Indian mutiny.

I mention the wars which would be popular with gamers.

Your thoughts?

martin

[Leman (Andy)]

Well I'm still intending to use it for US cavalry patrols in the Old West. Still hoping to be able to use them, or possibly Hey You in the Jail, for more civilian small scale stuff in the West. Wagon train might also suit adapting of Pits.

[John Watson]

Expanding it sounds good. The main reason it doesn't apply to the Zulu Wars is because the British high command were incompetent and did not think to use patrols for intelligence. I'd be inclined to use Redcoats and Zulus.
John

[Moggy]

I would be inclined to think that PITS would work well for the Zulu War.  Patrols would have still gone out for various reasons. Just because they had incompetent leadership that failed to believe or accept any view contrary to their own is irrelevant.

The game centers around an a-symetrical system of weaponry and combat doctrines.  Do numbers counter better weaponry?  Sometimes!

Derek

[martin goddard]

PITS inclusion might need some more figures. I don't think I would make the Sudan range cover all the potential figures due to other sculpt commitments.
The ones that could/might be done would be NW frontier as the figures needed are less varied. Pathans?

https://www.wargamesfoundry.com/collections/the-north-west-frontier-1880-1908 this is a good  sticky for the NW frontier.


martin

[martin goddard]

Maybe there is a film about "The northwest frontier"?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gN2fg4XC0Wg   found it!

martin

[JohnWyatt]

Many years since I last played PITS but it was always enjoyable (main reason for stopping was a house move = reduction in figure collection, and the Sudan figures got culled).

The basic idea was an excellent one which could be adapted to umpteen historical periods. My only small reservation would be around extending the historical period without diluting the period flavour. I'm almost thinking in terms of a modular approach based on a common set of core rules + a supplement or expansion for each period. Less work in the short term, but runs the risk of retrospective amendment to the core rules in the light of new research. Only a thought.

[Smiley Miley 66]

NW frontier would be good ?
I think like Andy that it would be good for some Western US Cavalry patrols and other Western applications?
The time periods aren't too far out to each other ?
Obviously the " Cards" would have different text on them apporate to the Enemy!
A lot of us have Western Armies to match the PP Western rules
Miles

[John Watson]

Derek, the incompetence was not that higher command did not believe reports from patrols but more that they didn't send out patrols. Lord Chelmsford seems to think they were unnecessary. History and the Zulus proved him wrong.
John

[Nick]

I'm happy with PITS just for the Sudan to be honest.

regards,
Nick

[Sean Clark]

Whilst I do like the idea of branching out...I am also committed to the Sudan and think there are enough scenarios to keep me happy with Gordon in Khartoum.

North West Frontier Pathans and Indian Mutiny are two areas I would like to see however!

[martin goddard]

Thanks for the replies.

martin

[Leman (Andy)]

I'm happy with PITS just for the Sudan to be honest.

Which is great, but I don't have any Sudan figures at all, although I like the way the rules appear to play, and I do have Western figures already. If I was 20 years younger, I'd shell out on Sudan figures and spend a couple of years or so painting them, but I already have plenty to keep me going for at least 10 years. As that will take me to 82, then I'm never going to have the time to relieve Gordon.

[Big Mike]

I have sourced a starter army of Boer fighters using the existing PP ACW and Western ranges, including wagons and cattle. Now I have a reason to get hem painted
Looking forward to the forthcoming play testing.
Mike 

[martin goddard]

I think the gridded pits will be quite quick and easy (?)

Here are some ideas on each rule section.

PITS is 1 to 1 in a similar way to PBI.

1. Fights
One big handful of D6 instead of individual outcomes.
Players place hits on their own men as per many RFCM rules. Saves.

2. Scouting
Similar to present.

3. Movement
By the square/by the unit.
Possibly using a 2D6 success to move. e.g.6,7,8,9,10,11,12 = another move. This should not be too tricky, because each player only has about 5 units.
Variations to the 2D6 score based on scenery, formation, proximity to scenery, own/opponent  units proximity and troop type. Not the same as  VIETNAM.


4. Formation
Units will need to face one of the four directions and be in specific formations  (no square- too few men).
Possibly move priority, fight priority   or shoot priority.

5. Shooting
D6 handful total based on formation ,weapon etc.
Jams etc still there.

6.Game length
Possibly a version of TCR? One lap, two laps etc. OR chase.

7. Cards
Retained  with some reviewing.


martin