Wings of War PBeM

[chequers]

Hi Everyone,

I will be starting another Wings of War PBem game soon, if there is anyone interested in joining in this game please contact me at markgibbons36@hotmail.com

Cheers

[SoldierSteve]

Please excuse my ignorance but what is a PBem?

[IRM]

Play by e-mail.

[The Blue Baron]

Email send.
:)

[SoldierSteve]

Play by e-mail.

OK, so how does that work then?

[chequers]

We use miniatures on a 6ft by 4ft board. You "fly" your plane by submitting your turn orders twice a week. Once the move is finished I send you turn photo's and details of any damage recieved. Its played much the same as the normal game, just with more players invloved.

[Jythier]

Stupid question... never mind...

[check6]

email sent, never done it before, but extra flying time can't be a bad thing :D

[The Blue Baron]

Welcome aboard, Jared! Which side will you be flying forß

[check6]

hmm..... lets have the allies

[The Blue Baron]

Hm...well...than it will be a honour for me to shoot you down. ;)

[check6]

aha, thats precisely what all my victims say :cool:

[check6]

actually, just found out, i will be flying an albatross for the germans, so we will not shoot each other this time(hopefully).

[The Blue Baron]

What a shame! It's so much more fun if you know who you shoot down... ;)

[Jythier]

I am apparently flying a German plane too... lots more rules than I'm used to, so wish me luck!

[Colmanspig]

I'm in Navarre's Nieuport !



Nous prenons moins de balles mais plus de fromage attaque ! attaque ! pour la France

[sparty]

Wish I could join you guys in the skies but I'd be a bad pilot right now due to work commitments. I'll let you guys shoot me out of the air on the next go around!

[ego]

I'm in flying a German Hannover. Never handeld that one before, though it should be fun!

Melde mich zum Dienst!

[The Blue Baron]

I'm in Navarre's Nieuport !



Nous prenons moins de balles mais plus de fromage attaque ! attaque ! pour la France

Looks like youn are the only WWA pilot flying for the Entente side...

[Colmanspig]

I'm out numbered!

[The Blue Baron]

I'm out numbered!

But with all the WWA pilots trying to shoot down your red Nieuport the rest of the game will be an easy victory for your side... ;)

[Colmanspig]

Red Red who said i was in red ? My plane is a different colour. May be its an early plane he flew. I only a single lewis gun :-(.

Do you know when we start ?

[The Blue Baron]

Not exactly. Mark wrote something about end of the month.

[ego]

Should depend on how fast the empty seats are taken.

[Colmanspig]

well we are all flying now!

[Colmanspig]

I'm right in the thick of it now! Given out three damage cards taken 1 . Although my guns jammed and my pilot got hurt. Which is bad combination.

did a very nice side slip to fire at close range on a Dr1, before they jammed .

[ego]

Ít is definitly fun!

[Johnnysolo]

Great game!! Hope to play again as I slowly acquire my own models for the game!

[Vigfus]

Second game I'm playing with Mark, excellent stuff. And the best thing is he's really ready to help out if you have any question. I imagine he's nailed to the computer desk with the camera taped around his head.

[Colmanspig]

Last turn downed that bomber after dishing out 10+ damage no bad for a B deck! I like flying a neuport.

I think his altitude rules work well.

[Wingman Fran]

Hoepfully we'll be on our way to downing those other two bombers! I must say for my first ever PBeM game this is very enjoyable. I'm going to keep an eye out and the next time Mark posts another game I'd definitely like a seat at the table, that is if evryone would have me back.

[The Blue Baron]

missed the last week but John flew my plane well. And now I am back in controll. So beware bomber chasing Nieuports and Spads! ;)

[Colmanspig]

Well there are two fighters right behind one of our flight. good chance of them getting on our tails, but the bombers have to be stopped! They are flying in concert turning at the same time and so on!
Our flight is not as well organsized!

[Colmanspig]

That concludes the air battle. what fun! How did every one do!

[check6]

I shot one aircraft down, and did 10-15 points of damage, got an iron cross. I was also shot down the second to last turn, I could have left before, but wheres the fun in that?

[HendersonDayton]

Mark, I think i will try to get in on the next one if you dont mind.

[HendersonDayton]

If it goes well, i may try to work with you on hosting your games at WINGS-PBeM.net

[chequers]

Hi Everyone,

I will starting another campaign at the beginning of June so any new pilots interested in taking part let me know?

[guzzoid]

Hi Everyone,

I will starting another campaign at the beginning of June so any new pilots interested in taking part let me know?

I'd be interested.

[Flying Officer Kyte]

I'm up for it. If you have room for me?
Rob.

[Dutchy]

I've signed up for the next game - probably flying a Spad. If all goes well, since this will be my first PBEM game, I feel confident I will make it to turn two. Looking forward to the experience. Dutchy

[Zeewulf]

i think you'll find the PBeM side of this game doesn't exist anymore, unless it's been changed since we were informed of it closing down ??

[Chisco]

Where I can read the PbeM version rules?

[Dutchy]

Chisco: You will have to get a set from Mark Gibbons. His email address is at the beginning of this thread. Dutchy

[Chisco]

I thought the rules were in any website, thanks Dutchy.

[Propjockey53]

Hi Mark, I have played in your games before and would love to play again. Great fun. Highly recommended.

[Brobin]

As Mark is no longer doing this, does anyone else want to take it up instead?

I would love to have a go at PBEM but am far to inexperienced to actually host one.

[Propjockey53]

Sorry to hear mark is not running this anymore. He did a great job and i for one appreciated it.....I do hope someone with more time available can get this up and running!!! Hint,,,Hint

[Gladius]

I would like to participate in the next game as well.

[Dutchy]

I would also like to join a new pbem group. Dutchy

[Brobin]

Would anyone be interested in a pbem game using simple rules, ie no altitude, if so I would be happy to set one up as a trial

[Dutchy]

I would be interested in playing. Dutchy

[Brobin]

I would really like to give PBEM a go as Tim and I can only keep playing each other for so long! As no one has been forthcoming I could set up a table in my garage and host a game. As this would be the first time it would have to use very simple rules - ie no altitude, be a straight forward dogfight and be limited to 8 planes. If this was a success I could then look to expand the rules, introduce senarios and increase the number of planes etc.

Planes available:

German

DR1
Albatros D.VA
Focker DVII
Roland CII

British

Camel
Snipe
SE5A
DH4

Anyone interested?

[Justin3.14]

For sure!! Count me in!

[Brobin]

Oh, better start getting everything ready then!

I will put together a set of rules / instructions for those that want to take part - So far we have 4 players

[KiltedWolf]

Count me in! I have always wanted to try a PBeM game -- and what better way than with our friends across the pond!

Cheers!

[CrackerJack]

I'd love to get into this mash up! Thanks for putting this together!

[Brobin]

OK we have the rules, we have 6 players signed up - All we need is 2 more players to get started - Anyone out there fancy a go?

[toddwf]

OK we have the rules, we have 6 players signed up - All we need is 2 more players to get started - Anyone out there fancy a go?
I'll jump in.

Todd

[Brobin]

That makes seven -Only one more to go and then we can start

[wargamer]

Count me in

[Brobin]

Thats it - We are up and running - Start positions can be seen in the albums section entitled PBEM

[KiltedWolf]

Tally ho!

[Justin3.14]

Banzai!!!!!!!!!
oops..
Tally Ho! wot wot

[Flying Officer Kyte]

Looks interesting to me chaps. I shall follow the game with interest.
Rob.

[Skullduggery]

Looks good can't wait to see you guys mix it up.

[Brobin]

Wow what a great mail morning - I received 2 packages in the post - Firstly the Pfalz D111 has arrived so we now have a full set of 8 minatures on the board, then the green cloth arrived so no more glare!

I have put a picture of the Pfalz in the album along with the Roland C11 which seems to have been missed out - Both show the new cloth.

Progress so far is that we have 4 sets of orders already in, just waiting for the other 4

[Justin3.14]

By the way gang! Give Reputation to Brobin for doing this!!

[Propjockey53]

I am still interested..so count me in!!

[Brobin]

I am still interested..so count me in!!

Hi Propjockey,

unfortunately the current game is full, but this is just a test game to ensure that I can get everything to work. I plan to run another one after this with more players which you will be welcome to join

[Bruce]

In the past 5 months I have run 3 PBeM games for my Gaming Group, and in 2010 I participated in 3 PBeM games run by others (1 by Chequers and 2 by Henderson).
My games have been 10 aircraft/player games; no altitude rules; modified PBeM rules as originally obtained from "Chequers" and "Henderson".
Nothing fancy but good photographs (1 photo for each manoeuvre); using a 4' X 4' game-board.

I am willing to be a Game Master for a "test" game (I have secure space, a reliable computer, a good camera, over 100 WW I aircraft, all the "stuff", and most importantly I am well organized) but I would want to see at least 2 others do it at the same time. We could then have 30 gamers playing 3 different boards (10 gamers on each board) using similar rules.

Who is willing to co-ordinate?

[Bruce]

Ooops. I see from reading a little further down the page that Bill has got his game (8 players) up and running already. Bravo Bill, and I second Justin's comment about Reputation "points" for Bill.

Any others who were not able to participate with Bill are free to join my game, and if any of those playing in Bill's game want to join my game you are free to do so. You would then be in a good position to compare notes.

The result could be an "Aide-memoire" and "Templates" to guide site members who are interested to running PBeM games.

At some point, should on-going interest be strong-enough, we might consider consolidating player scores/statistics. Henderson did this in 2010 but only got up to 3 games of data which just barely produced worthwhile "bragging-rights" for those who were able to participate in 2 or 3 of the games. By the way, "Henderson" ran 5 concurrent games each for 10 players; and he did this 3 times. Just as impresssive was "Chequers" who ran 3 games each with approximately 40 players and the games used modified altitude rules - luckily he was reminded that he has a family and is now retired from PBeM game mastering.

[Hamburger]

Yeah, I want to try it also.

[Brobin]

Progress Report

Things are moving on at a pace and we have already completed 2 full turns and are just about to do the third.

The situation is that we are playing a fighter sweep to clear the skies of any opposition - ie the side left standing wins.

So far we have 3 seperate dogfights developing - One between an Albatross DVa and an SE5a, One between a Camel and a Roland C11 (Whose back gun has just jammed!) and then a free for all between a Snipe, a DH4 and a DR1 and a Pfalz D111 - The snipe has just managed to fire a broadside at the Pfalz.

The current situation can be seen below:

http://www.wingsofwar.org/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=11801&d=1303553319

[Flying Officer Kyte]

Looks as if a nice little furball is about to develope. I will watch that little Pfalz with interest.
Rob.

[Justin3.14]

Don't think of it as I"m trying to shoot you down...
Think of it as, I'm trying to help you, help me achieve my objectives, by working togher we can achieve that....
(i'm studying for upper managment)
now stop weaving!

[Canuck]

...
Any others who were not able to participate with Bill are free to join my game, and if any of those playing in Bill's game want to join my game you are free to do so.
...


I'm in for your game Bruce. Sent you a PM. Central powers side for me. Let me know the area and if there is any choice in a/c.

[Propjockey53]

Hi Bruce...I would like to play WoW electronically...I have been saving electrons just to play in your game. Please contact me as to how I can join in.
Thanks,
JJ

[jhary]

One Question can some one join if he has no boxes at all.

[Cardinal]

If someone is running a PBeM I would love to join. I haven't PBeM'd before so couldn't run it, sorry.

[Bruce]

Sunday, 23 April 2011. OKAY, we have a "quorum", and I can still take 2 more players.
I have the following on my players list:
Propjockey53 (Jeff)
Skullduggery (Brian from Ohio)
Brobin (Bill from Hampshire, UK)
Hamburger (Charlie from Texas)
Paolo (Paolo from Italy)
Paul (in Toronto)
Gladius (Jim in Illinois)
Dutchy (Jerry in Knoxville, Tennessey)

I will contact each of you via personal message to obtain your E-mail addresses and to send you the PBeM game rules and starting scenario.

I have space for 2 more players.

Bruce from Ottawa

[Cardinal]

PM'd

[SuthSaxe]

Bruce

I am up for this if you still have a space.

Chris

[Brobin]

Progress Report - Turn 3

We have now completed our third turn and it looks as if everyone is heading South to join in the fun!

http://www.wingsofwar.org/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=11819&d=1303597755

[Brobin]

Progress Report - Turn 4

Things are brewing up - The Camel and the Pfalz have gone head to head at short range, only for the Pfalz's guns to jam!

The Roland C2 has been shot at by lots of people but is still flying and the Albatross DVa has finally got involved as well.

Unfortunatley the DR1 is heading away from the action, but I am certain he will be back.

http://www.wingsofwar.org/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=12036&d=1303911292

[Brobin]

Progress Report - Turn 5

Things have really started to come to life now -

We have had our first kill - The DH4 was shot at by the front guns of the Roland and promptly exploded!

Also the Albatross DVa has got on the tail of the SE5a and caused it to start smoking.

The Snipe had a really good angle on the Pfalz but its guns jammed before it could do any damage.

http://www.wingsofwar.org/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=12414&d=1304369452

[Bruce]

Looks great Bill. The Allies are in big trouble; the DH-4 was a tragic loss. Did both aircrew die?

I will try again to figure-out how to post a photo; if I'm successful, I'll follow your lead in posting photos of our every-man-for-himself dogfight PBeM game.
As you know, we are just starting Turn #2.

[Flying Officer Kyte]

I have to admit that I am finding this really interesting to follow. I never get time to chart every turn in our games. Even when i intend to do so, I get so involved in the action that moves inevitably get missed. This is developing very well. I'm looking forward to the next installment.
Rob.

[Brobin]

Turn 6 Progress Report

The Camel got caught in a cross fire from the Pfalz and the back gun of the Roland and received so much damage that it went down.

The offical report (Critical Damage Card) is that the struts were shot away and so the wings folded and it went down like a badly folded copy of the London Times.

http://www.wingsofwar.org/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=12481&d=1304607301

Here is the situation at the end of turn 6:

http://www.wingsofwar.org/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=12479&d=1304607280

The SE5a is still smoking, the Roland's front gun has jammed and the Snipe is dancing around and proving very difficult to hit.

[Brobin]

Hi Bruce,

Yes both aircrew as listed as KIA - Eye witness reports (Critical Damage Deck) reported that the ammo magazine exploded and a series of detonations shreded both the cockpit and both crew!

[Bruce]

" ..... down like a badly folded copy of the London Times" How graphic is this! Whomever wrote the prose, they ought to be a writer.
The Snipe and the SE5a have an uphill road to contain those German fighters.
Bruce

[Flying Officer Kyte]

Looks as if the Central Powers are starting to get on top. Let's just hope that it has cost them dear in points. I've seen before what an undamaged Snipe can do to planes low on points, unfortunately the Snipe was not mine.
Rob.

[Brobin]

Yes time will tell, both sides have taken damage although the arrival of a brand new Spad X111 has given the allies a boost. I think the next couple of moves could prove decisive in this battel for air supremacy.

[Brobin]

Turn 7 - Progress Report

Well no more planes have gone down but we have had plenty of events!

The Snipe got itself into a bit of a pickle with 3 German planes surrounding it - After some fancy moves, however, it has managed to escape.

The Roland has gone after the Spad only to have both its front and rear gun jam!!

Finally the SE5a has caught the Albatros in a short range broadside.

http://www.wingsofwar.org/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=12828&d=1304943729

[Flying Officer Kyte]

Looks as if all the aircraft have the scope to pull some very clever stunts from the positions that they now occupy. I'm glad that I'm not flying into that furball.
Rob.

[Bruce]

I like the markers showing where aircraft were shot-down; one British and one French.

I will add them on my game board too.

My game, a PBeM every-man-for-himself dogfight, is progressing well too; we are just making the 4th Turn as I write this note.
I have still not figured-out how to post photos. The last time that I tried I actually created an album on the site but then couldn't get any photos to up-load into the album.
My son may drop-over in the next few days; I'll ask him to try to figure it out. If we are successful, I'll try to keep everybody informed of how the game is going.

Bill and I are co-ordinating our efforts, and we are collecting ideas for the "Standard PBeM Rules" and "Standard PBeM Scoring System" as we go.

Back to real life; there's a flower bed that needs to be repositioned and my wife is the boss.

[Brobin]

Turn 8 Progress Report

Well we have lost yet another plane - In the very first movement phase of Turn 8 the SE5a and the DR1 went head to head at short range and the DR1 came off worst and went down:

http://www.wingsofwar.org/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=13092&d=1305139543

Evidently the fuel line was severed and he had to make a flaming crash landing.

The situation at the end of turn 8 looks like this:

http://www.wingsofwar.org/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=13093&d=1305139557

Looks like the odds have eavened up a bit although having an almost brand new Spad might just make all the difference to the allies.

[toddwf]

the DR1 came off worst and went down
Darn! The 1st of the German planes to go down. Sorry Manfred, I didn't quite live up to your legend.

Todd

[Flying Officer Kyte]

Things are certainly Hotting up here chaps. I am now trying to guess where the planes will move next. The outcome there was somewhat unexpected.
Rob.

[Brobin]

Things are certainly Hotting up here chaps. I am now trying to guess where the planes will move next. The outcome there was somewhat unexpected.
Rob.

Yes and as planes get shot down there is now more space to manover and pick your target!

[costampede]

When ever the next one starts, I would like to give it a try never done this before.

[Bruce]

Hi Tony. So far "brobin" (Bill) and I are running 2 test games involving 16 players. A couple of the players are playing in both games.
After these games are finished in approx 2-4 more weeks (it depends on how quickly the aircraft get shot down or flee the board), we intend to produce a draft set of PBeM "Standard Rules" and a "Guide-booklet" on how to run PBeM games.
At the same time as we are creating these two documents (which we will post on the WoW Aerodrome Site), we will likely run a second pair of test games to test PBeM games which include Altitude Rules.
I have made note of your name and will try to keep you informed of how we are progressing and if/when there is space in the next test games.

Whatever happens we will use this or a similar PBeM thread on the site to keep everybody who is interested informed.

Hope this helps.

[Propjockey53]

And Bruce is doing a darn fine job of running this game!!! Thanks...

[Brobin]

Turn 9 Progress Report

Well even more drama!

At the very beginning of Turn 9, the Roland and the Snipe went head to head at long range and the Roland drew the dreaded explosion card!

Acording to eye witness reports - The pilot tried some violent manovers to get out of the way of all the bullets, but in so doing the wings tore off and down it went

http://www.wingsofwar.org/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=13183&d=1305410708

The rest of the turn was un eventful with no one managing to get any shots off - Here is the final position:

http://www.wingsofwar.org/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=13182&d=1305410697

Obviously under the rules, G2 is now entitled to a replacement plane. This arrives at the beginning of Turn 10 and is a Fockker D.V11 - I think things are going to get really interesting now!

http://www.wingsofwar.org/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=13184&d=1305410717

http://www.wingsofwar.org/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=13185&d=1305410730

[Flying Officer Kyte]

Well as you say Bill things are really hotting up now. Bye the way, I must complement you on your smoke and flame marker, plus the sky background.
It all adds a dramatic effect to the photo.
Thanks again for keeping us up to date with the action.
Rob.

[Brobin]

Well as you say Bill things are really hotting up now. Bye the way, I must complement you on your smoke and flame marker, plus the sky background.
It all adds a dramatic effect to the photo.
Thanks again for keeping us up to date with the action.
Rob.

Hi Rob,

Thanks - I like to have a bit of fun between waiting for orders!

The Sky background is to hide the dreadful state of my garage!

I make them myself using my Oki printer which has a banner facility - The picture is just one off the internet.

My next idea is to look at the lighting when I take the photos so they are not so dark and after this game I am going to get my daughter (the artistic member of the family) to paint the game mat so it is more realistic.

As far as the game goes - As the result of 2 explosion cards, we now have 2 relativley fresh planes in the fray - One on each side with the rest having been there since the beginning. Time will tell just how much difference these new planes will make as at the moment it is very evenly matched.

Bill

[Justin3.14]

As to who may win...

If I may direct your attention to
100 Years War
The Seven Years War
Wars against Napoleon
Crimean War

It is obvious that God is on Britain's side and we will prevail against the dastardly hun...
etc

[Brobin]

As to who may win...

If I may direct your attention to
100 Years War
The Seven Years War
Wars against Napoleon
Crimean War

It is obvious that God is on Britain's side and we will prevail against the dastardly hun...
etc

Ah yes but every German Soldier during WW1 had:

"Gott mit uns" - Translates to "God with Us" inscribed on his belt buckle and so I beg to differ :-)

[Bruce]

Ah, the old belt buckle trick.
That'll do it everytime.
Bets are on the Germans to win.

[Flying Officer Kyte]

Ah, the old belt buckle trick.
That'll do it everytime.
Bets are on the Germans to win.

How does that work out if you have Uncle Sam on your belt buckle.
American cousins only may reply to this one!
Rob.

[Brobin]

Turn 10 Progress Report

After all the excitment of the last turn, this turn has been relativley unaventful - It is amazing how the loss of just 2 aircraft has given us much more space to work with.

Move 1 was very quite with all the planes manovering for space:

http://www.wingsofwar.org/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=13332&d=1305748911

The Spad has entered into the battle, taking a shot at the Albatros at long range, unfortunatley its guns jammed and then it managed to fly infront of the Albatros who shot at it at close range.

http://www.wingsofwar.org/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=13331&d=1305748898

The brand new shiny Focker DV11 is racing to get into the action but has yet to have any impact so it is still 3 vs 3 at this stage.

http://www.wingsofwar.org/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=13336&d=1305748953

[Flying Officer Kyte]

Thanks for the next heads up Bill. The DVII flown by Udet should make itself felt in the next turn. Then we should see some fireworks. That Circus tent striped machine is one of the very few that I have not got. Curses!
Rob.

[Brobin]

Thanks for the next heads up Bill. The DVII flown by Udet should make itself felt in the next turn. Then we should see some fireworks. That Circus tent striped machine is one of the very few that I have not got. Curses!
Rob.

Yes it cost me an absolute fortune on Ebay, but my son wanted one for his birthday, so what can you do?

[Brobin]

Turn 11 Progress Report

After a relativley quiet turn last time, Turn 11 has been full of drama!

First up the SE5a managed to get itself sandwiched between the Pfalz and the DVa. The Pfalz shot at short range and the DVa at long range. Almost immediately the DVa's guns jammed and the SE5a just seemed to shrug of the fire from the Pfalz. He then returned fire at the Pfalz with deadly accuracy and down it went!

Acording to the pilot of the SE5a, he saw his fire shatter the propeller of the Pfalz and then Shrapnel took off the top of the pilots head. The plane then climbed to a stall, did a wing over and spiraled to the ground, exploding on impact.

http://www.wingsofwar.org/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=13665&d=1306094862

http://www.wingsofwar.org/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=13671&d=1306094987

So the Germans are now down to two planes against 3.

The next move the Spad flew infont of the DVa, but as his guns were jammed he could only watch and curse his luck instead of delivering a deadly stream of fire at close range.

http://www.wingsofwar.org/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=13664&d=1306094839

Finaly the Snipe swooped on the DVa but over cooked it slightly and ended up overlapping and so could not fire. Yet again the DVII has yet to have any impact as he races to join in. If he does not get there soon I fear that the DVa could be in real trouble fighting 3 planes with his guns still jammed!

http://www.wingsofwar.org/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=13669&d=1306094949

[Flying Officer Kyte]

How exciting! It looks as if it will go down to the wire if the DVII can get his act together.:cool:
Rob.

[Bruce]

What a change of luck. Do ya think the D.Va pilot is thinking about his belt buckle now?

Fly little birdie, fly!!!

[Mike George]

Sure wish I could play! Looks like lots of fun!

[Brobin]

Sure wish I could play! Looks like lots of fun!

Hi Mike,

This is a test game which is near to the end, after this I will be recruiting for another game with more players and slightly different rules.

All the best

Bill

[costampede]

Cant wait for the new one to start, I'm ready to give it a try. :-)

[Bruce]

Bill and I will keep you our mailing lists for the next and future games.

Bruce, PBeM Ottawa

[Brobin]

Turn 12 - Progress Report

Another fairly quiet turn.

In the first movement the Snipe by way of an immelman managed to get on the tail of the DVa and shot at close range.

http://www.wingsofwar.org/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=13876&d=1306310665

He then managed to maintain this advantage into Move 2 and again shot at the DVa at close range with the +1 "Aim" modifier applying.

http://www.wingsofwar.org/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=13873&d=1306310621

This means that in 2 moves the DVa has drawn 4 "A" damage cards, the last 2 having a +1 modifier and yet he is still flying!

Finally, the Snipe has turned away but he still has the advantage over the DVa

http://www.wingsofwar.org/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=13877&d=1306310682

Elsewhere The DVII has yet to fire a shot, he got very close to doing so in move 2 but was just out of range by a few millimeters and the Spad is demonstrating that although very fast, it has the turning ability of a London bus as although turning hard for all 3 moves it has yet to re enter the fight.

[Flying Officer Kyte]

Interesting moves, and not so east to gauge the next phase.
Rob.

[Bruce]

4 X "A" damage cards with 2 cards being +1 damage (if damage is done) is a potential pile of hurt.
On average (1.6 damage points per "A" card) the Albatros would have taken 6.4 damage with perhaps +1.5 extra point. So, on average, 8 damage in one fell swoop. A potential OUCH!!!
But, some get lucky, and the Albatros is going to need a lot of luck because the Snipe is just as fast and much more manoeuvrable. Of course the Fokker may intervene and then we'd see a really fair fight assuming the pilots are pretty equal.

Great game Bill.

What statistics are you recording? In my test game I'm recording and scoring: 1) the number of damage cards for-and-against; 2) "Kills"; and 3) Who stays on the board for how long. There is no penalty for flying-off-the-board(FOB) but if you FOB then you can't improve your stats. The value to FOB is in preserving your aircrew and in not giving an opponent a "Kill". As you are aware, I'm using a point system to combine these 3 statistics into a single numeric score which enables me to rank the players and to "award" bragging rights. I copied this scoring system from Dan Henderson who ran an impressive WoW PBeM website and a good string of computer-enabled PBeM games in 2009 and 2010 before real-life intervened ...... and saved him from himself I suspect. I hope he reappears when the time is better for this "passion" - there is a time and a place for almost everything.

One of the really neat potentials of PBeM games is to collect and score player and named-aircrew data/performance. I wonder what statistics players think are most useful/valuable/interesting?

[Justin3.14]

That darned Candy Striper has been giving me grief for a few turns now... grrrrr.....
"Will no one rid me of this meddlesome hun?"

[tikkifriend]

Hi there any chance of another pilot joining in? forward me a link to your rules if you can please its lonly out over the trenches in France :clap:

[Bruce]

Hi Paul
Brobin (Bill) and I (Bruce) are completing 2 Test PBeM games in the next 3 weeks. The purpose of these two test games is to prepare a "standard" set of PBeM rules.
There is no website. When we have a set of "standard" PBeM rules we will ask this site to post them in the "Files" section. We also hope to write a short guidence document to help people who want to organize and run their own PBeM games.
So, please continue to watch this thread and to visit this site for new information. We will not forget that you are interested in playing PBeM games.

[tikkifriend]

Brilliant look forward to it

[Brobin]

Turn 13 Progress Report

Once again a pretty quiet turn with the only real excitment being that the DV11 finally got to fire its guns!

The first move saw everyone manovering for position

http://www.wingsofwar.org/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=13983&d=1306690002

Then in the second move the DV11 managed to get the SE5a in its sights and fire at long range

http://www.wingsofwar.org/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=13982&d=1306689992

The last move again saw nobody in range

http://www.wingsofwar.org/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=13984&d=1306690011

I think the next couple of turns will prove decisive as there must be some pretty shot up planes out there by now!

[Brobin]

Turn 14 Progress Report

Another fairly quiet turn, with the one highlight being that someone has finally fired at the DV11, even if it was only at long range!

http://www.wingsofwar.org/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=14037&d=1306956321

We ended up the turn with everyone having flown past each other and now facing away from each other - Immelman anyone?

http://www.wingsofwar.org/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=14035&d=1306956301

[Flying Officer Kyte]

Still looking as if a general furball could kick off. Thanks for the update Bill.
Rob.

[Elfving71]

Could be interested, but would like to follow a fre games ón the side ines.
Still to Green in the sky. J

[Brobin]

Turn 15 - Progress Report

Another one bites the dust!

The Spad and Snipe headed North to put some distance between themselves and the Axis planes, ready to come back once they have assessed the situation, leaving the SE5a to screen their move by charging in and taking them on on his own. Unfortunately he paid the price for this bravery as he was shot at first by the DV11 and then by the Albatross at short range. Even when his guns jammed he carried on his attack and was quite literally shot to pieces!

http://www.wingsofwar.org/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=14234&d=1307289312

Eye witness reports stated that:

The fuel tank exploded setting the pilots clothes on fire. The plane was then seen to tumble eratically for a few thousand feet before plunging straight into the ground creating a burning mass of wreckage

So now we are back at 2 V 2, and I only hope that the bravery of the SE5a pilot was not in vain and that his commerades in arms can take advantage of this selfless act

http://www.wingsofwar.org/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=14232&d=1307289286

[Flying Officer Kyte]

Puts atotally new complexion on things eh Bill. Let's hope that enough damage was inflicted to make the task of the remaining Allied aircraft a mere formality.
Rob.

[Brobin]

Puts atotally new complexion on things eh Bill. Let's hope that enough damage was inflicted to make the task of the remaining Allied aircraft a mere formality.
Rob.

It is interesting that the 2 explosion cards - One early on for the Allies and one a bit later for the Axis have made a huge difference in that both sides received a brand new, undamaged plane - The Spad for the Allies and the DV11 for the Axis - Both of which are still very much in the fight.

I think when we come to review the PBEM rules we might have to re think how we use the explosion card as it does seem to give quite an advantage.

[SuthSaxe]

... both sides received a brand new, undamaged plane ...

In Bruce's PBEM the replacement aircraft start with damage equal to the turn number. Quite an equalizer.

I have just flown my replacement plane off the board with a single damage point remaining. The game has been a blast and many thanks are due to Bruce for the huge amount of effort he has put into it.

[Cardinal]

In Bruce's PBEM the replacement aircraft start with damage equal to the turn number. Quite an equalizer.

I have just flown my replacement plane off the board with a single damage point remaining. The game has been a blast and many thanks are due to Bruce for the huge amount of effort he has put into it.

Noted, I am in Bruce's game and I got myself shot down, when I came back on with just under half health, it felt like the pressure was still on, cause it makes it so the one bad turn and your plane will be going down. I love it, I hope I will be allowed into the next game even with my piloting skills =P

[Brobin]

PBEM Game 1 is drawing to a close

As there are now only 2 planes left on the board, and both of these are replacement ones, it has been decided that it will "Get Dark" after the end of next turn which is turn 20 and both sides will dissengage.

After that I will publish the final kill table along with some other stats that I have collected.

Bruce and I will then compare notes and come up with a set of non altitude rules for PBEM, including a standard way of allocating points for players, damage for replacement planes etc.

After this I know that we are both very keen to try out a game that includes altitude and so will both be recruting test pilots very soon

[tikkifriend]

Hi Bill count me in on the next sortie please

[Tommy Z]

I'd be interested as well if you have room.

[Brobin]

Turn 20 Progress Report

Thats it the game has finished

As it was getting very dark and the pilots were struggling to see each other , they both waved good buy and head for their respective homes, thanking their lucky stars that they live to fight another day.

It only remains for me to thank everyone who took part in this test game – I have learnt a lot and hopefully they all enjoyed it?

The next stage is for Bruce and myself to put our heads together and come up with a unified set of rules for non altitude PBEM.

In the meantime here is the final kill table for the game:

Pilot Aerodrome Name ID Plane Kills Remaining Life

Bill Brobin G1 Pfalz D111 0.5 0
Tim G2 LFG / DV11 1.5 14
James Kiltedwolf G3 Albatros DVa 1 0
Todd Toddwf G4 DR1 0 0
Brad Crackerjack A1 Camel 0 0
Justin Justin3.14 A2 Snipe 1 3
Jerry Dutchy A3 Se5a 2 0
Al Wargamer A4 DH4 / Spad X111 1 11

So congratulations to Jerry who is the top scorer with 2 kills.

Overall the game was a draw between the 2 sides as neither managed to gain air supremacy.

[Flying Officer Kyte]

Thanks for all the work put into this game Bill. i found it most entertaining, and look forward to the next action. Well worthy of some Rep points.
Rob.

[Bruce]

Good on ya Bill. If you weren't already an experienced PBeM Game Master, you sure are now.
Take a break for a week or two and I'll send you my thoughts on the Non-altitude PBeM rules that we are commited to producing for the site's files.
My Test Game #2 was finished a couple of weeks ago as you know, but I still haven't figured-out how to post photos on the site.

At this time I'm thinking that I should be able to start our Test Game #3 or #4 (depending on when you get yours off the ground) the first week of August. It will be an Altitude-rules game as we discussed and I'll solicit players from our players from games #1 and 2 and this thread in the order they expressed interest. There should be a place for Wing Co. Kyte if he's still interested.

[Wolf]

Let me know when you start the next one?

[Flying Officer Kyte]

Good on ya Bill. If you weren't already an experienced PBeM Game Master, you sure are now.
Take a break for a week or two and I'll send you my thoughts on the Non-altitude PBeM rules that we are commited to producing for the site's files.
My Test Game #2 was finished a couple of weeks ago as you know, but I still haven't figured-out how to post photos on the site.

At this time I'm thinking that I should be able to start our Test Game #3 or #4 (depending on when you get yours off the ground) the first week of August. It will be an Altitude-rules game as we discussed and I'll solicit players from our players from games #1 and 2 and this thread in the order they expressed interest. There should be a place for Wing Co. Kyte if he's still interested.

I will certainly be up for it gents. However, i do not want to take a place from any other player. I am all for encouraging the new players to expand their experience, so will only play if you can't fill all the places otherwise.
Rob.

[Wolf]

That master of Pebm was Henderson, Matthew" <HendersonM@contechbridge.com>, I do not know if you can sill contact him there but the last address I have for him. He had the moves and graphics to go with it.

[Bruce]

I am just starting a 10-player PBeM game using altitude rules.
"Wolf" (above) was the last player to join; thanks.

The game starts on 08 Aug and will proceed at 2-3 Turns per week until 15 Turns have elapsed or until all of the original 10 AC have left the game board.
Each player gets one progressively more damaged replacement AC if his original AC is shot-down or is flown-off-board to save itself.

The PBeM Rules that I am using (Basic PBeM Rules plus PBeM Altitude Rules) have been developed by Bill (see posts by Bill above) and I using the work of several others who have run PBeM games over the past 2 years.
We are in the process of testing these rules (2 sets of rules - Non-altitude and Altitude). I think that they will be good enough to post on this site for others to use later this Fall.
In addition, I have begun writing a "Guideline for setting-up and running WoW PBeM games"; Bill and several other gamers who have run PBeM games will be asked to review and critique our work before submitting them to this site.

I'll try to keep you informed about the game and our efforts.
Bruce

[Bruce]

Update - 20 August 2011.
The Altitude-Rules PBeM game is at the start of Turn 5; we will have made 5 Turns in 2 weeks. The game ends at Turn 15 at the latest.
I am very lucky to have Mark Gibbons playing; Mark ran several excellent, very-large (20-40 player) PBeM altiude-rules games in the past 2 years. I have no idea how he managed it, and his Altitude-rules were more complex than the largely official rules that I am using. I hope that he is enjoying it and will provide well informed feedback and comments on the rules.

I have already formed some opinions but these may change as the game progresses:
1) not surprisingly using altitude-rules reduces the rate at which damage is done. There is significantly less shooting. A 15 Turn game may not be long enough to reach a reasonable win/lose conclusion.
2) there are more administrative and logistic details for the Game Master to look after than a non-altitude game; this adds to the Game Master's workload.
3) because there are more administrative and logistic details the chance of the Game Master making an error is increased, and the time required to back-track is much longer to the point where it may not be worth the time.
4) most players find that playing with altitude-rules takes quite a bit of getting used to; e.g. you must plan several Turns ahead in order to be at the correct ground-attack level (level 0 or 1) if you are at higher altitudes.
5) some players do not want the added mental complexity of altitude-rules even if there is a "lazy" pace to PBeM games (e.g. 2-3 Turns per week); it holds no value for them.
6) some players seem to really enjoy using altitude rules even if the damage rate is slower.
7 limiting an altitude-rules game to only 3 altitude levels seems to make good sense to me; this test game uses 5 levels and this may be making it too hard to do damage and therefore too long a game, but .......

That's it for now. I'd attach photos but I don't understand how to do this.

[Bestia]

*Puts his hand up for the next round* .... This looks like fun .. and the only way I`ll get a regular set of flying hours in at the the moment

[PaulW]

I am also willing to try this next time around.

[Moutik]

hi guys,
this seems awesome! if you can count me in on the next game :)

[Bruce]

Hi Adam, Paul W and Nicolas your names are now on the list of interested players.
We will contact you by an announcement on this thread and by PMs.

[Bestia]

YAY

[PaulW]

W00t!

[Moutik]

kk :) thanks. i m looking forward the next game :D

[IRM]

I'm interested if you're still recruiting pilots.

[Bruce]

Yupper Iain. Your name is in our "little book".
Same goes for the others on this thread who have already expressed interest.

I think that we'll get at least one new PBeM game started before Christmas, and if another few Game Masters come forward we can start more.
BUT, our priority (Bill and I) after this likey-the-last "test" game, is to finish the "standard" PBeM rules (Altitude and Non-Altitude) and ask Oberst Hajj to post them on an appropriate file.
Then we will see what we have time to do.
In my case, we (the Wilson Family and Friends Gaming Group) play face-to-face once a month from Mid-Oct to End-of-April (8 game-days), and I also run 3 OR 4 PBem games for the groups' diaspora during the same "winter" period.
So, no promises except that we'll use the list that this thread and out test games have generated before we make an "open" call.

[Mike George]

I know I said it once and I'll say it again I would be happy to play!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[IRM]

Cheers, Bruce.

[SeriouslyBoard]

Are rookies welcome in the skies?

[Bruce]

Hi back Mike and David. Gotcha on our list. No worries.
Rookies are great David; the best type of PBeM game to start-with is an "Every-pilot-for-himself-Dogfight".
Then, a "Teams' (Allies vs Germans) game without altitude rules.
Then, any form of altitude-rules PBeM game.

The key for new WoW PBeM gamers is to be available to play for a 6 week period; and to be reliable about submitting your manoeuvres.
If you are not reliable, your Game Master will not be happy about responding to your questions.
Also, having an on-line friend (another player) to bounce-questions-off-of is a good way to get answers rather than burden the Game Master.

But, even with a group of experienced WoW gamers, I usually get 1 or sometimes 2 questions each Turn but they are often "what if questions". Especially if the game involves ground targets that shoot-back, bombing and AA Guns.

A Game Master should ideally provide the players with the location of reference materials for most rules "stuff" outside the Official Basic Rules and also several pages of information related directly to his game.

[Bruce]

PBeM Game 5 starts on 26 Sep. I've got 10 players; all are from this thread.

It's a WoW Team Dogfight game (Germans VS Allies) set in Aug-Oct 1916. 2 Nieuport 17s and 3 Airco DH2s against 1 Fokker E.III, 2 Siemens-Schuckert D.Is and 2 Halberstadt D.IIIs. And, of course, each player gets a progessively more damaged replacement AC when his original AC leaves the board or is shot-down. This idea of giving each player a replacement AC (albeit a damaged one, keeps players in the game for much longer without giving them a playing advantage over most players who have managed to stay in thr game. I always hated getting shot-down on the 2nd or 3rd Turn and then having to twiddle my thumbs until the game finished (usually Turn 15).

I'll write updates as the game progresses; and perhaps I'll find somebody who can guide me in how to post photos.

[Propjockey53]

Count me in Bruce..
Jeff Jones
jlejones@coslink.net

[Skip Johnson]

Mark
Would Like to Play. I played a game on line with peter Sides before Either side

Skip Johnson
E-mail skipjohnson2@Gmail.com

[Mike George]

Hi would love to play a PBeM game! Sign me up please.

[Mike George]

Ho, that's right I'm playing already. Thanks Bruce