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