What's the definition of Wargaming?

[tetsujin28]

I go with more tactical combat then role playing. People who use terrain and minis to game for example.

A vast number of rpers use terrain and minis when they game. Are they not roleplaying?

 

[tetsujin28]

Guess I and the 20 or so people I game with are just anomalies.

Oh well, it's still the best fun I've ever had outside of traveling the world.

Actually, you're the norm. People who post here and at other boards are the exception.

 

[TheAuldGrump]

Wargames don't have plots. It's as easy as that.

Errr, no. Any good wargame has a plot.

Roleplaying may take a back seat, but a plot is part of what makes the game believable. Hunt for Red October started as a wargame for example. Wargaming is all about tactics and strategy.

I try to balance wargaming and roleplaying, since I like both. Sometimes I think I would give my back teeth for a good wargamer in the group, decent roleplayers seem more common. I hate having to try not to win. Too often each party member does what seems best for his character rather than what is most effective. Wizards who protect themselves even though they are nowhere near the combat, priests who cast Sanctuary, then wait until the combat is over before healing anybody. Rogues who hide in the shadows, but don't take advantage of Sneak Attack.... My current group isn't bad on that though. Perhaps a little too incautious, but not completely self centered either.

The Auld Grump

*EDIT* Added a frownie face...

 

[Henry]

I try to balance wargaming and roleplaying, since I like both. Sometimes I think I would give my back teeth for a good wargamer in the group, decent roleplayers seem more common. I hate having to try not to win.

The quote in my sig "I'm amazed some people have characters who ever 'made it to first level' " comes from a member of the forums here (Arcady) who lamented once that so many of the players he's met have such a minimal grasp of tactics that combats they fought were harder than they should have been. I've found that at times, myself, but I've found in my area better tacticians than in-depth roleplayers. It's all about what someone comes to the table for, and while I don't try to enforce tactics on people, I do put a small bit of it into the game to challenge my players when I can. They rise to the occasion pretty well.

 

[hong]

Wargaming: painting your female mini's underwear.
Roleplaying: wearing your female PC's underwear.

Come ON, people.

 

[TheAuldGrump]

The quote in my sig "I'm amazed some people have characters who ever 'made it to first level' " comes from a member of the forums here (Arcady) who lamented once that so many of the players he's met have such a minimal grasp of tactics that combats they fought were harder than they should have been. I've found that at times, myself, but I've found in my area better tacticians than in-depth roleplayers. It's all about what someone comes to the table for, and while I don't try to enforce tactics on people, I do put a small bit of it into the game to challenge my players when I can. They rise to the occasion pretty well.

Somewhere on these forums is a description of what happened when three of my old players and I tested out Admamant's Corsair supplement. In two games of three ships on three ships I didn't lose a single vessel while they lost everything... Mostly through cowardice. Even when they had the wind guage they lost. Each tried to protect their own vessel, and I was able to destroy them one ship at a time. And I am not that good of a wargamer. The first time it was kind of fun, the second, where they had the advantage, it was annoying.

The first they ended up pinned in the windward of an island, the second they relied on their sternchasers, while I was using alternating forward batteries. If they had come about and waited they could have opened with a full broadside from all three ships while I was line astern, then rolled fire on my damaged fleet. Instead they ran away, relying on battle sail and stern plinkers while I was on half sails and catching them up while firing. One of these players was in the Army for two terms... He should have known better.

The Auld Grump

 

[Crothian]

A vast number of rpers use terrain and minis when they game. Are they not roleplaying?

war gaming and role playing are not mutually exclusive.

 

[Lasher Dragon]

Wargaming: painting your female mini's underwear.
Roleplaying: wearing your female PC's underwear.

Come ON, people.

LMAO I guess I am a wargaming roleplayer then!

 

[francisca]

Lasher Dragon, can I ask why you are trying to pigeon hole your style of play? Both Wargaming and Roleplaying are fun. I like both, in varying degrees, and I think many others are the same way. Most of my gamenights tend to be varying mixtures of roleplay and tactical combat, with the mixture varying from session to session.

Edit: this link provides a history of wargaming: http://www.hmgs.org/history.htm

 

[Khayman]

Wargaming: painting your female mini's underwear.
Roleplaying: wearing your female PC's underwear.

Come ON, people.

LOL --- I think I just LARPed all over myself.