2rnd April Games

We had two decent sized games running last night; Andy P ran Dead Man's Hand Western Gunfight for Mark, Nigel, Steve H and Paul which eventually ran out as a very bloody draw, while Dave C ran a larger test game for his ACW Ironclad rules for myself and Dave K as the Confederacy and Nick and Steve S commanding for the Union. 

The Union were tasked with forcing the passage past Fort Unately into Static Bay (names provided by Dave C....), and the Confederates with preventing this, having the fort and two gunboats, an immobilised ironclad and a smaller ironclad ram to do so.

As commanding officer Confederacy, the initial dispositions of my ships were not of my choosing (blame the umpire as usual), so I put Dave in command of the fort and the immobilised ironclad which was moored directly below it, and I proceeded to launch what could only be called a death ride with the gunboats into the heart of the Union fleet in the hope of inflicting sufficient damage to deter their attack, or by sinking a vessel in the middle of the passage and blocking entry to Static Bay. The fort was able to sink a large Union vessel, and I was able to inflict sufficient damage before one of the gunboats was sunk to decide the action in our favour. It appears my dice have Secesh tendencies as I rolled more 6's than was healthy and much to the dismay of the Yankees! Thanks to Dave for setting things up for a most enjoyable game.

Next week, a further game of Carnevale has been planned. I've something in mind but this will depend on who is available.

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   

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 

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

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

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

6th April Games

This week we had three games on the go; Andy P ran Dead Man's Hand for Mark, Dave K and Steve S, Rob was playing Warcry as usual, while Steve H and I played Battle Cry. For those unfamiliar with the game, it uses figures as counters with command actions driven by tactical cards defining areas of action etc. Usually, one's hand is not ideal for the plan and last night was no exception for both of us. I just scrapped a win for the Confederacy when the right cards finally came up.

Next week, Andy P has offered to run Dead Man's Hand for Rob and one of his friends, Steve S has a game based on the Firefly TV series and I'll look out something as backup.

See yer soon

Neil 

20th October Games

 Greetings

A better turnout this week. Andy P and I played Dead Man's Hand and I used beginner's luck to the max, managed to sneak a win. Good system will play again.

Steves S and H played Kill Team, Mark and Dave K played Mad Dogs With Guns, while Alan and Rob played Warcry again. Welcome visit by Mike, Steve B 1 and Steve B 2 who played Monty Python Fluxx.

So much going on I'll post the bulk of the pictures to Facebook, with a few tasters here.

Next week, I'll run a Lion Rampant Dark Ages game, while Steve S will run a Doctor Who game. I have also been asked to remind members to check in with Wayland staff on arrival to confirm which tables they should use. . .  

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