18th December Games

We had a better turnout than expected, given the pressures of the season and some particularly grotty weather late in the evening. Steve Slater kindly ran a Valley of the Dinosaurs board game. This allowed me to reprise my traditional Beast Master role for the Christmas game - suffice to say that I was able to spread a little misery around the various players during the course of the game. Steve accumulated the most loot but had no surviving characters to spend it with!

Dave Kightly ran a Zombiecide game for the remaining members present; I didn't get much time to look at this but those playing appeared to enjoy the game, which I suspect will be played again soon.

The next two Wednesdays will not see meetings due to Christmas and the New Year; our next scheduled meeting will be on Wednesday 8th January 2014. I look forward to seeing you then.

In the mean time, have a very Happy Christmas and may 2014 be a good year for us all.
Neil

11th December Games

A fair turn out last night; Mark,Bob and Andy ran a Lord of the Rings game based on a scenario from The Two Towers. Word is the Uruk-Hai have a couple of halflings to play with as a result; I have checked my copy of Mary Gentle's 'Grunts!', but cannot currently find a receipe for roast hobbit. It's important to use the right sauce you see.... picture attached. Of the game, that is.

Steve Harbron was kind enough to bring along a new board game called 'Euphoria' for a play test. Not being directly involved in this game I wasn't paying close attention to the play, but I gather the game was enjoyed by those involved.

Next week it appears we will be a bit thin on the ground. Steve Slater has therefore offered to run a Valley of the Dinosaurs board game as the Xmas entertainment; I have picked up a board game based on the first of the Hobbit films (via The Works in Southend) which might also be worth a try.

See yer soon,
Neil.

20th November Games

A reasonable turnout last night; thanks as always to Mark for running his SWAT game for the bulk of those attending; didn't have much time to look at the state of play (see below for the reason), but picture attached anyway.

I was somewhat preoccupied with umpiring the rather delayed Napoleonic naval game; Ed had his baptism of fire, including a fierce boarding action launched by Contre-Amiral Slater as the French commander. Thanks to Steve Harbron for acting as Ed's 'sea-daddy' (and no, there isn't any unnatural connotation there!) I realised there were a couple of tweaks to the rules I had not included during the last review, and will attend to these; picture attached at an early part in the action, with some nasty close broadside action in the offing.

Next week I gather that a Warhammer 40K (or Fantasy - some uncertainty here) has been proposed. I will run a further Napoleonic naval game at the request of Ed and the two Steves, and would welcome anybody else interest in a bit of nautical mayhem.

See yer soon,
Neil

13th November Games

My Napoleonic naval game was put on hold due to the absence of Ed and Mike (for whose benefit the game was intended) and also due to a relatively high number of players required for Steve's Doctor Who game. This featured most (if not all ) of the Doctor's incarnations, with comparable guest appearances by The Master - picture attached. Thanks to Steve for the entertainment.

Next week, I will attempt to run the Napoleonic Naval game, and Mark has agreed to run his SWAT game (by special request from Laurie).

See yer soon,
Neil.

6th November Games

A decent turnout last night. My Angels 20 game set over Finland during the Winter War was fast and bloody - attached picture shows the state of play after the first round of firing! Russians had the best of it but the game was enjoyed by all.

Mark's Victorian Gothic horror game is also illustrated; high angle picture was the best I could get unfortunately. This went to the wire but I think the good guys won....

Next week, Steve Slater has offered to run a Doctor Who game (appropriate given the 50th anniversary episode is to be broadcast soon) while I will bring the 1/1200 Napoleonic naval game along for a bit of nautical mayhem.

See yer soon,
Neil

30th October Games

Fairly busy last night; we were able to try out Star Trek Attack Wing for the first time, which resulted in the Federation forces coming off second best against the Klingons. Laurie tried out the Dead Man's Hand Western Gunfight rules, while Bob and Andy ran a Malifaux game. Pictures of Star Trek and Malifaux attached as the Dead Man's Hand game ended before I could take a shot!

Next week, I have been asked to run an Angels 20 game set during the Winter War 1940 in Finland, and Mark will run his Victorian Gothic horror game.

See yer soon,
Neil

23rd October Games

Mark, Bob and Andy ran a Warhammer Fantasy game, and I ran the ACW naval game rescheduled from last week. This turned out to be a dour struggle, resulting in a Confederate victory by preventing the Union force from proceeding upriver. No pictures this week as I was busy umpiring....

Next week, Laurie has offered to run a Western Gunfight using the Dead Man's Hand rules; Bob and Andy will run a Malifaux game, while the remainder of us are likely to be engaged in a first game of Star Trek Attack Wing. Mike has played a few games already, and believes it to be a better game than X-wing - praise indeed!

See yer soon,
Neil

16th October Games

This week's meeting got off to an unusual start when Brian turned up after a long absence and proceeded to fill the room with games, models and gods alone know what else which he was desirous of disposing of. Suffice to say a proportion went to various members present, and I witnessed the unlikely sight of Dave Crook at a total loss for words!

When the games got under way, Dave Kightly ran Last Night on Earth (US based zombie game for the uninitiated) and Bob, Andy and Mark ran the promised 40K game. Pictures attached, including James' Ork Stompa (I think that's the correct spelling) which took down a Dark Eldar barge before said Eldar stomped the Orks.

Next week, a Warhammer Fantasy game has been arranged; I will run the ACW naval game I had intended for this week, but which was rather overtaken by events.

See yer soon,
Neil

SELWG 2013 Report

Our final show of the year took place yesterday; I wish I could say I enjoyed the drive to Crystal Palace, but there were times I thought I was conning a submarine....

The Table Top Teasers on Tour game looked brilliant ( picture attached) and attracted a great deal of attention; sadly we were not in the running for a prize this year, but a word of congratulations to the Southend Wargames Club for winning the Best of Show trophy with their War of 1812 game seems appropriate.

My thanks go as always to Chris, Dave, Graham and John for all their work in producing the game.

Some more pictures of the day...

Normal (??) service resumes on Wednesday with a further ACW naval game which I shall be running, with a Warhammer 40K game also on offer.

See yer soon,
Neil

9th October Games

It was certainly 'a dark and stormy night' yesterday, but a few brave souls ventured forth to attend our weekly meeting. Bob and Andy ran a Lord of the Rings game, based (I think) in the Mines of Moria from the first book/film of the trilogy. I ran an ACW naval game - apologies to those playing for the errors and omissions in the playsheet which I have in hand, together with the suggestions made concerning play. That aside the game ran well, with a narrow win for the Union. Pictures of both games are attached.

As you know, the club is presenting a War of Spanish Succession game at SELWG this weekend. We are sited on table E in the main hall, a map of which was sent with last week's email; look for the Caliver Books stand and we are close to that. I expect that I will see more than a few of you on the day for some dedicated retail therapy!

Next week, I will run another ACW naval (with the corrected rule set!). I understand that a Warhammer 40K game is also planned.

See yer soon,
Neil.

2nd October Games

The evening had a heavy air combat theme, with Steve Slater running a WW1 Wings of War game. I undertook a training game of Angels 20 for a newest members Mick, Ed and James (with welcome assistance from Rob) which everybody appeared to enjoy. Pictures of both games are attached; apologies to Bob and Andy for not including their Malifaux game.

Current offers for next week are a Lord of the Rings game from Bob and Andy; I hope to run an American Civil War naval game using an updated version of the rules tested recently.
See yer soon,
Neil.

25th September Games

Bit thin on the ground last night, but I was able to run a further X wing practice game prior to the Essex Warriors' open day this Sunday. The link for their website is http://www.essexwarriors.org/ which also includes a link to Google maps for anyone unsure of the route; I hope to see a few of you on the day for this friendly little show.

We were also visited by Ed and his son James, whom I 'allowed' (hem hem) to destroy my TIE fighter. I do not propose to be this forgiving in the future should they return!

Next week, I will run an Angels 20 game, and I believe Steve will supply a selection of board games for those not of an aeronautical turn of mind.

Neil

18th September Games

Reasonable turnout this week; Mark, Bob and Andy played a Warhammer Fantasy assault on a fortified site, whilst I ran a Star Wars X Wing game in preparation for the Essex Warriors Open Day on the 29th September 2013. It appears that most of the players got the idea by close of play....also nice to see Ernie prior to his departure to visit family in Australia next week. Have a good time and come back rested Ernie!

A couple of pics from a mega game (18' table, 3,000 + models) of Blenheim that Ernie attended (pictures kind permission of Ernie Fosker - please see SEEMS Group for further images).

See yer soon,
Neil.

12th September Games

Fairly busy last night. Steve H and I gave some new aircraft types a run out for Angels 20; Spitfire IX's appear to be quite effective, but my dice rolling for the Fw190's left something to be desired. Thanks to Mark and co. for the 40K game, and to Steve S for running Scotland Yard as a game for the remaining members present.

Next week, I will run a Star Wars X-wing game as a pre Writtle training game for those who will be attending the Essex Warriors Open Day on the 29th September 2013. Bob and Andrew are planning a Lord of the Rings skirmish; any other offers would be appreciated.

See yer soon,
Neil

4th September Games

Firstly, I would like to welcome Mike after his visit last night; I hope you enjoyed the ACW naval game. This was a trial for the Portable Naval Wargame variant covering the ACW written by an old mate, Bob Cordery. The game went OK (even Laurie enjoyed himself!) but the general opinion was the rules were basic (which Bob himself admits) and a number of amendments (solely for our use, Bob) have been considered; an amended version of the rules will follow in due course.

Thanks also to Dave Kightly for running the Battlestar Galactic game again; I didn't get a chance to look in on this game but hopefully Humanity did better on this occasion....

Some of you may already be aware (following reports on the wargaming blogosphere) about the passing of Don Featherstone; details of the cause of death are vague but it appears to be due to a fall. Don has been described as the Father of Wargaming, and his books have been an inspiration to generations of wargamers. We will not see his like again.

Next week - on a brighter note - I will run an Angels 20 game (theatre to be decided). There is also a 40k game on offer if you prefer your mayhem to include thermal weapons!

See yer soon,
Neil.

21st August Games

Bit thin on the ground again this week, but we managed to have two games last night. Dave Kightly ran a Battlestar Galactica board game - I gather Humanity lost (much to the disgust of the Lords of Kobol I imagine). It fell to me to entertain Laurie and Ernie with three quick games of Ludis Glatiatorus, using some revised character cards. We all managed to win one game apiece, so all were happy.

There are also cards available for a further range of gladiator figures which were released by Crusader Miniatures a while back (which I have in stock pending painting) which will appear on a wargames table near you sometime in the next year with luck. I also have some 54mm plastic figures which would work under these rules. Hmm.....

Next week will see a rerun of the Battlestar Galactica game. I haven't decided whether to run an Angels 20 game or to try a set of ACW naval rules originally written by Bob Cordery, using my 1/600 models. If anybody has a preference, please let me know.

See yer soon,
Neil.

14th August Games

A reasonable turnout this week; Chris was kind enough to run a Hordes of the Things game to allow Alan the chance to use his Romano-British army against Chris' Dark Ages Irish. This game went to the wire and was the cause of some spirited discussion concerning rules interpretation along the way. Steve Slater ran a Fury of Dracula game, while Bob and Andy played a Malifaux scenario. Pictures of the general mayhem and the climax of the Hotts game are attached. Apologies to Chris for the inadvertent lemonade flood; I think I managed to sponge it all out....

I am currently unaware of any arrangements for next week's games other than to suggest that I shall bring Ludis Gladiatorus along as there were no spare bodies to play this week. Could those organising additional games please notify their nature via this email please?

See yer soon,
Neil.

7th August Games

Better turnout this week. Steve ran Fury of Dracula for the benefit of Messrs. Hardman and Kightly, Mark and co. ran a Lord of the Rings game (picture attached), and I was able to run the second trial for the Napoleonic naval action - this seems to be OK now and will go on record as a useful game for a small show. A picture of the early stages of the game is also attached.

I am advised that Alan and Chris are planning a DBA/HOTTS game so Alan's Romano-British can have an outing. Steve Slater has agreed to bring a selection of board games; I would be prepared to run either Angels 20 (Malta RAF vs. Italians) or by way of a change Ludis Gladiatorus. I would ask interested parties to advise which game they wish to take part in.

See yer soon,
Neil.

31st July Games

Another quiet night for attendance this week; given this is the height of the holiday season this is to be expected, I suppose. Bob's Dark Eldar took on Andy's Chaos forces and gave them another thumping!

I have been working on another Napoleonic naval scenario based in an action in November 1805, which the Steves, John and Laurie took part in. The victory went to the French on this occasion, but I expected the scenario to require revision and will be undertaking this with a view to a refight.

Next week, therefore, I will re-run this scenario with the revisions suggested by those who played - for which many thanks. A Lord of the Rings game has also been arranged, and as ever I would welcome any further game offers.

I would also remind members about the Military and Flying Machines display which is held this coming Friday to Sunday 2nd to 4th August. Full details can be found at www.militaryandflyingmachines.org.uk and if the weather holds, this should be worth a visit.

See yer soon,
Neil.

24th July Games

Bit thin on the ground last night; I shall be expecting sick notes or postcards from holidays from the missing parties in due course...

Bob, Andy and Mark ran what appeared to be a pretty short Warhammer 40K game - short due to Mark's troops being annihilated in two moves!

I ran the Eastern Front Angels 20 scenario as arranged, using a selection of recently obtained Romanian and Russian aircraft for the first time. It is fair to say the Romanian IAR 80 and Bf 109 E were outclassed by the Russian La 5 and P39, as was witnessed by two games with each side swapping round. It is of interest to note that Tovarich Bryson scored his first kill in the second game using a P39 to obliterate an IAR 80, throwing THREE sixes with my SELWG dice in the process. A picture of the dice roll is attached for those who would doubt that the dice in question actually have sixes engraved on them.

Plans for next week currently centre on a further Warhammer 40K game and an idea I have for a Napoleonic naval game; thought it was about time the 1/1200 ships came out again....

See yer soon,
Neil.

17th July Games

A reasonable turnout last night, in spite of the current hot weather. I didn't get much of a look at the impressive French and Indian Wars game that Steve and Laurie were running, but given the number of comments about whinging French colonial troops, I gather that the British had the upper hand by game's end. Similarly, Bob and Andy's Malifaux game appeared to proceed to their satisfaction. I ran a second playtest of the naval rules originally written by Bob Cordery with a couple of tweaks. These played out OK, but the rules are not best suited to the level of fleet action we favour; I intend to use these in a modified form for the smaller fleet actions of the earlier Ironclad era in due course, but the rules are going to need some work for this to be achieved. 

Next week I understand that a Warhammer 40K game is scheduled, and Steve has agreed to bring some board games as well. I hope to return to Angels 20, having taken delivery of the last of my current batch of Eastern European Axis aircraft last night. No prizes for which theatre of operations is likely to be featured in the game....

See yer soon,
Neil.

10th July Games

Firstly, congratulations to Chris, Graham, Dave Weedon, John Francis and Andy for their success in retaining the Best of Show trophy at the Battlegroup South show last weekend. To win any award in successive years is no mean achievement, but with the quality of games at this show the bar is set even higher. I understand that the War of Spanish Succession game will be offered for the SELWG show in October this year.

Last night's games are included as photographs herewith;

My predreadnought rules test required ' shell splashes' to record fall of shot. I actually found that I was running out of markers, as the attached photo shows!

Thanks to John for the WW2 game, and to Andy and Bob for their Malifaux game.

Currently we have an offer of a French and Indian Wars game from Steve and Laurie, while I intend to run the predreadnought test again, with a few tweaks to be made to the rules, which I think will help with the larger actions we tend to play.

See yer soon,
Neil

Bovington 2013

I attended the annual Bovington Tank Museum Wargames show over the weekend along with John, Chris, Dave and Graham who were running a WSS game based off a set of old school rules.
The game was a success with the public and the organisers and won the best of show category which was a pleasant surprise, especially as the guys had also won the trophy last year.

John, setting out the Teddy Bear Fur Terrain (This is humane bear fur, and
despite allegatons we confirm that no Teddy Bears were hurt during its manufacture)

The Buildings, Hovels and home made sabot bases

Chris, scratch built river

Attacking forces

 

The defenders

Battle Commences, the cannon have home made smoke to show they have fired.

More defenders holding the ridge

The venue is different with games and traders nestled between the tanks which are numerous and  fascinating in their own right. Unfortunately being involved in running the game I could not give the museum my full attention but hopefully I will get back again (may be next year?)

In addition there are facilities to camp on site, including toilets and showers as well as the all-important bear (sp) tent for latter in the evening.

The game used a nice tracking system representing fatigue where units dropped from green to black depending on how many actions they took impact of taking casualties or the fate of random special cards. The lower the fatigue rating the lower the effectiveness of the unit in shooting, melee and saving throws. The effect of this very simple mechanism  was that you were forced to think carefully about which unit you used, if you got it wrong you could end up with a fatigued unit (6+ saves) being attacked by fresh units with 4+ to hit.

The terrain is built up from Teddy Bear fur with the roads cut in with hair clippers. Buildings were from Hovels with the sabot bases scratch built. Figures from a variety of manufacturers but the core came from the new war-games factory WS plastics that allowed the core forces to be built up cheaply.

Attackers fire onto the ridge

 

Defenders fire at the closing cavalry unit

Both sides firing, with armoured cars in the backgound.

More attackers

A poor picture of the trophy with the tank on top visible.