Field of Battle

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Field of Battle, Designed by Brent Oman and published by Piquet, Inc., the Field of Battle system stands as one of the most respected horse-and-musket wargaming frameworks of the modern tabletop era. Originating from the broader Piquet gaming philosophy, Field of Battle streamlined classic card-driven mechanics into a single, cohesive system that masterfully simulates command friction, the fog of war, and battle momentum without forcing players into exhaustive chart lookups or micromanagement. Across its three distinct iterations—from the original breakthrough 2006 release, through the refined 2011 second edition, to the polished 2020 third edition—the rulebook family has continually perfected its core sequence deck concept. By replacing rigid movement turns with dynamic card draws and initiative rolls, Field of Battle ensures that no two actions play out identically, offering a deeply atmospheric and unpredictable grand tactical experience that scales brilliantly for 6mm Seven Y...
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The King and His Fortresses

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The King and His Fortresses

By Grzegorz Podruczny (Original Publication: 2013/2015)

Bastions and Brickwork: Frederick’s Architecture of War

Introduction: The King and His Fortresses is a magnificent and highly specialised study by Grzegorz Podruczny that focuses on a frequently overlooked aspect of 18th-century conflict: the Prussian fortification system. While Frederick the Great is celebrated for his field battles, Podruczny demonstrates that the King was equally obsessed with the engineering of his strongholds. This volume provides a detailed analysis of the construction, design, and strategic role of fortresses like Schweidnitz, Neisse, and Glatz, which formed the rigid skeleton of Prussian Silesia.

The 6mm Connection: From a wargaming perspective, this book is a treasure trove for 6mm terrain builders. The scale of 6mm is uniquely suited to representing the sprawling geometric complexity of 18th-century star forts without overwhelming the tabletop. Podruczny’s technical drawings and site plans provide the perfect reference for creating accurate siege scenarios or "fortress-adjacent" battlefields. Understanding the layout of these works influences how I place my 3-gun artillery batteries when defending a fixed position, and the sheer scale of the Prussian engineering efforts justifies the use of overall commander stands to oversee these massive siege operations.

Historical Insight: The true "lightbulb moment" in this text is the revelation of how Frederick viewed fortresses not just as static defensive points, but as "offensive anchors." Podruczny explains how the King used these sites to store the vast quantities of grain and powder necessary for his rapid-strike campaigns. Learning about the specific vulnerabilities and the "active defence" strategies employed by the Prussian garrisons has significantly changed how I approach siege-style games; it turns the fortress from a passive obstacle into a living, breathing participant in the campaign.

Conclusion: The King and His Fortresses rounds out our understanding of the Seven Years' War by moving the focus away from the open field and into the trenches and ramparts. It is an essential volume for any wargamer who wants to understand the logistical and engineering genius that allowed Prussia to hold onto its conquests despite being surrounded by enemies. It adds a fascinating layer of masonry and mortar to the Third Silesian War project.

Rating: 5 out of 5 Muskets.

What do you think?

Have you read this volume? Let me know in the comments if you’ve used this research to inform your painting or game strategy!

Related project hubs for this period:
[The Silesian Wars 1740-1763 Project Hub]  |  [The Seven Years War 1756–1763 Project Hub]

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