Gaming for the 2nd Half of 2019

As I was looking at my Hobby Activities for the Year (See Below), I noticed that so far in 2019 I have played the largest number of different rule sets than any other year I've been in the hobby - by far.

It just seems that I have been willing to go out on a limb and try new things (such as Star Wars ver 2, Warlords of Erehwon, and GW Kill Team).  More so, it seems, then ever.  I'm not really sure why this is, it just seems to all be piling up this year.

And I don't think that the trend will be slowing down either.  Right now I am planning to play in a game of 'Fistful of Lead' later this month (I'm painting up some US Cavalry and Plains Infantry, complete with Gatling Gun for that game!).  I also have planned to try a game of Black Ops from Osprey War-games sometimes later this summer.  And right now I am reading another set of rules from Osprey, Rebels and Patriots, that I want to try out for that all elusive 'great' rules set for my War of 1812 skirmishes.

So many games, so little time!  I really want to settle on a rules that I enjoy playing and that I have enough painted minis to do effective games and/or campaigns.  There will always be one off games like the Fistful of Lead at my local hobby store, but I am talking about rules that I play enough to get comfortable with, or that I 'work harder' at so I can become somewhat proficient.  I don't ever want to 'work' on game system to be a competitive player, but I would like to develop a feel for some game systems so I can game master a game or campaign and be do a pretty good job.

Right now I think that is the following games in the indicated period:

Napoleonics
Volley & Bayonet Wing Scale
Napoleon's Rules of War

War of 1812
Volley & Bayonet Wing Scale (Ed's Edits) - For battles
Rebels and Patriots - For skirmishes

WWII
Cruel Seas - Naval
Blood Red Skies - Air
Bolt Action - Skirmishes

Modern
???

Sci Fi and Fantasy
X-Wing ver 2
GW Kill Team
Warlords of Erehwon

Ten sets of rules plus at least one for modern gaming!  Too many, I think.  But these are all rules that I have tried out and I really have enjoyed each one of them for their own reasons.  I think that I will have to consider them one-by-one and pair out the ones that I really don't want to play on a regular basis.

I have figures for most, if not all, of them so painting isn't really an issue - just have to finish off lead that I already have as I go along and then get stuff out to the table.  Terrain is also not an issue as I have all types of terrain already made for all of the scales of figures that I have and for all of the time periods and settings (Europe, N. America, etc.).

I will update the blog as I play through these.

Warlords of Erehwon

Here are some pics of recent battles I have participated in from the new (for me at least) Warlords of Erehwon.  I have an Elven Army that I have fought through 7 battles now and I have both won and lost with it.  I really enjoy the game system - even if my sucky dice make it more than a challenge sometimes.  One example is that I have, while attempting to cast spells with my Mage, changed myself into a frog a total of four times in seven games.  Ask anyone who plays - that is a pretty high percentage!

My Elves are a pretty strong army and I have enjoyed putting the force together and have also enjoyed getting them on the table a fair number of times.

Now for the pics with some explanation of the force in the captions:

My Elves are at the top of this photo.  I have a small bolt thrower at the far right, what's left of my Guard in front of my Mounted Elven Lord, in front of my Mage (who miscast yet another spell), then continuing left to my Mounted Hero, an Elven Warrior Unit in front of a small unit of Archers.  My Giant Eagle in on the right of the photo taking the battle to my opponent's Gnoll force.

From bottom to top - Giant Eagle, Small Bolt Thrower, Guard with Long Spear, Mounted Lord with two Bodyguards, Mounted Hero, Archers, Mage with Bound Daemons, Warrior Unit

Giant Eagle (on the right) on the attack!  Besides my Allied Griffon the Eagle has been my singularly most effective battle unit.

My Mage stinks!  He has been since been replaced by another figure who has proven to be just as ineffective in providing support to my Army!  Looking for a third figure to take over the position!

As you might be able to discern from these photos, my force is made up almost exclusively of pre-painted Mage Knight and D&D figures.  I love the fact that I have spent about $200 on this game system (with Rules!) and I have two complete armies ready to put on the table. Can't ask for more than that.  I will get a few photos of my Undead Army on the blog in a future post.

Warlord of a New Game System

Recently I started playing a new Game System - Warlords of Erehwon - by Warlord Games.  It is really the first Magic, Fantasy type wargame that I have played.  I purchased the rule book on a whim when I realized that I might be able to outfit an army without any real painting and for well under $100!  As far as wargames these days, it was almost too good to be true!

Although I am short and hobbit-like portly, I chose the very tall and elegant Elven force for my base army.  The special rules for the Elves have a distinct French flavor.  Haughty Disdain, Longbows, Spangly Armor and did I mention Haughty Disdain?  The base force also includes a Giant Eagle which can be very helpful.  I really like the way the army plays on the table.  Sort of like the German SS in a WWII rules set - small units of very good troops with a lot of firepower!  Playing against Gordon's Orcs/Goblins/whatever is like trying to stop the Russian Horde on the Eastern Front!  It is quite a bit of fun.

I haven't taken many photos of the army yet.  And I don't have any of it in action, but here are a couple of photos of my heavy units - my Dragon riding hero and the Allied Griffon.  The Griffon has been involved in a couple of games and has done pretty well.  The Dragon hero has been too expensive to field in a game to date because our points list has been limited.  Looking forward to getting that rectified soon!

The Elven Hero mounted on a dragon.  The dragon is a nod to my sons, Marc Paul and Andrew as it is a figure they used to play with as kids.  A bit of nostalgia that makes me smile!

Another view.  The title of the hero is "No, No, No!" with a hearty figure wave!

The two units mounted on their flying bases.  Rare earth magnets are so cool!

This Elven force now has an enemy to fight as I have organized an Undead Army out yet more ready-painted figures in Gordon's toy bin!  I love these painted figures because you only have to do ~10 figures and you are ready to play a game!  Looking forward to the first clash between these armies.