No Paint Armies Primer

   I am a 68 year old gamer. My eyesight, even with magnification, and hand aren't what they used to be. Painting armies is no longer a pleasant part of my gaming hobby (was it ever ? ). I am also retired, which makes me cautious with my finances. But, I remember back to when I started in this hobby, when 54mm figures were imported and conveniently primed with black and white primers. In fact, they were probably used more in that state then when they were finally beautifully painted. "Get them on the table and let's play."  Yes, I have a very nice collection of painted 15mm figures for AWI, ECW, ACW, and DBA/Triumph!, as well as 25mm fantasy armies and smaller scale WW2 and Modern. But, you know, I still want to die with the most toys 8-) I'm retired and a widower, so I have time to expand my hobby interests. Hence, No Paint Armies (NPA). [Remember photos can be enlarged by clicking on them]
 

     I recently found some new Needlepoint plastic mesh in Gunmetal, Silver, Gold and Copper. Still haven't found gray or olive mesh for my No Paint Armies.  How to cut Needlepoint plastic mesh figures.

     No Paint Armies can also be made from repurposed Risk (tm) replacement parts, which can be found inexpensively on Ebay, at Goodwill stores, yard sales, or second hand stores.

 Risk (tm) 2003 replacement parts (above). Blue, Red, White, Green, Yellow/Gold, Dark gray. Tricornes and flags.

Risk (tm)1998 Replacement parts (above). Black, Blue, Red, Gray, Yellow, Green. Shakos and kneeling infantry.

   Quick and easy Napoleonic No Paint Armies. Red (British), Blue (French), White/light Gray (Austrians), Green (Russians), Black/Dark Gray (Prussians), Yellow/Gold (German states).

                   Testing various mounting methods for use with The Portable Wargame rules set.

    The 1998 Risk (tm) figures are approximately 10 mm and the 2003 figures are approximately 15 mm, while the Needlepoint mesh armies are approximately 6 mm. Both sets of Risk (tm) figures contain 40 infantry, 12 cavalry, and 8 artillery figures per color.

     Cost comparison: A Needlepoint mesh army costs under $1.00, and the best I've done so far for a Risk (tm) replacement army is $1.34 with free shipping (but on average around $2.00).

                   Risk(tm) is a trademark of Hasbro. I remember who paid me royalties  8-) 

NPA Triumph! at the Camel's House

The Battle of Gaugamela/Arbela using Triumph! rules and the No Paint Armies (NPA). Please click on the photos to enlarge.

 The earth shook as the armies approached. The gods were foretelling that this would be an unsettling battle for Alexander

 Darius chooses to challenge General Parmenion's cavalry with his skirmishers on the Macedonian left.

 Alexander only activates his forces in the center.

Alexander (purple/blue) defeats the Persian (red) spears on his right flank, while holding his position with his Companions. 

 Despite early losses, the Persians activate and fully engage in their center and right flank. 

The Persian's aggression is rewarded with the defeat of the Macedonian light foot (auxilia) by the Persian cavalry. The Macedonian right flank was threatened. Would Parmenion's cavalry hold ? However, as in history, Darius and his chariots evade to the rear.

 Alexander could wait no longer and he and his Compatriots press forward on their right flank, but with mixed results.

Alexander manages to solidify his left flank, though Parmenion's cavalry falls back. 

 Alexander and his Compatriots continue to press forward on the Macedonian right flank.

 Let the die decide. Another Persian spear is flanked and defeated as the Persian chariots fail to sustain traction against the Sarissa Phalanx..

 The Compatriots continue to move forward, but the rest of the Macedonian right flank stalls.

 The Macedonian center holds firm, while Parmenion's cavalry continues to fall back.

 Darius continues to evade while the Macedonian center solidifies.

 Success on Alexander's right wing 

 The Macedonian left wing holds firm.

 Alexander and the Compatriots, supported by their javelin cavalry seize their right flank and the battle.

A very hard fought victory for Alexander at "the Camel's House"

No Paint Armies take the table for the first time

Tonight's Battle of Gaugamela/Arbela will be using my needlepoint mesh No Paint Armies and using the Triumph! rules set played on an old canvas battlefield. Enjoy the photos. Remember, photos can be enlarged by clicking on them.  Battle report to follow in the next few days. 

                                             Alexander                                      Darius III

                                         Macedonian Sarissa Phalanx and supporting Auxiliary

Still looking for the rest 8-)

Battle of Hook's Farm with the Portable Wargame

Monday morning arrived rainy and raw. No morning walk today. The board was setup and the cup of tea was hot.

I prefer learning a new rules set with the help of my usual playing partner, Frank. Two heads are better than one, but I had committed to a solo practice game.   I would be using the "Two Kills Option". So here goes...  Please remember to click on the photo to see an enlarged view. 

     Initial deployment from Mr. Wells' Blue side.   Initial deployment, the Prince of Sciatica (red)

                                                             Turn 1 the Red army takes the church

 Turn 2 was Mr. Wells moving first

 Blue takes the farm and artillery sets up in designated positions

 Red would move first on turn 3

 Red's left flank would see the first fire. Blue was throwing a flurry of musket hits. 

 Red's cavalry on both flanks are forced to withdraw. Blue takes a casualty at the farm.

Red seizes the initiative in the center 

                      After several back and forth turns, Red loses his artillery at the church

 Red's reserve infantry moves into the church while the battle for the farm continues.

 Red continues to get poor results on his flanks

 The crucial battle for the farm goes well for Blue

 Red forces a retreat in the center, but fails to gain any other successes

Blue applies pressure on its right flank 

 Blue's cavalry routs the red cavalry.

Mr. Wells commands his blue troops to success up the hill toward the barn. 

 Red's exhaustion points reach 15

Blue continues to press its advantage. 

                                                            Victory for H.G. Wells' Blue army.

It was a great way to spend a rainy Monday morning. I know the rules better now, than before.  I could tell the moments when the battle was turning and recognized important dice rolls. Trying to work through the rules solo and to do it while trying to document it was a bit crazy. I am looking forward to playing this scenario again solo (without annotating and taking photos) and with my friend Frank. "The Portable Wargame" and it's companion "Developing the Portable Wargame" are a simple, fun and unique set of rules that are expandable to multiple eras. They are both available on Amazon as inexpensive downloads for your Kindle app.