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