Friday, March 18, 2011

Future War Commander- 3/15/11

Doug, a friend of ours, had a Future War Commander scenario he needed to playtest for an event this weekend.  Of course we were happy to oblige.  Future War Commander is an excellent game from Specialist Military Publishing.

Todd and Crow took the part of the Renegae Legion, defending their atrillery batteries from an assault by the TOG.  Jeff and I headed up the TOG.  Our goal was to destroy the Legion artillery that had been shelling our forces.  With a Legion fleet in space and heavy AA support guarding the artillery, the only way to take them out is a ground assault.

The city in the center of the board.  Tokens scattered about indicate possible militia units.

The artillery and AA guns are positioned in woods west of the city.

After a some really good (and really unusual) dice rolls from Jeff, the TOG sweeps in from the east and closed with the city on one turn.  Militia armor is spotted and opens fire.

Legion infantry moves in from the west and deploys power armor arond the batteries.

Legion armor crests a hill and lines up shots on the TOG hovertanks in the distance.

TOG medium and heavy tanks begin sieging the city from the north and east.  Militia scramble to defensive positions and return fire.

Casualties begin to mount on both sides.

A close up of the battery defenses.

The defenders of the second battery.

While the TOG armor tangles with the militia in the city, light and medium TOG troop transports sweep south and smash through the front line of the Renegate Legion.  Caution is thrown to the wind as all thoughts turn to completing the mission objective.

Heavy TOG fire softens the first battery's defences.  Another snake eyes command roll allows TOG Centaur troopers to move in and assault the first battery. 

TOG infantry have pushed too far into enemy lines with no support.  The armored units break off their fight with the Renegade militia to defend the infantry's flank from Legion medium tanks.  Militia armor tries to take advantage of the opportunity.

TOG has locked down the center battery, but Legion tanks decimate the light transports as they charge the second battery.

An overview of the late game.  Renegade Legion armor have covered their firing lanes and lay waste to anything that crosses them.  TOG infantry have pushed the Legion out of the center woods, leaving them little chance of saving the battery.

Militia armor mops up the last TOG tank on the east side and prepare to encircle the overwhelmed TOG forces. 

It was a tough scenario, but quite enjoyable.  Jeff and I were unable to destroy the batteries against the numerous and fortified Renegade Legion forces. 

The game has certainly sparked interest in the 6mm Sci Fi stuff again.  I will have to dig through my boxes and see if I can find my half finished army.

Thanks Doug!

 

Wednesday, March 9, 2011

Speed Rally Gear Markers

I've picked up a game called Speed Rally recently.  Part of the game is keeping track of your car's gear on a record sheet.  I found these specialty paper clips that work great:

These are Scrapbook Paper Clips from a company called Scrap Paper Scissors.  I picked these up on clearance at Micheal's craft store for $1.00 US.  Regular price is $2.50.

                                    
Here is an example of each clip used on a Speed Rally record sheet.  At first I thought the triangles would be the best, but it appears the circles and the square (diamond) work the best. 

Of course these could work for other games, too.

Tuesday, March 8, 2011

Cheap Wood Houses

I picked this up this past Saturday when checking out Michaels for craft projects for my daughter.

It is a Creatology Ranch House Wooden Puzzle.  It cost me $1.00 US.

It looks like it's scaled OK for 1/72.  It took about 10 minutes to assemble; no glue required.


The pieces come on two wooden sheets.  You simple punch them out and slide the tabs together.  They may make a nice framework from which to create your own house.  The shingles, windows and doors are printed on in black.  There isn't a whole lot of detail.


The chimney is the worst part.  Not bad for $1, but is it worth the effort to detail up and repaint?  We'll see one day...

Thursday, March 3, 2011

Con of the North, Day 2

I have to say, as the weekend went on I became less organized.  So often that I didn't know where my camera was.  These are the last pictures I took of my events from the weekend.  Again it was a lot of fun!  I love going to this Con!

Flying Lead, A Daring Rescue

Instead of using stealth the French partisans begin by opening fire and taking down the German sentries.

Partisans locate their comrade!

Fighting is fierce around the farmhouse.

Men are wounded all around the battlefield.

Flying Lead, Starship Troopers
Due to time constraints I ran the Starship Troopers game on the same table as the WWII scenario.  I just removed the 1/72 truck and houses.

Mobile Infantry advace to the wall for cover.

Flanked by the Tanker Bug.

M.I. move up the side to escape the tank.  A lone Warrior waits in ambush.

The trap is sprung!

Due to a snowstorm on Sunday many events were cancelled and a lot of people left early.  Plus I was not feeling well due to some excessive celebrating the night before.  I did not get any picures of my 2nd playthrough of The Vampire's Lair.

Con of the North is an absolute blast.  There are so many events going on, run by really great people.  Village Games did a great job hosting a good 1/4 to 1/3 of the events over the course of the weekend.  We are already planning our events for next year.  If you live in the Minneapolis/ St. Paul, MN area, or will be there around February 2012, stop by and check out Con of the North!

Con of the North, Day 1 Part 2

More pictures of the weekend's fun.  Here are my 2nd, 3rd and 4th games of the day.  I learned a valuable lesson here:  If you're going to run 8 hours straight of games, don't make them 4 different games with different terrain requirements!  It was chaotic, but it was fun!

Flying Lead, A Daring Rescue

Partizans try to sneak into the German held farm.

Planning the best way to suprise the Germans

The French are spotted!  They let loose with their Molotov Cocktails, confusing the Germans as they scramble to respond.

Le Resistance battle towards the farmhouses in an effort to locate their friend.


 Fear and Faith, Stop... Zombie Time!

PBS,on the right, try to defend a house, while HEPA moves in to start fires on the left.

Zombies gather for a feast!

A dangerous little girl with and AT-4.

HEPA members defend their friends against the approaching horde!

Outnumbered but not outgunned!  Corporate chem gunners turn zombies to soup.

Flying Lead, Starship Troopers

Mobile Infantry move into firing position and lay waste to the Arachnids.

A long distance shot of the battle.

"Sir, I see a tanker bug!"

A Hopper swoops in for a quick kill.

Mobile Infantry regroup to defend against the final assault.