6th December Games

Having missed last week’s meeting due to family commitments, I’d hoped to run a game this week. Unfortunately, I have been blessed with the Pre Christmas Cold which is doing the rounds at present (I note Dave K has retired hurt with a similar infection, hence no Here’s Negan game as planned) so attendance was low this week. I popped over to deliver some Christmas cards and booked a table for next week. Andy P, Steve S and Mark were setting up a Zombiecide game when I left early for a warmer environment.

 

Current plans are for an Angels 20 game, probably Pacific theatre as I have recently obtained a reinforcement of models from Dave C, a large proportion of which are usable for the Pacific; I have a specific scenario in mind based on some of the backup material also supplied by Dave. More anon.

 

See yer soon (if I survive)

Neil, Champion of Nurgle   

22rnd November Games

We were down on numbers again last night; Dave K ran a Bolt Action games for Mark, Andy P and Steve S, with some armour turning up; a Panther for the Germans and a Sherman for the US forces. No apparent arguments so they must be getting the hang of the rules.

 

Rob and Alan were engaged in separate Blood Bowl games nearby. Rob reportedly lost his game but was able to ‘beat up some Orks’ as he advised me. Alan was playing against Skinks but no details of the result have reached me as yet.

 

Steve H and I were engaged in a further play test of my DBA derived ECW rules, using my collection of WoFun flat figures. I’d made a number of alterations to the rules following our last game, and we were also using sub commanders as well as a commander in chief to give some extra flexibility. Steve drew the Royalists for his force, so I found myself in the position of being right but repulsive on ‘1066 and All That’ terms as the forces of Parliament. We fought to a bloody but honourable draw (although Steve took out a couple of my infantry units in the last move to have a slightly higher kill rate than myself), but overall the changes and use of sub commanders speeded up the game considerably.

 

I probably won’t be down next week due to family commitments, but there is a further Bolt Action game arranged.

 

See yer soon,

Neil

 

15th November Games

Good turnout but we were spread around Wayland last night. Dave K, Steve S, Paul, Eddie Andy P and Mark played Here’s Negan; not sure of the outcome but it was probably messy and involved lots of zombies. Alan and Rob played Dystopian Wars naval; Alan’s dice were not his friends and it almost ended in tears. Steve H and I played a further Dark Ages Lion Rampant game, this time playing The Fugitive scenario. My Norse had to rescue a VIV (Very Important Viking) who had escaped Anglo-Saxon custody and was reported to be hiding in one of six different areas of rough terrain on the table. All I had to do was enter said areas, roll a d6 needing a score of 6 reducing by 1 for every area checked that was unoccupied. How hard could it be?

Very, as it turned out. My dice went on strike for searches and movement, combat rolls were ok but with time running out and the remaining areas behind Anglo-Saxon lines, I made one last all out attack with my leader’s unit against Steve’s commander; we both lost one figure in the combat....then I rolled a double one for the Courage test. The cloud of dust left by my leader ‘retiring’ is still settling. A deserved win for Steve, but great fun for both of us. 

Next week Dave K is hosting a Bolt Action game, and I’ll bring my WoFun ECW collection for a further test of the DBA derived rules I’ve been working on.

 

See yer soon,

Neil    

8th November Games

The Here’s Negan game was rescheduled to next week; Dave K, Paul, Mark and Steve S played a Cold War board game instead. I am not aware if anyone pressed The Button as there were no apparent thermonuclear blasts at Wayland last night. I hosted a trial game of the Lion Rampant 2^nd edition for Andy P and Eddie, commanding my Norse warband while Steve H commanded the Anglo-Saxon forces. I acted as umpire and assisted the Norse as neither player was familiar with the rules (and in fairness, neither Steve or I had played this variant of the rules recently). The pace of play was necessarily slow but by the close of play I think we’d got the measure of the basic rules. Alan and Rob were nearby playing a Dystopian Wars naval game; I’ve attached pictures of their game as well as the others.

 

As noted above, the Here’s Negan game will go ahead next week, subject of course to the usual strictures of life, the Universe and everything. In similar vein, Steve H and I will be running another Lion Rampant Norse vs. Saxons game for anyone else attending.

 

See yer soon,

Neil     

1st November Games

Good turnout last night; I ran two Angels 20 games for Steves H & S and Mark set on the Eastern Front, while Andy P ran a Core Space Sci-Fi game for Mark, Rob, Dave K, Eddie and Bob. This was by all accounts a success – I suggested looking at the boards from the Star Saga game I passed on to the club recently for a change of scene.

My first game pitted two Finnish marked Morane 406’s and a Brewster 239 against three Polikarpov I-16’s and a Yak 1 in a Winter War scenario. The Russians were even more outclassed than I had allowed for in this scenario; modesty does not allow me to celebrate three kills in a Morane 406 on this (one) occasion. I redressed the balance by supplied the aggrieved players with Fw190’s while Steve H and I flew La5N’s for the Rodina. We got our arses kicked. ‘Nuff said.

 

Next week I’ve arranged a Lion Rampant game on a Dark Ages theme for various members who haven’t played the new 2^nd edition. Possible issues on attendance on my part due to onsite decorators will be resolved as necessary. There’s also another Walking Dead campaign game arranged for those involved.

 

See yer soon,

Neil

25th October Games

Down on numbers again last night, although we had three games running last night. Alan, Andy P and Rob were involved in two separate Frostgrave games, while Dave K ran another Bolt Action game for myself, Mark, Eddie and Steve S. The German force was tasked with the capture of the US commander but never got close (it was subsequently suggested that the force ratios were too close to allow the attackers to complete the mission, but a good game nevertheless).

 

I’ve offered to run a Battlefleet Gothic game next week, but could also run Space Hulk or Wings of Glory WW1 aerial instead, if there is enough interest, while Andy is also running a game.

See yer soon

Neil

18th October Games

Last night, Dave K ran a further Bolt Action for beginners game for myself, Eddie, Mark and Steves H & S. Using rather more cover than previously, I was able to bring two American rifle squads within range of one of the three objectives designated as victory points before German firepower and a nebelwerfer spoiled their day. Not the finest day for America’s finest.........

 

Rob, Alan, Andy P and a friend were playing Frostgrave on a very cluttered table. I was told that a tin and some plastic foam represented ‘fog banks’ which needed the eye of faith to understand. Has no-one heard of kapok? Nice looking game with some lovely figures.

 

We have another Bolt Action 101 game scheduled for next week. I’ll run something the following week.

 

See yer soon,

Neil

11th October Games

Dave K ran a Bolt Action WW2 game for myself, Steves S and H, Eddie and Mark while Alan and Rob fought a Dystopian Wars naval action on a nearby table. Ours was a learning game which improved as we went on – plans for another such game next week are in hand.

 

I’d like to remind you all that myself, Steve H and Graham are going to SELWG at the Lee Valley Athletics Centre, Meridian Way, London, N9 0AR with our Franco-Prussian demonstration game. If any of you are planning of making the journey to a much improved venue, we’d be happy for you to drop by and possibly join in the game. If there are any questions please contact me direct.

 

See yer soon,

Neil

20th September Games

It was a dark and stormy night. This might explain why only four of us were present at Wayland last night..........

 

Steves H & S, Eddie and myself played a two on two Ludis Gladiatorius game, each fielding two heavy gladiators and two lightweights. Steve S, who was my partner, died messily and fairly quickly, leaving my retiarius to face Eddie’s heavyweight and Steve H’s Amazon gladiatrix. Although I ended up as an extremely messy hamburger, this was one of the best games of LG I’ve ever played, and despite my failure to land any killing blows, I find the retiarius an enjoyable character to play.

 

Next week, I understand that Dave K has planned a Bolt Action WW2 game; I’ll bring Angels 20 as a themed backup.

 

See yer soon,

Neil

13th September Games

Good to see you all after my brief trip to Portugal; currently slightly sunburned and liver in recovery mode. Andy P ran his Japanese themed skirmish game last night. Two forces had the task of preventing an Imperial princess and her escort from reaching the temple bell, ringing it and then exiting the table. My force was eliminated very quickly by Steve S’ archers, and my partner Eddie didn’t last much longer as he came under attack from the Imperial party as well as Steve H’s force. Dave K has very kindly offered to write up the rules in full as at least two versions were in use. My profound apologies to Andy for dropping my camera on a bunch of his figures, causing rather a lot of damage – albeit repairable. My camera is fine, thanks. 

 

We’ve planned a board game session for next week. I’ll probably bring Ludis Gladiatorius as a contribution.

 

See yer soon,

Neil

23rd August Games

   A reasonable turnout last night, even if we were scattered around the Wayland Games Centre. Dave K, Steve S, Paul, Andy P, Mark and Eddie were involved in a Walking Dead campaign game in the bar area, Rob and Alan were playing the Stargrave sci-fi rules from Osprey along Steve H and myself. My game brought out the Napoleonic naval collection for a refight of the Battle of San Domingo in 1806, when a French squadron was destroyed in the West Indies. The layout for the game didn’t quite match the reality, and the French under Steve did rather better than was the case in reality. I pulled victory from defeat not by preventing the French squadron from escaping, but  when the British flagship blew up after suffering catastrophic damage, it inflicted so much damage on the surrounding French ships that they couldn’t evade the pursuing British! You take your wins any way you can...............  

 

   I understand a further Walking Dead game is planned for next week. I won’t be down for a couple of weeks, but I’ll see you all in mid September. If someone could update the Facebook page in my absence, I’d be most grateful.  

 

See yer soon,

Neil

16th August Games

Thin on the ground once again this week; due to absence and illness decimating our ranks, Andy’s Samurai game fell victim to the low attendance. While Rob and Alan played Frostgrave with some very impressive painting on display, I ran an Angels 20 WW2 aerial game for the benefit of Steve H, Andy, Mark and myself. One of the game’s great strengths is the inclusion of some of the period’s lesser known aircraft. This week, I chose to feature the French Dewoitine 520, which was entering service just as German forces invaded in 1940, and subsequently saw service with Vichy forces in Syria and North Africa. The first game therefore pitted three D520’s against two Bf109E’s escorting a Stuka to attack a ground target. The D520 pilots were graded as Ace by the data card supplied, which might be a bit unfair (but since the formula for calculation is not available, I had no choice) but the aircraft certainly performed well, shooting down the Ju87 and one Bf109 and damaging the other. The second game played two D520’s against two P-51C Mustangs, which was slightly fairer, and honours were even for this game. 

 

Next week, there is a board game session planned, but I’ll bring my Napoleonic naval collection for a pickup game to benefit any others attending.

 

See yer soon,

Neil  

9th August Games

We had a whole row to ourselves this week! Three games were running – Frostgrave with Rob, Alan and a friend, Andy P, Mark and Steve S with a Lord of the Rings inspired assault on a Rohirrim fort (?Helm’s Deep?) by a whole horde of marauding Uruk-Hai, and my play test of my DBA inspired ECW rules for the WoFun figures I acquired a while back. 

I’ll confine myself to comments on the last of these as I was umpiring while Dave K, Steve H, Paul and Eddie commanded the Royalist and Parliamentarian forces. Increased movement and firing ranges were an improvement, but some tweaks concerning the use of cover, effects of disorganised movement through the same, group movement and firing priorities are required before a further game. Casualties were light before the Royalists came to hand strokes with the Parliamentarians, and just edged a win in the last move by forcing the latter to a loss of one third of their forces. The game went well for the most part other than the points mentioned, which is always to be expected in a play test. I’ll make the necessary adjustments and email copies to the players for their comments asap.

Next week, Andy P will run a Samurai game, while I’ve offered to run a WW2 air combat game with Angels 20.  

 

See yer soon,

Neil

2rnd August Games

Greetings

 

Still a bit thin on the ground, which meant there was sufficient room for all to play Mark’s SWAT team game without my gladiator game being required (although I did bring some of the 54mm figures intended for use for the proposed show game, currently in the planning stage). The mission was to rescue a group of scientists held hostage by a mix of low level thugs and mercenaries, moving though a 3D setup Mark has acquired. Most enjoyable, proper tactics were rewarded and the hostages were rescued. Rob and Alan were playing Infinity, and still going strong after we’d completed our mission and packed up! 

Next week, Andy has organised a Lord of the Rings game, while I’ve revamped the DBA based ECW rules I devised to use with the WoFun flat figures I bought a while back, and will run a game at the same time. 

 

See yer soon,

 

Neil

26th July Games

It had been decided that the planned AWI game would not proceed, due to insufficient space and that Dave K wasn't quite ready to proceed - we've put this on hold for a little while. We ended up with Mark, Alan and Andy P playing Dead Man's Hand, while I ran a Ludis Gladiatorus arena fight for Steves H & S, Dave K and myself. We haven't played this for a while so we were a bit rusty, but I took the retiarius for a change, and found him very effective. Dave K had the Lion and spent his game chasing around trying to chomp people! Steve S ran out as winner and last man standing, while Mark and Alan pounded Andy P into submission in the Old West. A fun evening in spite of everything.

Next week, Mark has offered to run his SWAT team game. I'll bring Ludis Gladiatorus again; there's talk of running the game with 54 mm figures as a show game, which I hope to develop further.

See yer soon,

Neil

19th July Games

Somewhat reduced attendance this week; Steve S ran a Star Wars Legion training game for Andy P, while I set up a Space Hulk game for Mark and Alan as the only other members present. The Deathwing were tasked with searching for missing Techmarines, with a view to recovery if still alive. I ran the genestealers, who had limited reinforcements each move but no upper limit. Mark and Alan did the Sons of the Lion proud this time, suffering about 30% casualties in the two squads, but bumping off 'stealers left, right and centre and granting their Techmarine brethren an honourable death as they had both been infected with xeno toxins.

Next week it was hoped to run the AWI game previously planned, but there are no tables available in the main hall due to pre-planned gaming events. I've booked two tables in the bar area as an alternative site for the game, but on reflection and discussion with Dave K, it might be best to postpone the AWI game a further week and settle for board games instead. I can run Space Hulk again, but would welcome any other suggestions.

See yer soon,

Neil    

12th July Games

We had two possible new members attend last night; Chris and John are both members of the local IPMS branch, who were recommended to contact me by Graham after they expressed an interest in becoming involved in wargaming as well. It turned out that John already knew Dave K, as they had worked together in the past. Chris had brought along some figures for the Dead Man's Hand Western gunfight game - Andy agreed to run a game for the pair as he is well versed in the rules, and they apparently enjoyed themselves . The Steves, Mark, Dave K and I played BattleTech as arranged which was hard fought but no machines were destroyed (I survived undamaged for a change!). Elsewhere, Rob and Alan were playing Titanicus with rather larger models. Most impressive, but a tad more expensive........... 

Next week I'll run a Space Hulk game, clear Steve S has offered to run Star Wars: Legion to allow Andy to field his collection of figures for a first game.    

See yer soon,

Neil

5th July Games

We had two games on the go last night; Mark ran his Dungeon Crawl for myself, Eddie, Steves S and H, Andy P and Dave K as arranged last Wednesday. One slight problem - Mark had left his Dungeon behind on the understanding that the Wayland dungeon complex would be available - it wasn't. Thankfully he was able to conjure up a two-level affair, giving the party an entry from a surface cemetery into a complex which (due to all the acolytes wearing red robes) I christened The Court of the Crimson King. Eddie got the joke (and yes, I CAN remember King Crimson).
We settled down to some serious slaughter for an hour or two, but were stopped when time ran out. Alan and Rob were playing Infinity so I've included a picture, along with images of the two level dungeon. More on Facebook.

Next week, the Steves will run a Battletech game. Following on from the ACW game last weekend, Dave K has decided to resurrect his American War of Independence collection for use with the Rebels and Patriots rules the following week, and Andy has offerd to run a Dead Man's Hand Western gunfight game thereafter. Nice to see some new games coming along.

See yer soon,
Neil  

28th June Games

Thanks to Steve S and Dave K who ran a Mad Dogs with Guns gangster game for myself, Mark, Andy P, Steve H and Eddie last night. This was a straightforward, head on, kill 'em all scenario. Sadly, it was my side and my gang that got killed, but still an enjoyable evening. Rob and Alan were playing Infinity elsewhere in the Centre and I've included a picture of their game with one of ours.

We also have the ACW game on Saturday at Wayland. The tables are available from 11.00 am onwards, and I hope I'll see some of you on the day. 

Next week, I've asked Mark if he would run his Dungeon Crawl game for some nice, relaxing blood and thunder.

See yer soon, 

Neil