17th April Games

We had four different games running last Wednesday night; Rob and Alan were playing Marvel Crisis Protocol (details of the factions were vague, but I did note the God of Thunder in one part of the table), Andy P ran a Wild West version of Zombiecide for Mark, Eddie and Dave K, Steves S & H were playing Achtung Cthulhu!, while Nigel and I tried out a low level SF skirmish set called Space Weirdos.   
No specific reports on the first three games, other than they were enjoyed by all involved. Nigel had supplied the few figures and stat sheets required, we borrowed some SF buildings from Wayland and I brought a suitable mat from my collection. The rules are pretty simple once you have the sequence of actions clear in your mind, and the game was great ‘cinematic’ fun, with Nigel’s space barbarians attacking my armoured Marine types. Firepower (and a commander with a jet pack!) proved to be the key to success, and Nigel’s command was removed from the gene pool within a relatively short period. I can see a future for these rules once we have some further play tests.

 
Next week, Dave K is running a Dragon Rampant game using his Game of Thrones collection. I’ve been asked to run a Dark Ages Lion Rampant game. I’ll be in touch if I’m unable to attend due to personal health etc.
 
See yer soon,
Neil

3rd April Games

Another busy night for us yesterday. Dave K ran the planned Walking Dead campaign game for Mark, Steve S, Eddie, Paul and Andy P, Rob and   Alan were playing Marvel Protocol with an Asgardian vs. X-Men setup, while I ran another early WW1 Wings of Glory game for Nigel and Steve H.

 

I can only explain that in my game I set up the British on a reconnaissance mission with two DH2’s escorting an RE8 over the lines, while Steve and Nigel ran a pair of Fokker Eindekkers to prevent the mission being completed. A tangled affair left the Germans with both aircraft shot down – perhaps a further aircraft would have been useful, but given the RE8 dished out most of the damage, it’s fair to say that two seaters should not be treated lightly. 

 

Next week, Dave K will run another Walking Dead game, and Steve H has offered to a Zombiecide game for anyone else attending (could we play the medieval version if you still have it, please Steve?)

 

See yer soon,

Neil

27th March Games

Another busy night for us yesterday at the Wayland Game centre in Hockley; Dave K ran another ‘Ruthless’ Old West gunfight game for Mark, Matt and Steve S, Alan and Rob were engaged in another Marvel Protocol game (no tuk-tuks were apparently injured this time!) and I ran a Wings of Glory WW1 aerial game for Nigel and Eddie.

Neither are particularly well acquainted with these rules, so I elected to control a Halberstadt fighter and a Roland two seater on a recce mission with the fighter as escort while Nigel and Eddie flew a Sopwith triplane apiece. We haven’t used the Sopwiths before so it was an interesting couple of games; the first ended early when the Roland took a hit, which I then drew an explosion card for! The second game went better now the Brits had sorted out their planes’ characteristics – the Halberstadt took a fire hit, but mercifully little damage (although I was able to cook a couple of bratwurst in the meantime.......) and eventually I wore down the Sopwiths and disposed of both for a German victory. I was surprised just how effective the Roland was, the Halberstadt is useful, but the Sopwiths are nippy blighters.

Next week, a number of people are engaged in a Walking Dead campaign game, so I’ve offered to run the Wings of Glory game again as a backup.

 

See yer soon,

Neil       

20th March Games

A busy night for us yesterday, with two Western gunfight games and Marvel Protocol mayhem in play. Andy P hosted a Dead Man’s Hand game for myself, Eddie and Nigel, Dave K ran a new set of rules called ‘Ruthless’ for Mark, Matt and Steve S and Rob and Alan played Marvel Protocol with Asgardians vs. unidentified baddies. Bit difficult to keep up with the action, but in my game, Nigel’s gang which included Colonel Mortimer and The Man With No Name was wiped, out; my Mexican bandidos on the other hand bumped off three of the opposition (including their boss), but had to withdraw when they were outnumbered.

 

Next week, Dave K wants to run his Ruthless game again, and I’ll run a Wings of Glory WW1 aerial game.

 

See yer soon,

Neil   

13th March Games

We had three games on the go on Wednesday last; Rob and Alan played Marvel Protocol (beware of low-flying tuk-tuks!), Steve S, Dave K, Mark and Eddie played Pandemic, while I ran an Angels 20 mission based on Operation Judgement (the American attack on Admiral Yamamoto’s aircraft while in transit on an inspection tour) for Steve H, Nigel and myself. The Japanese fielded two ‘Betty’ bombers as transports with six Zeroes as escort commanded by Nigel and myself, while Steve played the US assault force with an initial three P38 Lightnings, and the option of a fourth if one was lost (I only have three P38s at present.....). As may be seen from the pictures, Steve got stuck in and we had some right old furballs, which cost him all three of his original force. He had the last laugh, as the fourth P38 shot down Yamamoto’s aircraft just four hexes from the table edge it had to reach to win. Thoroughly enjoyable game, I need to work out the best way to run the escort of Zeroes more effectively.

 

Next week, Andy P wants to run a game of Dead Man’s Hand, and Dave K has a set of his won Old West gunfight rules to try out.

 

See yer soon,

Neil   

6th March Games

A decent turnout with no less than three games underway last night. Steve H & S were playtesting the Blood and Plunder pirates skirmish game, Alan and Rob ran an Old World Warhammer fantasy battle with Empire and Wood Elves (I think?) forces, while Mark and Andy P ran a Lord of the Rings game for Eddie and I with Rohirrim and Ork forces, the latter assaulting a settlement which I named (for reasons which will become apparent) A-Lam-O. Despite Andy and I putting up a solid defence, we were overrun and..........it just got ugly thereafter. Good fun for all that.

Next week, I’ll bring my Angels 20 collection, featuring either Eastern Front or possibly Pacific scenarios. Steve S has booked a spare table for a board game if this becomes necessary. For those who haven’t been aware, the proposed relocation of the Wayland warehouse to another site is unlikely to affect the games centre.

 

See yer soon,

Neil     

28th February Games

Better turnout than of late this week. Mark and Andy played a two handed Zombiecide, Alan and Rob were playing Marvel Protocol, Mike and Steve B played a Dark Ages Lion Rampant game and I ran an ECW game for Steve H, Nigel, Eddie and myself. The last was a further play test before I start trying scenarios for this DBA derived set of rules; the infantry fight in the centre was messy, while the flanking horse on both sides were happy to sit and watch (in fairness, Nigel and Eddie were getting to grips with the rules, neither being familiar with the DBA set from which they have been developed). 

Next week, Mark and Andy are running a Lord of the Rings game, which I’d like to try, so any other offers would be welcome. Andy says he needs to arrange temporary storage for the club trees and cloths for a month as he needs space in his flat; any offers direct to him please. We noted the absence of Steve S and Dave K, both of whom are apparently poorly, although Dave is currently recovering from somewhat more serious issues. Best wishes to both as ever.

 

See yer soon,

Neil

21st February Games

A few more of us were present yesterday evening; Alan and Rob were playing Infinity, and I set up a Space Hulk game for Steve H & S, Eddie and Nigel. We ran the Rescue scenario, which involves two Terminator squads retrieving a CAT scanner droid with the details of the hulk’s layout and ensuring it is safely taken to the recovery point. Steve H and Eddie played the Terminators, while Steve S and Nigel ran the genestealers.

The Deathwing took casualties in the course of the game, but the Sons of the Lion achieved a rare victory by getting the CAT off table by some ‘creative’ use of overwatch and some exceptional dice rolling by Eddie when it came to the crunch. Seems as though everyone enjoyed themselves, particularly Eddie and Nigel whose first game it was. 

 

I’ve offered to run an ECW game using my WoFun flats next week, but before then we are running a Franco-Prussian game at the Cavalier show in Tonbridge, Kent this coming Sunday. Thanks to Matt for the loan of his figures for the game, and to those who have offered to assist with the game then.

 

I’d also like to offer my best wishes for a swift recovery to Mark and Dave K from their respective medical issues. Get well soon guys, you’re sorely missed.

 

See yer soon,

Neil

14th February Games

Love was in the air at Wayland last night; it must have been because the place was practically empty! (and quiet......). Our presence was limited to myself, Steves S & H and Nigel. It was decided that my planned Space Hulk game would be postponed until next week, and we played Zombiecide instead. Not much to show as the undead didn’t really get close most of the game.

 

Steve S had been given a selection of figures and models by Paul as he had decided they were surplus to his requirements; I ‘liberated’ a box of Black Seas Napoleonic ships, a few medieval figures and the Warlord figure of Jack Aubrey which was part of the Black Seas release. My thanks to Paul for my bits (which will go into storage for the moment). All enquiries concerning the rest to Steve S please.

 

So next week, I’ll run the Space Hulk game originally planned for this week, and arrange the details for the Cavalier show at Tonbridge on Sunday 25^th February. As you know, I’ll run the Franco-Prussian War scenario that we’ve taken out before; anyone who can make it on the day would be welcome to participate.

 

See yer soon,

Neil    

7th February Games

We were down on numbers last night. Steve S had set up a play test for the pirate based Blood and Plunder game he had bought recently; Steve H, Dave K, Eddie, Nigel and I took groups of pirates and Royal Navy seamen in a skirmish set on a rocky beach. With one set of rules and five novice players, what could possibly go wrong?
Surprisingly not much! The game mechanics worked well enough, given that the game is designed for a smaller area and with smaller forces; firing and combat were rather .... effective, shall we say. I think the pirates edged the game, but we still have boarding actions to deal with, using the two cutter models Steve has as part of the starter set.

I’ve offered to run a Space Hulk game next week. Hopefully with a few more bodies onsite.
 
See yer soon,
Neil    

24th January Games

Another good turnout last night; Andy P hosted Alan, Nigel and myself in a Dead Man’s Hand Western gunfight game, while Steves H and S ran a Ronin Japanese skirmish for Dave K, Mark and Eddie. The latter was intended as a trial of a set of rules published by Osprey some time back. I don’t know how it went but given I have already got figures for the period , feedback would be gratefully received.

Meanwhile, Nigel and I ran a team of Mexican bandidos and assorted other ne’er-do-wells against the most recent version of the Magnificent Seven (i.e. no Yul Brynner, but Denzel Washington in his place? Yeah, I know....). Initially, we struggled against Andy and Alan who have played more regularly and knew how best to play the hand of cards they held to frustrate our plans. I eventually got my dice to behave and threw three natural 20’s in succession on a D20, thereby sending three of their men direct to Boot Hill! I have pictures of the dice as proof, as no-one will believe me otherwise. 

 

Next week, the Steves intend to play Strontium Dogs (from the 2000 AD comic universe), and I’ll run some WW2 aerial action for anyone interested.

 

See yer soon,

Neil    

17th January Games

We had a good turnout last night; Wayland Games was hosting Dave from MiniWargaming and his team (from a YouTube channel) and he was kind enough to drop by and check out our games. Mark, Dave K, Steve S and Eddie were playing a SWAT team game umpired by Mark, Rob, Andy and friends were playing dead Man’s Hand, while I ran a Napoleonic naval game for Mike C, Steve H and Nigel (whose first game this was). We deployed the squadrons on a table edge by dice roll, then decided wind direction – which promptly gave Steve and Nigel as the French the benefit of the weather gauge. This is a bad thing if you are downwind (as Mike and I were), and we were soundly beaten as a result. Nigel managed to damage our ships with some devastating stern rakes which took half the force out in two moves. My flagship received the same benefit from Steve, and should have been destroyed but was in any case forced to strike its colours. That said I was pleased to see the others enjoy themselves, while I await my court martial............. 

 

Next week, I’ll provide figures and a terrain mat for a Dead Man’s Hand game, whilst the Steves will try the Ronin samurai skirmish game.

 

See yer soon,

Neil 

10th January Games

We had rather more activity this week; Steve S, Mark, Andy P and Dave K were playing a D&D game which developed as the players moved through the dungeon, meeting assorted gribblies on the way, Alan and Rob were playing a further game with the SF skirmish set used last week, while I set up my Anglo-Saxons and Norse collections for a Lion Rampant game which Steve H and Nigel took part in. Nigel’s track record was slightly better than last week’s Men Who Would Be Kings game in that he lost his leader, but was able to withdraw much of his Norsemen off table by game’s end.

 

Next week, Mark wants to run his ever popular SWAT game, Andy has a Dead Man’s Hand game lined up, while I intend to introduce Nigel to the delights of Napoleonic naval warfare.

 

See yer soon,

Neil   

3rd January Games

Good to be back after the festive bacchanal; Steve S, Andy P, Mark and Dave K played Zombiecide (and may have survived), while Rob and friend were playtesting a set of SF skirmish rules he’d found online.

I had set up a Zulu War confrontation for the benefit of Steve H and Nigel, who is making a return to the hobby after a decades’ long layoff. The British column of three infantry and one mounted infantry units were tasked with a punitive raid of a Zulu kraal whose inhabitants had developed an unpleasant habit of ‘borrowing’ other people’s cattle from the British side of the border. The Zulus were unsurprisingly not willing to cooperate; Steve was playing the Zulus using the Mr. Babbage rules from The Men Who Would Be Kings (the rules of choice for this game) which meant their movement and actions were controlled by a roll of dice.

This got very messy, very quickly. The Zulus deployed immediately on three sides of the British force, wiping out three of the four units within three moves. Zulu losses were also high when the British got a chance to shoot, but by game’s end the British were reduced to four figures from the 24^th Regiment (how appropriate!) while the table was ‘littered’ with Zulu casualties. Nigel was grinning all through the game, so despite his losses, I believe he enjoyed the game. 

 

Next week I’ll run a Lion Rampant based Dark Ages game, and I understand that there are board games planned as well.

 

See yer soon,

Neil