Time for Change

Campaigns Phases of Fifth 1813 Campaign

During the long, hot summer months we have to adjust our lifestyle and spend much more time at home.   This results in a big increase in time spent wargaming, and I often review the campaign and consider what I might change to improve it.   

This year I have started the review much earlier due to the very strict lock down regulations here in Spain.   Ten weeks ago the whole country was confined to their homes by law and only allowed to leave to do essential shopping or for a medical appointment.   This new law was strictly enforced by the police who would impose a fine of 600 euro for any breach of the new law.   Within one month half a million people had received such fines.    So it is not surprising that most of us accepted the new restrictions, however reluctantly.

The result was that I started my review much earlier than usual. 

There have been five stages of the 1813 campaign since it started in April 2009.  

Stage 1 – solo campaign April 2009 to October 2009

Stage 2 – PBEM campaign October 2009 to July 2013

Stage 3 – PBEM campaign July 2013 to March 2015

Stage 4 – PBEM campaign March 2015 to February 2016

Stage 5 – Solo campaign February 2016 to May 2020

The basic campaign is designed to produce interesting wargames, using all of my wargame armies and scenery in rotation, and has not changed at all throughout this period.   It was designed from the tabletop up, and the whole mapping system reflects this.

The campaign rules were written to support this concept, as were the wargame rules.   Both have been revised throughout this period, but changed little.   The basic rules provide the type of wargames we like to play and have stood the test of time.   The campaign has produced 312 battles to wargame.

The campaign is a full time operation requiring updating most days.   There is always a battle being fought on the wargames table.   So it is not surprising that it is a constantly changing project.   But only in minor detail.

Each review was to update a tired campaign to meet a new challenge.  With such a full on project it is not surprising that I usually run out of steam after two to four years.  

The current stage has lasted four years.   During that period we have played 21 phases, each a stand-alone mini campaign.   We have also fought 98 wargames.   There have been relatively few rule changes, either to the campaign or the wargame rules.   However it is becoming increasingly difficult to find a fresh approach to each new phase.   So I feel that it is time for Stage 6.