tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-90690958639780981222024-03-28T23:29:56.968-04:0054mm or Fight!A blog primarily about adventure / war gaming with 54mm / 1:32 and thereabouts figures and vehicles.John Yhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16465161620134394060noreply@blogger.comBlogger461125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9069095863978098122.post-49573363187436367982024-03-25T11:09:00.003-04:002024-03-25T11:09:21.646-04:00One Hour Wargames, Heroes, and Spell Casters<p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuNgy27hyphenhyphenYr9LuEWDqsPwP9Rp-ZmXujsYHmZ6FPXgJR3vXtGx9fxmf512CdqD4QLcdQ_19UgsrHnnbr90S6thUYtMiIFAqZ2_XrQrP9kDzdkxVs3juNBD7mwh-pfhsdjpUFkPXCQcU__0ESRq56N04oxbx9qwltqAHnLKAtwQCG-g0ESXtAdraXphJ8g/s3807/IMG_1845.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="3807" height="318" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuNgy27hyphenhyphenYr9LuEWDqsPwP9Rp-ZmXujsYHmZ6FPXgJR3vXtGx9fxmf512CdqD4QLcdQ_19UgsrHnnbr90S6thUYtMiIFAqZ2_XrQrP9kDzdkxVs3juNBD7mwh-pfhsdjpUFkPXCQcU__0ESRq56N04oxbx9qwltqAHnLKAtwQCG-g0ESXtAdraXphJ8g/w400-h318/IMG_1845.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The game is afoot! Actually, it was two feet. I'm playing on a 24" square. I'll see myself out.<br /></td></tr></tbody></table> </p><p>I have been considering how to handle Heroes and Spell Casters in my fantasy version of <i>One Hour Wargames </i>(my fantasy version just combines the units from Ancients, Dark Ages, and Medieval, and then adds heroes and casters). </p><p>This past weekend I put them to a (very limited) test.<br /></p><p>My ideas for Heroes worked well - they aren't *too* powerful, but they can do a lot. I'm thinking perhaps they should all receive 1/2 Damage in addition to the re-roll, so they can go toe-to-toe with Ancient heavy infantry.</p><p>The spell casting concept worked but I'm not convinced casting should cost the caster their regular strength points. I like it in theory mind you but it may be better to use the One Page Rules <i>Age of Fantasy : Skirmish</i> idea of spell points, managed separately from the health of the caster. It would be something else to manage though - and as a solo gamer, I try to minimize that.<br /></p><h2 style="text-align: left;">Heroes</h2><p style="margin-left: 40px; text-align: left;">All heroes may re-roll attack die, but must keep 2nd score (this is taken from the OHW FB group)<br /></p><p style="margin-left: 40px; text-align: left;">For each hero, prior to the start of the game:</p><ul style="margin-left: 40px; text-align: left;"><li>Choose one of:</li><ul><li>1/2 Damage Received (armor, dodge, luck)</li><li>+2 to Range Attack</li><li>+2 to Melee Attack</li><li>Quick(9" movement rate on foot)<br /></li></ul><li>Choose one of (these have no cost to the Hero): </li><ul><li>Inspiring (friendly unit in base contact prior to unit action recovers1d3 points) </li><li>Combat Leader (friendly unit in base contact may reroll attack die, but must keep 2nd score)</li><li>Tactics Master (friendly unit in base contact at start of that unit's movement may move up to double their movement rate)<br /></li></ul></ul><p></p><div><p></p></div><p></p><h2 style="text-align: left;">Spell Casters</h2><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3D-_5DBnfJVm7cxGE91NRIk_M-t220RbIkYjkqWRq_dZ-oYehVb0A0AL5PwhBVK45zJNw1-tntDCloX7DGljp095kc1wNSPKfjoBs7gkriOcjwHr8yVZhJRLDIljedbsYzIjT-tPLVMSIf0JtiOcnNi8eYFrwTYpurSFWZ6FrEEwszeG5Ns1X_vD5zA/s4032/IMG_1846.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3D-_5DBnfJVm7cxGE91NRIk_M-t220RbIkYjkqWRq_dZ-oYehVb0A0AL5PwhBVK45zJNw1-tntDCloX7DGljp095kc1wNSPKfjoBs7gkriOcjwHr8yVZhJRLDIljedbsYzIjT-tPLVMSIf0JtiOcnNi8eYFrwTYpurSFWZ6FrEEwszeG5Ns1X_vD5zA/w400-h300/IMG_1846.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><h2 style="text-align: left;"></h2><p></p><ul style="margin-left: 40px; text-align: left;"><li>Casting takes a toll on the caster. Each time a spell is cast, the caster takes damage. The "Cost" in the list below is the damage the caster takes.<br /></li><li>A Caster reduced to 0 points by casting is exhausted and removed from the battle.</li><li>Each time a caster casts a spell, they may choose one spell from the following ten spells. </li><li>Casters may cast any spell from the list below.</li><li>Casters may only cast one spell per turn. <br /></li><li>Target units, be they friend or enemy or self, cannot be in melee when the spell is cast on them. </li></ul><div style="margin-left: 40px; text-align: left;"><i>Optional</i>: Casters melee at -2. This is the way the Fantasy rules on the OHW FB group do it. I don't like this, because my casters are
warrior-casters, but if your concept is more like a DnD Magic-Users, then by all
means.</div><p style="margin-left: 40px; text-align: left;"></p><h3 style="margin-left: 40px; text-align: left;">Attack</h3><p style="margin-left: 40px; text-align: left;">Give the options descriptive names that fit your concept of the caster. For example, a Fire Mage might have Fire Ball, Rain of Fire, and Storm of Fire.<br /></p><ul style="margin-left: 40px; text-align: left;"><li>Long Range Attack, range 48", cost 1, causes d6-2 damage<br /></li><li>Standard Attack, range 12", cost 2, causes d6 damage<br /></li><li>High Power Attack, range 12", cost 3, d6 + 2 damage <br /></li></ul><p style="margin-left: 40px; text-align: left;"></p><h3 style="margin-left: 40px; text-align: left;">Defense<br /></h3><ul style="margin-left: 40px; text-align: left;"><li>Shield (Self), range 0", cost 1, lasts until next turn<br /></li><li>Shield (Unit), range 6", cost 2, lasts until next turn<br /></li><li>Breathing Room, range 12", cost 3, enemy unit pushed back 3"<br /></li></ul><h3 style="margin-left: 40px; text-align: left;">Utility</h3><p style="margin-left: 40px; text-align: left;">Call them what you will but these are the effects:<br /></p><ul style="margin-left: 40px; text-align: left;"><li>Haste (Self), range 0", cost 1, move double-sped </li><li>Lesser Healing, unit within 6" cost 2, unit restores1d3 strength points </li><li>Haste (Unit), unit within 6", cost 3, unit advances one move, does not count as their action</li><li>Greater Healing, unit within 6", cost 4, unit restores 1d3 + 2 strength points<br /></li></ul><p style="margin-left: 40px; text-align: left;">Many more spells are possible of course - in fact while typing this up, I thought of several more that might be fun. It ultimately depends on how much time you want to spend reading spell lists!</p><p><br /></p>John Yhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16465161620134394060noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9069095863978098122.post-80947496030583137802024-03-10T17:52:00.002-04:002024-03-10T17:52:16.463-04:00One Hour Wargames : Fantasy<p>Continuing the thread of "rebasing IS my hobby", at some point, a few weeks ago, I decided to base my Tanitians, Dies-Nox, and Gokrug Confederacy as multi-figure bases except for heroes, spell-casters, and monstrous creatures.</p><p>Although I am using <i>One Hour Wargames</i>, I like to imagine it has a very <i>Hordes of the Things-</i>vibe (although I've never played it). Besides the size of my bases, the other notable aesthetic difference is that I left my "personality" figures on round bases. </p><div>I may put them by themselves on a rectangle, maybe with some kind of scenery or vignette. </div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAfe5NWyW2sGhpFntdlongPdwBPPXTrSsh_0DzSDW3OThz518TJpHRqFWuKSZF6-SzRw_PIqnJU10WDjtchsG-P2T84yGofru_1drfEQFb_LVfNij4qbtHv42uREDAQOpvYxhi5Pq5_oaIGPOYBgfSW-eIKqrBqOJzv1z4AORv3jEo4i3xwJE14q92ng/s3109/IMG_1723.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="3109" height="389" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAfe5NWyW2sGhpFntdlongPdwBPPXTrSsh_0DzSDW3OThz518TJpHRqFWuKSZF6-SzRw_PIqnJU10WDjtchsG-P2T84yGofru_1drfEQFb_LVfNij4qbtHv42uREDAQOpvYxhi5Pq5_oaIGPOYBgfSW-eIKqrBqOJzv1z4AORv3jEo4i3xwJE14q92ng/w400-h389/IMG_1723.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tanitia attempts to invade a remote region of Dies-Nox. The D-N general reacts aggressively - moving out to meet the invaders. Unfortunately, almost half of their force is archers.</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div>For rules, I have been using Ancients (Tanitia, Gokrug skirishers), Dark Ages (Gokrug), and Medieval (Dies-Nox) from <i>One Hour Wargames</i>. Each army uses the rules that are appropriate to the era it is assigned. This makes for an interesting variety and a potential difference in tactics by nationality. </div><p>For example, Tanitian heavy infantry receives +2 on attacks, and halves damage received, but those benefits are split in the Medieval era, so that Dies-Nox knights get +2 on their attack, while the men-at-arms 1/2 damage received. Dies-Nox archers range attack with +2, while Tanitian archers have no die-roll modifier.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUolOaw-Hs7u3T3pU1_lS9RkJWB5DUC032qRkwLw00qImZ_NSuEenjR5iWlTIo91Oh-2PuKzkhSr4RgXAOzl6l9sqLLvM7y-eEpcwnfSxlF5XrNH-SU3xf5J-dOstjlLDHGS8VgYkbkPu5AO7qkw28RwLFod5kKaGz6b1s5XXPdit5m3HQan794GLoYA/s4032/IMG_1725.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUolOaw-Hs7u3T3pU1_lS9RkJWB5DUC032qRkwLw00qImZ_NSuEenjR5iWlTIo91Oh-2PuKzkhSr4RgXAOzl6l9sqLLvM7y-eEpcwnfSxlF5XrNH-SU3xf5J-dOstjlLDHGS8VgYkbkPu5AO7qkw28RwLFod5kKaGz6b1s5XXPdit5m3HQan794GLoYA/w400-h300/IMG_1725.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tanitia dominates and in the swirling melees, manages to flank and destroy multiple Dies-Nox units.</td></tr></tbody></table><p>For the single-figures, I bolted on the "personality" rules from a set of Fantasy modifications from an OHW Facebook group. I'm not sold on those- they feel a bit too generic and not at all like I imagine things. For example - spell-casters have but one spell (fireball). I enjoy having a variety of spells to choose from: utilitarian, defensive, and offensive - as the situation merits. </p><p>Similarly, I think, if I keep heroes independent of infantry/cavalry units, then I think they too should have special abilities. Although a lone hero (or hero and their retinue) attacking an entire infantry unit is pretty special in its own right.</p><p>So, I have some rule modifications to try. At least until I rebase again.</p>John Yhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16465161620134394060noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9069095863978098122.post-28022657962891303672024-03-05T13:35:00.002-05:002024-03-05T13:35:24.749-05:00Novokh Dynasty Necrons<p> The first batch of Necrons is done! The color scheme is Novokh Dynasty - whatever that means. To me it means I can use the same reds as my Blood Ravens and get more use out of those expensive paints.<br /></p><p>I had trouble getting an in-focus picture where the scarabs were equally
in view. I blame the fact that I really need to get new glasses. I
can't remember how long it's been. <br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVwduKQzJkdChXfAVfXPUxePAXziUQY9_-BLzpEirOE0pqhQAQLO34lnZdbTNUqZzMCII6SOIuUkgXYu26F80wTCkc5QxZHtTJZS3-EQDQcA2vXG6APQ_izFsmzu5Bd61P0e_4-83lrfypmYFeEDmI5tmY6_WcH-iX-YaBhU8adYmWmngCDgC-pE5d1w/s4032/IMG_1716.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVwduKQzJkdChXfAVfXPUxePAXziUQY9_-BLzpEirOE0pqhQAQLO34lnZdbTNUqZzMCII6SOIuUkgXYu26F80wTCkc5QxZHtTJZS3-EQDQcA2vXG6APQ_izFsmzu5Bd61P0e_4-83lrfypmYFeEDmI5tmY6_WcH-iX-YaBhU8adYmWmngCDgC-pE5d1w/w400-h300/IMG_1716.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p></p><p></p><p>Speaking of focus, I've been more
focused on my guitar teaching in an effort to ramp up operations so to speak, so painting, and gaming generally,
has moved into a more casual, less obsessed?, mode. It has had the odd effect of making painting a relaxing activity rather than something I'm doing solely to get a game on the table.</p><p>Between playing games while not taking pictures and painting to relax, it all feels very "retro"!<br /></p><p> </p><p></p>John Yhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16465161620134394060noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9069095863978098122.post-53964539115421084972024-02-26T22:57:00.002-05:002024-02-26T22:57:36.138-05:00I Feel Like I've Been Here Before<p>I was planning to work on Necrons this weekend - and I did, a little. But ...</p><p>For my birthday this year, I received a sprue each of Wargames Atlantic's WWI French and Germans, so that I could move my Weird World War I project down in scale. </p><p>I know I know. </p><p>In part, this was motivated by the fact that I keep breaking the bayonets on the 1/35 figures, as well as the fact that making the terrain I want for the game will just be too large to store in our apartment. More importantly, of late I have found I really enjoy painting the smaller (for me) figures, for reasons I don't quite understand.</p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1jvqIHubLjD4OH44yD7Xg-qxFrt1gvJm6HHOKm0vYeV6TKBUTzrtHDQ2je-3z_TZXS55h7bQZOImBxRTz_MTFxgQjr_7uypeQTFjm0zNrGGSMz5U7aR-0GLx2c1m-y8M8WRoz_4xbYMGxRTTzOlju_xHjOepaEGYn510YYwtJm53wnHm1JBrlJcm4Vg/s4032/IMG_1698.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1jvqIHubLjD4OH44yD7Xg-qxFrt1gvJm6HHOKm0vYeV6TKBUTzrtHDQ2je-3z_TZXS55h7bQZOImBxRTz_MTFxgQjr_7uypeQTFjm0zNrGGSMz5U7aR-0GLx2c1m-y8M8WRoz_4xbYMGxRTTzOlju_xHjOepaEGYn510YYwtJm53wnHm1JBrlJcm4Vg/w400-h300/IMG_1698.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://54mmorfight.blogspot.com/2023/08/weird-world-war-i-are-you-afraid-of-dark.html">This looks familiar.</a></td></tr></tbody></table> <div>The figures go together easily enough, although I had trouble pairing arms. There aren't many arms with empty hands that aren't made for cradling a rifle stock, which made picking the unarmed hands for the center and left figure more annoying than it needed to be, and I think they look a little awkward.<p>It still beats assembling the Necrons! </p><p>Painting was simple - blocked in the colors and then a wash of Agrax Earth Shade. They look pretty grim dark past? I don't know - but I think it works. </p><p>I still have 4 more French and 6 Germans (I'm not sure why the Germans have one less figure per sprue).</p><p>The walls of the trench are made with Dollar Tree knock-off Jenga bricks. Three bricks are glued long edge to long edge, then covered in strips of cereal box. Then two sets of three are glued end-to-end to make a single 3.75" wall piece. A cut down bamboo skewer acts as a post and hides the the seam down the middle. I think the next batch, I'll make the full wall piece, then cover in the strips - less cutting overall that way.<br /></p><p>The walls were also given a touch of extra height from a Dollar Tree craft stick. <br /></p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinQJCzcpWGOb9G2fGnecYaS5dfzt32tctRywSKPrn4-UMhqSw-BV5GzMK4I3wi6S74Fbm3WzMes_GOVZP6gu3igqpxM8a14L6Gllx9lOQtgcotGcAsNYMLtKMFLvo66j4EmshGKX-LfQmHDfP4rf-tBlSeTQuMOK2OLnv0Wdzy_iV7a8GDU2eNO3hXdQ/s4032/IMG_1700.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinQJCzcpWGOb9G2fGnecYaS5dfzt32tctRywSKPrn4-UMhqSw-BV5GzMK4I3wi6S74Fbm3WzMes_GOVZP6gu3igqpxM8a14L6Gllx9lOQtgcotGcAsNYMLtKMFLvo66j4EmshGKX-LfQmHDfP4rf-tBlSeTQuMOK2OLnv0Wdzy_iV7a8GDU2eNO3hXdQ/w400-h300/IMG_1700.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The craft sticks have a slight warp but they work well enough.<br /></td></tr></tbody></table> The skewer ends just before the craft stick, so i can slide the floor under the posts, making it look integrated-ish (if you look at the picture below you can see what I mean)<p>This approach is far more portable and configurable - like dungeon walls for an RPG
(which is kind of how I imagine this WWWI project) - than my 1/35 attempt.<br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzLb2H_w5fFzA6JYK5puSzykwsio3QXzteNhW5xgKzld1Bf4iKd9E9eyFF_zOLeu4uMn8mp6CEpHX28Vil6MCi9j6q4uA8BJm7BWTpNvUE8sb2L_x5rIXB3Arg5TfOLkPB0fve5SSfDDTsI5bm_DiOVrnwMoq6DsRl6dftVINJI_BtMxmA4wNTQtoCAQ/s4032/IMG_1703.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzLb2H_w5fFzA6JYK5puSzykwsio3QXzteNhW5xgKzld1Bf4iKd9E9eyFF_zOLeu4uMn8mp6CEpHX28Vil6MCi9j6q4uA8BJm7BWTpNvUE8sb2L_x5rIXB3Arg5TfOLkPB0fve5SSfDDTsI5bm_DiOVrnwMoq6DsRl6dftVINJI_BtMxmA4wNTQtoCAQ/w400-h300/IMG_1703.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Top-down illustrating what it will look like with walls on each side</td></tr></tbody></table><p>My plan is to coat the non-trench side with wall filler to make raw stone tunnels.</p><p>I was aware of the tunnels used by troops on the Southern Front (through
rock and glacier - like when the Austrian stormtroops burst from
tunnels in the ice to surprise Italian troops and also to blow the tops off mountains) and I was aware about
mining on the Western Front, thanks to two of my favorite WWI movies, <i>Beneath Hill 60</i> and <i>The War Below</i>.</p><p>I had been thinking my Weird World War I conceit would be squads moving through strangely abandoned trenches and, possibly into those same tunnels (where else would Eldritch horrors and demons enter from?).</p><p>Hence the desire to look stone-like on one side.<br /></p><p></p><p>While doing some research - loosely speaking - I came across an offhand mention of the underground fighting during WWI. </p><p>Fighting IN the tunnels? That would further justify my choice (I don't need it - it's pretty much WWI fantasy but it means they can serve double-duty).</p><p></p><p>To fill in the gaping holes in my knowledge, I picked up <i>Beneath the Killing Fields: Exploring the Subterranean Landscapes of the Western Front</i>.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhURkzsUxvAYv6xl8rtZBS3PZ1gxSqKGGjhANo2N3PZe-rFRH1I-7ul0EFSRlgw07XJOkaVJWZ7SgR9c7vDyK2a4b1qrbngySS7mP56N8BUqyVaKl0rPOeSg51fvZ3E01vIO1nE_ZXFJxgAAODvPQ6TAE26mTWIx-873VbaVtq4dwvdpP-W9f7vX_7aw/s4032/IMG_1699.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhURkzsUxvAYv6xl8rtZBS3PZ1gxSqKGGjhANo2N3PZe-rFRH1I-7ul0EFSRlgw07XJOkaVJWZ7SgR9c7vDyK2a4b1qrbngySS7mP56N8BUqyVaKl0rPOeSg51fvZ3E01vIO1nE_ZXFJxgAAODvPQ6TAE26mTWIx-873VbaVtq4dwvdpP-W9f7vX_7aw/w400-h300/IMG_1699.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p>I'm not finished reading it, but it is an absolutely fascinating and eye-opening read about the extent to which the Great War took place underground, be it shelter, moving men to the front, or mining operations. </p><p>The author goes through great lengths to discuss the sensory reconfiguration required for those working in the tunnels, and, in a bit of poetic flourish, he more than once emphasizes the inversion of life and death, where the dead lay in the open air of the battlefield, and the living are underground. </p><p>He also describes it as Hell moving from the depths of the earth to above ground, while men hide beneath the surface. If that isn't an entire Weird World War I setting in a single sentence, I don't know what is.<br /></p><p>Now, I picked this book up for a song. It's a hardcover book and was only $3.84 usd,(regular price is around $30 usd) which may be coloring my enthusiasm a little, but I highly recommend it, especially if you can find a used copy.<br /></p></div>John Yhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16465161620134394060noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9069095863978098122.post-42403562412423164762024-02-21T00:02:00.001-05:002024-02-21T00:02:11.235-05:00Miscellaneous Mid-Week Meanderings<p>Life has taken a turn for the busy - between the day job, side hustle, and the band, and oh yeah, dad-life, just not a lot of time to hobby. Writing for the blog has taken the back seat to everything else.</p><p>I've played a couple of <i>One Hour Wargames "</i>Machine Age" (with my mods) games. Last night I played the "Shambolic Command" scenario and discovered my variable movement rules need some adjustment for cavalry falling back after a charge. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAcfvSg5yvnb3-xnir4v8Q4flDM1BNq-wUKzU0Z1QZY3eeDAOwyP8HIIBEtBrN1bd53jvB-xhJk_d5HXK-FLA6P0K922HD6WMFuH384RKm3zfAvHCHDKmc1Id0CqfrOXvaWCFU2_OQbgqwiLZJl-hLlo5t8LUdsOUqHBAsRp7dZYxrPOn0x3P3SUzlKA/s4032/IMG_1693.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAcfvSg5yvnb3-xnir4v8Q4flDM1BNq-wUKzU0Z1QZY3eeDAOwyP8HIIBEtBrN1bd53jvB-xhJk_d5HXK-FLA6P0K922HD6WMFuH384RKm3zfAvHCHDKmc1Id0CqfrOXvaWCFU2_OQbgqwiLZJl-hLlo5t8LUdsOUqHBAsRp7dZYxrPOn0x3P3SUzlKA/w400-h300/IMG_1693.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>I am also inclined to give assault troops and any unit in cover, some kind of bonus when checking morale. It just feels like sometimes the morale failures really up (literally - lots of little dice on the table!) </div><div><span><br /></span></div><div><span>One of these days I'm going to label the bases and use an old school roster sheet to track damage.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">On the painting front, I've made some progress on the Necrons. I'm painting them in the Novokh dynasty color-scheme (per my son's request). I have no preference and the fact that it uses the same reds that I used for the Blood Ravens is a plus.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtvhn5phxBRTWnpIIyM9QrRz5qi1cyOOrXoNA3IXeo73EEWPCF7BIQuzOuOlopBNH7kXowcElW6_DwFBVcfW0Ix-2XdvmPLfDsiap_20DjdI2dQmIAJqA9VyXs6DWtBEkU5t7_VMsFY7Ywm2wVY_gnq8pu2_fRDv9RC658QoktCq7BPKx8cgEd1loG9A/s4032/IMG_1689.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtvhn5phxBRTWnpIIyM9QrRz5qi1cyOOrXoNA3IXeo73EEWPCF7BIQuzOuOlopBNH7kXowcElW6_DwFBVcfW0Ix-2XdvmPLfDsiap_20DjdI2dQmIAJqA9VyXs6DWtBEkU5t7_VMsFY7Ywm2wVY_gnq8pu2_fRDv9RC658QoktCq7BPKx8cgEd1loG9A/w400-h300/IMG_1689.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The scarabs, foreground, are my favorite.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p>I was skeptical of the value of the "Necron Compound" dry-brush paint, but I like the end result: a very metal looking skeletal frame.</p><p>These are still a WiP bunch - this is just one or two coats of Army Painter Dragon Red. It's somewhat translucent and, over the Lead Belcher/Nuln Oil wash, it has created some highlighting effects already. </p><p>I'll be doing a proper highlight after the next coat and some Caribou Crimson wash - I hope to have this batch done by the end of the week. However, I expect the weapons will be a bit of a challenge to get the look I am aiming for, so we'll see!</p><p><br /></p>John Yhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16465161620134394060noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9069095863978098122.post-10899965339963322262024-02-08T13:03:00.000-05:002024-02-08T13:03:05.394-05:00Blood Raven Intercessors Done!<p>Coming from the polar opposite end of the frustration axis of the Necrons, at least in terms of construction, the Blood Raven Assault Intercessors are finished!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjepHK-ClmsokmgwSKmsXJYeRdU2JixzddYm65dmYmOvw4SJm07-3Q3TaUZDhAQkTG0nmVZnY2g6ivDNjE3oy5ie5WH_HncxVlIhklUBDFSxmn7OckPHpvtmEt9iKB_WFCQOKpL44aOqtHyGLLunFKtyOq5CF123Bl419e7WeeNxYwICbWLN9SEuUugaQ/s4032/IMG_1677.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjepHK-ClmsokmgwSKmsXJYeRdU2JixzddYm65dmYmOvw4SJm07-3Q3TaUZDhAQkTG0nmVZnY2g6ivDNjE3oy5ie5WH_HncxVlIhklUBDFSxmn7OckPHpvtmEt9iKB_WFCQOKpL44aOqtHyGLLunFKtyOq5CF123Bl419e7WeeNxYwICbWLN9SEuUugaQ/w400-h300/IMG_1677.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div><br /></div>Below one of the grunts shows off the Chapter Symbol:<div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcD9R8SPknsi5fXXogfG5jWSb9qRGdjBwHho83DMNATFclnVH_Iqb9vxC3ifcCvm7FxtSWgSmtAc5aOMRPcHZ8KO3aolEFYG4WVc2i9ekyO9-3DNxtGg96DB42WX9OJUqKLz7XDMzcWVe9ynKxXWWtrqWJFLJkQwLD30QnE5gaB4v3Lwxu2rp-28HTDg/s4032/IMG_1678.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcD9R8SPknsi5fXXogfG5jWSb9qRGdjBwHho83DMNATFclnVH_Iqb9vxC3ifcCvm7FxtSWgSmtAc5aOMRPcHZ8KO3aolEFYG4WVc2i9ekyO9-3DNxtGg96DB42WX9OJUqKLz7XDMzcWVe9ynKxXWWtrqWJFLJkQwLD30QnE5gaB4v3Lwxu2rp-28HTDg/w400-h300/IMG_1678.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p>The Blood Raven heraldry is not available from Games Workshop, but there are plenty of enterprising people no Etsy who are more than happy to fulfill your need for decals.</p><p>I really like the poses on these figures and am too tempted to pick up some sprues or even a complete box to extend the force. BUT the goal was a single squad - with additional support from some Ultramarine Infernus my son received afew months ago for his birthday (and which, apparently, I'm now going to end up painting as his interest isn't even quite enough to be called minimal) - and so I'll stick with that. </p><p>For now!</p></div>John Yhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16465161620134394060noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9069095863978098122.post-19420839392079841082024-02-06T11:28:00.000-05:002024-02-06T11:28:01.986-05:00Necron Nightmare<p> How it started:</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifTl80kTdbuOVXydGMrTl_U_RMKbOQg0NJNta65F-L4TzZof4gcXlW5L3pYBnWyckq2fgUJYyZH2FJ9nvfbR4xfFmdNeXv_UDicJg4jWH9-w6TSiLoLC2qXHVmTmh_Zn_fDVn5CHwOIHIs837gGCAHzUXOJnnlVJdkH_u2eFMbsuBK25HLWjuk5jeIQA/s4032/IMG_1671.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifTl80kTdbuOVXydGMrTl_U_RMKbOQg0NJNta65F-L4TzZof4gcXlW5L3pYBnWyckq2fgUJYyZH2FJ9nvfbR4xfFmdNeXv_UDicJg4jWH9-w6TSiLoLC2qXHVmTmh_Zn_fDVn5CHwOIHIs837gGCAHzUXOJnnlVJdkH_u2eFMbsuBK25HLWjuk5jeIQA/w400-h300/IMG_1671.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Necron pieces - removed from sprue by previous owner. Do not do this!<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p>How it's going:</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGPZS-3UCjA8vDsKxUDFHJqmz7qstu4hrUh5P7-NfeTTpxxDvlkTmb4PmhAeYXijF8yVlNU61N1t1EnxKj0D-MYi80Y24uEFRFdqMvXQUXF_s4OvS4t0UyuAAi91T66krZeO08ligCBhx_xwaBKWkdVxmhAyxcJK3EvD_ObTyY8tfr0AAMn77o6vJZhQ/s4032/IMG_1674.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGPZS-3UCjA8vDsKxUDFHJqmz7qstu4hrUh5P7-NfeTTpxxDvlkTmb4PmhAeYXijF8yVlNU61N1t1EnxKj0D-MYi80Y24uEFRFdqMvXQUXF_s4OvS4t0UyuAAi91T66krZeO08ligCBhx_xwaBKWkdVxmhAyxcJK3EvD_ObTyY8tfr0AAMn77o6vJZhQ/w400-h300/IMG_1674.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I do like the assembled figures though.<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p>If I ever meet the individual who thought cutting the bits off the sprue all at once was a good idea, I'm going to give them a right proper thrashing. It's no wonder they gave up and sold the game (<i>Fire Team</i>) to Noble Knight.</p><p>It should have been maybe a 20 minute job to assemble them. Instead, it took hours of my Saturday, with breaks to maintain sanity. <br /></p><p>These figures are push-fit and each one is designed to go together in a particular way. However, once free of the sprue, there's no way to tell which piece is which part number. Even better there were EXTRA bits to throw me off!<br /></p><p>Trial and error - aided by a magnifier and looking for key details between the piece in hand and the assembly instructions ("Oh this arm has a little thingy that sticks out" or "Oh this blade has a thick bar compared to the others" or "The head in the picture has a line above the right eye and this tiny little bit of plastic does not") saved the day.<br /></p><p>Unfortunately, in the process of trying different arms on different torsos, I ended up breaking a few of the arms (they are rather thin near the shoulder joint and near the wrist) - so I'm down three Necrons as a result. Also the heads are tiny and apparently designed to bounce a great distance upon contact with a remotely hard surface. I spent quite a bit of time on hands and knees combing the floor for the little buggers - I did manage to retrieve them all, although there were far more heads than torsos.<br /></p><p>I will try to repair the broken arms with Super Glue,but the contact points are quite small - and even then, I don't know which body they go with, so there's only a 1 in 3 chance I get it right on the first try. And if I get it wrong, with repeated handling there's a good chance I'll break the arm again.</p><p>Replacements have already been purchased on eBay!</p>John Yhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16465161620134394060noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9069095863978098122.post-18900508204051159602024-01-31T13:17:00.001-05:002024-01-31T13:18:24.015-05:00Plague Marines Finished!<p>Well, "finished" as in the seven I have.</p><p>I admit, if I were going to play <i>Grimdark Future</i> (as opposed to <i>Firefight</i>) or play <i>40K</i> (not happening), I'd build up a full Death Guard force. The aesthetic is great, and best of all, they are easy to paint. </p><p>As it is, I feel like this group could use a few more heavy weapons. Maybe support from a unit of Plaguewalkers ...<br /></p><p>But I'll stop here for now! <br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNz_sEZ0J9nKfg-HCX_tN0O0b5awA0U6T9fajpARQ53j6sRmRyYUmHzkcKd1Bg2BVZj4Rm59EEgq1jr8SPzYWUS1UQ0rhN6IrkmzYL8WqtnXvulRSwSRw97KpF7_VkWNrNQWlzuMPKQ_qGp4Gb1fCP5BEN5bIHG2xmo-Lhm6fE9ExwE5eoo2d7pdiGYg/s4032/IMG_1666.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNz_sEZ0J9nKfg-HCX_tN0O0b5awA0U6T9fajpARQ53j6sRmRyYUmHzkcKd1Bg2BVZj4Rm59EEgq1jr8SPzYWUS1UQ0rhN6IrkmzYL8WqtnXvulRSwSRw97KpF7_VkWNrNQWlzuMPKQ_qGp4Gb1fCP5BEN5bIHG2xmo-Lhm6fE9ExwE5eoo2d7pdiGYg/w400-h300/IMG_1666.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The fellow in the front row, far right, was the final figure to be painted.<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p>I used Tesseract Glow on the bases (the green bits). I was hoping for something like toxic waste seeping up through, or spilled on, the ground. </p><p>Not quite the end result I imagined but it's good enough to call done.</p><p>Also finished, but not pictured, was Reaper Bones orc that I started late 2023.</p><p>The last two of the five Blood Raven intercessors are on the paint table - the red base coat and highlight is done. My goal is to start assembling the Necrons this weekend.<br /></p><p></p>John Yhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16465161620134394060noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9069095863978098122.post-56179847779704883782024-01-29T13:39:00.003-05:002024-01-29T13:39:44.637-05:00One Hour Wargames : More Machine Age ChangesMost of the changes from<b> </b><a href="https://54mmorfight.blogspot.com/2023/10/once-more-to-take-high-ground.html">this post</a> and <a href="https://54mmorfight.blogspot.com/2023/06/one-hour-wargames-machine-age.html">this post</a> on<b> </b>this subject
still apply in one form or another, but there are new additions that have lead me to a game I find even more enjoyable. <br /><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1rrsgwKp4baOce38qmha-R-6y8VfIUGbWZSsThvvUHE-ihv9nqgIBS6m6AqEUEiBzmVUOBHEQu6rExDCB73qT1f79aIcGIr3SH2q8Z4OUTRXUJkWYniLmeHpOAz3SUbJ7bispMc0QAFDH5TdDXmS3CXWS7K4p7-Jyd1w5rAXsdD0fk_iQTJi9ULE8aw/s4032/IMG_1650.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1rrsgwKp4baOce38qmha-R-6y8VfIUGbWZSsThvvUHE-ihv9nqgIBS6m6AqEUEiBzmVUOBHEQu6rExDCB73qT1f79aIcGIr3SH2q8Z4OUTRXUJkWYniLmeHpOAz3SUbJ7bispMc0QAFDH5TdDXmS3CXWS7K4p7-Jyd1w5rAXsdD0fk_iQTJi9ULE8aw/w400-h300/IMG_1650.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">An Unfortunate Oversight - elongated to 2' x 4'. Units are on 3" wide bases. Each infantry base is a company. 1" = 50 yards approximately.<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p><b>Activation:</b></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li style="text-align: left;">Each leader figure on a side rolls xd6 to see how many units in their command may be activated that turn</li><ul><li>A poor leader rolls 2d6 and takes the lower</li><li>An average leader rolls 1d6</li><li>An above average leader rolls 2d6 and keeps the higher</li></ul><li><span>Leaders activate for free.</span></li><li><span>Assault units activate for free.</span></li><li><span><span> </span>Units already engaged in close combat from a previous turn activate for free.</span></li></ul><span> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwlzirlnCofTRAYwyqs2rcwrmMPqcRBB48nQTgZH1hDDVrlOXceppn_0ofAJMRX1G4RFqHjQfLC9eBHjJafVyri9xk7Get87SaNpWG-ZIiDV_tUCSdByCr6egNIGQJj4scGAylwaRY5CiIs4PPLZZ_0GI1uwZq4AQ2bNdvbbQlTKnqFF5EPPGkN7C_dw/s4032/IMG_1654.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwlzirlnCofTRAYwyqs2rcwrmMPqcRBB48nQTgZH1hDDVrlOXceppn_0ofAJMRX1G4RFqHjQfLC9eBHjJafVyri9xk7Get87SaNpWG-ZIiDV_tUCSdByCr6egNIGQJj4scGAylwaRY5CiIs4PPLZZ_0GI1uwZq4AQ2bNdvbbQlTKnqFF5EPPGkN7C_dw/w400-h300/IMG_1654.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A sturmpatrol assaults the Italian unit holding the town.<br /></td></tr></tbody></table></span><p><b>Assault Units:</b></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Always count as in cover (take 1/2 damage)</li><li>+2 in close combat</li><li>May attempt to self-rally to remove morale result failures. Counts as activation.<br /></li></ul><p><b>Infantry Close Combat:</b></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Requires
a Guts Check prior to rolling to move. If succeeds may roll movement.
If fails, unit may not advance and counts as having activated.</li><li><span>Otherwise, use the modifications from the linked posts above.<br /></span></li></ul><p></p><p><b>Movement</b>:</p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Infantry, Leaders on foot, MG/Heavy Infantry - 1d6"/2d6"</li><li>Assault units 1d6"+2" / 2d6" <br /></li><li>Field Guns 1d3"/1d6"</li><li>Cavalry 1d6" + 3"/ 2d6"+ 6"</li></ul><p style="margin-left: 40px; text-align: left;"><span> The first number is for rough ground (almost everything), the second is for roads, flat solid ground etc.</span> <br /></p><p><b>Leaders :</b></p><p style="margin-left: 40px; text-align: left;">On their activation, a leader figure may move and one of the following:</p><ul style="margin-left: 40px; text-align: left;"><li>Before or after moving, choose a unit within 6" recover 1d3 points</li><li>Before or after moving, attempt to rally a unit with a morale failure marker</li><li>Instead of moving, call in off table artillery on a target within 12"<br /></li></ul><p style="margin-left: 40px; text-align: left;">Rallying: <br /></p><p style="margin-left: 80px; text-align: left;">Leader
rolls 2d6 and if less than the damage taken by the unit, remove one
morale failure. Poor leaders -1 to the roll, Avg leader +/- 0, Above
Average +1 to the roll.</p><div style="text-align: left;"></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxagWb368nFjhKwryI2XwQCS95k5G2R0Wqs4k1i2-cekTXzlAn6PwXPMuBARN7ca10_JwWSHLJKft0lAgk__qrAAzCfWQFvMD2ONF1NciW1M-mhmBazs57O67LotpSUm2QAEJIpfU51fFGkoawHLg-UqStAcOPtFP6P7qIcCM4eryyOwU4xAyFTQsXrQ/s4032/IMG_1653.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxagWb368nFjhKwryI2XwQCS95k5G2R0Wqs4k1i2-cekTXzlAn6PwXPMuBARN7ca10_JwWSHLJKft0lAgk__qrAAzCfWQFvMD2ONF1NciW1M-mhmBazs57O67LotpSUm2QAEJIpfU51fFGkoawHLg-UqStAcOPtFP6P7qIcCM4eryyOwU4xAyFTQsXrQ/w400-h300/IMG_1653.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Meanwhile on the Austrian right, the battalion there effects a river crossing. It is slow and some of the units were more hampered than others.<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><div style="margin-left: 40px; text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>Hit Point / Strength Point / Cohesion Points Recovery</b></div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>A unit that does not move, shoot, or engage in close combat may automatically regain 1 point.</li><li>A unit that withdraws (increases the distance between it and the nearest enemy) automatically regains 2 points.</li></ul><p><b></b></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbETrOTDfMTe3dBZqolTKc0rG1N6B0lc2418ZuOaAW76qzSy5x2PsdgbftHKrqcvY4PBRMW7B_8xz4c1VVEvWc9wVQUaimOs2tYd7r8xja-1L7FLYMUQXVoy_n_R8MbjXflFlJFQzosU-6A5rR9egW9vN939SDag25QbE4Le4XgwnuyuyUGedGCnirWQ/s4032/IMG_1655.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbETrOTDfMTe3dBZqolTKc0rG1N6B0lc2418ZuOaAW76qzSy5x2PsdgbftHKrqcvY4PBRMW7B_8xz4c1VVEvWc9wVQUaimOs2tYd7r8xja-1L7FLYMUQXVoy_n_R8MbjXflFlJFQzosU-6A5rR9egW9vN939SDag25QbE4Le4XgwnuyuyUGedGCnirWQ/w400-h300/IMG_1655.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Shoot out across the river in support of the sturmpatrol assault. </td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><div style="text-align: left;"><p><b>Morale Results Test: </b></p><p style="margin-left: 40px; text-align: left;">Every time a unit takes damage, they take a Morale Results Test. <br /></p><p style="margin-left: 40px; text-align: left;">Roll 2d6, if less than damage taken, fails</p><div style="margin-left: 80px; text-align: left;">1st fail - no penalty, just a marker<br />2nd fail - May not advance towards enemy, attacks are 1/2 damage<br />3rd fail - routed</div><b> </b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>Guts Check</b>:</div><div style="margin-left: 40px; text-align: left;">Performed
as Morale Results Test with no Morale Results Test failure rules
applied. Taken before charging, going over the top, etc.<br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghQJ5aBvDIvdrpL6qrezxWb1cydmGVuV9u_NtxG820qRJvuMu_G4BaGFCzERsl_Mqzm7bT8jx-EGi1TlB_jQ_BihOQmyX8d0nIIcsSLHS8zftsU1TXkWhEKtd2C3D0ZucJDuijZV8P420w1ysAFegSVy7NbKKrfiGGr0E_FBZ6vioJBN2SS0lXS6A76Q/s4032/IMG_1664.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghQJ5aBvDIvdrpL6qrezxWb1cydmGVuV9u_NtxG820qRJvuMu_G4BaGFCzERsl_Mqzm7bT8jx-EGi1TlB_jQ_BihOQmyX8d0nIIcsSLHS8zftsU1TXkWhEKtd2C3D0ZucJDuijZV8P420w1ysAFegSVy7NbKKrfiGGr0E_FBZ6vioJBN2SS0lXS6A76Q/w400-h300/IMG_1664.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The situation at the end of turn 15. I decided the Italians could not withstand much more, but the Austrians had suffered on their left (the battalion that tried to take the village suffered high numbers of casualties). I ruled it a minor victory for the Austrians.<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p>Recently, having read <a href="https://bloodandspectacles.blogspot.com/2024/01/wargame-design-what-is-fun.html">this post over on Blood and Spectacles </a> about wargame design, and then reading back through various linked post, I realized that what I enjoyed most in <i>Contemptible Little Armies </i>and in <i>Trench Hammer </i>was the way leader figures mattered.<br /></p><p>I determined I wanted to focus my WWI rules around Morale primarily, and its relation to the other Ms (Movement, Melee, Morale, Missiles).</p><p>Neil Thomas explicitly notes that hit points for a unit represent
morale, as well as casualties, so their recovery had to play some role in this. I wanted to find a way to reflect the
leader's impact in some way ( a la <i>Contemptible Little Armies</i>), but also
allow units some opportunity to manage their own morale (a la <i>Trench
Hammer</i>). </p><p>I settled on splitting the loss of morale from the
effects of that loss. The former could be managed by the company
commander on down. The latter would require a combination of both the
company leadership and assistance from the battalion HQ to keep the unit
on the battlefield. </p><p>Does this reflect anything in real life? No idea.</p><p><span>The game pictured played out 15 turns in an hour with over half of the units remaining on the table, as is proper I think. Rather than finishing the game with one or two units total left on the table, they were able to stave off morale loss in different ways.<br /></span></p><p><span>The
leaders had a lot to do putting out fires and I enjoyed the decisions
between rolling to remove a morale failure or removing hits on a unit.
Logically there are times where one always makes more sense than the
other, but there were often times where it felt like a gamble and I
struggled to make the "right" decision.</span></p><p></p><p>Other changes I added this time around were simply to increase friction
in a way that I find leads to an enjoyable narrative and solo gaming
experience - activation pips, test to charge, the variable
movement rate, that kind of thing.</p><p>These points of friction make a more dynamic
and interesting game in my opinion,while still maintaining the underlying beauty of the <i>One Hour Wargames</i> Machine Age rules.</p><p><br /></p><p>p.s yes, I re-based AGAIN. I decided I like the multi-figure bases best for the majority of my WWI gaming. I easily see them as companies, and have followed <i>Hordes in the Trenches</i> basing suggestions for number of figures per base (doubled in width due to figure size). If I decide to do individually based figures, I'll do it in 28mm or maybe 1/72.<br /></p><p></p>John Yhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16465161620134394060noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9069095863978098122.post-10969615809861197812024-01-20T12:32:00.003-05:002024-01-20T12:34:49.023-05:00In the Emperor's Name, Let None SurviveFrom 1917, we jump ahead 39,000 years ...<div><br /></div><div>While I had wanted to paint the Space Marines in the blue of the Ultramarines (the different "chapters" have different names and color schemes), my son really wanted Blood Ravens. And, in the ongoing quest to entice him into playing games with me, Blood Ravens it is!<br /><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_X00CnRRsC02mg_caG36yI02qWsIalPPJCSTUsf5iYkSdZkOra5SFKB43-NnBuwU6pmbiYOMqPJdtOqcsqOAyDGJUWyM7qA_vcoXScTqSYPl06A-wgZNg6rjPegjYVBHFBGxRf_jKCOHjVc5TpPuwzGXBOs2Ng6un4WuTq574mjSKuQdXNsyjlcGSGQ/s3024/IMG_1628.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_X00CnRRsC02mg_caG36yI02qWsIalPPJCSTUsf5iYkSdZkOra5SFKB43-NnBuwU6pmbiYOMqPJdtOqcsqOAyDGJUWyM7qA_vcoXScTqSYPl06A-wgZNg6rjPegjYVBHFBGxRf_jKCOHjVc5TpPuwzGXBOs2Ng6un4WuTq574mjSKuQdXNsyjlcGSGQ/w400-h400/IMG_1628.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Blood Raven Intercessors. Chapter symbol decals have been ordered but are shipping from overseas. </td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div>They won't win any awards, but they are easily good enough for the tabletop. They also continue my exploration of this method of painting - base, wash, base again, highlight - which is light years away from my usual, Deetail-inspired toy soldier painting. I really enjoy the results - although sometimes, mid-way through, after the wash is applied, I wonder how I will ever salvage the figures.</div></div><div><br /></div><div>Also, this red was a bear to paint. </div><div><br /></div><div>Last weekend, I made a trek to the game store for paints, but they were out of Mephiston Red which I had wanted to use (based on a video I saw). Some quick searching on the web and I found that Army Painter Dragon Red was supposed to be a close match. They had it in stock, so I bought it.</div><div><br /></div><div>It might be a good match, I don't know. I just know it took what seemed like 100s of coats to get an even finish.</div><div><br /></div><div>Perhaps it was the white primer? I could have bought Mephiston Red primer but it's spray, and it's been so cold, that wouldn't be an option anyway.</div><div><br /><div>Also, last weekend, I finished the second group of three Plague Marines:</div></div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAMfFO5QTB0ZGUwrtdKud52XY8NkCE9X88QmkrwlE7VY_uNOUoNhideB-FVmN_zVv3cZ79d-3rLjyC1bMdfsXIQmJTOgOh7H2K10Jc4mTyIY9nfdjAHrEl6uV48qfnYKSX0WC2UpMvfmUA3dLkHB5O5RZPSQqG8BDC9nGZq9sf3fcTuUcjnd60wINnsQ/s4032/IMG_1629.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAMfFO5QTB0ZGUwrtdKud52XY8NkCE9X88QmkrwlE7VY_uNOUoNhideB-FVmN_zVv3cZ79d-3rLjyC1bMdfsXIQmJTOgOh7H2K10Jc4mTyIY9nfdjAHrEl6uV48qfnYKSX0WC2UpMvfmUA3dLkHB5O5RZPSQqG8BDC9nGZq9sf3fcTuUcjnd60wINnsQ/w400-h300/IMG_1629.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">These were painted with the drybrush-wash method.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div>After my lizard folk in various sizes, these are my favorite figures by far. I love their aesthetic, even if half of the time, I'm not even sure what different bits are supposed to be.</div><div><br /></div><div>Obviously, basing still has to be completed. for both Blood Ravens and Plague Marines. Although I think I have a plan now, I have one more Plague Marine and two more Intercessors to paint before I will tackle that project. </div>John Yhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16465161620134394060noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9069095863978098122.post-35606266257226637402024-01-17T11:13:00.003-05:002024-01-17T11:13:30.040-05:00Country Road<p>Inspired by a rewatch of <i>Many Wars Ago</i> combined with a couple of situations I came upon while scrolling through <a href="https://www.armyupress.army.mil/Portals/7/combat-studies-institute/csi-books/infantry-in-battle.pdf" target="_blank">Infantry in Battle</a>, I put together a little scenario for the Southern Front.</p><p>An Italian column is in retreat when a scout comes under fire and orders a halt. In Many Wars Ago (Based on Emilio Lussu's <i>A Soldier on the Southern Front</i>), the commanding officer become incensed that the column has halted and orders the scout shot. Hilarity ensues.</p><p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbFp3aBMrONDOtC_VKU74uKEsHZWwG4Wz2Zc5y82YXmOB7kwbsL09Bn3MLN8JNA6yA8pit5S6BMLDr6L_bqZc5ysGopsh7pv6XRB2roS3yjjno8Orl3BERlViBUNPF8NXc8iDAe9WgTTLC1PQrFuAkd9bqpAVf3GPU-RbCPf1WYIjln25q73ciJEr1Gg/s1467/manywarsago.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1078" data-original-width="1467" height="235" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbFp3aBMrONDOtC_VKU74uKEsHZWwG4Wz2Zc5y82YXmOB7kwbsL09Bn3MLN8JNA6yA8pit5S6BMLDr6L_bqZc5ysGopsh7pv6XRB2roS3yjjno8Orl3BERlViBUNPF8NXc8iDAe9WgTTLC1PQrFuAkd9bqpAVf3GPU-RbCPf1WYIjln25q73ciJEr1Gg/s320/manywarsago.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">In the movie and the book , an already dead soldier is used to convince the commander that the execution was carried out.<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /> In my scenario, the lead, well you can call it a platoon of four sections and a platoon leader, takes cover in the treeline and the platoon leader organizes an effort to eliminate the gun so the column can pass. The Austro-Hungarian force has improvised some defensive cover on a hilltop. It consists of a machine gun team and a security detail of 8 men (all of my "sections" are 8 figures), and low ranking leader type to oversee the whole thing.<br /></p><p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwT7AUdNVGdFXxRQ5df_YyFR1CvkFIZa4leFUA19KlnNQG7_uBIs0t8o4_ek6QyKZ1bx7c6XpVsKGaVadc_AvwjaRolwnSvocqTpe5JX4AV-ufnBsUmzO0ezElb2CmnSL6tIHPgrvoW0jFoh6fUVHU13E8TaKAwIYU1WJddSsnOdu24JypsUQ1lVkvIA/s4032/IMG_1606.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwT7AUdNVGdFXxRQ5df_YyFR1CvkFIZa4leFUA19KlnNQG7_uBIs0t8o4_ek6QyKZ1bx7c6XpVsKGaVadc_AvwjaRolwnSvocqTpe5JX4AV-ufnBsUmzO0ezElb2CmnSL6tIHPgrvoW0jFoh6fUVHU13E8TaKAwIYU1WJddSsnOdu24JypsUQ1lVkvIA/w400-h300/IMG_1606.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The PL starts in the road. He is very brave or very stupid.<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwgy92v83e_KAYzLTfCzxfI81clfYRl0-uezOQphQ_ySEeTTTJZBi60p7Asfqc5_TJ1Wy7emDZnCBYxOt0Ez3BRhmbOLxQXLgAIWJpp7r0QnitKf-jxHaR-4dQk4VEC2V4LYrAiT3bTse7WK2nfCRvunRlBDRN-aew2slwuaBj_C2ROLb-C9OpYb-N-A/s4032/IMG_1608.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwgy92v83e_KAYzLTfCzxfI81clfYRl0-uezOQphQ_ySEeTTTJZBi60p7Asfqc5_TJ1Wy7emDZnCBYxOt0Ez3BRhmbOLxQXLgAIWJpp7r0QnitKf-jxHaR-4dQk4VEC2V4LYrAiT3bTse7WK2nfCRvunRlBDRN-aew2slwuaBj_C2ROLb-C9OpYb-N-A/w400-h300/IMG_1608.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A group of soldiers on the Italian right draws a portion of the Austrian rifle fire.<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWBEQBz7SVN8FZLtz0x1yWYJA2GZuVVfkcmOUrvbHsRzPrDb_3kW2-gBnj_Uym7na_gYptg1B5Qn2INuFCdU5xxAZphi1z_WTGNM_J07AlESSa6idEC6z3fjYQPlK7l6d0T-9W4vlkJqmdQcBCIJKopyhGmJ0UalwQcVyfxulcsJDJYULlSWR-aOEPew/s4032/IMG_1609.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWBEQBz7SVN8FZLtz0x1yWYJA2GZuVVfkcmOUrvbHsRzPrDb_3kW2-gBnj_Uym7na_gYptg1B5Qn2INuFCdU5xxAZphi1z_WTGNM_J07AlESSa6idEC6z3fjYQPlK7l6d0T-9W4vlkJqmdQcBCIJKopyhGmJ0UalwQcVyfxulcsJDJYULlSWR-aOEPew/w400-h300/IMG_1609.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A section is sent forward on the Italian left and struggles to reach the hill.<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvspSfoYqwnUVEsci9-akk4MCWtz5_Pofdbx7ppzMbkx4z-H_WjugE50hf9pdZlmEjGxaETYFSuWmei2zeHWJFfRIVcQn_n-vlmRH5jz7gW4YCisuR_UIa-a7pyvdl7qpC9jnY5yRzidRk-wzywaygcrGF6Epg23vIvmZh7972Uhx5-gYGbJampsXjfA/s4032/IMG_1610.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvspSfoYqwnUVEsci9-akk4MCWtz5_Pofdbx7ppzMbkx4z-H_WjugE50hf9pdZlmEjGxaETYFSuWmei2zeHWJFfRIVcQn_n-vlmRH5jz7gW4YCisuR_UIa-a7pyvdl7qpC9jnY5yRzidRk-wzywaygcrGF6Epg23vIvmZh7972Uhx5-gYGbJampsXjfA/w400-h300/IMG_1610.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">In the middle things are going terribly as MG and rifle fire take their toll.<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRdtvlOhc8N7oRpfLbN-JDdg35TG8zKFPHoIdKwXxqADILID09ctKbI9nW3uRdOdQ-9pYCdvGhha-IEspCvsE4VPp8maO7Z8Xgml5P7NL6y2ig8oFr6SOQ_tPXfJiUtpulxF2qcCAuNbubaG9FK4aPpS5xf-Gd2KzLdKveTtx66i8svZci8vYfSFwn4g/s4032/IMG_1612.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRdtvlOhc8N7oRpfLbN-JDdg35TG8zKFPHoIdKwXxqADILID09ctKbI9nW3uRdOdQ-9pYCdvGhha-IEspCvsE4VPp8maO7Z8Xgml5P7NL6y2ig8oFr6SOQ_tPXfJiUtpulxF2qcCAuNbubaG9FK4aPpS5xf-Gd2KzLdKveTtx66i8svZci8vYfSFwn4g/w400-h300/IMG_1612.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Italian assault reaches the objective. Bayonets clash!<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihgwdDYZ46W_hqKC2wHkZbN7T5JEaA0eWpPbNUvzpKS-9c03VunCUEbWHPm80R4PPNkT6Q2hHhsQeZR3SGsLn-HDn0Kxk45Zf1AB9t7hjktup8cWxtUVeqodh7KR8mPupwFwMx08NmRZ1g3ifRQq_ml3_3pIlT5wIR4dO3f5UaPnf6j3rywQ6r69UD8A/s4032/IMG_1613.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihgwdDYZ46W_hqKC2wHkZbN7T5JEaA0eWpPbNUvzpKS-9c03VunCUEbWHPm80R4PPNkT6Q2hHhsQeZR3SGsLn-HDn0Kxk45Zf1AB9t7hjktup8cWxtUVeqodh7KR8mPupwFwMx08NmRZ1g3ifRQq_ml3_3pIlT5wIR4dO3f5UaPnf6j3rywQ6r69UD8A/w400-h300/IMG_1613.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Alas this did not go well for the Italians. As a result they failed two morale checks and can't advance towards the enemy - except for the one stuck in close combat. The PL takes off at a run to rally them but he is nowhere close.<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijCl6GDRgDUsMTw7B37Vw_ni64cyfKDZg56rL5RsYFNyxZXYY3nZPSuL_VUiO7Gi97M0bdwXjVPaar5q3Fd3vGT88Sdw8hyphenhyphen1tgRir_N25AhZ8BQ76-EMScrt53j7P0XO4JV7h82SGfWsXi3DEkdJ7zODxuQbvFZYW0oYxnU9AxyGcLjjNNqr3F-pPTKw/s4032/IMG_1615.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijCl6GDRgDUsMTw7B37Vw_ni64cyfKDZg56rL5RsYFNyxZXYY3nZPSuL_VUiO7Gi97M0bdwXjVPaar5q3Fd3vGT88Sdw8hyphenhyphen1tgRir_N25AhZ8BQ76-EMScrt53j7P0XO4JV7h82SGfWsXi3DEkdJ7zODxuQbvFZYW0oYxnU9AxyGcLjjNNqr3F-pPTKw/w400-h300/IMG_1615.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The PL sends the adjacent section to storm the hill and to relieve the stalled effort.<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLynDLiSQYcIKwJWH-UokIRJFoUqGWZ_BfwQl5BIqdHvXxMKSvzqRvyEMnBtpGsxDjchXsqI6VODgpnUNkTepD4I3Ottx7yMmvSgfT7xDIErVn_Ww4KpPjBEmMzpBvNp5uFc8JJoE5HGkK3VvbUCUEPOWV0wphV0bRpi8n4MnLD-RPDN6tkhlyqn71oQ/s4032/IMG_1616.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLynDLiSQYcIKwJWH-UokIRJFoUqGWZ_BfwQl5BIqdHvXxMKSvzqRvyEMnBtpGsxDjchXsqI6VODgpnUNkTepD4I3Ottx7yMmvSgfT7xDIErVn_Ww4KpPjBEmMzpBvNp5uFc8JJoE5HGkK3VvbUCUEPOWV0wphV0bRpi8n4MnLD-RPDN6tkhlyqn71oQ/w400-h300/IMG_1616.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">They reach the top and finish the job. The MG team is struck down and the game is over. Italian victory!<br /></td></tr></tbody></table> </p><p>Rules were <i>Contemptible Little Armies</i>(CLA), played at the author's stated scale of 1 figure = 1 man (although he's clear that it's whatever you want it to be). The pathetic rifle ranges were adjusted to cover the entire table (I may use <i>Bolt Action'</i>s shorter, more cinematic ranges next time). </p><p>Shooting in CLA is figure to figure - which allows the Austrians to split their rifle fire between Italian units. Most rules I have are unit to unit shooting, which would severely hamper the Austrians. That said, in CLA, in practice, I tend to do either figure to unit, or small subset of unit to unit. It works for me.</p><p>I think going forward I will implement <i>GASLIGHT'</i>s method of distributing hits on a target unit - that way, your group of figures may score three hits on the target unit, but all three end up on the same individual.</p><p>The game went 10 turns overall, which surprised me, as I had thought 6 would be sufficient. However, the Italians, due to poor movement dice, took forever to get to the hill let alone engage in close combat. </p><p>There needs to be a win condition for the Austrian force, too - perhaps casualties inflicted or "hold out for X and then retreat", otherwise there is no natural stopping point other than a fight to the last man for one or the other side. I'll be setting it up for another go soon.<br /></p><p><br /></p>John Yhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16465161620134394060noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9069095863978098122.post-23854930957089662672024-01-08T13:51:00.004-05:002024-01-09T17:41:58.551-05:00First Figures of 2024 (sort of)<p>I started in on my goal of painting everything I got for Christmas with the Plague Marines.</p><p>They came assembled and primed and I had all the colors I needed already, so they were the obvious place to start.</p><p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoJgqMRGz6SBY5wdQOsg2Cw8ToUD3NQOzgonOr9PBkmQCxCPgAagVFbcF_eprrkVUr4c6sKSaL_IiMLerDCO2KipWeoPmr1KFo6S8kTsKyLUzM7J9WGRkPuGZW-E9Gb9ZEQRGBRp71TiwIcKO5KQ1q-5cQsQlqkrGh1RxiW_VoaWGRHxohaBXnJtmfdg/s3024/unnamed.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoJgqMRGz6SBY5wdQOsg2Cw8ToUD3NQOzgonOr9PBkmQCxCPgAagVFbcF_eprrkVUr4c6sKSaL_IiMLerDCO2KipWeoPmr1KFo6S8kTsKyLUzM7J9WGRkPuGZW-E9Gb9ZEQRGBRp71TiwIcKO5KQ1q-5cQsQlqkrGh1RxiW_VoaWGRHxohaBXnJtmfdg/w400-h400/unnamed.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td></tr></tbody></table>I used the dry brush + Army Painter Strong Tone Quickshade final wash method that I used with <a href="https://54mmorfight.blogspot.com/2023/12/completed-nurgles-rotters.html">my Nurgle Rotters</a> and that I learned from <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J9ZloCWoLO8" target="_blank">Commander Cheapskate on YouTube</a>.<br /></p><p>The majority of the paints used here were craft brands. </p><p>The bright
green is provided by my new favorite paint color, Lime Sherbet (from
Apple Barrel) which I used for the Rotters previously. It was dry
brushed over a Russian Uniform Green base (Vallejo) which more or less disappeared between the dry brushing and the wash, but it's there. </p><p>That's as much a note for my future self as anything - I have four more to paint.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhko3QSyvphySnTkXy2LIemlHJpvxHuY3nOQRhlqMEiSWk7UMwz1L5nc5RKIPVz64bbwPk5l28cqwskitCVaOQbz7pYBciaZMVcnMsUw8asdq16OgiXotL1E2WQjuj2_zzXaq8lsFWhgS8JwyHK4vHCNBzxcPp7XauZZHNpfTRw1VvtVSUbi5EyNFWt6g/s4032/IMG_1601.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhko3QSyvphySnTkXy2LIemlHJpvxHuY3nOQRhlqMEiSWk7UMwz1L5nc5RKIPVz64bbwPk5l28cqwskitCVaOQbz7pYBciaZMVcnMsUw8asdq16OgiXotL1E2WQjuj2_zzXaq8lsFWhgS8JwyHK4vHCNBzxcPp7XauZZHNpfTRw1VvtVSUbi5EyNFWt6g/w400-h300/IMG_1601.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I tried a rust effect - orange paint over gun metal on the chain mail, vents on the legs, and other bits - visible on the leftmost figure. I like how it looks. <br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p>I'm
pretty happy with the overall result. I think they qualify as "Battle
Ready" (that's like a GW term or something). They obviously need their
bases finished but I haven't decided how I'm going to do the bases for this project.</p><p>I can't decide if I want each team's basing to be unique, or if they will all be uniform - like I do for my other collections, other than <i>Blitz Bowl</i>.</p><p>I need to think on that, so the paint queue will keep moving on.</p>John Yhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16465161620134394060noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9069095863978098122.post-81213347404492367612024-01-04T15:27:00.000-05:002024-01-04T15:27:08.105-05:00New Year, Who Dis?<p> Happy New Year!</p><p>As this is my favorite time of year for reading everyone's posts reviewing the previous year and making plans for the coming year (realistic or not), it would be poor form if I did not offer up my own similar post.<br /></p><h2 style="text-align: center;">2023 A Quick Overview of Gaming Stuff<br /></h2><p>Somehow, I managed to paint most everything <a href="https://54mmorfight.blogspot.com/2023/01/happy-new-year.html">I said I wanted to,</a> and plenty of extra (oddly, I didn't do any of the Southern Front things I thought I would, but I did paint additional infantry). I'm most happy about finishing three <i>Blitz Bowl</i> teams and bringing my Tanitians and Lizards up in strength.</p><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirx6cRnGbdRpR-rF4vM36uIbmpdvrHvF_Ki6-SAFBQ43pYr4TeOmqyEhDVHP4JAMJrjsvDQqeRBpP-Y8vDoisS4mgpkzCCZQAysPOHMeCo8BoiJc2FJsjpw6FOQXgiTpTP36GiRl3RTuHr_-ZcKXZGMFB5qrI8VWRHHbxGeJB01-53fewKOnu9oFbKqQ/s4032/IMG-0780.jpg"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirx6cRnGbdRpR-rF4vM36uIbmpdvrHvF_Ki6-SAFBQ43pYr4TeOmqyEhDVHP4JAMJrjsvDQqeRBpP-Y8vDoisS4mgpkzCCZQAysPOHMeCo8BoiJc2FJsjpw6FOQXgiTpTP36GiRl3RTuHr_-ZcKXZGMFB5qrI8VWRHHbxGeJB01-53fewKOnu9oFbKqQ/w400-h300/IMG-0780.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p>I played quite a few games, many of which were not documented - I rediscovered the joys of playing without feeling the need to record the proceedings. <i>One Hour Wargames</i>, rules-as-written (Ancients) as well as modified (Machine Age), saw the bulk of the action. </p><p>I would have never expected that a year ago.</p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCFQTlH9sdFDtq7ZQVV_AK1_abRUd317TCNSs3ktuG-0Pqse1slr3T5R99W9cd5X7bV1IUmJqkbJdzJIYFd3F0PH0y4152iZO3Jtb7SZnFpGKs30C8M-Hz24j5KOTorHzqWyJgg8h5nDDE7gFuF29FO0GkzkVo9iMTKF9Bvpixl6D9XDOS2mw8j4z_aw/s4032/IMG-1155.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCFQTlH9sdFDtq7ZQVV_AK1_abRUd317TCNSs3ktuG-0Pqse1slr3T5R99W9cd5X7bV1IUmJqkbJdzJIYFd3F0PH0y4152iZO3Jtb7SZnFpGKs30C8M-Hz24j5KOTorHzqWyJgg8h5nDDE7gFuF29FO0GkzkVo9iMTKF9Bvpixl6D9XDOS2mw8j4z_aw/w400-h300/IMG-1155.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Not OHW but my own grid-based amalgamation of Crossfire, Advanced Squad Leader Starter Kit and The Portable Wargame. It was immensely satisfying to get my PTO figures re-based and back on the table. <br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /> There were a lot of rules tried, however. And that leads nicely into:<br /><p></p><h2 style="text-align: center;">2023 Top 3 Posts </h2><p style="text-align: left;">I don't normally look at my posts to see which ones have the most views - that's not why I write. But I was curious, after seeing what some others have posted, to see if there was anything to learn from the exercise.<br /></p>So, what were they?<br /><ol style="text-align: left;"><li><a href="https://54mmorfight.blogspot.com/2023/09/wwi-rules-review-kind-of-sort-of.html">WWI Rules Review Sort Of </a></li><li><a href="https://54mmorfight.blogspot.com/2023/04/the-next-day-somewhere-in-europe-one.html">The Next Day Somewhere in Europe (One Hour Skirmish Wargames)</a><br /></li><li><a href="https://54mmorfight.blogspot.com/2023/09/contemptible-little-armies-and-late.html">Contemptible Little Armies and the Late Arrivals</a></li></ol><p style="text-align: left;">I'm not at all surprised by the top spot -
it's a review, sort of, and so it potentially has value to a wider
audience than my usual ramblings. Indeed, it was shared on <i>The Miniatures Page</i> which led to most of the views.</p><p style="text-align: left;"></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkDo3af4IXngN8sNcaCVPD1S5vl799GStEmORjREF8bJ-H8jtMvYZqPsATyxwSvsaw8gVSfZBWDcnMELsz3BiHiGmWVjbivXpajPD5OkbEBf9t6fC0dTDiQqSUj19wacCOMkDJx5Gs95XlbdLF2rVWJVud5IaEH_aD7jQaDvW9OHTgWZcK8EDgfbVx3Q/s4032/IMG-0760.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkDo3af4IXngN8sNcaCVPD1S5vl799GStEmORjREF8bJ-H8jtMvYZqPsATyxwSvsaw8gVSfZBWDcnMELsz3BiHiGmWVjbivXpajPD5OkbEBf9t6fC0dTDiQqSUj19wacCOMkDJx5Gs95XlbdLF2rVWJVud5IaEH_aD7jQaDvW9OHTgWZcK8EDgfbVx3Q/w400-h300/IMG-0760.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Setup for The Next Day Somewhere in Europe<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p> The
other two however, I can't
explain. Perhaps it's that the post tile for each mentions a specific
rule system? If you're actively trying to increase the views per post,
that may be something to keep in mind. </p><p></p><p></p><h2 style="text-align: center;">2024 Plans<br /></h2><p>And now the part where unbridled enthusiasm seizes its opportunity.</p><p>Well maybe a little bridled.</p><p>As I've mentioned previously on this blog, <a href="https://54mmorfight.blogspot.com/2023/11/some-things-for-under-christmas-tree.html">2024 will be the year of Grimdark</a>.</p><p>For Christmas, as shown in that linked post, I gifted myself 48 Games Workshop figures representing four factions : Space Marines, Death Guard/Plague Marines, Tyranids, and Necrons. This is my primary goal/plan for 2024: paint all of them.</p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFO0udQO-hHTKRjMU-_HOzzU7-Uxj9-Po-2CwtUFXveDVg9rb0PB7TM3SDHrVfM8SZZvQ2tF7MBPgO43KKn_OMwbt2xFGTHAFL5Wlv9OaeByeHTu0iebiAyjao7GFIe0GbriXMtLGu8ym0wHpQtmFVOJxi9W8FhDbyo0nClccS63mBq_RcBLSCMIjJDg/s4032/IMG_1593.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFO0udQO-hHTKRjMU-_HOzzU7-Uxj9-Po-2CwtUFXveDVg9rb0PB7TM3SDHrVfM8SZZvQ2tF7MBPgO43KKn_OMwbt2xFGTHAFL5Wlv9OaeByeHTu0iebiAyjao7GFIe0GbriXMtLGu8ym0wHpQtmFVOJxi9W8FhDbyo0nClccS63mBq_RcBLSCMIjJDg/w400-h300/IMG_1593.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Space Marine Intercessors from the <i>Fireteam</i> game assembled. They'll be painted up as Blood Ravens, at my son's request.<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p>It's more than feasible at just 4 figures per month but I do hope that I can paint them a little faster than that. <br /></p><p>My second goal/plan is NO NEW FIGURES that aren't purchased with gift money (I mean, I can't help that people give me money because they don't know what to get me).</p><p>Lot's of us will make a similar vow for the coming year. Fortunately, in my case, I did this for pretty much the last six or seven moths of 2023, so I've had some practice exercising restraint in this matter. It turns out it is surprisingly easy - or it was, once I realized I didn't need to buy figures every time an idea popped into my head.</p><p>This ties in somewhat with my efforts to reduce the size of my overall collection - painted and unpainted. Mostly though, I am trying to avoid accumulating for "someday" because 1)there isn't much space for that kind of thing in my apartment and 2)I'll probably have to move it at some point in the next few years and the less I have to pack the better.<br /></p><p>I have all sorts of ideas about games I think would be fun to play, but at the same time, I hesitate to suggest that there's any kind of commitment in mind when I think of them. Instead, as I play games, I will make an effort to track them - even when not taking photos for the blog - so that I can see which collections are getting used and to what extent. </p><p>That said<i>, </i>a mini-campaign or two are high on my list of possible undertakings.</p><h2 style="text-align: center;">*** <br /></h2><p>I hope 2024 brings you whatever you want out of your gaming hobby and that your dice always roll high (except when you want them to roll low)!</p>John Yhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16465161620134394060noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9069095863978098122.post-83277415619613614002023-12-28T16:47:00.003-05:002023-12-28T16:52:11.175-05:002023 Christmas Game<p><i>Christmas Eve, 1942</i></p><p><i>The Germans have a vise-like grip on Europe with little signs of cracks in their defenses. They’ve made holiday present delivery nearly impossible with anti-aircraft guns firing at anything in the night sky. For obvious reasons, we can’t risk The Jolly Fat Man.</i></p><p><i>Our battalion is tasked with delivering presents to some isolated but occupied mountain villages. The children have had a terrible year under German occupation and we’re going to bring them a small spark of joy. And by “bringing them a small spark of joy” we mean toys and killing Nazis.</i></p><p><i>Your platoon will be dropped South of Le Village Au-delà Des Pommes de Terre (a village in the alps between Italy and France)</i></p><p><i>Your mission:</i></p><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><i>Eliminate and Infiltrate German defenses south of the village..</i></li><li><i>Deliver the right present to the right recipient.</i></li><li><i>Blow up the railway.</i></li><li><i>Escape to the Extraction Zone.</i></li></ul><p></p><div><div><i>If you miss the extraction flight, head south over the alps until you reach Italy. There you can make contact with Agent Dominick. The Reindeer cannot climb the hills of Italy, as you know.</i></div><div><i><br /></i></div><div><i>You will each be given two spheres of Christmas Magic to assist you. </i><i>Use them wisely. </i></div><div><i><br /></i></div><div><i>Good luck, and we’ll see you in the canteen for eggnog, post-mission.</i></div><div><i><br /></i></div><div><i>Maj. Gen. Blitzen</i></div></div><div><br /></div><div>Such was the set up for this year's Christmas day game for family and friends.</div><p>Players would each play a member of Santa's Animal Nighttime Tactical Assault Force (the acclaimed S.A.N.T.A. Force) - each worth 100 points in One Page Rules terms for <i>Grimdark Future Firefight</i>.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYYfG-jCTE7Cmn4YYCT1nn4gs0UZAQWeFjYmHb-prtNczrAUsVTr21V9_DTvWrBULD5Kld4OdocGyyzIxBJLDECgF-Faecnbe6DAA7AB9RGeRO9_LsxCjweUbp2SUxtVvII-FJ9jgfrBXHspWB7l6NJSg-129hpH6_j2lGdGB9uGEyQUAIvnfEUkio8w/s4032/IMG_1536.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYYfG-jCTE7Cmn4YYCT1nn4gs0UZAQWeFjYmHb-prtNczrAUsVTr21V9_DTvWrBULD5Kld4OdocGyyzIxBJLDECgF-Faecnbe6DAA7AB9RGeRO9_LsxCjweUbp2SUxtVvII-FJ9jgfrBXHspWB7l6NJSg-129hpH6_j2lGdGB9uGEyQUAIvnfEUkio8w/w400-h300/IMG_1536.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Of the three cats present, only Theoria was interested in helping.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIERxB7dnl-vjJgAEHKPrd-HfkseGogmTBWm_NND9exGwm8kozx39pqpprITVIKFNXkGJWwRvFXMRzStr8vRGzqnSMRKqZb9twM0RHR92bzrqdR4cDOlaHWbJx5JigHfxJJsT4lZ4ycL1obSxhAfGODKs96R_kVtteexoFmqcUUoZYAbXj2CIFOFSRSQ/s4032/IMG_1542.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIERxB7dnl-vjJgAEHKPrd-HfkseGogmTBWm_NND9exGwm8kozx39pqpprITVIKFNXkGJWwRvFXMRzStr8vRGzqnSMRKqZb9twM0RHR92bzrqdR4cDOlaHWbJx5JigHfxJJsT4lZ4ycL1obSxhAfGODKs96R_kVtteexoFmqcUUoZYAbXj2CIFOFSRSQ/w400-h300/IMG_1542.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The table layout. A tripod MG-42 team has the central hill, the others are held by bipod-mounted MGs.</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizcbx9UROv3lgNeBTnP4FU5Q3uoyMBNpUkqQNKW4gyBkyQoYz_DOVqhpC2w2ITM_PNoy-s638OBXY0v5y1iryuXEar6R3IirU1F46xblwrNTfRw2gKFasrMZ6whNR8c7f04HiSndUDCOdvJfFG8dEY82vDt-s-9jy85b4xYUMh9s73Yehi8PWGYN03_w/s4032/IMG_1543.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizcbx9UROv3lgNeBTnP4FU5Q3uoyMBNpUkqQNKW4gyBkyQoYz_DOVqhpC2w2ITM_PNoy-s638OBXY0v5y1iryuXEar6R3IirU1F46xblwrNTfRw2gKFasrMZ6whNR8c7f04HiSndUDCOdvJfFG8dEY82vDt-s-9jy85b4xYUMh9s73Yehi8PWGYN03_w/w400-h300/IMG_1543.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sam the Snowman is a North Pole operative deep undercover. Players can rendezvous with him for additional Christmas Magic.</td></tr></tbody></table></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsCX7GPD9R8mwrajVUJFY8fFZYBQHiPAM4GeNvMF8iEezlXXPKQ28kE89tnNmhGiSAGyxHgURQLdvWWkvuoL4nSyzOHw0IKo8C63o5ghgPeMs71MDJEUwTkt6OtePRIrS8zITjexd_wrp6BTySTKVVq-dl16berCLIgKRA7BruucsqFeprps4iBiGPhg/s2048/IMG_1560.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="922" data-original-width="2048" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsCX7GPD9R8mwrajVUJFY8fFZYBQHiPAM4GeNvMF8iEezlXXPKQ28kE89tnNmhGiSAGyxHgURQLdvWWkvuoL4nSyzOHw0IKo8C63o5ghgPeMs71MDJEUwTkt6OtePRIrS8zITjexd_wrp6BTySTKVVq-dl16berCLIgKRA7BruucsqFeprps4iBiGPhg/w400-h180/IMG_1560.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">By this point the PCs had handily eliminated the MG teams. Rat King (missing an ear) orders his Swarms forward</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDxnLBpH21M6YXD39fEOH6vUjr0mw1sLew2PvmkQIEDFGKRQz8JF1AbrldfpHJRFsmJHdMYBhSTAWSYMpYnhHfgrMedaHrj4VJNs0ANRwKgLZNw2JAs5Notz980-e7PCl3EnUfvj0_sWmDM6SiCvxOVdD2O2R1EMv-9KvQIsMdSw08IVt4QiTOXC_wvw/s2048/IMG_1561.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="922" data-original-width="2048" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDxnLBpH21M6YXD39fEOH6vUjr0mw1sLew2PvmkQIEDFGKRQz8JF1AbrldfpHJRFsmJHdMYBhSTAWSYMpYnhHfgrMedaHrj4VJNs0ANRwKgLZNw2JAs5Notz980-e7PCl3EnUfvj0_sWmDM6SiCvxOVdD2O2R1EMv-9KvQIsMdSw08IVt4QiTOXC_wvw/w400-h180/IMG_1561.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rat Swarms engage a German infantry squad.</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY1TQnlwcPxpTSxov2UsP7YVIJgpxY24dblQ9NbXjM_Rd0OKUolsmMQPLSLFmXhfv4Ndfw1lRWP5c63OVALDjB_fXxclOuC4OtZYOptqwWx7XPKrAzG-SPmRpFZajdRIFK0pfWUAvUM8Gvm_IhyphenhyphenkCj0yJepvdpRF2aeoKPyyuxtco9BlYekXm7stD2Bw/s2048/IMG_1563.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="922" data-original-width="2048" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY1TQnlwcPxpTSxov2UsP7YVIJgpxY24dblQ9NbXjM_Rd0OKUolsmMQPLSLFmXhfv4Ndfw1lRWP5c63OVALDjB_fXxclOuC4OtZYOptqwWx7XPKrAzG-SPmRpFZajdRIFK0pfWUAvUM8Gvm_IhyphenhyphenkCj0yJepvdpRF2aeoKPyyuxtco9BlYekXm7stD2Bw/w400-h180/IMG_1563.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rat King (foreground) makes contact with Sam the Snowman. Penguin thinks twice about standing in the road with a mobile MG barreling down towards it. </td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7QXrP-2cZg95yC71zz-zuuMXRIodLRuHwlToyLANvvMXoMO592y-7-aTo3rDLyVtTJVIIQLTlbM_Oq-2LGtkxqtReYFGh9R0MrKCjLWrtipHuRkHMUuPAMGLCY4vmp0pqwKXs9-Rsfq_nOMs1VQFvUrCTWMQ-cp2hr8pIQGKI_qzfgnrX1jxEiTlBww/s922/IMG_1564.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="922" data-original-width="922" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7QXrP-2cZg95yC71zz-zuuMXRIodLRuHwlToyLANvvMXoMO592y-7-aTo3rDLyVtTJVIIQLTlbM_Oq-2LGtkxqtReYFGh9R0MrKCjLWrtipHuRkHMUuPAMGLCY4vmp0pqwKXs9-Rsfq_nOMs1VQFvUrCTWMQ-cp2hr8pIQGKI_qzfgnrX1jxEiTlBww/w400-h400/IMG_1564.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of the presents that had to be delivered.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7QXrP-2cZg95yC71zz-zuuMXRIodLRuHwlToyLANvvMXoMO592y-7-aTo3rDLyVtTJVIIQLTlbM_Oq-2LGtkxqtReYFGh9R0MrKCjLWrtipHuRkHMUuPAMGLCY4vmp0pqwKXs9-Rsfq_nOMs1VQFvUrCTWMQ-cp2hr8pIQGKI_qzfgnrX1jxEiTlBww/s922/IMG_1564.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0MDYHggnmnwwK3GXCq7bOPBmBXsNvcXRUjHTPb68_aQMKC4wEpkb54cxNaqbgkDpWTsnglWsjFK30GfDdS5N46CxrY2rY4FKyY4tlyy58cQ2nJrWGXpcrW3yiI46vwYY_6FJka1L-an1EYrLJAyg4gGCSbk0Fe6qUGVFCBD-3qD64Js8UApKcWpwVRw/s922/IMG_1569.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="922" data-original-width="922" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0MDYHggnmnwwK3GXCq7bOPBmBXsNvcXRUjHTPb68_aQMKC4wEpkb54cxNaqbgkDpWTsnglWsjFK30GfDdS5N46CxrY2rY4FKyY4tlyy58cQ2nJrWGXpcrW3yiI46vwYY_6FJka1L-an1EYrLJAyg4gGCSbk0Fe6qUGVFCBD-3qD64Js8UApKcWpwVRw/w400-h400/IMG_1569.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJwp6RNkCqA3zUOidQlWcSnjZn_H5Q30j_XNlG1q4VpFqVUPczE9Gy02IFT8wI1QSROnUlHSZ59JvX4l73tnYllUUzXAMC-g2vktEffmUeBPcvS1DU0u6RxJf7-XRWKrmsopRYm-8hw8vgCBB8cI0e6rcmRiDUBWvaQC6nORJGXKyNOlESXVSBFBQ43g/s2048/IMG_1568.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="922" data-original-width="2048" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJwp6RNkCqA3zUOidQlWcSnjZn_H5Q30j_XNlG1q4VpFqVUPczE9Gy02IFT8wI1QSROnUlHSZ59JvX4l73tnYllUUzXAMC-g2vktEffmUeBPcvS1DU0u6RxJf7-XRWKrmsopRYm-8hw8vgCBB8cI0e6rcmRiDUBWvaQC6nORJGXKyNOlESXVSBFBQ43g/w400-h180/IMG_1568.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Penguin trying to avoid the kublewagen's MG.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0pl_HjIZOFoR7_lzJOaAysm-J6Aq2e7myq99C5gOFDfvgy0OwTZaexj6QJdTLWMYyDYpN8ncFGGT74Q2tnvEF5DxyzRgHR52NbiyHfgDIo83K06mT1LYgF9Is0tpZnPsS-rag1PCf3-08XVBVFAnmRkhv0-b_y4RWEy8l6S3uEZ0NJfjxHFlnKqM6Qw/s2048/IMG_1570.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="922" data-original-width="2048" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0pl_HjIZOFoR7_lzJOaAysm-J6Aq2e7myq99C5gOFDfvgy0OwTZaexj6QJdTLWMYyDYpN8ncFGGT74Q2tnvEF5DxyzRgHR52NbiyHfgDIo83K06mT1LYgF9Is0tpZnPsS-rag1PCf3-08XVBVFAnmRkhv0-b_y4RWEy8l6S3uEZ0NJfjxHFlnKqM6Qw/w400-h180/IMG_1570.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">German reinforcements start to arrive.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqHFB3x6xP5dJ82JKXwByDLZDHdsl6We3GClvempoTLHdTL1pge18tnSJmlehFRuqxFm5HgLdFYajkLM7MvDU2KBPcKa1WaiQ4ofm0Foh0R7FHrt-byDxoopiRDW7ahtPeQZzOg3R3kMedMoRTL2dUnu3pRwbROfav9NXfvTiCtmnMzUSlGGTTvx46Dw/s1533/IMG_1573.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="922" data-original-width="1533" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqHFB3x6xP5dJ82JKXwByDLZDHdsl6We3GClvempoTLHdTL1pge18tnSJmlehFRuqxFm5HgLdFYajkLM7MvDU2KBPcKa1WaiQ4ofm0Foh0R7FHrt-byDxoopiRDW7ahtPeQZzOg3R3kMedMoRTL2dUnu3pRwbROfav9NXfvTiCtmnMzUSlGGTTvx46Dw/w400-h240/IMG_1573.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Penguin takes out the driver and the kublewagen crashes and explodes,</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3mkgh6U60jgA5G1xZBKBz4qxa-eJZ-BYDxMLDiaT-N7QCFtRhKIOVWQat10oKZU59yTEZnujUDVeEplN13qI6zhYiZV2gRrhNpTVKrkD9Ku55_TnBSmPnynEPnylBsu7sJtrJjDH4zns3x4In0vxoWQh7eBgLpX188ejOWZNzYgiW14ZUpVPL0WTAeg/s1356/IMG_1576.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="922" data-original-width="1356" height="272" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3mkgh6U60jgA5G1xZBKBz4qxa-eJZ-BYDxMLDiaT-N7QCFtRhKIOVWQat10oKZU59yTEZnujUDVeEplN13qI6zhYiZV2gRrhNpTVKrkD9Ku55_TnBSmPnynEPnylBsu7sJtrJjDH4zns3x4In0vxoWQh7eBgLpX188ejOWZNzYgiW14ZUpVPL0WTAeg/w400-h272/IMG_1576.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hedgehog is carrying the beacon and starts heading for the hill.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWBuFYkas-gkOKHijDdeVLwdQb68CK3W3Xeo9Lic4DGZFd_8bpDyAD__9IlCcwgxHWJ3H19KUl2VSb9JrIkrSW04xXfz5Uc4mubHvWOiSa2eyvAka-9G5ImbMN802J4Y0JRm4k1fJ2vBqLMey78QNDtU5KVY9AsNcXJPbnGLNWhfFHtR0NlTlruz2nNg/s1655/IMG_1577.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="922" data-original-width="1655" height="223" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWBuFYkas-gkOKHijDdeVLwdQb68CK3W3Xeo9Lic4DGZFd_8bpDyAD__9IlCcwgxHWJ3H19KUl2VSb9JrIkrSW04xXfz5Uc4mubHvWOiSa2eyvAka-9G5ImbMN802J4Y0JRm4k1fJ2vBqLMey78QNDtU5KVY9AsNcXJPbnGLNWhfFHtR0NlTlruz2nNg/w400-h223/IMG_1577.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Owl targeted the NCO.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwg006x3D3s5lWFJA4gh9ZwxFbpz2lIcYjEZJm8dnioBxQmqfTsBNQd-YIeXwovXnxLVcWrvSh2Tkd9Dqm3HRF_wwNrivsHFlZlHnh3-ej3dWQcMG-q6jReZq3RvEBzXTHgPAkx9P1uvW6tQYbQCL7VHIE9h8Hidcfu61qtFHV9l8AdSGO0yVhgm9TYg/s921/IMG_1578.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="921" data-original-width="921" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwg006x3D3s5lWFJA4gh9ZwxFbpz2lIcYjEZJm8dnioBxQmqfTsBNQd-YIeXwovXnxLVcWrvSh2Tkd9Dqm3HRF_wwNrivsHFlZlHnh3-ej3dWQcMG-q6jReZq3RvEBzXTHgPAkx9P1uvW6tQYbQCL7VHIE9h8Hidcfu61qtFHV9l8AdSGO0yVhgm9TYg/w400-h400/IMG_1578.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Beaver would single handedly destroy this tank. His chompers have a bite of AP4 and he tore it up like it was a tin can.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPizJzwzl16o3J0XiRmzVbQA53WrUwwVBKabStwhtoGTy-wBAVgH8U6eDbALS0_Eppm3-QaDTonv4etHKhnt6nFOaQWdDun5cQJjcj7JQ_SaWbDyS6_OTFvECLeolhpFpNRmI1IfSB3vmVFPpQVibjb3eMtww5bif4S2PnKLBYAp2r33V-b-hWDf06-g/s2048/IMG_1579.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="922" data-original-width="2048" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPizJzwzl16o3J0XiRmzVbQA53WrUwwVBKabStwhtoGTy-wBAVgH8U6eDbALS0_Eppm3-QaDTonv4etHKhnt6nFOaQWdDun5cQJjcj7JQ_SaWbDyS6_OTFvECLeolhpFpNRmI1IfSB3vmVFPpQVibjb3eMtww5bif4S2PnKLBYAp2r33V-b-hWDf06-g/w400-h180/IMG_1579.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hedgehog lit up the extraction beacon. The smoking SDK was thanks to team effort with Beaver delivering the final blow.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh76QZgmJjQgsB7kVJDqSbwlX6XtZZDbFIxwJmIs_WSuF_vDC6cqHMBGUUchvuth1Hymv-621hsslptavYZFUhkKJbm18IX6fIXsARpGbdLBiukPH9j9NT-wgpO_Lqmu8_XdlchW_8-D-OuN3L7zFhyphenhyphenT386PC9dtQiNnFX95mf9Fe6KP6XVl_pCL_dpTg/s2048/IMG_1580.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="922" data-original-width="2048" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh76QZgmJjQgsB7kVJDqSbwlX6XtZZDbFIxwJmIs_WSuF_vDC6cqHMBGUUchvuth1Hymv-621hsslptavYZFUhkKJbm18IX6fIXsARpGbdLBiukPH9j9NT-wgpO_Lqmu8_XdlchW_8-D-OuN3L7zFhyphenhyphenT386PC9dtQiNnFX95mf9Fe6KP6XVl_pCL_dpTg/w400-h180/IMG_1580.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">S.A.N.T.A. Force members made their way to the hill. The vehicle takes two turns to arrive.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijoHmhtMpohfwy8FmcD3HzJihhqrIQCxoyuzpHqUy6_cA-rV9MMAdslCR4xg6mCSCmp75Pe36W2-siJeXPt9h8f5pXm2xvro-ApSfxEfWHzK9qMe2QwuBGvt9j9KxZAGZmoZc_aUm22i-lzhNiEWPrOP-b-qojdr3YWyTaMQdXdeMPTIW7Gdtlpzr5vA/s2048/IMG_1581.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="922" data-original-width="2048" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijoHmhtMpohfwy8FmcD3HzJihhqrIQCxoyuzpHqUy6_cA-rV9MMAdslCR4xg6mCSCmp75Pe36W2-siJeXPt9h8f5pXm2xvro-ApSfxEfWHzK9qMe2QwuBGvt9j9KxZAGZmoZc_aUm22i-lzhNiEWPrOP-b-qojdr3YWyTaMQdXdeMPTIW7Gdtlpzr5vA/w400-h180/IMG_1581.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Owl finished up some business first.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlRU6GtvUIo683hG8JM6VUXQ4fV6Fmp643j4enFgaIn6XgiafXVnnB9pHVPXAxK9VWbCVkMr4GQSpEJFze-KWM0WxefVp8XNpmD9t0_GA_-F6nH5h4nY__9waDZi-Tp1WcshYnb-fhI3GCcuakJaPncPq1o4PhaSciM1zgMHXOy2v4TKNadUtHxmBYqg/s2048/IMG_1582.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="922" data-original-width="2048" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlRU6GtvUIo683hG8JM6VUXQ4fV6Fmp643j4enFgaIn6XgiafXVnnB9pHVPXAxK9VWbCVkMr4GQSpEJFze-KWM0WxefVp8XNpmD9t0_GA_-F6nH5h4nY__9waDZi-Tp1WcshYnb-fhI3GCcuakJaPncPq1o4PhaSciM1zgMHXOy2v4TKNadUtHxmBYqg/w400-h180/IMG_1582.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC5aWAzH69xa82isWsIsFjw9ttxCX_ZcHfhuTTjGljRAunNa2_1im_lTQKfBEX-VxDDtXIS_nkeKRD6mMj_g6Z0iY8DmlUeqE0-qOsSkAJecYMOzWBiU2bC7kMgQxErc4ahNtkLXwNRO508rSqVnXBaAP0xWCekOkquyMNjXnfIYW95tTs9o__7gX7bw/s2048/IMG_1584.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="922" data-original-width="2048" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC5aWAzH69xa82isWsIsFjw9ttxCX_ZcHfhuTTjGljRAunNa2_1im_lTQKfBEX-VxDDtXIS_nkeKRD6mMj_g6Z0iY8DmlUeqE0-qOsSkAJecYMOzWBiU2bC7kMgQxErc4ahNtkLXwNRO508rSqVnXBaAP0xWCekOkquyMNjXnfIYW95tTs9o__7gX7bw/w400-h180/IMG_1584.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Extraction unit arrives and the party begins to climb in.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwwEyUE4FMAUdusM2xztotJifK42LUTs8922nJMktC0A_iZGdkLrYUcNp6MJib_GsxNSaTXwmIO0ibXIvJqleXrQkfbGgyV8jdmXhVLTDk-pjF_jyCIc08s_NysYRXmP-ItlgDCAeQD5mei9aM5UWY4al328SaLONIYmqzeNU_Nlue1s_zK2D6ynELEw/s2048/IMG_1586.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="922" data-original-width="2048" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwwEyUE4FMAUdusM2xztotJifK42LUTs8922nJMktC0A_iZGdkLrYUcNp6MJib_GsxNSaTXwmIO0ibXIvJqleXrQkfbGgyV8jdmXhVLTDk-pjF_jyCIc08s_NysYRXmP-ItlgDCAeQD5mei9aM5UWY4al328SaLONIYmqzeNU_Nlue1s_zK2D6ynELEw/w400-h180/IMG_1586.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The pilot takes off under a hail of MG and rifle fire (the party's minis don't all physically fit, but in-game they had all boarded)</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p>A completely successful mission!</p><p>****</p><p>For the third year running, I have run a game on Christmas for our family and friends. It is safe to say at this point that we have a tradition. And there is talk of someone else picking up the reigns for a Thanksgiving game next year (I run a game for our Family Fall Festival and Christmas, I need the break in between).</p><p>This year I wanted to make use of things I already had, rather than making or buying anything new - it seems a waste to make these things for a single game, never to see the light of day again. So, you may have recognized some of these things from previous games.</p><p>To add variety, I looked to the missions.</p><p>There were five presents, each to go to a different house. The present was an image representing the title of a Christmas song. Each building contained a piece of paper with the name of a song. The present had to be given to the house that matched. The song for each house could onl be revealted by a delivery attempt.</p><p>The images weren't difficult to decipher but some were just enough of a challenge to be entertaining. It also provided a challenge for the players, as quite often the player with a needed present was nowhere near the right house. Players could pass presents to other characters(owl for instance took one ,as he was faster and unhindered by terrain) but no animal could carry more than two presents, or one present and the extraction beacon.</p><p>One really game-y rule I put in place was that all player figures had to be beyond 18 inches from their baseline before any presents, but other than that, the players were free to handle the objectives in any order they desired.</p><p>To blow up the train tracks, the player had to roll a die, with the chance that it might not go off, or worse, it might be far bigger than expected. In the event, it only blew up what it was supposed to!</p><p>The first reinforcement (a single squad) arrived one turn after shooting started. No other reinforcements were set to arrive util turn 8. That gave the party 8 turns to take out three MG teams and a squad, and deliver presents, before the bulk of the German force arrived. </p><p>Players were not required to contact Sam the Snowman, but if a player did, then Sam would give them a Christmas riddle to solve - a couple of them were math based, some were brain teasers. I let the whole party participate but only the player who met with Sam got the reward (two more Christmas Magic beads)</p><p>To avoid any kind of unfairness, I involved the players in the German reenforcement placement.</p><p>I indicated six spawn points on the table. On turn nine, Germans would arrive from two spawn points, for each of the next three rounds, but they could only arrive from a given spawn point one time. </p><p>The players were asked to indicate which points were used for which turn, but they didn't know what would arrive. In the meantime, I had a list of order in which the reinforcements would arrive but no idea where each would come from. </p><p>This worked out better than expected, with the party splitting up to deal with different threats before they decided on a plan for the extraction. </p><p>Oh, one last thing, Christmas Magic. The player received two silver beads. They could be turned in for either:</p><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>+2 to the current roll (even after the result was known)</li><li>1d3 wounds healed</li><li>Force the enemy to re-roll</li></ul><p></p><p>I wanted them to have interesting choices to make rather than specifying a particular effect. This is not dissimilar to Hero Points in FUBAR.</p><p>The game ran for a little over 3 hours of play time, with a break for dinner around the two-hour mark (We were supposed to be done BEFORE dinner, but there was some confusion and some people didn't arrive for two hours later than initially indicated). It seemed like everyone had a good time and with the exception of my son who was very tired by the end, everyone was engaged until the final flight back to the North Pole.</p>John Yhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16465161620134394060noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9069095863978098122.post-73716534657235611452023-12-17T00:48:00.002-05:002023-12-17T00:49:52.989-05:00PSA: One Page Rules Patreon<p>When I was first trying to come up with a scenario for the annual Christmas game (this year is the third year!), I realized that I really needed to know what rules I was going to use, or I wouldn't be able to plan things outside of broad strokes.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ5NxtWBd1KYrFVcEivdgqhVob2LZ2RRGM-t8eKkpcAVfvLpXWpYf_WnB9q1o54c1trChWxx8MeGGOa-HHrBd72t2dMgvz0cVo2isxjKy3lU-zQFPDJTbJyfAZLSbzDn6Md4kY-kV3BWysrdJ91d1OebhnqPOm5y29a4pwr3IAB7Z5EWhBL8hTj0R5bQ/s4032/IMG_1498.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ5NxtWBd1KYrFVcEivdgqhVob2LZ2RRGM-t8eKkpcAVfvLpXWpYf_WnB9q1o54c1trChWxx8MeGGOa-HHrBd72t2dMgvz0cVo2isxjKy3lU-zQFPDJTbJyfAZLSbzDn6Md4kY-kV3BWysrdJ91d1OebhnqPOm5y29a4pwr3IAB7Z5EWhBL8hTj0R5bQ/w400-h300/IMG_1498.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Scene from tonight's playtest. Yes, that hedgehog did blow up that kubelwagen, with grenades and spells (it's a psykker/caster). </td></tr></tbody></table><p>We had a good bit of fun at this year's Family Fall Festival with One Page Rules <i><a href="https://www.onepagerules.com/games/grimdark-future-firefight" target="_blank">Grim Dark Future: Firefight</a></i> </p><p>Everyone picked up the rules quickly and they could engage in some RPG-lite, have spotlight moments when their abilities made something cool happen, and they enjoyed discussing the tactics and how best to utilize special abilities to benefit the rest of the party.</p><p>So, it was a no-brainer really.<br /></p><p>While I am happy to use the free force builders, and reskin things as needed, I learned that if you join the <a href="https://www.patreon.com/onepagerules/posts" target="_blank">OPR patreon</a>, you get access to the web app that you can use to build custom army lists. </p><p>It is absolutely worth the price of admission ($5 USD/month and you can cancel anytime). There are other benefits too, like free copies of the full rulebooks (1 per month - which are available for sale on Wargamevault otherwise).</p><p>Each of the player character figures for the Christmas game is now stated out in a manner that makes them unique and reflects the type of animal they are.</p><p>You can even create your own custom weapons. For example, the beaver has "tail slap" as a close combat weapon. Much more evocative than "CCW" (close combat weapon).</p><p>I highly recommend joining the patreon if you enjoy the free OPR rules already and your toys aren't GW sci-fi or fantasy standards.</p>John Yhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16465161620134394060noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9069095863978098122.post-28572205261733275902023-12-14T10:49:00.002-05:002023-12-14T16:46:27.927-05:00Completed: Nurgle's Rotters!<p>Over the weekend, I finished my Nurgle bloaters and pestigor, thus completing my Nurgle's Rotters team for <i>Blitz Bowl</i>. </p><p>This time I was extra heavy on the dry brushing and very little additional highlighting was needed post-Strong Tone.</p><p>They still look dirty/grime-y as opposed to shadowy, but it fits their theme.<br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6zei3HjuL7O8ll2r2zyBqvEOlasyKaPFL5MmAXjMl4EbTePxiJFOh7u4kTJpDoJ_S5xXNbHgUp_xtZEs53XlVBLox6q1o2GePcf2gEc1paSJ3yqPKBTBan2T7N0c4x3dedD1tUn2JyReyvOfXo7iSoUlmkGALDkg8-I0OhnRyfDaZcr4VZkfUIu69iA/s4032/IMG_1486.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6zei3HjuL7O8ll2r2zyBqvEOlasyKaPFL5MmAXjMl4EbTePxiJFOh7u4kTJpDoJ_S5xXNbHgUp_xtZEs53XlVBLox6q1o2GePcf2gEc1paSJ3yqPKBTBan2T7N0c4x3dedD1tUn2JyReyvOfXo7iSoUlmkGALDkg8-I0OhnRyfDaZcr4VZkfUIu69iA/w400-h300/IMG_1486.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I'm rather pleased with the bruising.<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p>And here is the complete team:<br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzof7KJovxp3_ROzMcJq1ArUFaNwn249SuTvvI0Ktu4wATlkCBtPO5eiW_6hjRXwnN9iKev1WrnlSF0jtLIlkEahWCgblaK-4R4n1t43TBS3SuGyp6xZYryixlkTgZ0tOs1gaWaRJ7dy2ZM7vKca3wUxIF3uNKbdF9O15xl-86Zya_v79rLq0em0smXg/s4032/IMG_1488.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzof7KJovxp3_ROzMcJq1ArUFaNwn249SuTvvI0Ktu4wATlkCBtPO5eiW_6hjRXwnN9iKev1WrnlSF0jtLIlkEahWCgblaK-4R4n1t43TBS3SuGyp6xZYryixlkTgZ0tOs1gaWaRJ7dy2ZM7vKca3wUxIF3uNKbdF9O15xl-86Zya_v79rLq0em0smXg/w400-h300/IMG_1488.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p>With only 6 figures, <i>Blitz Bowl</i> teams are a nice bite-sized project to take on. It's satisfying knowing the team is DONE. There are no more figures to add, no options to paint up (although I still have six on the sprue if I want to make a complete <i>Blood Bowl</i> team, but I don't. Yet.)<br /></p>John Yhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16465161620134394060noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9069095863978098122.post-80457163347417712692023-12-11T14:07:00.001-05:002023-12-11T14:07:16.113-05:00Two Sets of Rules, One Scenario.<p>I have been thinking a lot about 2024 "plans" and one of them is to do a very simple campaign set in the Lost World (formerly Venus, now Antarctica. The land itself really needs its own name used by the residents), featuring only on the fantasy/Ancients armies.</p><p>While I figure I will probably use <i>One Hour Wargames</i> (a mix of Ancients, Dark Ages, and Medieval troop types or the Fantasy Variant on Facebook), I do like <i>The Portable Wargame</i> Ancients rules and wanted to give them a go again.</p><p>The scenario is "An Unfortunate Oversight" from <i>OHW</i>. </p><p>Both sides deployed by die roll. I would be rooting for the Bokrug Confederacy.<br /></p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPodkI3a5vUlfs67FmSpeJ8Dby9qciw_UMtoeWptMcEJSBIk8QI9W8vAzdEz9Fl4dTYPMkM7baxNU_oCUQzSUtu0XqHU5xntbIl4qg_ugKgOuTqrzbn_wxeiLAP9ql9q5OMEAsURnh1XPi9FFjZt1FwpvMvmLKaxHQ08Lj-ASAWnqDHE0ir-iUkWp5nQ/s3557/IMG_1462.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2668" data-original-width="3557" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPodkI3a5vUlfs67FmSpeJ8Dby9qciw_UMtoeWptMcEJSBIk8QI9W8vAzdEz9Fl4dTYPMkM7baxNU_oCUQzSUtu0XqHU5xntbIl4qg_ugKgOuTqrzbn_wxeiLAP9ql9q5OMEAsURnh1XPi9FFjZt1FwpvMvmLKaxHQ08Lj-ASAWnqDHE0ir-iUkWp5nQ/w400-h300/IMG_1462.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">24" square playing area, 4" squares. Classic rulebook in the picture shot. Imagine there is a bridge across the river on the left.<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p>Unfortunately, following the rules-as-written meant that, if I understood them correctly, crossing the ford would take two turns per unit. This created a massive bottleneck in a way the ford does not when using <i>OHW</i>. I mean, sure, it's a bottleneck, but not to the extent that it is in <i>PW. </i>Now, I could have attacked via the bridge (which was drying as I had made an impromptu bridge from popsicle sticks), but that doesn't mean that this isn't a problem.</p><p>If I were to use <i>PW </i>for this again, I'd either allow stacking in a space or remove the rule about stopping when crossing a river. The latter is most definitely the less impactful.<br /></p><p>As it was, it was extremely difficult to get more than one unit across the river before the previous units had been eliminated. </p><p>Not impossible mind you ...<br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn7VAR2yEorIE_MaePg_Dc1zQbF0OUylHeKP8A8MRnapde7fQ6auYRogBMFHjxH7gJnnHBtLcmw6TGGvZa-YUAe3eUqUhSBzgjsaU6fSUPkqjP0WCyx91GI1xqC4YBPVpIUESRXU0G2p0kyu25TmfdCBNMYWTmD8SBa6jRfv9GPdR1TFBxINgpJu8fKw/s4032/IMG_1464.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn7VAR2yEorIE_MaePg_Dc1zQbF0OUylHeKP8A8MRnapde7fQ6auYRogBMFHjxH7gJnnHBtLcmw6TGGvZa-YUAe3eUqUhSBzgjsaU6fSUPkqjP0WCyx91GI1xqC4YBPVpIUESRXU0G2p0kyu25TmfdCBNMYWTmD8SBa6jRfv9GPdR1TFBxINgpJu8fKw/w400-h300/IMG_1464.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p>But nothing was achieved in the event.<br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga6ceylSJJps9exfh5AQESyWEgqKbGeoiycsNDwNmc6DffdOpASLHmSdilWur_FXC4wmkqV-gGfwUWalzvanRFfenOLwtNDpBHfyXavHJ70GBnbBHvZkmjM9_I76PLu_8ialkgEpfpQ1J1mI3VNt5LFjiWw5V_iMnGIDpj-UpanYy3gECAnmVcr6dbhw/s4032/IMG_1465.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga6ceylSJJps9exfh5AQESyWEgqKbGeoiycsNDwNmc6DffdOpASLHmSdilWur_FXC4wmkqV-gGfwUWalzvanRFfenOLwtNDpBHfyXavHJ70GBnbBHvZkmjM9_I76PLu_8ialkgEpfpQ1J1mI3VNt5LFjiWw5V_iMnGIDpj-UpanYy3gECAnmVcr6dbhw/w400-h300/IMG_1465.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p>At the game's end, the lizards had been soundly defeated and were
basically halted south of the river. Fine from a narrative perspective
as it may be, it was frustrating to play.</p><p>Thankfully it was quick.</p><p>So, with glue on the new bridge mostly dry, I moved back to <i>One Hour Wargames.<br /></i></p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMF7jQKNn_BPMFNA128g2Actx_cpAElObKUgZTF707C5515JAUv56ixnpAxiA4-bJ_1_a_5HuJ7bgzAtEjcAX74PDz7rx8I5lXv0ezwvscqg7WqkiEdDxf3ID4oS6UG71qEuxarG2Izujx_w15XLVuH_hGn1F1U4jLuzebVRVkfrWyDlQNMHqu6w0YZQ/s4032/IMG_1466.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMF7jQKNn_BPMFNA128g2Actx_cpAElObKUgZTF707C5515JAUv56ixnpAxiA4-bJ_1_a_5HuJ7bgzAtEjcAX74PDz7rx8I5lXv0ezwvscqg7WqkiEdDxf3ID4oS6UG71qEuxarG2Izujx_w15XLVuH_hGn1F1U4jLuzebVRVkfrWyDlQNMHqu6w0YZQ/w400-h300/IMG_1466.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Playing area is 24" square. The grid is not being used except to denote the boundary of the playing area.<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p>Deployment was similar but not identical - determined again by the roll of the die.</p><p>Once again rooting for the lizards, this time I decided to make a diversionary attack via the bridge.<br /> </p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7aOshwp03RFBma4o7l7LBysbtK6s6YDDdxTdqtPMoZc-XEP2FxYmxk_vBkZCFbJaTd-uf7KH6jgzmLO6yVswXCI-73yQ9rF1Bg_I1YYV9vyJ9-eAn38aLbqGUj2cbP0VWSNiPOhrBsMY6AM_JGIig8AJihecg8aFNw08Viix1x3Pm0k6n2inK1QMnGA/s4032/IMG_1469.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7aOshwp03RFBma4o7l7LBysbtK6s6YDDdxTdqtPMoZc-XEP2FxYmxk_vBkZCFbJaTd-uf7KH6jgzmLO6yVswXCI-73yQ9rF1Bg_I1YYV9vyJ9-eAn38aLbqGUj2cbP0VWSNiPOhrBsMY6AM_JGIig8AJihecg8aFNw08Viix1x3Pm0k6n2inK1QMnGA/w400-h300/IMG_1469.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p>That worked to at least tie up both my infantry unit and the Tanitian infantry holding the town.</p><p>On the right, unlike in the previous game, my army penetrated deep into the Tanitian territory. Although it had cost me a unit of skirmishers, my cavalry and a unit of infantry threatened the hill. </p><p>I should note, I played my cavalry extremely cautiously. I didn't want them stuck in but rather to deliver the coup de grace. This may in fact be an obvious tactic to most anyone who reads this blog, but was news to me.<br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEKjvv2j8PIlBmqvHUb3AQuAFQaO6noP9EBZkNI5CIiv7okQytzAuGZfICr5RgMpUs4D9sumvwcDJvt7dHckntJ4lQR9vPFm2bfGPbk7WPRkDKxgY59foalriimztqO4VS1nSxwCazgQbZeVTdvhiBIrBzWGthG5Uuw5mpCdV3Z6r15OiNFw7zczpsiA/s4032/IMG_1470.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEKjvv2j8PIlBmqvHUb3AQuAFQaO6noP9EBZkNI5CIiv7okQytzAuGZfICr5RgMpUs4D9sumvwcDJvt7dHckntJ4lQR9vPFm2bfGPbk7WPRkDKxgY59foalriimztqO4VS1nSxwCazgQbZeVTdvhiBIrBzWGthG5Uuw5mpCdV3Z6r15OiNFw7zczpsiA/w400-h300/IMG_1470.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p>Crossing the bridge was NOT going well, but more units crossed via the ford and some effective skirmisher javelins and archers had helped whittle down the defenders. <br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4HoHhLFR9LyaFws7cAT3qgiLaZ2ZdYcBOHqiORnan3Mis-Kan-Kcd6bGT47O6fEiyr1gQ41cGfTX0DYmP1NvKm1PVvWSQiufdSQCpNhLGMiaPpEr2cCfK77NWEdscP49B6WNaFFZ48RGkeab6QqC4tBFtS9aCd0KkcXNIRYEZ9FtxeBoXZY6YAo4DsQ/s4032/IMG_1472.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4HoHhLFR9LyaFws7cAT3qgiLaZ2ZdYcBOHqiORnan3Mis-Kan-Kcd6bGT47O6fEiyr1gQ41cGfTX0DYmP1NvKm1PVvWSQiufdSQCpNhLGMiaPpEr2cCfK77NWEdscP49B6WNaFFZ48RGkeab6QqC4tBFtS9aCd0KkcXNIRYEZ9FtxeBoXZY6YAo4DsQ/w400-h300/IMG_1472.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p>Eventually the lizards were across on both sides, but lacked anything with any punch - only two archers and a skirmish unit remained, while the Tanitians had two infantry(one near elimination) and a skirmish unit (near elimination).</p><p>Momentum (turns) was running out but there was still a slim chance the Gokrug Confederacy could pull off a win.<br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizIkz_IkSunT4_aadMZKRfdpoQgibKVsCq2XwjQ30FLi1o0juacyip9D87UB0QtVyYK9ekNhdwStMB3v_EbD1c68Es8BLyKj_nVqc8bZ8M02F6bub9MwX9LkE1A-NIwmra9WNcXgZqEhanFMZyAzs_n5XS6pEMv4Ndd8vCdnEN6cXveGHQ8gdgWoFYyw/s4032/IMG_1474.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizIkz_IkSunT4_aadMZKRfdpoQgibKVsCq2XwjQ30FLi1o0juacyip9D87UB0QtVyYK9ekNhdwStMB3v_EbD1c68Es8BLyKj_nVqc8bZ8M02F6bub9MwX9LkE1A-NIwmra9WNcXgZqEhanFMZyAzs_n5XS6pEMv4Ndd8vCdnEN6cXveGHQ8gdgWoFYyw/w400-h300/IMG_1474.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p>Unfortunately (poor die rolling on my part), although they had managed to capture the town, the hill was still contested when their momentum ran out and the attack had to be called off.<br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinxD25WTNfAK8uNVb7PiZx45OTX_zLyjsLDQ3JAvldQLeLlEJ7W6L9Dsdm3pYUxXi7CQV3dAoaLMzc2yKSfDd83O9tXbJ0iY7UDe9hSMeC2S1spfOZYad5FQKmolhYfMIKrROu7Bin20qm4NTGoMv0Imfs8KIuto9gRhasCyA_7-BYf537zPfMLLEV6g/s4032/IMG_1475(1).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinxD25WTNfAK8uNVb7PiZx45OTX_zLyjsLDQ3JAvldQLeLlEJ7W6L9Dsdm3pYUxXi7CQV3dAoaLMzc2yKSfDd83O9tXbJ0iY7UDe9hSMeC2S1spfOZYad5FQKmolhYfMIKrROu7Bin20qm4NTGoMv0Imfs8KIuto9gRhasCyA_7-BYf537zPfMLLEV6g/w400-h300/IMG_1475(1).jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p>Of course, being a wargamer, I played one more turn to see what would happen and the result was the lizards lost their skirmishers and were left with two units of archers. I stopped at that point - I was satisfied that the game had played out as it had and it had come to the last few turns.</p><p>One last note, I more-and-more like the way units become stuck in hand to hand, at least for Ancients and Medieval.</p><p>I know a lot of people don't like it, but I enjoy the way it makes the choice of when to engage meaningful. Admittedly a case could be made for a rout or morale check at least to break off, but since the strength points represent morale as well as casualties, I'm content to accept that everyone routs after 15 damage. Better or worse units can have more or fewer points to start as needed. </p><p>Not pictured, I have also done some experiments with mixing Medieval units and Ancients units and the result has been most satisfactory. Expect to see Solis Nox make an appearance soon despite not having been included in my bins for <a href="https://54mmorfight.blogspot.com/2023/10/an-experiment-in-limiting-options.html">my experiment.</a><br /></p>John Yhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16465161620134394060noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9069095863978098122.post-66839887205182928232023-12-04T12:30:00.002-05:002023-12-04T12:30:37.756-05:00Nurgle's Rotters Linemen<p>Earlier in the year I picked up a box of Nurgle's Rotters for <i>Blitz Bowl</i> - the box was damaged, so the price was well below retail and I couldn't pass it up. The figures inside were fine.</p><p>I made a mental commitment to get all of my <i>Blitz Bowl</i> teams assembled and painted this year (the two from the boxed game, and the Rotters). </p><p>With time left in 2023 running out, the Nurgle linemen are ready to take the field</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbeprkutDPnNhLLgIZfP-5dZhmykM2Hng7DMnhB0wA_Q0I-egxwZoQeeWkeICjx0ZEkQJVqcoh5GIjPcWxa7hNJCEYkcBcHOOU4SwdyXzgm-QIsaaXYcE8ZkZdWNQX0ytogGe8fEBdGTxhnEI2TqltpA_7m8LXftCS_wQquNrEEGQl4XwOASlqoDMT_g/s4032/IMG_1478.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbeprkutDPnNhLLgIZfP-5dZhmykM2Hng7DMnhB0wA_Q0I-egxwZoQeeWkeICjx0ZEkQJVqcoh5GIjPcWxa7hNJCEYkcBcHOOU4SwdyXzgm-QIsaaXYcE8ZkZdWNQX0ytogGe8fEBdGTxhnEI2TqltpA_7m8LXftCS_wQquNrEEGQl4XwOASlqoDMT_g/w400-h300/IMG_1478.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p>Their skin looks a little dirty as opposed to highlights/shadows but I am not going to correct it at this point. I tried a technique that was new to me (found on youtube) and it was a learning experience. Frankly, they look comparable to the ones I painted "the Citadel way" previously, with about 2/3rds the effort.</p><p>The technique, such as it is, involves using fairly bright colors for your base coats,then heavily dry brushing with an even brighter version of the color, before washing with a dark wash. The idea is that the wash will bring the bright colors down to a shade in the recesses, a middle tone in the middle areas, and the super bright highlights will wash down to a normal highlight color.<br /></p><p>Indeed, it does work.<br /></p><p>However, in many spots I did not dry brush heavily enough (that's the lesson learned), and so many of my highlights ended up too muted. I did touch the figures up and spot washed those areas i felt needed a highlight, but I'm not gong to redo the flesh to be less grimy looking. They're Nurgle's Rotters after all (even if you don't know who Nurgle is, Rotter tells you all you need to know).</p><p>I have three more Rotters to paint (two Bloaters and a Pestigor) and I'll probably use the same technique just for a consistent look for the team.</p><p>The bright green pools on the bases are supposed to be slime/nuclear waste-type stuff. It's just PVA mixed with some Moot Green (Citadel) and Lime Sherbert (Apple Barrel). It was then gloss varnished to give it a wet look. It looks a little more like spilled paint than I'd like but my son thought it was really cool, so that's good enough for me!</p>John Yhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16465161620134394060noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9069095863978098122.post-18220293659126222542023-11-30T12:44:00.001-05:002023-11-30T12:44:06.269-05:00Some Things for Under the Christmas Tree<p>Despite having yet to plan the Christmas game for this year, I've been gathering up a plan for 2024!</p><p></p><p>While thinking over my collection and what kind of games I most enjoy playing, it dawned on me that "games my son will play with me" top the list. Historical games have some appeal to him, especially if they involves tanks (<i><a href="https://www.wargamevault.com/product/184081/Panzer-Kids-Deluxe" target="_blank">Panzer Kids Deluxe</a> </i>for the win!), but it is sci-fi and fantasy that really capture his attention and enthusiasm.</p><p>I can't say I blame him - I was the same way at his age.<br /></p><p>Last year, he did a book report on <i>Skavenslayer</i>, and this year he did a report on <i>Trollslayer</i>. We've been playing<i> Age of Fantasy: Skirmish</i> lately - he's running an orc
warband (Reaper Bones miniatures) through a very loose campaign of the best-of-five variety. And, as I may have mentioned previously, we've been playing a b/x / 1e <i>D&D</i> mega-dungeon campaign since July - sometimes playing three or four times a week. He is also in a 5e <i>D&D</i> campaign as part of an after school club he is in, and in our family & friends 5e campaigns.<br /></p><p>As much as he enjoys all of the fantasy settings and creatures, <i>40K </i>lore has more or less taken over his life (thanks, YouTube). </p><p>While he plays some of the video games, and has mods for other games that add <i>40K </i>skins, he has not been particularly driven to play anything on the tabletop. Possibly in large part because I have nothing to entice him with - although we have on occasion raided his toy bins for Star Wars figures to use with G<i>rim Dark Future : Firefight</i>.</p><p>I have, then, after much deliberation, decided that 2024 will be the Year of Grimdark.<br /></p><p>Although I got him a starter paint box with three Infernus space marines for his birthday, if I can get him to paint those three, it may be a miracle. So, it's safest to assume that all of the painting will fall to me.</p><p>In that case, I might as well acquire and paint figures I want to paint. </p><p>However, I couldn't justify buying figures for myself - austerity measures and all that - EXCEPT, I realized if these are Christmas presents for myself and I cannot do anything with them until Christmas Day, AND i'm travel immediately after until New Year's Eve, they are really just 2024 purchases that arrived early.</p><p>"The inner machinations of my mind are an enigma." - Patrick Star</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/1z-pVZiRjac" width="320" youtube-src-id="1z-pVZiRjac"></iframe></div><br /><p></p><p>Here then are much of what will be 2024's painting queue and what will be waiting under the tree for me this year.</p><p>First up, Plague Marines / Death Guard:<br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIA0tRu7aW_03ZW1Cs9UbMWynu21LRlM4gG_dhzQwORNF-d0y9RmdI9nTdALyaSYauhKrHWkVPLcbkhfW0dvdFtP8EVzPAoJKnNMl3QtNX6pZoibicnD4-9wY-sgXozuUSiBZuTzVav1lBx8_KBM6gVRHwvMEzHehsEi5sOXiD3dwp0OMXjz0wee4zdQ/s4032/IMG_1420.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIA0tRu7aW_03ZW1Cs9UbMWynu21LRlM4gG_dhzQwORNF-d0y9RmdI9nTdALyaSYauhKrHWkVPLcbkhfW0dvdFtP8EVzPAoJKnNMl3QtNX6pZoibicnD4-9wY-sgXozuUSiBZuTzVav1lBx8_KBM6gVRHwvMEzHehsEi5sOXiD3dwp0OMXjz0wee4zdQ/w400-h300/IMG_1420.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p>My son loves Nurgle. I don't know why. I guess slime, snot, and disease are fun? </p><p>In any case, I find the Plague Marine/ Death Guard compelling as figures - sort of Lovecraftian abominations.<br /></p><p>These were acquired fully assembled and primed from <a href="https://frontlinegaming.org/" target="_blank">Frontline Gaming</a> - the neoprene mat people. They also, I have learned, do a brisk business in second-hand figures. The price was quite reasonable - less than the cost of a single box of the same figures shrink wrapped on the sprue and it saves me from having to decide on options which I couldn't care less about.<br /></p><p>Next, Space Marine: The Board Game: </p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9c-P3exQkbfI_nzPhTYZILC06sZQ1bPMIn4nXyiNJD2vKGAdW2SFTAaStlU5WCIw7Atz_oI1qgGNmYBcSAiL5atyO7SS2A-J4drNk5vQIg27FFrIMwOvUFnGyvxm_xdvc6E24tXLk4OlO5rraEO0Hyrs-TXHdLcUJdeeIHv3ZY3LmuDEkbv5WQtXyRQ/s626/GUEST_b9b18fa6-aab8-41d2-895b-790bfe2ed53b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="626" data-original-width="626" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9c-P3exQkbfI_nzPhTYZILC06sZQ1bPMIn4nXyiNJD2vKGAdW2SFTAaStlU5WCIw7Atz_oI1qgGNmYBcSAiL5atyO7SS2A-J4drNk5vQIg27FFrIMwOvUFnGyvxm_xdvc6E24tXLk4OlO5rraEO0Hyrs-TXHdLcUJdeeIHv3ZY3LmuDEkbv5WQtXyRQ/w400-h400/GUEST_b9b18fa6-aab8-41d2-895b-790bfe2ed53b.jpg" width="400" /></a> <br /></div><p></p><p>This is a Target exclusive. </p><p>You get 22 Tyranids and a single space marine character, and some other stuff that might be handy(like the play mat) plus the game itself, for $39.99 usd.</p><p>The character figure will bulk out my son's three Infernus (the ones he has yet to paint) to a 200+ point <i>Grimdark Future : Firefight</i> force. The 22 Tyranids will give us a similar point force, using about 15 of the models! </p><p>My son tells me no one non-ironically likes Tyranids, but I do. I think they're cute. Especially in light of the Tiny Tyranid shorts on YouTube.<br /></p><p>Finally, while there is a three Intercessor and paint starter box (which would bring the space marines up to 7 total figures), there is a better deal to be had with a used copy of <i>Fireteam </i>which also includes enough Necrons for yet another <i>Grimdark Future: Firefight </i>force, in addition to a <a href="https://upthebluefow.blogspot.com/2023/11/more-space-marine-adventures-fire-team.html" target="_blank">whole separate board game that looks intriguing</a>.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKBlBOUAeb55ybmJiyW32_NdBBCNEPUyLfp645QG-t_YTMYYAMl6gLou5Pluax6CTtMWlVcFAq2nFjf96pGVGuuohGSfB7MSm_lfxzEIGjUDhG4ZwRoWVEQ_gLyd1zQ8LG6wm45PbwrIi9LL86xhAsOVNUL910jLYP-TAVXBim4VkOsoGO0_OHdWX3Dw/s843/Fireteam.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="843" data-original-width="634" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKBlBOUAeb55ybmJiyW32_NdBBCNEPUyLfp645QG-t_YTMYYAMl6gLou5Pluax6CTtMWlVcFAq2nFjf96pGVGuuohGSfB7MSm_lfxzEIGjUDhG4ZwRoWVEQ_gLyd1zQ8LG6wm45PbwrIi9LL86xhAsOVNUL910jLYP-TAVXBim4VkOsoGO0_OHdWX3Dw/w301-h400/Fireteam.jpg" width="301" /></a></div><br />That order was just placed so it's on the way and I was too impatient to wait for it before I posted. <p></p><p>Speaking of board games (how was that for a slick transition?) I also picked up <a href="https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/7748/italian-front-1915-1918" target="_blank"><i>Der Welterkrieg: The Italian Front</i></a>. My son won't play this with me most likely, but that's fine - I bought it to play solitaire:</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQMlc5gVV7DfdkDrF-ZElWVgdN74_FoA4tnTEQQa7Ih8yZL0hq5uheDkR5yVFyvsGUFMf1DRI20O9qCpB3ymA07UDmjq6FLORDjWKvwHUMAhB9Z4PyDVonalpenE98Vb1smVHXzmuDOeaTZhlaxqz8trNp4cBU1sGrsoifMC_s4C8RvOSHZYWWOny7kw/s277/pic31830.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="277" data-original-width="216" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQMlc5gVV7DfdkDrF-ZElWVgdN74_FoA4tnTEQQa7Ih8yZL0hq5uheDkR5yVFyvsGUFMf1DRI20O9qCpB3ymA07UDmjq6FLORDjWKvwHUMAhB9Z4PyDVonalpenE98Vb1smVHXzmuDOeaTZhlaxqz8trNp4cBU1sGrsoifMC_s4C8RvOSHZYWWOny7kw/w312-h400/pic31830.jpg" width="312" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Picture from BoardGameGeek because I'm too lazy to walk to the back of the apartment to take a picture of my copy.<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p>I haven't been this excited for my own Christmas presents in awhile!John Yhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16465161620134394060noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9069095863978098122.post-15922105102343350692023-11-22T23:35:00.005-05:002023-11-22T23:35:47.518-05:00One Hour Wargames: Static Defence, Somewhere in Italy, Spring 1917<p>Two battalions of Austrians supported by a field gun battery advanced on an Italian sector in the foothills of the Isonzo mountains. Ordered to hold both the hill and the town, the Italian commander split his force - an understrength battalion to hold the village, while two companies reenforced by a own field gun battery, would hold the hill. He opted to hold a rifle company and a squadron of Lancieri in reserve in the center.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2jIdMbILRlw3CeefywwZnVazeBi9tmzWl2w7msDm33mKuXeITZ-AeVUoarvrYgvdzDY31rXiqgRYMf5RG8t5HVXrxDqbF0gFS4qW8UoOlbrebLsOSuM1zXNmTnZdnksR7tV5KItmGwr72yLKYRYJwcgrXHAO4XPdVrFqbU_pG_t2p8Z74YCWcHTV-rw/s4032/IMG_1426.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2jIdMbILRlw3CeefywwZnVazeBi9tmzWl2w7msDm33mKuXeITZ-AeVUoarvrYgvdzDY31rXiqgRYMf5RG8t5HVXrxDqbF0gFS4qW8UoOlbrebLsOSuM1zXNmTnZdnksR7tV5KItmGwr72yLKYRYJwcgrXHAO4XPdVrFqbU_pG_t2p8Z74YCWcHTV-rw/w400-h300/IMG_1426.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div><br /></div>The Austrians committed to taking the hill but advanced one column under cover of the woods which had somehow survived shelling. The Italian reserve rifles advanced to meet them, supported by a company from the village. Fierce fighting followed.<div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvF1DKChU_IuHRTNl7h15Alrc0Qb7TtKPFLZsT2yghAtJse-Bsx7OtVG0lveDjtxMsjqHfJjqtjojaC5Fw9VLj5g6bPBSvdXAFf0z8bhIkwJlsHyqAnLCy9dTaYS7WHT12FlZhyphenhyphenioHJAmjDaVqM9V7wpr6UpeV-1ExWpgw45TO2JjAtUgR42RJoPSdXw/s4032/IMG_1427.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvF1DKChU_IuHRTNl7h15Alrc0Qb7TtKPFLZsT2yghAtJse-Bsx7OtVG0lveDjtxMsjqHfJjqtjojaC5Fw9VLj5g6bPBSvdXAFf0z8bhIkwJlsHyqAnLCy9dTaYS7WHT12FlZhyphenhyphenioHJAmjDaVqM9V7wpr6UpeV-1ExWpgw45TO2JjAtUgR42RJoPSdXw/w400-h300/IMG_1427.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div><br /></div>Meanwhile, the attack on the hill began to disintegrate under fire from the Italian battery and machine guns.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs0CJq_qntAJLSEpmh6LwHfxt46NK0yyInVxpr-8XK8TYfwoAm58wOpIqDly5ggsbaWLs9wGvytIZX8i3R1T4UAM0F2om3TDSgTi91HUgpne_MIF2PqTGzea6k05_FLO8nQMUZPXwB_g1igBIzHHkNSg3ltdStx8R9RYbTK3EbzM4BH4EMsyy59-cZyg/s4032/IMG_1428.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs0CJq_qntAJLSEpmh6LwHfxt46NK0yyInVxpr-8XK8TYfwoAm58wOpIqDly5ggsbaWLs9wGvytIZX8i3R1T4UAM0F2om3TDSgTi91HUgpne_MIF2PqTGzea6k05_FLO8nQMUZPXwB_g1igBIzHHkNSg3ltdStx8R9RYbTK3EbzM4BH4EMsyy59-cZyg/w400-h300/IMG_1428.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div><br /></div>The Italians held their own in the woods, leaving the second wave of Austrian companies to dislodge them, while on their right, their fellows still comfortably held the hill.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3bR9rylJW99Orjha-pdLUM7aDw5osgbNt1vWp1Cw1MjxRrgHxXA5YD9E5v4Zv5YPHTSCLruP1u1iDjBc8WYjBvSomWZPxFnmPV42gnyZM5tgSlJ_yy42sbL876lxotoW_21ONL7NroYV_O1n-HCmjV03WxLCTjeVlwr20vckXX8FZ2RBVsWWN0kpbWA/s4032/IMG_1429.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3bR9rylJW99Orjha-pdLUM7aDw5osgbNt1vWp1Cw1MjxRrgHxXA5YD9E5v4Zv5YPHTSCLruP1u1iDjBc8WYjBvSomWZPxFnmPV42gnyZM5tgSlJ_yy42sbL876lxotoW_21ONL7NroYV_O1n-HCmjV03WxLCTjeVlwr20vckXX8FZ2RBVsWWN0kpbWA/w400-h300/IMG_1429.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div><br /></div>The Lancieri waited patiently for their moment and then struck out in a thunderous charge!</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWUBfrwqzZXYIvIjdJKtluP6r_3bnLO_dPfj8rKVNrBmrlhmB-QQdwlXOv1aFgTSONVR4vANeZtdqcqQyyTIFo3QOT31Bw7217xLV56tW9GAJrLPCjkHmRvOyThETpxyVafNhjEtXLllW2KaOFH5kk87STYiUI-ITFaE45F9PdRCLnNlxHxl9i9QwSWA/s4032/IMG_1432.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWUBfrwqzZXYIvIjdJKtluP6r_3bnLO_dPfj8rKVNrBmrlhmB-QQdwlXOv1aFgTSONVR4vANeZtdqcqQyyTIFo3QOT31Bw7217xLV56tW9GAJrLPCjkHmRvOyThETpxyVafNhjEtXLllW2KaOFH5kk87STYiUI-ITFaE45F9PdRCLnNlxHxl9i9QwSWA/w400-h300/IMG_1432.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div><br /></div>Meanwhile the Austrians in the wood were crumbling engaged on two sides by Italain troops in close combat.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEYEabGO7VoyEtamiuDJLR3Iaq7kwZui8khA8LF_kO7RtaUmUsaXJUSKi_2C8LaRLe9c_DweVRNWqggWtjGVeVe2X40TcSzDEICJz1t9bpDjfR6CUNRzhm7_OHimK7mjsTZrAcKyD6NNl_cPQjWSdNzYtljiTbMtZFsR4KrQ9EeF5-7xxzK3qN-69slQ/s4032/IMG_1433.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEYEabGO7VoyEtamiuDJLR3Iaq7kwZui8khA8LF_kO7RtaUmUsaXJUSKi_2C8LaRLe9c_DweVRNWqggWtjGVeVe2X40TcSzDEICJz1t9bpDjfR6CUNRzhm7_OHimK7mjsTZrAcKyD6NNl_cPQjWSdNzYtljiTbMtZFsR4KrQ9EeF5-7xxzK3qN-69slQ/w400-h300/IMG_1433.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div><br /></div>The Italians held the woods, the Lancieri drove off their opponents, but the Italian defenders on the hill had suffered under the relentless pressing surge of Austrians. </div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9IPUZyq5NZ0_WIoaCcGR2FG3fbeNcmEUJec8VjrpDAG1wx1_IfaayEgHifBxjgnkBIXpYvEqZ5qt51Frw641wiYVt43TIWyoKDmxxpOqB8Y2cINeCFM4mh1Oixnw9z7hWRr1tW-MOV08MZZlDX36IMhOaDKUZgKN1ltM2eihpEB8xSelLnwC7TbS0mA/s4032/IMG_1434.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9IPUZyq5NZ0_WIoaCcGR2FG3fbeNcmEUJec8VjrpDAG1wx1_IfaayEgHifBxjgnkBIXpYvEqZ5qt51Frw641wiYVt43TIWyoKDmxxpOqB8Y2cINeCFM4mh1Oixnw9z7hWRr1tW-MOV08MZZlDX36IMhOaDKUZgKN1ltM2eihpEB8xSelLnwC7TbS0mA/w400-h300/IMG_1434.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div><br /></div>With their attack dwindling, Austrian rifles entered and crossed through the trench to dislodge the field gun battery in a final mopping up operation. The Italain commander sent the Lancieri to support the town, in case of Austrian reinforcements, while a unit of Italian infantry made for the hill to aid in the fight for the trench.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcTlilrOE6APabHMFjHqbB1_X9pje8MnCOb3g9RD18zUVFZQUGcJNP1czA5UuDvNjntjVSS7NPlHN9ByF1kOgc-ElvV1Cv-B3pVymmhvP305XIYI20xU1SI90ZdAjah544FcXIRr9jXr2ofCBiQRnUVlVJxWYqkqA19sjq_CIWnjRlDugu74yDGdnQZQ/s2917/IMG_1436.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2188" data-original-width="2917" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcTlilrOE6APabHMFjHqbB1_X9pje8MnCOb3g9RD18zUVFZQUGcJNP1czA5UuDvNjntjVSS7NPlHN9ByF1kOgc-ElvV1Cv-B3pVymmhvP305XIYI20xU1SI90ZdAjah544FcXIRr9jXr2ofCBiQRnUVlVJxWYqkqA19sjq_CIWnjRlDugu74yDGdnQZQ/w400-h300/IMG_1436.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div><br /></div>To the surprise of all, the artillery crews drove off their attackers. With nothing left, the Austrians retreated behind their starting positions.</div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgln6J0DHFCJJRbBfXF5lIxcDaz6zjJ-_K0mYGmQjJrHWg1TtCe8Ioeou_4kf_PPGzKS0iqZD_iOmj0SCfs2-wJuyE4L3s6Ot3Jgpq6nIEiGYxHt8HiTBs0RlQSOUr0bCbkNujodqEUJGUnGV2-4NRoMYWhY-QZVF4A0S84kgKp3hAIFCAzSoVmrKxv7g/s4032/IMG_1438.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgln6J0DHFCJJRbBfXF5lIxcDaz6zjJ-_K0mYGmQjJrHWg1TtCe8Ioeou_4kf_PPGzKS0iqZD_iOmj0SCfs2-wJuyE4L3s6Ot3Jgpq6nIEiGYxHt8HiTBs0RlQSOUr0bCbkNujodqEUJGUnGV2-4NRoMYWhY-QZVF4A0S84kgKp3hAIFCAzSoVmrKxv7g/w400-h300/IMG_1438.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p>****</p>Rules were <i>One Hour Wargames</i> "Machine Age", with my modifications. Eight units per side didn't really extend the playing time but felt more substantial as a game than the usual six. <br /><br />The playing area was 3' x 2' and never felt cramped nor too large for the size of the forces involved.</div><div><br /></div><div>The Austrian plan was determined by die roll and the Italian distribution of troops was similarly randomized.<br /><p>My rules modifications are working well, but I haven't tried playing any games set in the later years of the war, where Arditi and strumtruppen might appear. I'll have to give them a go soon to see if my modifications make them overpowered.</p><p><br /></p></div>John Yhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16465161620134394060noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9069095863978098122.post-5296967112753853532023-11-16T15:04:00.003-05:002023-11-16T15:05:58.881-05:00Battle of the Alps Squared<p>June 1940, the Italian army, ordered by the outsized ego of Il Duce - who was desperate to have a piece of France before Hitler had captured it all for himself - trundled across the northern alpine border into France. </p><p>The stalwart defenders of ennui and champagne had expected as much and were dug in and ready.<br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1KzIuFccnK3A9nKfnetuzEZ6cEQvsIj_LEIS6I6RWBMI5KGlrRl4ldxR7bIfVB4hpKCJootcNDUBXBdkzVmW_K1Y2ScPcbyP_A3aTSnNo7i-vW7DETc9my0Le-PeUKL7Up57vX2VxpiFEe3vg6Q3aJ-TzvI6d16ew_oPIYGgYs1thR1v94TxTrUd2rg/s4032/IMG_1412.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1KzIuFccnK3A9nKfnetuzEZ6cEQvsIj_LEIS6I6RWBMI5KGlrRl4ldxR7bIfVB4hpKCJootcNDUBXBdkzVmW_K1Y2ScPcbyP_A3aTSnNo7i-vW7DETc9my0Le-PeUKL7Up57vX2VxpiFEe3vg6Q3aJ-TzvI6d16ew_oPIYGgYs1thR1v94TxTrUd2rg/w400-h300/IMG_1412.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p>The Italians used the woods to cover the left wing of their advance.<br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV2tMnW_CN4BfrM-MLsC6Ic9ElNGfrf3tUiok13XIpdS1qg5pvE5yot6E2sqRzNRyJ4-KJYJ4hzRa9MyvaDG-bI8BEZ2YKi2FvKtmnL9yzhcKrpI_3S1nwuV2q7EYlBRO8kS-yAGDDLMgSI5WhRSlp1ef0eIscJGwBu041vAboOyTw7WeJjiuSZ_42nw/s4032/IMG_1414.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV2tMnW_CN4BfrM-MLsC6Ic9ElNGfrf3tUiok13XIpdS1qg5pvE5yot6E2sqRzNRyJ4-KJYJ4hzRa9MyvaDG-bI8BEZ2YKi2FvKtmnL9yzhcKrpI_3S1nwuV2q7EYlBRO8kS-yAGDDLMgSI5WhRSlp1ef0eIscJGwBu041vAboOyTw7WeJjiuSZ_42nw/w400-h300/IMG_1414.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p>The French infantry were well dug-in and extricating them proved more difficult than discretely hiding ten pounds of good salami into your rucksack.<br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgILnamXKyN7xwe-8gbbHbOKUAV0Ztxx7p6JjUXMWBvqi2lyf0EXXxU1EREjiPiVUWQWi0srhPB011r6PattWHlh68p2wYWSErgegnVMdxLSyjFGlwFLSBx-fX_TYhUQpWfErS8F-RR1bqt2Ol_lP7WeqiDMxnq-484S7cR2u0cSAuNMgIN236KyWcqgg/s4032/IMG_1415.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgILnamXKyN7xwe-8gbbHbOKUAV0Ztxx7p6JjUXMWBvqi2lyf0EXXxU1EREjiPiVUWQWi0srhPB011r6PattWHlh68p2wYWSErgegnVMdxLSyjFGlwFLSBx-fX_TYhUQpWfErS8F-RR1bqt2Ol_lP7WeqiDMxnq-484S7cR2u0cSAuNMgIN236KyWcqgg/w400-h300/IMG_1415.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p>Calling a meeting of L3s with the FT17s a "tank duel" or a "clash of armor" stretches credulity. Let us say, they fired shots at each other while snacking on loaves of bread and drinking bottles of wine, with the wine merchants being the real winners, judging by the ineffectiveness of both sides.<br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0nOl28aJHzfPLJW4pTShmbUtKWpl9ufqK5IpmKbr0Mmw3yxWDsXG1EqtygEyCeNUr9ZSZ9pThKXMwX_n9oNsM1KjBs1SS5Zi_d7wqfqoi5VFus2085O-yy4gAL5AjwwVBRYpqZm4Z4lib5wfE2AfzSP2JJAO08dkMrNJ74eZQOo8upMuLaFlhiPLuAg/s4032/IMG_1417.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0nOl28aJHzfPLJW4pTShmbUtKWpl9ufqK5IpmKbr0Mmw3yxWDsXG1EqtygEyCeNUr9ZSZ9pThKXMwX_n9oNsM1KjBs1SS5Zi_d7wqfqoi5VFus2085O-yy4gAL5AjwwVBRYpqZm4Z4lib5wfE2AfzSP2JJAO08dkMrNJ74eZQOo8upMuLaFlhiPLuAg/w400-h300/IMG_1417.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p>Eventually the French armor, despite damage incurred from the Italian battery - drove back their Italian opposites - can you blame those poor Italian pilots? They only learned to drive the L3 a few days ago. </p><p>It was all for naught, as they were just in time to find the Italian infantry had successfully captured the village. A halfhearted attempted to dislodge the Italians met with no success.<br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVXDWZ6bPGZlH1qAWcprVSkhWZfv_YQtQz1OE6V1pGzlxX1BQ7PMor5vE71Kyj5r_hePCRu7OubYXlHw7YoZUIwjzc-toXUeTidAHZHce4E4LuvKKH0wUYE4N1t1zyb12H_dyRMo4xhdP-7r6uRDvVS9D2Mmkw2EWEgpnupbW_WYzX7rRJzlOC_9WjkQ/s3575/IMG_1418.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2681" data-original-width="3575" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVXDWZ6bPGZlH1qAWcprVSkhWZfv_YQtQz1OE6V1pGzlxX1BQ7PMor5vE71Kyj5r_hePCRu7OubYXlHw7YoZUIwjzc-toXUeTidAHZHce4E4LuvKKH0wUYE4N1t1zyb12H_dyRMo4xhdP-7r6uRDvVS9D2Mmkw2EWEgpnupbW_WYzX7rRJzlOC_9WjkQ/w400-h300/IMG_1418.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p>The French had run out of time and would have to fall back. Here is the battlefield at the end:<br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM4Is4oikFV820onMwtMV2-1Cey6ov3697nUtIiETqkviEXpxubQO8Y11azrrff2O_zd8yAyDB20mN3CI4_zTq7kuZsmXvpWM2RdSRAA5vJXPvZ9WPDUVJMVPuspIS04cREd1lkm4u8iJISmh6oiYjTAvzsZoujP4RDX5GZAcnsTjzkX4rq0W13f9Mow/s4032/IMG_1419.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM4Is4oikFV820onMwtMV2-1Cey6ov3697nUtIiETqkviEXpxubQO8Y11azrrff2O_zd8yAyDB20mN3CI4_zTq7kuZsmXvpWM2RdSRAA5vJXPvZ9WPDUVJMVPuspIS04cREd1lkm4u8iJISmh6oiYjTAvzsZoujP4RDX5GZAcnsTjzkX4rq0W13f9Mow/w400-h300/IMG_1419.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><p>The scenario was "Late Arrivals", a favorite of mine from <i>One Hour Wargames. </i>It works equally well for Austrians streaming into Italy as it does for Italians invading France. The game lasted the <i>OHW</i> standard 15 turns. </p><p>The rules were improvised, based on my own squad-per-base rules - a mash of <i>Crossfire</i>, <i>Advanced Squad Leader Starter Kit</i>, and <i>The Portable Wargame</i> - but moved up a few levels of organization and no stacking allowed. I also used ideas borrowed from Ross Mac's <a href="https://gameofmonth.blogspot.com/2016/04/fast-and-furious-fifties.html" target="_blank">Fast and Furious Fifties</a><br /></p><p></p><p>Initially I thought of the units as companies of infantry, platoons of tanks, three or so guns, etc. </p><p>However, while writing my narrative it didn't really seem to matter and I could just as easily think of them as battalions. I hear <i>Memoir '44</i> is a bit like that - where the nominal scale changes based on the scenario? I don't know, I've never played it, but that's my understanding.</p><p>It seemed to work here at least.</p>John Yhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16465161620134394060noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9069095863978098122.post-92141747953078070082023-11-08T11:33:00.003-05:002023-11-08T11:33:35.920-05:00One Hour Wargames : Flank Attack (Played twice)<p>With some time to spare the other night after band practice before retiring for the evening, I opted to play a game of <i>One Hour Wargames</i> Ancients rules. I had wanted to try <a href="https://gridbasedwargaming.blogspot.com/p/d3-ancient-rules.html" target="_blank">Peter's rules</a>, but with limited time, I stuck with the rules I already know.</p><p>For the scenario, I chose Flank Attack (scenario 6) from <i>OHW</i>. It's not one I have played much and thought it would be nice to try my hand at it again.</p><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Bokrug Confederacy (lizards) : 4 infantry, 1 skirmisher unit, and 1 cavalry (a feathered raptor thing).</li><li>Tanitia (orange and black Carthaginians) : 4 infantry and 2 skirmisher units (it was supposed to be one skirmisher and one archer but because they don't have bows, my brain sees skirmisher and that's how I treated them). </li></ul><p>Both sides were aggressive in their battle plans:</p><p>The Bokrug Confederacy planned to strike first, gain that advantage and win the battle of attrition before marching off the table. The Tanitian planned to engage the lizards early, hold up the advance while inflicting losses, and cause them to run out of units and momentum (i.e fail to get three units off the road by turn 15).</p><p>I missed taking pics of the first few turns because I was caught up
in playing. However, I wanted to document the game, so we pick up around
turn 3 or 4. <br /></p><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYTMZY4T37vOQtTSehG-D5RucerE6GcDqwOEhsvpddochPW6KHiooV6nxa_aVG9NTGDGIQ-zcSnCN4q7_qcAmeQGXnsa5121RRMfoL1wkYxSZC1nIwg_THgT4SmSFFweYzKkgHuVM5vEgBZxJaqGDmmZIw3fdfcb89P0Fv_SKCl3Gvg7UK5ixlZZ6Cgg/s4032/IMG_1393.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYTMZY4T37vOQtTSehG-D5RucerE6GcDqwOEhsvpddochPW6KHiooV6nxa_aVG9NTGDGIQ-zcSnCN4q7_qcAmeQGXnsa5121RRMfoL1wkYxSZC1nIwg_THgT4SmSFFweYzKkgHuVM5vEgBZxJaqGDmmZIw3fdfcb89P0Fv_SKCl3Gvg7UK5ixlZZ6Cgg/w400-h300/IMG_1393.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The cavalry in action!<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;"> </div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixumA3JaGgvbdzTUsIVICwUcR7U7V-S1nYy5GWLGDCxHyZF_9NCCFpNl6MfnldhW6AojMreyTjAAPtIDd1Bu12HxsbVNRtaGZIJ4x-qifgckgUJwQwrIUOZOdoKrUB_TSeeStRfKSqHAch6UNTBA_ZlXoZRbqvD3w36ryKSwreFwCkFKjrTFWnseoxKw/s4032/IMG_1394.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixumA3JaGgvbdzTUsIVICwUcR7U7V-S1nYy5GWLGDCxHyZF_9NCCFpNl6MfnldhW6AojMreyTjAAPtIDd1Bu12HxsbVNRtaGZIJ4x-qifgckgUJwQwrIUOZOdoKrUB_TSeeStRfKSqHAch6UNTBA_ZlXoZRbqvD3w36ryKSwreFwCkFKjrTFWnseoxKw/w400-h300/IMG_1394.jpg" width="400" /></a><br /></div><div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi96_6PQZt47PkgkfpfG1esB-_uHNyiz-N9_RhLnscZM85C08tIBiCoX5A_WjeaRN10dGfgM8WSKLvnV-YPzVqcIFCx_zqDio2UE6U_E3-pAB2sl8XlZWgrlsbcWZDcR5hNL6AKooY4c2lyDdi6ibmHDVn15Ivsz7lobDy97-Z-JNdCi8JNDPBkbBx0Lg/s4032/IMG_1395.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi96_6PQZt47PkgkfpfG1esB-_uHNyiz-N9_RhLnscZM85C08tIBiCoX5A_WjeaRN10dGfgM8WSKLvnV-YPzVqcIFCx_zqDio2UE6U_E3-pAB2sl8XlZWgrlsbcWZDcR5hNL6AKooY4c2lyDdi6ibmHDVn15Ivsz7lobDy97-Z-JNdCi8JNDPBkbBx0Lg/w400-h300/IMG_1395.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ4EhPosUaFg8frFIE-hAeUViO9hk1xvkIXkA5xa8iR330EaTCaV_9LShfsGaDeGaZv4Z71dIPv7ZkSVEOl-J-p2mOokYlgcNsLu4E9xJAnWUdnfyO1207C9Iu3G1lGAiMd3M3RQ3Bhy6LKwHd2sG1vP5OynNJfnGcxQVIFH6vtrGj7RB3NW6tI_EKUg/s4032/IMG_1396.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ4EhPosUaFg8frFIE-hAeUViO9hk1xvkIXkA5xa8iR330EaTCaV_9LShfsGaDeGaZv4Z71dIPv7ZkSVEOl-J-p2mOokYlgcNsLu4E9xJAnWUdnfyO1207C9Iu3G1lGAiMd3M3RQ3Bhy6LKwHd2sG1vP5OynNJfnGcxQVIFH6vtrGj7RB3NW6tI_EKUg/w400-h300/IMG_1396.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">By turn 9, the defenders had been eliminated at the cost of a unit of Bokrug skrimishers. <br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijLXF4ZojHlw2E_nWvsEJDQ8Fy53qgZS-ylrueX5fdITwbi5Zv4Xc9ACdzEBYBTXT83VZsnpeoIFPigfUXd2urRj0DookAxWYBvJD-ZhhexxDBPNNQ9y12JHKAA53rrkr68usW_hgPw9Idm1dtuEoyYh_zekLUUQbyyTZtVsAi34DtNtK3SdJ-qC-GkQ/s4032/IMG_1397.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijLXF4ZojHlw2E_nWvsEJDQ8Fy53qgZS-ylrueX5fdITwbi5Zv4Xc9ACdzEBYBTXT83VZsnpeoIFPigfUXd2urRj0DookAxWYBvJD-ZhhexxDBPNNQ9y12JHKAA53rrkr68usW_hgPw9Idm1dtuEoyYh_zekLUUQbyyTZtVsAi34DtNtK3SdJ-qC-GkQ/w400-h300/IMG_1397.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p>A resounding victory for the Confederacy. Their die rolling wasn't particularly poor, but by running into the threat, they had exposed themselves to flank attacks which did not help their cause.<br /></p><p>Since, I still had some time before bed, I reset the table and decided to try playing the defense more conservatively. The Tanitians would avoid contact for a bit, to force the Confederacy to use up their turns with movement, rather than in combat - the idea was to have the Tanitians stay stronger longer. I also chose to start a Tanitian infantry unit on the hill - giving them one quarter damage if attacked. Mostly though the Tanitians would avoid advancing until the last minute.<br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3cdQs2fcAcE1DZ9Wh2PeG2Gf_HUwRVGreh__z1VHwdCJ5SV2mZnXiNz5ipGiUR47GXkgypVqcPLz2OJs4byLEMFFEt3gpqlMls1u1XlKRimEZo7tcVQpySqRKOtRHbxKpkHZfh6XkOLY8LGsskzYfJVFvT4oLKmxWT420z3rtlTugVphuYWdYvqphPg/s4032/IMG_1398.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3cdQs2fcAcE1DZ9Wh2PeG2Gf_HUwRVGreh__z1VHwdCJ5SV2mZnXiNz5ipGiUR47GXkgypVqcPLz2OJs4byLEMFFEt3gpqlMls1u1XlKRimEZo7tcVQpySqRKOtRHbxKpkHZfh6XkOLY8LGsskzYfJVFvT4oLKmxWT420z3rtlTugVphuYWdYvqphPg/w400-h300/IMG_1398.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I do love the advancing column of lizard warriors.<br /></td></tr></tbody></table> </div><div>The Tanitian skirmishers peppered the lizards but the infantry kept their distance until the opportunity to gain some decent advantage presented itself (a minor tweak to the plan). Eventually came the inevitable contact.<br /><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwUHCpdg7HXYzYnwgYYGiz8RWjafFPUjE0cfEfw8LIqfXaSVBSTaJ-3uZfTNN_WC0jzpyWKopCENbAonqoolRFyF_vZATs87m0Bn9vYTZYEXn9aNy7hC01dB1kxPYuN4iSV1l_cT4I4CLZ7V9GAFSDSAnA87u-6So_LPETWhVePDX3GjoRfViWSzM7yg/s4032/IMG_1399.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwUHCpdg7HXYzYnwgYYGiz8RWjafFPUjE0cfEfw8LIqfXaSVBSTaJ-3uZfTNN_WC0jzpyWKopCENbAonqoolRFyF_vZATs87m0Bn9vYTZYEXn9aNy7hC01dB1kxPYuN4iSV1l_cT4I4CLZ7V9GAFSDSAnA87u-6So_LPETWhVePDX3GjoRfViWSzM7yg/w400-h300/IMG_1399.jpg" width="400" /> </a></p><p style="text-align: left;">The Tanitian infantry on the hill were forced to abandon their position to protect the flank of the skirmishers on their right - so much for quarter damage. However, this time the Confederacy exposed their flanks and suffered for it - not one but two units found themselves facing an attacker to the front and one to the right.<br /></p><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQXwpx9oCbzEFOn3AbeajE1T1sGs-eCM8XKhG817ElTEIH1zTnAvBwCZCk095VrdwsAnGaSOYYGMXuHU48BTo99FgvkIWLm3BhZdhiIAif5UaQK59AOfaz7r8mgQ8umaMM5GzVYb_gPb71AFCUYUhzwOdvTP9_KNSzOyBLdneg7jQQsQFcYi5IfaiMkg/s4032/IMG_1401.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQXwpx9oCbzEFOn3AbeajE1T1sGs-eCM8XKhG817ElTEIH1zTnAvBwCZCk095VrdwsAnGaSOYYGMXuHU48BTo99FgvkIWLm3BhZdhiIAif5UaQK59AOfaz7r8mgQ8umaMM5GzVYb_gPb71AFCUYUhzwOdvTP9_KNSzOyBLdneg7jQQsQFcYi5IfaiMkg/w400-h300/IMG_1401.jpg" width="400" /> </a></p><p style="text-align: left;">The defensive plan worked - the turns spent drawing the attackers out, chewed up the turn counter. The melees had largely gone in the Confederacy's favor, but it was no steamroll like the previous game. Here is what it looked like on turn 14: <br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii9cvEQKR39LJYY7ayZlpp63VG8HC2LxVRzHKQyLZ_n9NhxssVzEg3EmXauhHNuG1x_W5x7DqGcXogGCpMmAVCIzK0CsWjJ3rtCdIJ7OoTiOpKH5C65AvZc4OIhnpOrIBPQN_AF1GBmPvbb9b0B-JAqnsXfEgnG1tD-ZZWmTtHKZr3DJa1Y1c9Gis9XA/s4032/IMG_1403.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii9cvEQKR39LJYY7ayZlpp63VG8HC2LxVRzHKQyLZ_n9NhxssVzEg3EmXauhHNuG1x_W5x7DqGcXogGCpMmAVCIzK0CsWjJ3rtCdIJ7OoTiOpKH5C65AvZc4OIhnpOrIBPQN_AF1GBmPvbb9b0B-JAqnsXfEgnG1tD-ZZWmTtHKZr3DJa1Y1c9Gis9XA/w400-h300/IMG_1403.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p>On turn 15, the Bokrug infantry finally eliminated the Tanitian infantry blocking the road.</p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfha187k8pP5fNnQyLUZzmiMi_MHn6R9dv7VO9vGixByackykLCEkQs1MAFARtnkZQyYBDb1GceXNlsOdDQGc3lOXklgwYPKhRMqbSIY3uYdATdYHQC_hudlPTSJ38HngD29RtzeZtHOEOM1mo9rXeBw7rkaoQN20iN6iNtz1yFACmtUMUY-kwLvfhLA/s3002/IMG_1404.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2251" data-original-width="3002" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfha187k8pP5fNnQyLUZzmiMi_MHn6R9dv7VO9vGixByackykLCEkQs1MAFARtnkZQyYBDb1GceXNlsOdDQGc3lOXklgwYPKhRMqbSIY3uYdATdYHQC_hudlPTSJ38HngD29RtzeZtHOEOM1mo9rXeBw7rkaoQN20iN6iNtz1yFACmtUMUY-kwLvfhLA/w400-h300/IMG_1404.jpg" width="400" /> </a></p><p style="text-align: left;">However, that left them with no turns to actually get three units off the board via the road. I declared it a tactical victory for the Bokrug Confederacy, but a strategic Tanitian victory.</p></div>John Yhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16465161620134394060noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9069095863978098122.post-56566470351691130262023-11-02T11:29:00.000-04:002023-11-02T11:29:00.565-04:00Probably the Biggest Influence on My Wargames Aesthetic<p>I was thinking about this, this morning.</p><p>Sure, there's Wells, Morschauser, Grant, Young & Crawford, Featherstone ... but those all came later in life and I didn't read most of them until after I had been gaming a bit. </p><p>However, permanently emblazoned in some part of my brain is this scene from a Warner Bros. short: <br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP3MKVV-r2l5ezZbvDrII8Ki5K80gY5ewNOXiVHUhq52iqUUhRn6rVlci9F8iamlc6Cy6CcGPg42sjRIXny1N_ISU2sroVevkbYQ5iHtlyylxZkypwiz2QzpWDYZVG9ykZyWpcxtlJ7lypmJq6bSpMC6oFFeoFnmvbAXltYJJxSf-XbvFWwfXAVB3pIg/s853/napoleonbunny.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="853" height="245" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP3MKVV-r2l5ezZbvDrII8Ki5K80gY5ewNOXiVHUhq52iqUUhRn6rVlci9F8iamlc6Cy6CcGPg42sjRIXny1N_ISU2sroVevkbYQ5iHtlyylxZkypwiz2QzpWDYZVG9ykZyWpcxtlJ7lypmJq6bSpMC6oFFeoFnmvbAXltYJJxSf-XbvFWwfXAVB3pIg/w436-h245/napoleonbunny.jpg" width="436" /></a></div><br /> No fancy terrain, just a grid map and toy soldiers!<br /><p></p>John Yhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16465161620134394060noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9069095863978098122.post-31110915067522840792023-10-29T20:36:00.003-04:002023-10-30T10:22:45.394-04:00Once More to Take the High Ground<p>With my son occupied watching memes on Friday evening, I decided I wanted to see if the same scenario I played the other day ("Take the High Ground") would be as close, given my modifications to the "Machine Age" rules for <i>One Hour Wargames</i>.</p><p>For what it's worth, in my mind, the infantry are companies, the guns are batteries, the cavalry are squadrons.</p><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>The Italians are defending and have four infantry, one heavy infantry, and one unit of Lancieri.</li><li>The Austrians are attacking with four infantry units, one heavy infantry, and one field gun battery. </li></ul><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLA3n4MlZPAXAb3p_68jHT_KknemagjC1LBO4evQhz9rf8iCd7RPN-M7XcmSPRJQmKsQ8sc6g27Pu16LqCwNgN9ups6YV0oZXkXYBapBK1YNASvD17uwThO_1Z9BF5J4f4W36S3BsPYbkbFe9dk_H-NHuFLuM6-qYNGmxEwIDb4M_M5rkzRP1vMR5OGg/s4032/IMG-1369.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLA3n4MlZPAXAb3p_68jHT_KknemagjC1LBO4evQhz9rf8iCd7RPN-M7XcmSPRJQmKsQ8sc6g27Pu16LqCwNgN9ups6YV0oZXkXYBapBK1YNASvD17uwThO_1Z9BF5J4f4W36S3BsPYbkbFe9dk_H-NHuFLuM6-qYNGmxEwIDb4M_M5rkzRP1vMR5OGg/w400-h300/IMG-1369.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The opening layout. I interpret Neil Thomas's instruction "arrive on the Southern table edge" as literally meaning, place the unit on the edge of the table - and that counts as the attacker's movement.</td></tr></tbody></table><br />After a taking a hammering from the Austrian barrage, the Italians in the trench opened fire, with the heavy infantry making a strong argument for the Austrians to reconsider this whole thing.<div><br /></div><div>However, the Austrians launched a trench assault, with two companies supported by a third. The carnage on that portion of the battlefield would be terrible and not in the Austrian favor.<br /><br />Meanwhile, the Lancieri launched a heroic, if ill-advised, charge against the Austrians who had taken a position holding the road south. <br /><div> <br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhAJU-EEl7CCNhDQztRrpc4Mg8c89yf-GZfSBQ-IMwjXDzGF8XLYomZ4gwPukoSZHv90wN4-7srn-p0qGCCGwyvRAtWkLquLUhInTVRC9JPZB6Bj7BhuPFfncR8a4Gwdqi0iUusPdLorFj0lGL0yAJEj8mNUVK3ah54V7H_6r1ZyfYv2UH_-74AkI9cA/s4032/IMG-1372.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhAJU-EEl7CCNhDQztRrpc4Mg8c89yf-GZfSBQ-IMwjXDzGF8XLYomZ4gwPukoSZHv90wN4-7srn-p0qGCCGwyvRAtWkLquLUhInTVRC9JPZB6Bj7BhuPFfncR8a4Gwdqi0iUusPdLorFj0lGL0yAJEj8mNUVK3ah54V7H_6r1ZyfYv2UH_-74AkI9cA/w400-h300/IMG-1372.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The cavalry needs their bases changed to the Medium Foliage Green</td></tr></tbody></table><br />Their first effort was repelled, and the Lancieri took heavy fire as they regrouped for a follow-up attack.</div><div><br /></div><div>Meanwhile an Italian company advanced through the woods to engage the Austrian flank and the Austrians continued their assault on the hilltop trench, aided by the field gun battery.</div><div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKghjRDvJ7wF3y-JYa5kKTvAq7VrzQpLZWCHEoQMg-h4hn1ZEavxJNIAiniWqDWmcYAXbjDoNezbtN_At8nBbQEffBauKwlrOEikVIxy0i4Xu2XlhyY2sUwtDAnw_tRpr-_cyjQsDXO15GhqPBQuqLJLXqqLAdkRQo-60bXA5TrpAZZ1PuQAEoNwCeDw/s4032/IMG-1373.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKghjRDvJ7wF3y-JYa5kKTvAq7VrzQpLZWCHEoQMg-h4hn1ZEavxJNIAiniWqDWmcYAXbjDoNezbtN_At8nBbQEffBauKwlrOEikVIxy0i4Xu2XlhyY2sUwtDAnw_tRpr-_cyjQsDXO15GhqPBQuqLJLXqqLAdkRQo-60bXA5TrpAZZ1PuQAEoNwCeDw/w400-h300/IMG-1373.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A red die means they've taken 12 + whatever is showing in damage. A yellow die is 6 + whatever face is showing.</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div>The Austrians repulsed a second cavalry charge, and the latter was forced to disperse under oppressive rifle fire.</div><div><br /></div><div>Still, the assault on the hill had faltered and although the Italians had lost their heavy infantry (no doubt routed in panic after several rounds of intense melee), they had a fresh unit ready to take its place, with another unit providing support on their flank to keep the Austrians from maneuvering around the hill.</div><div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicAAilgSzPucyA6aziDCkAs8bxqT0vRiUE4LaSjClWGbIhbbN6E5wXD37QJ1nIYFhaPi9QVKQvEj06ukSpomqi0mQphyphenhyphenQEwW-WX8snAV6VU36u4UWIdBPKyVSbhwenCRGYBTraudHe68WS5jcFgna_cOb0pMe3ez_yLomegfYMmhb2R6wH2qFIItg6wA/s3407/IMG-1374.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2555" data-original-width="3407" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicAAilgSzPucyA6aziDCkAs8bxqT0vRiUE4LaSjClWGbIhbbN6E5wXD37QJ1nIYFhaPi9QVKQvEj06ukSpomqi0mQphyphenhyphenQEwW-WX8snAV6VU36u4UWIdBPKyVSbhwenCRGYBTraudHe68WS5jcFgna_cOb0pMe3ez_yLomegfYMmhb2R6wH2qFIItg6wA/w400-h300/IMG-1374.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Green dice show the number of hits taken (1-6). No die means no hits. I do sometimes move the out of the way for pictures, but only if it's one or two dice.</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div>An Italian victory seemed neatly in hand. </div><div><br /></div><div>The incredible firing by the plucky Austrian battery was a bright spot - it took quite a few hits but shrugged them off (the Italians rolled 1s and 2s) while dealing a good bit of damage. </div><div><br /></div><div>Eventually, the Austrian heavies disposed of the Italians in the woods and were able to come to bear.</div><div><br /></div><div>It still wasn't a sure thing.</div><div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3KkQv94ysj-Bg7Rtxsxyl0J4gSV4EK1fuhTv2bez4gThbH8CXDQzryuJIBBsreXmEb_57ATsKQIBNlP-o4mR9s96qbD74MIZn55MclrLaKz8Eh3F-IP9LIW1-8EIk1S8l69Ktly3MAbZDFxyeaaA8cICIxCxMrq956R7XSZjEPh-jI6iRV1r9fDU01g/s2531/IMG-1377.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2531" data-original-width="2531" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3KkQv94ysj-Bg7Rtxsxyl0J4gSV4EK1fuhTv2bez4gThbH8CXDQzryuJIBBsreXmEb_57ATsKQIBNlP-o4mR9s96qbD74MIZn55MclrLaKz8Eh3F-IP9LIW1-8EIk1S8l69Ktly3MAbZDFxyeaaA8cICIxCxMrq956R7XSZjEPh-jI6iRV1r9fDU01g/w400-h400/IMG-1377.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">On turn 14 the eliminated the Italians and on turn 15 moved onto the hill.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p>With casualties high and morale failing on both sides (morale being abstractly handled by Neil Thomas in OHW by the loss of hit points), momentum (and turns) was running out.</p><p>With a last burst of effort, the Austrian heavies managed to capture the trench and establish a defensive position of their own (they cleared the trench on turn 14 by fire, and then claimed it on turn 15). </p><p>From there they could cover the advance of the troops coming behind them.</p><p>Austrian victory.</p><p>*****</p><p>A second <i>One Hour Wargames</i> game that came down to the last turn. </p><p>Maybe I was playing them wrong all of the times before? I don't know. I was surprised though. </p><p>Here are the modifications I used:</p><p></p><ul><li>Shooting: </li><ul><li>No shooting <i>along a trench </i><i>line </i>(what is shown on the table is a straight line but in reality, it is full of zigs and zags). </li><li>Units may fire into close combat on a turn when a unit on their side initiates close combat (shooting occurs after movement but is assumed to be accompanying it).</li></ul><li>Trenches:</li><ul><li>Units in trench have 360 LOS with respect to being flanked (i.e. they can't be)</li><li>Units in trench may only shoot as normal(45-degrees forward). </li><li>Units in trench take half-damage from shooting. </li><li>Mounted cavalry may not cross trenches</li></ul><li>Close Combat: </li><ul><li>Infantry units that charge into close combat, stay in close combat until one side is destroyed. </li><li>Attacking uphill reduces damage caused by 1/2</li><li>Close combat <i>long a trench</i>, e.g. enemy units occupying sections of the same trench, does half damage - reduced numbers of men able to engage immediately and twists and turns of the trench. </li><li>Otherwise close combat ignores all cover - woods, trench, buildings - (they are lobbing grenades, leaping into the trench, etc.).</li></ul><li>Cavalry charges</li><ul><li>see Rifle & Sabre rules.</li></ul><li>Field Guns: </li><ul><li>May not move once fired. </li><li>Field guns may rotate in place (counts as movement for the sake of firing).</li></ul></ul><p></p><p>I opted to use the barrage option from the rulebook, and defenders would start in a trench. </p><p>Dice rolling played a bigger part in how this one went I feel - poor rolls kept Austrians in the open from being routed. </p><p>I wanted infantry close combat to be a decision to make - in keeping with the history (strangely missing from the rules) but also from a game play perspective. It's a gamble because you are stuck in at that point and you lose the ability to maneuver that unit to other parts of the table where it might be needed (such as the failing assault on the hilltop).</p><p>In the Ancients game, I used that fact to pin enemy troops - I had skirmishers advance far ahead to stop reinforcements from arriving as fast as they might otherwise. With everyone in the "Machine Age" rules having the ability to shoot, stopping a unit from advancing is less of an issue and you can wait for them to come into range (and you'll get first shot as they can't move and shoot). </p><p>Engaging just to stop them from advancing makes little sense if they aren't in cover.</p><p>The Austrians who fought the Italian company that had advanced through the woods, and taken cover at the edge, received the intended benefit of engaging in close combat - no halving damage at all. Thus, it was worth making the effort to get unreduced hits in (and aided by their +2 for being heavy infantry, they were pretty devastating), even at the sacrifice of being able to move.</p><p>The hilltop assault was not the best test of my infantry close combat rules, because attacking a unit on a hill still halves the damage, putting it on par with shooting (since rifle fire is not halved for shooting up hill, just for the cover). You could argue that they should have simply moved into range and fired, with the benefit of being able to fall out of range to be replaced by a fresher unit if necessary.</p><p>The default "Machine Age" rules assume cavalry are dismounted/shooting for the sake of combat. I wanted to field Lancieri. The "Rifle & Sabre" cavalry rules worked and gave what seemed to be a reasonable result.</p><p>The bounce off in the event of failing to destroy the target does allow them to move somewhere else - giving them an advantage over infantry in close combat, but I didn't take advantage of that. </p><p>Instead, they just repeated their charge and eventually this was to their detriment. I should have kept them out of rifle range as long as possible. Had I saved them for when the enemy was weakened and preferably was otherwise engaged, and THEN charged, they might have been more effective and had more influence on the outcome.</p><p>We'll see if I learn these lessons for next time!</p></div></div>John Yhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16465161620134394060noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9069095863978098122.post-37459131588764182172023-10-26T12:10:00.000-04:002023-10-26T12:10:17.019-04:00One Hour Wargames : Ancients<p>I had never played <i>One Hour Wargames</i>'s Ancient rules. Last night I decided to change that. </p><p>Using my Tanitians and Bokrug Confederacy figures, and for now, ignoring cavalry, I generated two forces:<br /></p><ul><li>Tanitia (orange and black) - 4 infantry units, 1 archer unit, 1 skirmisher unit</li><li>Bokrug Confederacy (lizards) - 3 infantry units, 1 archer unit, 2 skirmisher units</li></ul><p>Not a big difference there in composition, but I wanted to play the rules straight before I modify them with elephants and dinosaurs just yet.</p><p>Cavalry probably won't be added for Tanitia until 2024 as that's part of my planned army expansion - either using HaT Spanish Cavalry or LOD Amazons (the set comes with two figures on horseback). For Bokrug Confederacy, it occurred to me that smaller raptors would be sufficient and we have tons of those between my son and myself. I might even try to put some Wargames Atlantic lizard warriors on their backs as riders.</p><p>In any case, I digress ...<br /></p><p>The scenario was #4 - "Take the High Ground"<br /></p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-6M5u4aDOfdC8ul2CZANVgJF_EC0zVJh90FcMXfs55zASB4BhY3sVEl5RKd38Hew-pqX-IDP1tAuJrANtOycF9q5NbZQ3ScBrl4B9vtCDLhiZgk1HYHv2wlu0yUX3dbOMGSoOfIDVght-g-xIsbdNq1-PO0daJSL3LLwQchZyW0QPiqPnc26anyeSDQ/s4032/IMG-1358.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-6M5u4aDOfdC8ul2CZANVgJF_EC0zVJh90FcMXfs55zASB4BhY3sVEl5RKd38Hew-pqX-IDP1tAuJrANtOycF9q5NbZQ3ScBrl4B9vtCDLhiZgk1HYHv2wlu0yUX3dbOMGSoOfIDVght-g-xIsbdNq1-PO0daJSL3LLwQchZyW0QPiqPnc26anyeSDQ/w400-h300/IMG-1358.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Two units of Bokrug infantry hold the hill. They will be quite hard to remove - they halve any damage received due to armor, and halve again due to their hilltop position.<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3VlMzIpuP455LXxTaFUBflnAiq1L6cC1-_bC72t-G8e0TMFC6cRBPAFQ7bJz0LwdSx89HVMNFFCxFxSRa2DUVH1HOUdd69sZsSuBXguSxuhqXUl7akQRqeA8_zT0GLlUuGB8sIa70Z_Aszye2DOPjIOj6d4KdRsRQiRKCFHmJ1205BxSWuAVowfn4Pg/s4032/IMG-1360.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3VlMzIpuP455LXxTaFUBflnAiq1L6cC1-_bC72t-G8e0TMFC6cRBPAFQ7bJz0LwdSx89HVMNFFCxFxSRa2DUVH1HOUdd69sZsSuBXguSxuhqXUl7akQRqeA8_zT0GLlUuGB8sIa70Z_Aszye2DOPjIOj6d4KdRsRQiRKCFHmJ1205BxSWuAVowfn4Pg/w400-h300/IMG-1360.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Tantian archers pepper the units on the hill - the Bokrug units don't get their hilltop advantage for archery fire - while their infantry assaults the hill and skirmishers advance through the woods to engage the advancing Bokrug skirmishers.<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj-G2apB-7n2ULBPE2ZbkYvNeAZBtEKzgQ2aTrXfuQjmjMV9NgMlAO6kG2VkabdYOrBoionSBi20qbT-WvWWVK8Xl3fIFT9Yg8iBqVkzBTzaNlxnBPYZfjPsFFiIuVGQVx9kTbXoEnFKZmwLLYuzIL66J4zuroHOKQSzCGx2Heja-cJXBVRzfQQSX_Cg/s4032/IMG-1361.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj-G2apB-7n2ULBPE2ZbkYvNeAZBtEKzgQ2aTrXfuQjmjMV9NgMlAO6kG2VkabdYOrBoionSBi20qbT-WvWWVK8Xl3fIFT9Yg8iBqVkzBTzaNlxnBPYZfjPsFFiIuVGQVx9kTbXoEnFKZmwLLYuzIL66J4zuroHOKQSzCGx2Heja-cJXBVRzfQQSX_Cg/w400-h300/IMG-1361.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Bokrug archers stay out of melee, but everyone else is locked in it or on their way to it.<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmucLeBjyxd4GFUB2Xhb6hDH6le2SJLqw8HM99g24BgccpuO9gvtN-0s8rW9X4stXAY0B0Kg4JL_-P5tBf9yIuDI0sdYeQbcfMIfsTQwkDU0KmKrlUpo82Agzl0Wl7she-SIZLjFOoqgXubQhveFhe_BedBuT21we8gJe98Y-Aa7wggkBrSzedLYy6Xg/s4032/IMG-1362.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmucLeBjyxd4GFUB2Xhb6hDH6le2SJLqw8HM99g24BgccpuO9gvtN-0s8rW9X4stXAY0B0Kg4JL_-P5tBf9yIuDI0sdYeQbcfMIfsTQwkDU0KmKrlUpo82Agzl0Wl7she-SIZLjFOoqgXubQhveFhe_BedBuT21we8gJe98Y-Aa7wggkBrSzedLYy6Xg/w400-h300/IMG-1362.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">With one unit of infantry fallen and the other with 9 points of damage, things don't look good on the hill for the Bokrug Confederacy,<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBV4FSwsYmzVH_JfxXd2sz3Dinkmr5LVy7GlBZesEC81BCMbnVbKIuypg3zZjOEQCsvl8YKNYSYmGDA-QTtL2k5-tg7VnPZnimDVNCqadlQ-FDp2vP9qFPgNg6pitYfyij-kcuh3JadhlFz4_OyvVe1XRRz9B58wfcpvrt7yAOsHpqBU72ZR6INXHW4Q/s4032/IMG-1363.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBV4FSwsYmzVH_JfxXd2sz3Dinkmr5LVy7GlBZesEC81BCMbnVbKIuypg3zZjOEQCsvl8YKNYSYmGDA-QTtL2k5-tg7VnPZnimDVNCqadlQ-FDp2vP9qFPgNg6pitYfyij-kcuh3JadhlFz4_OyvVe1XRRz9B58wfcpvrt7yAOsHpqBU72ZR6INXHW4Q/w400-h300/IMG-1363.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yet somehow they hold out! But for how long?<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcRx6Ulfy8-PirVDGz3JrCXzarrfccJWIj7NSxUkYMGBVdKhhXMW8E9yfGQ1JrmbPKAlIHeCv8XWClFZ7tIIPoAnFxkjqFmClj8UCNJ4wfcebduvMd3pojw72d96xlLnFusW5IBNOMZTXDCYKrLBjNcIojVogp9k4Y59KniUelIgmH4Z3s_G7h5_5ncA/s4032/IMG-1364.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcRx6Ulfy8-PirVDGz3JrCXzarrfccJWIj7NSxUkYMGBVdKhhXMW8E9yfGQ1JrmbPKAlIHeCv8XWClFZ7tIIPoAnFxkjqFmClj8UCNJ4wfcebduvMd3pojw72d96xlLnFusW5IBNOMZTXDCYKrLBjNcIojVogp9k4Y59KniUelIgmH4Z3s_G7h5_5ncA/w400-h300/IMG-1364.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Not that much longer as it turned out. This is around turn 11 or 12.<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGXX7fUjnVmkSypGeCJcJ-Un-IJV_4A2X8lA7zPmTsiIRc2bGtdgXDRDxwH38QTyw5PPwvt_1EjiAW8GzhwaD10xwkbpGd8Ss9J9l7urs889yYlKUiQ51ZbVdGIE_Z9OsEqzZum2GY6Gz3HqFyE9W8-4Qtmc7QUk5nhxPILR9sNnyky4iEAW_Qt69sQQ/s4032/IMG-1365.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGXX7fUjnVmkSypGeCJcJ-Un-IJV_4A2X8lA7zPmTsiIRc2bGtdgXDRDxwH38QTyw5PPwvt_1EjiAW8GzhwaD10xwkbpGd8Ss9J9l7urs889yYlKUiQ51ZbVdGIE_Z9OsEqzZum2GY6Gz3HqFyE9W8-4Qtmc7QUk5nhxPILR9sNnyky4iEAW_Qt69sQQ/w400-h300/IMG-1365.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Bokrug skirmishers launched several ineffective volleys of javelins. The archers were far more accurate with their attacks, but time was against them.<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p><br />After 15 turns (<i>One Hour Wargames </i>standard game length) the Tanitians are the sole occupants of the hilltop. The Bokrug units, seeing victory slip away, melted into the jungle to await the next time they are called to duty.<br /></p><p>A <i>OHW</i> game that went the full 15 turns! It's a rare occurrence indeed. It did get me wondering if that turn limit works better with the older pre-gun powder eras. Something that future games may shed more light on.</p><p>Units are on 3" x 2" steel-on-MDF trays. I'm not a fan of the green for these figures but I don't have enough steel to have one side sand and the other side green. Santa may resolve that issue! I'd also like to be able to put 8-10 units on the table not just 6 - so again, more steel! Santa is going to need a reinforced bag this year!<br /></p><p>The playing area was 24" square - 3/4 the size of the standard <i>OHW </i>table. Ranges were adjusted in proportion. This makes the 3" base equivalent to a 4.5" wide base on a 36" table.<br /></p><p></p>John Yhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16465161620134394060noreply@blogger.com8