Spandau in Space

One of the nice things about science fiction gaming is that you can easily encapsulate ideas from other periods. For example, I've always enjoyed the "dogfights in space" approach of Star Wars, Battlestar Galactica, et. al where space fighters duke it out in a futuristic version of World War II air combat. Although it is admittedly unrealistic, it is great fun!

Anyway, I ginned up some crude rocket ships for my Slipstream project. I had a little time this morning so I decided to have a go at a dogfight. What rules did I use? Spandau and Lewis!

Three war rockets (red) of the evil queen Anathraxa are looking for renegade Theophilians (background for my campaign is on Tales of the Templars). They discover two Theophilian rockets.

Game Note: The Queen's rockets use the stats for the Fokker EIII while the Theophilians use DH-2s. The lead Theophilian is a veteran pilot while all others are experienced.

Battle is joined. Red Two takes a long range shot and hits, inflicting minor damage.

The Theophilians catch a Royal rocket in a crossfire. Critical hit! It explodes.

Blue One gets another rocket in his sights. He misses (throughout the game, Blue One rolled horribly for shooting).

Here is an initiative tracker that I whipped up. Crude but effective.

Blue One has another shot, and blows it again.

Blue Two gets into the action, inflicting heavy damage on one of the enemy rockets.

FINALLY, Blue One hits, finishing off the damaged enemy rocket.

The remaining Queen's rocket tries to escape. The Theophilians pursue.

Blue Two takes it out.

Virtue has triumphed over the forces of evil.

Game Evaluation
Despite re-skinning the pieces from World War I planes to rocket ships, the game worked. I also enjoy air combat games because they are so easy to set up.

Six by Six - Game 3-5 complete!

More Ticket to Ride

Last night my wife and I wanted to play something patriotic to celebrate Independence Day, but we don't really have anything appropriate. So we played Ticket to Ride with the US map.

First we had to survive a Cat-zilla attack.

Here is the final board. My wife (the brown trains) completed 9 routes for 83 bonus points. She also got an extra 15 points for completing the most routes. Needless to say, she handily defeated me.

6 by 6 Challenge - 6.4 complete!

Massacre at the Foaming Flood

With the long weekend, I am able to fit in another game! I decided to do a one-off battle in Anarendor (my fantasy campaign world).

The Royal Army of Anarendor has received word that a large horde of orcs has disgorged from the mountains. A defensive force consisting of 2 companies of Royal Infantry, a company of Rangers, and a band of local levies stands ready at the river called the Foaming Flood. Both crossings are guarded. With more troops in reserve, the men of Anarendor are confident.

On the right, the accurate archery of the Rangers cuts down one band of orcs.

Orcs try to cross the river, with support from goblin archers on the far bank.

The Royal Infantry cuts down the orcs, but more appear. (My rules have a horde provision - any horde unit has a chance to respawn and re-enter the battle).

 The Royal Infantry wipes out another band trying to cross but disaster strikes. The goblin archers destroy the levy. In the south (lower right), two orc warbands and a troop of cavalry surprise and overrun the reserves,

The newly arrived invaders race toward the river.

The remaining Royal Infantry fend off attacks. Those pesky goblin archers now wipe out the Rangers!

After a long, hard-fought battle, the Royal Infantry destroys the enemy cavalry. Alas, on the other flank, the infantry succumbs to a flank attack.

The orcs set the village aflame, then attack the remaining infantry.

The combined attacks are too much. The Royal Infantry falls!

Game Notes

• The scenario was taken from One Hour Wargames. It is scenario 19 - Blow from the Rear. The attackers (orcs) must remove all resistance within 6" (I used 1 space) of the river while the defenders must hold on.
• This is game 6 of the Anarendor portion of the 6 by 6 challenge. Achievement unlocked!

June Update

It was looking to be another lull month - I had only completed one game (a Spandau and Lewis scenario) and was not motivated to play anything. However, I had a burst last week when I started experimenting with FU rules in the Slipstream universe. I completed 2 games in a day. However, I lost a game because I dropped my Zirconia campaign. Thus, I only netted 2 games, below the pace I need to complete the challenge.

I did not complete any of the board games on the list. I am behind schedule for DC Rivals (2 games in 6 months). I suspect that I won't finish it. I am OK with Ticket to Ride (3 games).

I have a long weekend coming up so I hope to crank out a couple of games.

Kaptain Kobold's Six by Six page is up-to-date for my challenge.