28th May Games

Various people absent, but we had the welcome return of Bob P, who has been absent for some time and was invited to attend by Andy P (no relation). Andy ran a Wild West themed Zombiecide game, while Nick and I gave a run out for my long delayed Travel Battle game.

This was originally devised by Mike Perry for use on long journeys, but was developed for the market and released in 2017. The game comes with two boards and sufficient generic Napoleonic figures for two armies, which fight using a simple but effective set of rules. I took the British and Nick took the French (figures are 8mm high but clearly identifiable) and we set to. Suffice to say that since we were both using my dice, for once they took my part and Nick conceded with most of his forces lost.

Next week, I've offered to run an Angels 20 game, and Mark is running a SWAT game.

See yer soon,

Neil    

26th February Games

  We ran two very different games last night; most of those present were involved in a variant of Zombiecide I never thought I'd see, based on the TV series of Monty Python's Flying Circus, which included all the best known characters from the Ministry of Silly Walks, the Gumbies and the giant foot! It looked like great fun except for the zombies wanting to nosh on the characters, but that's zombies for you.

   In a slightly saner corner, Dave C, Nick and myself ran the much delayed play test of Dave's Gridded ACW Naval Wargame, using two small forces for the Union and the Confederacy. This was the game's first outing and as such was umpired by Dave. I ran a Confederate squadron with a broadside ironclad ram and a gunboat, while Nick had a shallow draught monitor and a gunboat. I drew first blood, hitting the monitor with fire from the gunboat. This was promptly bracketed by both Union vessels and reduced to matchwood in short order. My ram hit the Union gunboat with closed range gunfire but took damage in return, at which point we ran out of time. In all likelihood, I'd have been outmanoeuvred by the faster Union vessels and pounded into submission, but the point was to test the rules ahead of a much larger game which will be covered in a revised edition of Dave's rules for future publication. Great fun all the same.

No firm decision on next week's games as yet. Flashpoint seems to be one option, others are under consideration.

See yer soon,

Neil

29th Games Played

Still down on numbers, but we ran a Zombicide game using Andy P's 2^nd edition set. Our group of wannabe undead eradicators were tasked to recover up to five survivors hiding in the board area illustrated in my pictures; if just one was killed by the zombies we'd failed. No pressure then............

Suffice to say that we started in the bottom of frame, and slaughtered our way to the top edge, recovering and saving two survivors in the process, only for the third to run away, who - you guessed it - ran straight into the zombies. Game over man. Great fun as usual, my thanks to Andy for providing and umpiring the game.

We're planning two games next week - Flashpoint by Dave K, and Nick has offered to run a WW1 aerial game using his collection or possibly a medieval naval game. 

See yer soon,

Neil 

21st August Games

The holiday season reduced attendance again last night, so my planned Angels 20 WW2 aerial game didn't go ahead. Andy P ran one of the Zombiecide variants for Eddie, Mark ,Nigel and Steve S; Andy's friend Rose (who has been visiting from the Philippines) graced our gathering with her presence and also took part. She is returning home shortly, and we hope her visit to the UK has been a pleasant one. I've attached a picture of the game early on when the various characters are hoping to avoid zombie contact; it was necessary to attain certain objectives along the way, but I don't think they were able to reach all of them.

I've offered to run Angels 20 next week with a scenario set in Vichy French-controlled Syria when a patrol of British Curtiss P40's were bounced by French Dewoitine 520's. They appear to be fairly closely matched aircraft and it should prove interesting. We've also booked a table for another game if numbers warrant this.

See yer soon,

Neil

31st July Games

Another unpleasantly warm evening at Wayland (not their fault, I hasten to add!) but we had two games up and running last night. Rob, Alan and Andy P were playing Star Wars: Legion with a Clone Wars vintage scenario. The clankers/droids took a hammering as usual, and I left Anakin Skywalker and Count Dooku going at it hammer and tongs - Anakin still had both arms at that point.

Steve S ran a Zombiecide derived Marvel game wherein certain of the Avengers and other assorted characters were infected by a 'zombie mosquito' and went forth to satisfy their need for blood and brains. They were opposed by various members of SHIELD, and other superhero types. I wasn't able to play due to the game limitations, but there are lots more photos and it was interesting to watch. 

Next week I'll run a WW1 aerial game, and Nigel has offered a Space Weirdos game as backup.

See yer soon,

Neil  

12th June Games

A lower than expected turnout meant my Angels 20 game didn’t go ahead; this was more than compensated for by the chance to distribute the ACW and FPW collections of the late Jack Alexander. Jack was better known as the designer of Jacklex 20mm figures for many years (and the range continues in production under new management) but we were offered a great deal of figures, building and rules so long as the figures would be used. Most will need refurbishment but I’m sure we can deal with this. I’d offer Jack’s family our sympathy at their loss, together with our profound thanks for their generosity.
Game wise we saw Alan, Rob and Steve H settle to a Frostgrave game (Steve had a bit of a bad time I gather), while Andy P, Paul, Mark, Eddie, Dave K and myself played Zombiecide to a successful conclusion – no-one got bitten!

Next week, we have a distinctly Old West flavour to games, with Dead Man’s Hand and Dave K’s Western Gunfight rules.
 
See yer soon,
Neil

1st May Games

We were unable to run Paul’s planned D&D game this week, so Steve H ran a Zombiecide game for myself, Dave K, Eddie, Nigel and Steve S. A slow start led to the body count rising (due to the sheer numbers of undead we had to ‘convert’ to dead!) and at close of play it was decided we’d done enough to live another day. Rob was playing Star Wars Shatterpoint with a new collection of figures; as something of a Star Wars geek, I was able to confirm that the bounty hunter Cade Bane, Close Captain Cody and assorted badmashes took on Anakin Skywalker (appearing before his career change from Jedi Knight to Sith Lord); Anakin appeared to be doing all right despite the disparity in numbers.

 

Next week Dave K has offered to run his ‘Ruthless’ Old West game – nicely painted figures, Dave. Having extended my collection of Wings of Glory WW1 aircraft through the good offices of Dave C, I’ll run another game with a view to trying some of the new types to hand.

 

See yer soon,

Neil

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

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

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    

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

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   

14th June Games

It was good to get along to Hockley yesterday evening after the last two or three weeks' worth of domestic health issues involving my mother. I'm pleased to be able to confirm that she is recovering well, and she has asked me to pass on her thanks for all the good wishes from club members she has received. You are SUCH a bunch of softies...........

Meanwhile, back in the world of gaming, when you play Zombiecide softies end up as lunch! We played the scenario in question three times. The first went literally without a hitch and certain players were heard to mutter 'it was too easy'. Needless to say, the dice gods were listening, and the following two scenarios ended with our characters becoming a zombie hors d'oeuvre. I also found Rob and Alan playing the new Star Wars Shatterpoint game, which is a low level skirmish version of Legion. Pictures of the games are attached.

Next week, I've offered to run a WW1 aerial game using the Wings of War/Glory rules and miniatures. I have an idea for a game, but have yet to decide at what point in the Western Front aerial war to set it. This game will able to handle six players, so book earlier to avoid disappointment/BE2.

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

3rd August Games

 'Twas a hot, sticky and noisy night at Wayland yesterday. Andy P, Mark, Paul, Dave K, Steve S and Bob played Zombicide and were mostly killed. Alan and Rob were playing in separate Warcry games, and were both alive when I checked in. 

Steve H and I settled in for some Angels 20 action, this time over Northern France in 1944. I took two Spitfire Mk IX and two Typhoons on a ground strafing mission, while Steve took four Fw190's to prevent this. I lost the lot in about three moves. We started again with two Spitfires and two 190's apiece; I lost the pair of them in equally short order. I then decided that a losing streak should not be indulged and generously granted Steve the victory.

That's my story and I'm sticking to it.

Next week, Bob has offered to run an Aliens game. Mike has a Lion Rampant game planned around his Late Roman forces which I fancy a go at. I'll bring a couple of board games as backup; BattleCry seems like a good idea.

See yer soon

Neil

20th July Games

 We were a bit scattered last night. Steve S, Mark, Andy P and Dave K played Zombicide, and Rob was involved with a Warcry game in the bar area.

Whilst I ran an Angels 20 game for Steve H, Matt and myself in the main hall. Having recently recieved a new dedicated cloth with the correct hex grid for the game from Tiny Wargames, it seemed appropriate to christen the cloth with an Eastern Front scenario. Steve and Matt 'flew' a bf109-E apiece while I ran a brace of Yak 1's. Losses mounted fairly quickly for both sides (sorry Matt!), then Steve and I settled to a real dogfight, with lots of manoeuvring and snap shots - most of which missed. Eventually we found ourselves in a head on pass and my dice finally came good and Steve was shot down. Brilliant game and the new cloth really added a dimension to the game.

Next week, we're planning a Battletech game and Steve S wants to run a Mars Attacks! game.

See yer soon

Neil

30th March Games

Reasonable turnout last night. Rob and Alan had their usual Warcry session, Steve S, Dave K, Paul and Mark played Zombicide and Steve H and I played a Space Hulk scenario requiring the Astartes to recover a CAT scanner; this last one was a close call and will be one to play again with more players next time.

Next week, Andy P has offered to run a Dead Man's Hand game and I'll bring Battle Cry for an American themed evening.

See yer soon

Neil

10th February Games

Bit short handed again this week (reasons in writing re. absence please) but an enjoyable evening nonetheless. Rob was involved in a Warcry game while Dave K, Steves S & H, Mark and myself played Zombicide. We managed to fit in two games with the mayhem level set at maximum.

Next week we have a Mad Dogs with Guns game scheduled; no other tables are available but I'll bring something for backup.

See yer soon

Neil

5th January Games

Greetings and Happy New Year to one and all.

Reasonable turnout in the very cold weather last night; Steve S, Dave K and Mark played Zombicide while Alan and Rob were involved in another Warcry game; I'm advised carnage levels were high.

Matt and I were revisiting my Viking wars collection with a Lion Rampant scenario based on The Fugitive scenario from the rules. Both sides were seeking the missing norse warlord, the Norse to rescue him and the Anglo-Saxons to terminate him with extreme prejudice. First contact was made three moves in by the Anglo-Saxons but in the interests of a good game the warlord slipped away. He was later found by a Norse skirmisher unit and escorted away while the rest of the force fought a rearguard action. High spots were the total destruction of my Norse berserker unit in two rounds of combat by the Anglo-Saxon leader and the Anglo-Saxons slingers being their usual lethal selves (might have messed up the casualty calculations there).

Next week we've decided to play some board games. I'm also looking at games for the Broadside show on 4/6/22; the Lion Rampant Viking Raid game is one option, but there is talk of reviving Angels 20 with a Battle of Britain theme.

See yer soon

Neil