14th December Games

A decent turnout on a very cold evening; Rob, Andy P and Alan were playing a famtasy adventure game called Dark Soul, while Steve S, Mark and Dave K kept the happy theme going by playing a Cold War game (the Russians were winning when last I checked). 

Mike ran a Lion Rampant game using his collection of British Celts and Early Imperial Romans for myself, Matt and another friend of his who we refer to as New Matt to avoid confusion . . . New Matt and I commanded the Romans with Mike and Matt playing the Britons. The Romans won, but it was a close call as I lost a couple of auxiliary units, but New Matt (playing for the first time) held the ring wing and between us we ground the Britons down.

Next week will be the last before Christmas, so whatever we play will depend on those attending. Matt and I will probably discuss the details for the Franco-Prussian game we're planning for next years shows in addition to the above.

See yer soon

Neil

7th December Games

A busy evening although unfortunately Paul couldn't run his planned Cthulhu game due to illness; hope you're feeling better soon Paul.

Steve S had brought along Kill Dr. Lucky which someone very quickly did (thereby defeating the object of the game . . ), so I dug out a board game based on the movie Jaws. The 1975 film is well known, as is the theme; the game has two 'acts', the first of which involves players saving swimmers from the shark (played with verve by Steve S) who nevertheless met his initial target of lunching on 9 swimmers; I am unable to confirm whether or not the use of any indigestion remedies were required. The second part took place at sea, when the shark attacks Quin's boat. Despite the boat taking critical damage, the shark was finally dispatched with a baseball bat wielded by Dave K . . .

Other games included using the Osprey Stargrave rules which involved Rob and Alan. Mike and Steve B were playing a cycle game called Flamme Rouge.

Next week, Mike is planning a Lion Rampant game based Romans vs Celts game, other board games are also planned.

See yer soon

Neil

30th November Games

Better turnout this week, although we were well spread out. I ran a Wings of Glory WW1 game for Steves H & S, Mark and Matt. The latter joined us briefly by left early due to a back injury which was causing him pain (hope you are feeling better Matt?). I joined in the game, which featured two British fighters against two German, each side having an additional two seater to protect and also to attempt to destroy the oppositions machine. Suffice to say the Germans lost, and while I was packing up, the others played the tastefully named card game Exploding Kittens.

Meanwhile, Mike and Steve B were playing a St Andrews themed game using the formers recently completed Scots Covenanters and Montrose Royalists. Mike (as a dour Covenantor) declared a test game as both flanks collapsed to a flurry of bare legs and faded tartan. Perhaps one day he'll have a proper game? . . .

Alan, Rob and friends were engaged in a blast from the past when they played Heroquest in the bar area. I only had a chance to visit briefly but they all appeared to be enjoying things.

Next week, Paul has offered to run a Cthulhu based game, I have found a copy of the board game Terminator: Rise of the Resistance which I'll try to have ready as backup.

See yer soon

Neil

23rd November Games

Low numbers onsite again this Wednesday - Steves S & H, Mark and I played Zombicide again, and this time we actually won!

Rob and Alan were playing WarCry with two of their friends (hence the two separate pictures); we also had a brief visit from Dave C who was buying PAINT BRUSHES!! I believe he'd bought the last one from Eric Knowles given Dave's known dislike of painting, but I assume it was for his ongoing ACW naval project.

I'm planning something a little more photogenic next week with a Wings of War/Glory game probably set in 1916-17. Details of any other planned games would be welcomed, as would a few more members present.

See yer soon

Neil 

16th November Games

Due to the low numbers expected this week I'd suggested we play Zombicide - on consideration we haven't played this game since before the pandemic, which has a kind of grim humour in itself given the nature of the game! Steves H and S, Dave K and myself settled in for an evening's mayhem, some of which went to plan; by the game's end the undead were getting rather numerous, aided by a necromancer with more lives than Kenny from South Park, despite his being terminated with extreme prejudice on several occasions. Great fun though.

Rob played Marvel Crisis Protocol but I didn't get the chance to visit and take pictures.

We're going to repeat the Zombicide theme next week, hopefully with a couple more players. Any other game offers are of course most welcome.

See yer soon

Neil

9th November Games

Slightly reduced numbers played The Walking Dead last night; Dave K, Mark, Andy P and Steve S all participated. I bought Battle Cry as previously arranged. Matt and Steve H played the Fredericksburg scenario (which those with knowledge of the ACW will recall involved Union forced advancing across open ground towards an entrenched Confederate position, suffering enormous casualties in the process). As with all Richard Borg games, action is controlled by a hand of action cards, which may or may not allow one to pursue desired plans. The trick is to make the best of the hand and hope it doesn't turn into a foot, or an appendix, or a bowel. You get the picture.

Steve won the first game (Matt hadn't played before and now wants a copy himself!) by attrition on the Confederate right flank, and declining to attack the main position. I then took over the Confederates for a second game. I was doing a reasonably with Steve one victory point up on me when time ran out, but I think I might have held out in the end.

Plans for next week revolve around one of the Zombicide games which I have a yen to try again. Steve S and H have copies which hopefully can located in good time.

See yer soon

Neil

2rnd November Games

   Attendance was up on recent weeks, with Steve S, Paul, Dave K, Mark and Andy P playing The Walking Dead (the game, nothing Halloween orientated), Alan and Rob involved in what I think was a Necromunda game (I think actually Kill Team - Mike), while I settled to the planned Napoleonic naval game.

   I took my Spanish squadron, which is heavy on ships over 100 guns (bought in prepainted) and I sorted out Steve a British squadron which could handle them. He did this quite effectively; I mis-timed my turn across his bows and ended up with one first rate destroyed by explosion and another struke due to damage before I could bring the rest of the squadron to play. My bad, Steve did a good job to win (curse him!).

I'll bring Battle Cry next week for some ACW action, details of any other games appreciated.

See yer soon

Neil

26th October Games

A varied selections of games last night. Steve S and Mark played Pandemic and a couple of other board games, Rob was involved in a Necromunda bust-up, and Mike, Steves S and H and myself settled for a Lion Rampant version of Agincourt - it having been the anniversary on Tuesday. Mike has painted over forty French Knights to bolster their forces, and this time allowed for the terrain being saturated after heavy rain over the days preceding the battle (having walked the ground back in 1996, I can well believe this). The cavalry charged - slowly - and died - slowly. Elite heavy cavalry require 4 hits to remove a figure, and although Steve H and I (playing the English) took them under archery volleys as soon as possible, were not able to stop them until at least one unit reached the English lines and promptly routed a unit of foot sergeants on my flank (the curse of a double 1!) before being destroyed by close range archery.

Mike decided the test game had been successful with the elimination of half his French forces. I'm still pondering this comment. . . .

I've offered to run a Napoleonic naval game next week, details of any other games welcomed.

See yer soon

Neil

19th October Games

   A reduced attendance due to a mix of sickness and holidays still managed to provide a choice of games last night. Mike was re-introducing his brother to the hobby after a long lay off with a Lord of the Rings game. Rob and Alan were involved in a Marvel Crisis Protocol (think I got this right) game and I ran a Napoleonic naval game for Matt and Mark. Matt was fortunate to smash his way to a win with the French against Mark and the British (but don't worry, I won't let this go to his head). I umpired the game, and spent time advertising the Battle of Britain game from SELWG to people who might be interested in taking part in some of our games.

   Mike is running a refight of Agincourt next week (albeit on the day after the anniversary). I hope to be able to take part, but this will depend on how my car's MOT and service progress earlier in the day.

See yer soon

Neil

12th October Games

Sufficient people were onsite to run the proposed refresher game before we run the Battle of Britain participation game at SEWLG this coming Sunday. Steve H and Andy P ran the Luftwaffe, while Dave K, Steve S and Mark were the Brylcreem Boys. I wanted to try giving the RAF a +1 on firing dice against bombers, in an effort to simplify or increase (depending on your point of view) the chance of downing a bomber. This seemed to work, as the Boche lost a Heinkel 111 and had significant damage on the others as a result of this modification. I'll certainly use it on Sunday.

Rob was playing Necromunda.

We'll be thin on the ground again next week, so I've booked a table for a Napoleonic naval game for those present.

See yer soon

Neil

5th October Games

We had two games running side by side last night - Steves H and S, Paul and myself played Battletech while Rob, Andy P and Alan with various friends played Marvel Crisis Protocol. I wasn't able to follow the action on the latter game as I was busy trying not to be blown to pieces, while also trying to blow other people to pieces in the Battletech game. Paul's mech is likely to be in the body shop, while Steve H and I escaped relatively unscathed.

Next week, I've arranged to have a refresher game of the Battle of Britian game prior to running it at the SELWG show on the 16th, there are a couple of amendments I'd like to try to balance the game before we set it loose on the public again.

In other news, I learned today that the Rocheway Centre (SEEMS' original base and the site of Present Arms for many years) is no more. The Centre was dmeolished to make way for a new housing estate some time ago. While I accept the need for new housing and am glad this has been supplied, I will admit to a little sadness to know part of my past has literally been erased. Sic transit gloria mundi . . .

See yer soon

Neil 

28th September Games

I ran the promised Space Hulk game last night for the benefit of Steve S and Dave K as the Astartes, whith Steve H playing the Genestealers. The mission required two terminator squads to start from opposite sides of the boardto retrieve and return a CAT scanning device, while the 'stealers had to stop them. Although Steve and Dave aren't experienced players of the game, they nearly achieved their goal, falling victim to a massive wave of genestealers just before the two squads' survivors were able to join up. Mention should be made of the stalwart efforts of the sergeant commanding one squad. Equipped with a thunder hammer and shield, he dispatched a formidable number of aliens before he too was swamped.

I met up with Alan and Rob who were playing a Necromunda scenario, with their usual selection of beautifully painted figures.

We've sorted out games for the next two weeks; Wednesday 5/10/22 has a Battletech game scheduled, while on the 12th I want to run a refresher game for Battle of Britain game which will be present at the SELWG show on the 16th October, partly to make sure we are all up to speed and also to try one or two tweaks to make the game run smoothly.

See yer soon

Neil

21st September Games

A few more bodies onsite this week thankfully; I ran the planned Angels 20 game for the benefit of Steve H and Matt flying Fw190's and Steve S and Dave K flying P-51B's. Matt exited swiftly as his Fw190 was shot down, Steve H fought on but was eventually despatched as a probable. 

Paul and Andy were also present but took no part. Andy and the aircrew played a card game to wind up the evening, while I checked in on Rob who was playing Necromunda in the bar area.

Next week, I'll run a Space Hulk game for as many people as possible. If we run two Astartes squads, this should be possible.

See yer soon

Neil

14th September Games

I trust sick notes will be produced next week, as attendance last night was restricted to Andy P, Steve S and myself? We played Dead Man's Hand as planned; Steve's desperados were tasked with holding several buildings, whilst my lawmen had to root them out. My misgivings about the attack to defense ratio were borne out as I lost the Sheriff and the Marshall, a citizen who exited the table at a speed close to light and others basically hunkered down. Suffice to say I 'graciously' conceded defeat.

Hopefully a future trial game will be better supported as Andy is interested in running a campaign, of which more anon.

Next week, I've booked a table and will run an Angels 20 game and Steve S has offered board games.

See yer soon

Neil

7th September Games

Quiet evening yesterday when Steves H&S, Paul, Matt, Andy P and I played Battlemech. An enjoyable game if a bit chart driven, but then we are learning the rules as we go. Suffice to say they are a lot easier than the original set I recall playing many years ago.

Plans are to run Dead Man's Hand next week for as many players as we can accommodate.

I'm sure the passing of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II has not escaped anyone's attention. I will only observe that this sad occasion should be tempered by the knowledge that she devoted her life to the service of this country and we should be grateful for her life and actions.

RIP Ma'am

Neil

31st August Games

Reduced numbers again last night - with a welcome visit from Dave C - left me with enough players to run the WW2 Eastern Front Angels 20 game planned. Dave K, Steve S and Bob flew Bf 109 F's against Steve H and Matt in Soviet La5-FN's. Some of those present had not played the games before, so a briefing on movement and manoeuvring was necessary before play commenced.

Matt promptly shot down Dave K's 109 and had to leave as he had an early working start on Thursday, but handed his La5 to Dave, who took to the aircraft like a duck to water. Suffice to say the Luftwaffe did not fare well, as by the game's end only Bob was left and was advised to head for home.

Rob was playing Warcry as usual, and when I saw him had been trounced by a dwarvern warband. No sizeist jokes.

Table space is short at Wayland next week, so we are playing Battlemech in the bar area. What could possibly go wrong?

See yer soon

Neil