Cry
Havoc is a classic hex and counter skirmish wargame set in the medieval
period. I won’t repeat a full description here, rather I shall point
you in the direction of these two websites which are full of useful
information:
In
essence it is a great little game, which , while fairly simple (or
should that be archaic) in how it plays, has a ton of character. This is
provided in no small part by the detailed pictures on all the counters
and the provision of at least two for each character, showing unwounded,
wounded, stunned and dead statuses for each. This use of both sides of
the counters extends to all living creatures in the game, so pack mules,
oxen, cart horses and so on have a healthy and dead side too...
The
boards are large, varied (if you have other sets in the series) and
attractively painted. I’m a bit vague on the reasoning behind choosing a
yellow background rather than green, but this is a minor quibble.
So why this blog? Well, despite extolling the virtues of the multiple counters mere sentences ago, I
have to say it is a little inconvenient having to sort them out and get
them organised before a game and I have often wondered about using 15mm
figures instead. There is something appealing about taking the 2D image
of a knight and turning it into a nicely painted 3D model and it really
is a testament to the art work that it inspires in such a way.
And
that it exactly what I intend to do. Taking the colour schemes and
general appearance of the characters on the counters, I intend to paint a
15mm replica of each one from the game, and hopefully the expansions
also. I will blog on my progress and also report on the scenarios as I
play them. The scenarios will form the structure for my efforts and I
will choose them in such a way that my painting is minimal between each
one, as I add the few new characters required each time. I hope that way
my motivation will remain.
I hope you find this project as interesting as I do and decide to follow me on this journey!
Looking forward to how you tackle this - Cry Havoc is a longtime favourite of mine.
ReplyDeleteOn Cry Havoc Fan there's an interview with the artist of the game, Gary Chalk, who says they chose yellow because green (like grass) would have looked dull and yellow lent itself to potential Crusade adaptions.
Thanks for your comment. Somehow I never realised, or perhaps forgot, that Gary Chalk created the artwork. Thanks for reminding me. Outremer was actually the first in the series that I played and I always thought the maps suited the Crusades more than Feudal Europe. Interesting to hear why. Seems I have not read Cry Havoc Fan as thoroughly as I thought!
DeleteI didn't Gary Chalk was also responsible for Battlecars. I spent many a happy hour playing both of these games. Good luck with the project.
ReplyDeleteRegards,
Matt
Thanks. Hopefully It will maintain momentum and I will be able to provide frequent and interesting updates!
DeleteHope your project goes well. Essex has nice miniatures
ReplyDeleteThanks very much. Do you know if Essex spearmen come with separate shields? It looks like they might from the pictures which would be great as I need spearmen without shields for this project.
DeleteThanks
Chris
About the essex miniatures. MID75 has static spearmen with no shield. MID73 has billmen who can can be converted easily into spearmen.
ReplyDeleteThanks for pointing those out. They certainly look like what I am after!
DeleteCheers
Chris