Today I was able to finish painting 6 more figures for my Falklands Game. The figures are for the SAS platoon in my game. The figures include a heavy machine gun to give the Brits some badly needed fire support. I have the last eight figures of the platoon primed so I can start painting them this week. I also flocked all figures and wounded markers, two bunkers, and the six figures I finished painting. At the same time I flocked the 28mm Westphalian Battalion that I have had off to the side of the table for the past several months. I got the first coat of paint on the hills that I am going to use for the game to end up the day.
All in all a really good day of production at the table! The Falklands game is coming along really well right now. I have all of the infantry painted that I really need. If I can get one more squad of SAS painted, that will be great but I don't know if I will be using them for the game night scenario.
The hills look very good and I think they will add quite a bit to the game set up. I am working on the "broken ground" terrain pieces next. I am using a new floral material from my local Michael's craft store. That will only leave me with the indirect fire/smoke markers left to make and the game will be ready. Once everything is ready I will take and post pictures.
Sunday, April 21, 2013
Saturday, April 13, 2013
Game Night Swashbuckler Game!
On Friday night I played in a Swashbuckler game hosted by my friend Ralph. It is a great game based on the 1980's Yaquinto Board game by the same name. Players plot their moves in six separate steps each turn. It is really interesting to plot out your move and then watch yourself slash away at air as your opponent does something totally unexpected! Actions in addition to swordplay (parry lunge, running lunge, etc.) include interesting things such as throwing chairs and mugs, jumping on tables, even swinging from the chandelier! Really an enjoyable way to to spend an evening with friends. Here are some photos of the game.
The guys who played included Gordon, Eric, Mike, AJ, Paul, Bob and Charlie. Here are the guys around the table.
Have to hand it to Charlie. Only one swordplay move during all three rounds we played and he ended up winning the entire game!!
Thanks Ralph. It was a great time.
The guys who played included Gordon, Eric, Mike, AJ, Paul, Bob and Charlie. Here are the guys around the table.
Have to hand it to Charlie. Only one swordplay move during all three rounds we played and he ended up winning the entire game!!
Thanks Ralph. It was a great time.
Monday, March 18, 2013
Getting Back Into the Game Mode
Like every gamer, I have been in a wargame low point for the past couple of months. Right now the creativity has returned and it is good to be back at the painting and gaming tables. A few weeks ago I played a Falklands skirmish game getting a scenario ready for an upcoming game night. Several members of our gaming club played the game and helped me evaluate the scenario. Overall they enjoyed the set-up and the rules played pretty well. I have made some rules changes based on their comments and added some troops to the OB's for both sides. I hope that we will have a chance to try the scenario again in the next three or four weeks so I can verify the changes before I put on the game in May. Stay tuned for more updates.
Friday, February 1, 2013
War at Sea Battle
I had an opportunity to host a War at Sea game at our club in January. The battle is a what if scenario with a small French fleet attempting to flee the Mediterranean and join the Allied cause. A combined German and Italian fleet and Air Force are attempting to prevent the French escape.
There are four distinct fleets engaged during the battle. The French are sailing from the NW corner of the board to the SE corner. The Italians are sailing from the NE corner and the Germans enter from the middle of the eastern edge of the table. The British enter on the second turn if the game at the SW corner of the board.
The opposing forces are relatively equal. The French have the Strasbourg and the Dunkerque as major units supported by three cruisers and three destroyers. The British have the battleship Prince of Wales, aircraft carrier Victorious and several cruisers. The Germans have the Prinz Eugen, two cruisers, three destroyers and a couple of U-boats. The Italians have the largest force with the battleship Roma as the main unit, along with the Gorizia and a couple of other cruisers. The Axis aircraft include Stuka dive bombers, Ju-88's, and Re-2201. The Allies have a few Brewster Buffaloes, and the aircraft on the Victorious (Swordfish and Martlett).
The object of the game is for the Allies is to get the majority of the French fleet off the board and the Axis must prevent them from doing so. Sund simple, not so on either count.
In this game the French proceeded down the Western edge of the board trying to link up as quickly as possible. The German player attempted to slow them down while the Italian fleet caught them from behind. The Italians did not do a very effective job of catching up with the French and the Allies stormed over the lighter German warships. The U-boats were ineffectual and the aircraft missed their mark in nearly every attack. The game ended due to time constraints, however, the issue was never really in doubt. The Germans lost all of their ships and the Italians lost the two cruisers who got close enough to the French to come under fire. The Allies did not lose any ships.
This game had a very experienced French player who figured out early that he had to join the British fleet as quickly as possible. The German and Italian players were no experienced and they tried to attack piecemeal. They paid dearly for their lack of cooperation.
This is the second time I have played this game and the outcome now stands at 1-1. I think I will run it at an upcoming war games convention in Maine.
There are four distinct fleets engaged during the battle. The French are sailing from the NW corner of the board to the SE corner. The Italians are sailing from the NE corner and the Germans enter from the middle of the eastern edge of the table. The British enter on the second turn if the game at the SW corner of the board.
The opposing forces are relatively equal. The French have the Strasbourg and the Dunkerque as major units supported by three cruisers and three destroyers. The British have the battleship Prince of Wales, aircraft carrier Victorious and several cruisers. The Germans have the Prinz Eugen, two cruisers, three destroyers and a couple of U-boats. The Italians have the largest force with the battleship Roma as the main unit, along with the Gorizia and a couple of other cruisers. The Axis aircraft include Stuka dive bombers, Ju-88's, and Re-2201. The Allies have a few Brewster Buffaloes, and the aircraft on the Victorious (Swordfish and Martlett).
The object of the game is for the Allies is to get the majority of the French fleet off the board and the Axis must prevent them from doing so. Sund simple, not so on either count.
In this game the French proceeded down the Western edge of the board trying to link up as quickly as possible. The German player attempted to slow them down while the Italian fleet caught them from behind. The Italians did not do a very effective job of catching up with the French and the Allies stormed over the lighter German warships. The U-boats were ineffectual and the aircraft missed their mark in nearly every attack. The game ended due to time constraints, however, the issue was never really in doubt. The Germans lost all of their ships and the Italians lost the two cruisers who got close enough to the French to come under fire. The Allies did not lose any ships.
This game had a very experienced French player who figured out early that he had to join the British fleet as quickly as possible. The German and Italian players were no experienced and they tried to attack piecemeal. They paid dearly for their lack of cooperation.
This is the second time I have played this game and the outcome now stands at 1-1. I think I will run it at an upcoming war games convention in Maine.
Tuesday, January 1, 2013
Game Activities for 2012 and 2013 Hobby Goals
Figures Painted
25-28mm - 40; 1 Pirate Ship; 1 Ship's Boat
20mm - 3
15mm -
6mm -
Games Played
Volley & Bayonet - 4+
Crossfire - 1
SPEARHEAD -
Other Rules - Brother Against Brother (3); Smalle Wars (1); Axis & Allies War at Sea (3); Men Under Fire (2); Russian Civil War (1)
Other
Terrain Pieces Completed - Hill for VnB Wing Scale 1812 Game (Thanks Gordon!)
Overall it was a very good year in the hobby arena! I am happy that I got to game at least once a month on average. Working on the Volley & Bayonet Wing Scale Rules set was really a good way to get through a difficult year.
I have some goals for the coming year. First, I would like to put on a kick-butt Game Day in October for all of my friends at the gaming club. Second, I would like to work on my 20mm Modern figures more and get them constructed/painted and organized. Third, I would like to play in and/or host at least twenty games this year.
The Game Day is going to be a Volley & Bayonet Wing Scale BIG game. I have just a few figures to add to the collection and the armies will be ready. I will need some help with the terrain for the gaming tables - but the guys in the club have some great terrain so that is not a problem. Now to work out the scenario and victory conditions. We will see what happens! Happy New Year!
25-28mm - 40; 1 Pirate Ship; 1 Ship's Boat
20mm - 3
15mm -
6mm -
Games Played
Volley & Bayonet - 4+
Crossfire - 1
SPEARHEAD -
Other Rules - Brother Against Brother (3); Smalle Wars (1); Axis & Allies War at Sea (3); Men Under Fire (2); Russian Civil War (1)
Other
Terrain Pieces Completed - Hill for VnB Wing Scale 1812 Game (Thanks Gordon!)
Overall it was a very good year in the hobby arena! I am happy that I got to game at least once a month on average. Working on the Volley & Bayonet Wing Scale Rules set was really a good way to get through a difficult year.
I have some goals for the coming year. First, I would like to put on a kick-butt Game Day in October for all of my friends at the gaming club. Second, I would like to work on my 20mm Modern figures more and get them constructed/painted and organized. Third, I would like to play in and/or host at least twenty games this year.
The Game Day is going to be a Volley & Bayonet Wing Scale BIG game. I have just a few figures to add to the collection and the armies will be ready. I will need some help with the terrain for the gaming tables - but the guys in the club have some great terrain so that is not a problem. Now to work out the scenario and victory conditions. We will see what happens! Happy New Year!
Last Game of 2012
The last wargame of 2012 was a War at Sea game with my son Andrew. I am trying out a scenario that I will be running at our club game night in a couple of weeks. I learned a lot by playing the game - like the power of aircraft in the game (again). I made a couple of modifications to the scenario and it should be good to go for the club. Thanks to Andrew for kicking my butt and showing me all of the things that needed to be changed to improve the game!
Sunday, December 30, 2012
Men Against Fire Game
I got to play in a great WWII Skirmish Game Friday night. It was hosted by my friend Ralph at our club monthly game night using the Men Against Fire rules set by Frank Chadwick. Here are some photos of the game.
This is the armor and some of the infantry of the command I had in the game.
This is the town that was the objective of our attack.
The Germans' defense included a train which they could move if they were so inclined. It ended up to not play as significant a factor in our game because the American flank attack negated it to some extent. Here is a picture of the train.
Overall the terrain in this game is just outstanding, as are all of the games that Ralph hosts. Here are some other photos of the terrain before we set up the game.
This was a very fun game. We are still learning the rules, but they seem to have some real potential as the club staple for WWII skirmish. Thanks to Ralph for hosting a great game!
The Germans' defense included a train which they could move if they were so inclined. It ended up to not play as significant a factor in our game because the American flank attack negated it to some extent. Here is a picture of the train.
Overall the terrain in this game is just outstanding, as are all of the games that Ralph hosts. Here are some other photos of the terrain before we set up the game.
This was a very fun game. We are still learning the rules, but they seem to have some real potential as the club staple for WWII skirmish. Thanks to Ralph for hosting a great game!
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