The new Pike and Plunder campaign using version 2 is all set and ready to go. The format of the campaign is going to be a little different from last time. I have recruited four players from the Yahoo Piquet Group to play the heads of state by email. The battles will be fought at my place, using my collection of 16C figures, by the Ilkley Lads (we will be using a 'side bet' victory points league to keep it competitive).
The email players are:
Pete - France
Colin - Spain
Al - Venice
Jason - Papal State
As you can see from the above picture the board is ready for initial deployments. The map was printed from the A4 version as a nine page poster (not doable with Mac apparently) enlarging it to 34" x 22". The map was taped together and put behind a sheet of perspex on a 'notice board'. This is a great tip for anyone using the large paper maps supplied with most military boardgames these days - it keeps the map free from wear and coffee mug stains, and allows counters to be slid around easily.
I will not be using the counters that come with the game. I prefer to use bits and pieces from my 'counter box'. I've been collecting these bits an pieces for years and can rustle up counters for almost anything. For this game they comprise:
Painted 'chequers' with round sticky labels (in the centre) for armies.
'Skittle men' for agents.
Poker chips for florins (yellow = 20, red = 10, blue = 5, white = 1).
Big tiddly winks for possession markers (red, blue, yellow, green).
Small tiddly winks for the trackers(red, blue, yellow, green).
Black and white tiddly winks with numbers on for improved fortification and siege markers, etc.
Small plastic gold coins (from a broken Las Vegas fridge magnet) for 'paid' markers.
Small plastic chequers with crowns on (red and black) from a couple of Christmas cracker draughts games for influence chips.
Cigar boxes, clearly labeled, have been sorted to keep the players markers and Ruse De Guerre cards in. Lastly all the Pike and Plunder playing cards have been cut out and placed in card sleeves for easy shuffling.
All set and ready to go. I cannot wait for the off! I'll keep you all informed of progress in the campaign here and on the Pike and Plunder blog site with card by card, phase by phase, blow by blow, accounts; detailing how the game is played along the way.
The rules, maps and counters are still available as a down load here:
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