Frostgrave vs. Otherworlds Fantasy Skirmish

I have treated myself to both Frostgrave - Fantasy Wargames in the Frozen City and Otherworlds - Fantasy Skirmish books. I have given my views, or at least my initial views of Frostgrave here, but thought that a comparison between the two might be helpful to anyone who is thinking of buying one or both.

To begin with I have to praise both publishers for bringing out such beautifully produced and lavishly illustrated books, both are crammed full of illustrations and images of both figures and terrain. In this sense, I believe both to be equal and as eye candy alone, I would recommend the purchases of the two books.

Frostgave has a slightly more plush feel as being a padded hardback the book just oozes quality. Otherworlds Fantasy Skirmish more of the feel of an Olde Skool rulebook - even more than some of the later Dungeons and Dragons core books. As such the Otherworlds will appeal to the romantic or nostalgic gamer, it does to me.

Anyone familiar with any of the Osprey rule books will feel immediately at home with the layout of Frostgrave. The pages are very well laid out and as I have mentioned earlier, beautifully illustrated. This book is a real treat to browse through.

Otherworlds is slightly less impactful as the layout looks a little dated - this may have been a concious decision as I have read that the editors of the book wanted a look that harks back to those early D&D experiences, this is obviously evident by the homage cover artwork! I should also point out that Otherworlds is slightly larger at A4 and has a soft bound card cover.

The contents of both books follow a similar journey, with rules and charts laid out in a very traditional way. I found that both (at least in parts) needed careful reading and in some parts re-reading to fully understand the concepts and details although I never felt overwhelmed or seriously confused.

I have already written that I found both books a feast for the eyes, and therefore should not criticise either the layout or artwork. I think between the two I found that I keep going back to the Frostgrave book for image and illustration inspiration, while for facts and information the Otherworlds Fantasy skirmish book. They work well together.

The rules sections are where the games split. Frostgrave being Wizard led or Mordheim style skirmish with fast simple gaming - the sort that I would expect to move quickly and easily, maybe an evenings gaming with friends. Otherworlds slightly more of the feel of an early D&D or dungeon crawl game, again nothing wrong with this as as I read the rules and searched out different monsters, I was immediately transported to a time (very) very long ago when I was first introduced to role playing games. Because of this simple fact I would say that the Otherworlds Fantasy Skirmish rule book is better, Not because of the layout, images or rules but because of the 'feel'. I immediately felt at home with the style of writing and can best describe it as feeling like reading a gaming book/scenario that you would have found in a very early edition of White Dwarf. This book is all about bringing back memories and I feel succeeds well.

The mechanics of both games are so different that it is difficult to compare them directly and in truth other than throwing a couple of dice to test different reactions I have yet to play a game of either - I will therefore leave comments to other who have played the game/games.

My conclusions are a little mixed.

I love the look of both (yes I know I have gone on about this - but they are both beautiful books) and am glad that I took the plunge to buy them. I think for the layout, feel and illustrations I would go for Frostgrave (remember that I am still to play either ruleset) while for content and nostalgia it has to be the Otherworlds Fantasy Skirmish book.

Thank you to both editors, illustrators and publishers for both. I have really enjoyed reading both books and will continue to enjoy them for a very long time.

Tony

White Dwarf - a retrospective

Since Games Workshop decided to completely re-invent White Dwarf, I have not purchased a single copy but instead satisfied myself by looking back (through rose tinted glasses) at what I believe to be the Golden Age of White Dwarf or prior to the Lord of the Rings franchise (maybe even earlier). I realise that this makes me an Olde Foggie but I firmly believe that there was a period when I would eagerly await the release of the latest issue and hop down to W H Smiths (a retailer in the UK) and devour the contents from cover-to-cover (sometimes re-reading articles a number of times).

As I write I will freely admit to a bulging attic full of old White Dwarf magazines from single number copies through the 100 mark and onto the 200 and even later. Each of these issues a prized example which although I have threatened to get rid of, will I freely admit be leaving the house the same day I leave in a coffin.

So why am I so against the new WD?

I think it is that there are only odd articles or painting tutorials that interest me - the battle reports have all become same-as, same-as and I rarely even browse them never mind read them in depth.

Earlier today after a day-away in Cirencester, I picked up issue 337 from the Oxfam charity shop for just 50p. Issue 337 is an issue I completely missed the first time around and at 50p I thought it was a 'no brain-er' as I could always re-donate it when I had read it. I found that there was little to keep me interested and with the exception of a nine page Eavy Metal tutorial showing the construction and painting of Eltharion The Grim (High Elf on a Griffon sculpted by Ges Goodwin) little of real worth (at least to me).

On the one hand, it is fair to say, why am I bothered?

I think the answer is that with shelves full of modelling magazines (and in this I include model railway, model boats, aeroplane and tank magazines as well as figure painting and wargaming magazines) there is little that grabs me like those early White Dwarf magazines did. I have in the past written that a 'son of White Dwarf' or a figure painting, terrain construction magazine might very well appeal to me - maybe I am just grasping at straws and time has moved on, but I would be interested to know if I am alone in regretting the demise of Olde Skool White Dwarf?

I have in my wallet a £25.00 voucher for W H Smiths (a birthday present from my Mother) - even with this voucher I find it difficult to decide what or which of the many modelling magazines to spend this voucher on. A case of 'water, water everywhere, but not a drop to drink.'

Even as I write this I am aware that it is turning into a rant!

Sorry.

But I'm just asking where is the next White Dwarf Magazine coming from?

Actually I think I'm asking - Is it likely that there will ever be a magazine to rival the Olde Skool White Dwarf?

Answers on a post card to.....

Tony

Voie Libre - French language narrow gauge railway magazine

Voie Libre - A French language publication featuring Narrow Gauge Railways from Europe. I picked up 8 magazines for just £5.00 from a charity shop in Pershore, Worcestershire last month and have had great fun trying to read and understand the various articles. However it is possible to get an English translation leaflet (but where's the fun in that!)

The official Web page is now saying that the latest issues will be printed in English as well as French.

Each magazine has around 60 pages per issue and is full of both construction and layout articles. The images below show just some of the pages and what to expect. See this link for details.

Regular readers and followers will know I have a love of all things Narrow Gauge and even have a small layout (O-16.5 Industrial Diesel) so magazines like this are always going to appeal to me. The magazine is published and produced to a very high standard and includes layouts and articles that should be of interest to any modeller.

Tony

Shep Paine Model Maker and Historian has died

I have read on a number of forums that the military modeller and historian Shep Paine has passed away. Shep was one of the inspirational figures in my formative youth and has been a driving force in my own model making career.

I have a number of his books on my bookcase and will miss his simple and direct approach to building models and dioramas.

For details of his models go to this link.

I have also seen this tribute to him on youtube.

Tony

Flintloque Inspired Hovel - part two

The Painting.

I find it easier to start with the thatch and build-up this colour first. I started with a Mid Brown which was applied in two or three thinned coats.

The thatch is then highlighted with Snakebite Leather and Yellow.

However, I found the brownish thatch colour too brown and have re-painted it with more Yellow. I have also given the walls a basecoat of pale Grey.

In this image the walls have been painted or highlighted with Titanium White artists tube colour and the groundwork painted in my usual colour combination of a Snakebite Leather colour, highlighted by adding Skull White and washed with Sepia washes. The base has been further detailed by picking out various stones in Grey, highlighted White.

The next two images show the detail painting.

And then the base is flocked with dyed sawdust to match my gaming table.

As a final detail, I added some bills and posters to one wall. This is done by cutting up scraps of paper and adding pencil writing or cutting wine labels from the Waitrose Wine Guide. Once they are attached, I give then a very slight wash and finally varnish them with Matt Varnish.

Don't forget that the Wargame Book SALE is still running with both Building Wargame Terrain and More Wargame Terrain being reduced to just £15.00 (plus postage) until the end of August - or until copies run out).

Tony

Limited Stock of Building Wargame Terrain

As at today's date, I have just ONE* copy of the Dampfpanzerwagon Guide No. 1 - Building Wargame Terrain left.

If you are interested please get in touch quickly. Details of how to order at the reduced price of just £15.00 (plus postage) can be found here.

Dampfpanzerwagon Guide No. 2 - More Wargame Terrain is still available to buy.

Tony

* I actually have TWO copies, but I'm keeping one as a competition prize. Expect details later in the year.

Flintloque Inspired Hovel

It is two years since I started posting out copies of Dampfpanzerwagon Guide No.1 Building Wargame Terrain. Since then I have produced a second book More Wargame Terrain as well as numerous articles and Blog posts. I am offering both books at the discounted price of just £15.00 (plus postage and packaging) for the whole month of August. For details go to this post. Be aware that copies of Book One Building Wargame Terrain are running out quickly.....

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The terrain building post for August is this Flintloque Inspired Hovel.

The inspiration came from a similar building featured on an After Action Report. I saw the hovel and thought it was worth copying.

As with most of my scratch-builds, I started with a simple sketch.

Cardboard formers were cut from some scrap corrugated cardboard.

Then glued together with my Hot Glue gun.

I strengthened the corners with strips of torn paper and glued these in place with uPVA glue.

The basic texturing was done with DAS modelling clay, again added over uPVA glue.

I cut a base from some 3mm thick plastic card.

And glued the hovel in place with the Hot Glue gun. Note the thin card spacer under the building and the scrap of Blue Foam to the front.

I have always been a great admirer of a resin model company called SnapDragon*. Their trademark was a slight ripple in the wall, almost a ledge about 10mm high up the wall. I thought it would be good to copy this idea and this was done by applying some DAS modelling clay over uPVA glue.

The door was modelled from an off-cut of 3mm thick plastic card.

The thatched roof was built up in sections. I used DAS modelling clay.

The thatch continued to be built-up.

And built-up.

Detailing was made from DAS. Some flour sacks and a wall support.

I also added a metal cart wheel and a resin pot to the base.

I then added sieved stones and sand to the base.

Detailing was done with paper and small slivers of plastic rod applied over superglue.

In part two I will detail the painting of this Flintloque Hovel.

Both Wargame Terrain Books - Building Wargame Terrain and More Wargame Terrain are available for sale - at the reduced price of just £15.00 (plus postage and packaging). This offer will run until the end of August or until copies run out! For details go to this link.

Tony

* SnapDragon Resin buildings are no longer available, but can occasionally be picked up on e-bay or at wargame shows.