Naval Gazing

The Inspiration

As I've been going through boxes looking for stuff to purge, I came across these scratch-built ships.

I have 12 of them, split into 2 sides - 6 red and 6 blue. I built these in the early 1990s. They managed to survive multiple purges because I am quite pleased with how they came out.

The Rabbit Hole

Finding these ships suddenly piqued my interest in some Age of Sail gaming. However, my current gaming space is limited to 22 by 16 inches. Can I find a set of naval rules that will fit into this space?

For air wargaming, I solved the space problem by using relative motion. Based on maneuver rolls, aircraft move relative to each other. For example, rolling double puts you on your opponent's tail. This mechanism allows me to play out dogfights with multiple planes on an 8.5 by 11 inch board. 

I wonder if I can do something for ships. It doesn't really seem possible because ships should not be as maneuverable as planes.

Still, the idea beckons.

Disaster in the Air

While sorting through some of my game boxes, I came across my planes. I decided to do a bomb run.

The Squadron

Last time, the squadron lost Alice with Malice.

For this mission, the squadron has a new plane, Darling Dinah. 

The complete roster:

• Bouncing Betty (front)
• Charming Charlotte (left)
• Darling Dinah (right)

The Objective

Again, the squadron receives a medium length mission.

The Mission

The squadron faces minor resistance. Betty takes some damage.

Over the target, flak hits Betty and Dinah. The squadron's bombing is inaccurate.

As the squadron heads for home, a swarm of fighters pounce. Dinah takes heavy damage.

Despite shooting down a couple of fighters, Dinah goes down in flames.

The enemy turns its attention on Betty. She goes down next.

Charlotte manages to evade the enemy and make it back home with only light damage.

The Campaign

This was the sixth mission of the campaign. I planned on a 7-mission campaign, but with this debacle, the squadron had already lost 4 missions. With the campaign a failure, I decided to call a premature end. I'll reform the squadron and start another campaign at a later date.

Solitary Hero

Over at Wargames Website, Daniele V. posted a link to a game he created. Called Solitary Hero, it is pay what you want over at Wargames Vault.

The price is right and it seemed up my alley - a quick game on a small board. I picked it up and decided to give it a go.

Set Up

I rolled randomly for items of impassable terrain.

I decided to play the ambush scenario. A gang of thugs (black Meeples) surround and attack my hero, Sir Grey.

Sir Grey's objective is to defeat all the bad guys.

The Fight

The thugs activate first. One thug advances and attacks. Sir Grey takes a wound. Fortunately, he can take 6 wounds.

The thugs keep winning initiative, but their attacks fail. They are not as hardy as Sir Grey. Soon, a pile of bodies grows at Sir Grey's feet.

Then a couple more get added to the pile.

Sir Grey finally takes command of the situation. He advances and attacks one of the thugs. He loses the initial scrap, and takes a wound. But he rallies and defeats the thug.

He then wipes out the last one. Victory!

Thoughts

I enjoyed the game. It was quick and simple.

I like that the bad guys are weak (they take 1 wound) while the hero has a lot of health (6 wounds). This allows the hero to plow through a horde of enemies and still win.

I did not care for the card activation system. I must admit that I did not feel like searching for a pack of cards so I substituted a die roll. As a result, I skipped over some nuances. For example, the Ace of Hearts allows the hero to regain 1 health. 

My big issue is that the side that activates gets to do stuff while the other side just sits there. For example, for several turns, Sir Grey just stood in the middle of the field while enemies rushed him one at a time. For future games, I'll probably change the activation system.

Hurray for Meeples

One problem I have with using miniatures for fantasy skirmishes is that I have difficulties finding just the right figures. This even applies to tokens. For example, I wanted to try out today's skirmish using the counters from THW's Warrior Heroes of Talomir Quick Play. After a few minutes of digging through the pile looking for 6 orcs, I gave up. What I like about my Meeples is the black ones can stand in as any humanoid enemy.

More Free Stuff - 10mm Fantasy and Sci-Fi

GONE

Here are some more miniatures up for grabs.

Terms

• I am not charging anything for the miniatures themselves. So they are FREE.
• I ship using USPS Priority Mail. I will cover the first $20. This should cover shipping in the US. International procurers will need to cover any costs above $20. Contact me with your location and I'll calculate shipping.
• Payment by PayPal please.
• Contact me at warwell2 AT yahoo DOT com

Items

I am selling these items as one batch. I won't break up the batch.

Figures are a mixture of Pendraken, Irregular, and a few Copplestone.

Painted fantasy characters.

Fantasy monsters and sci-fi.

Loose figures, mostly fantasy. The figures on the craft stick are Irregular Renaissance era.

Sci-fi figures from Pendraken. Bags are not complete.

Pendraken and Irregular fantasy and medieval.

The Purge

It began because of a home improvement project. I had to move some bookcases out of the way so I packed up some books, games, CDs, and DVDs. Now, I don't want to unpack them.

So now I plan to divest myself of my superfluous stuff.

Miniatures

I've already begun with some miniatures. I'm seriously considering getting rid of everything except some 2mm forces. 

I'm not sure I want to give them away like the last batches. Dealing with the post office was such a hassle. Right now I just want to chuck them all in the trash.

Games and RPG Books

Originally, I planned to dump these off at Goodwill. But I have a couple of items of some value. Now I'm thinking of selling these items to Noble Knight Games.

Here is a partial list.

• First edition of Avalon Hill's Battle Cry
• Space 1889 Soldier's Companion and Ironclads and Ether Flyers
• GMT's Manoeuvre
• The Sword and the Flame plus TSATF Supplement

History Books

I have an assortment of Ospreys and other history books that I don't read anymore. I'll probably donate these to the library.

CDs and DVDs

With everything going digital, I don't really use CDs or DVDs anymore. For example, I have the extended version of Peter Jackson's Lord of the Rings trilogy on DVD but I still purchased the digital version from Amazon. I'll likely cull out these collections and donate to the library.

Pyrrhic Victory

Napoleon in Italy Campaign

Battle # 4

Background

After the capture of Field Marshal Wurmser, the Austrian army is in disarray. Now led by General Alvincy, the Austrians retreat eastward toward the little town of Spumoni. There, they hope to link up with reinforcements.

Napoleon, however, refuses to let the Austrians off easy. He vigorously pursues.

Napoleon is nearly stymied by the dark beast of chaos, who decides to invade the battlefield. But the dark beast gets tired and goes off to sleep.

Set Up

With Spumoni in sight to the east (top), Alvincy leads his army consisting of 3 infantry divisions, a division of Grenzers, a division of cavalry, and a grand battery of artillery.

Napoleon pursues with 2 infantry divisions and an artillery grand battery. In addition, he sends 2 divisions of cavalry (left) and a grand battery on a flanking march.

Alvincy's objective is to reach and hold Spumoni. Failure will be a victory for Napoleon.

The Battle

Alvincy races toward Spumoni while his cavalry holds off the French (left). Meanwhile, Napoleon's forces rout the Grenzers and damage the Austrian artillery (bottom)

Napoleons presses the Austrians, but the Austrians rout a French cavalry division.

Napoleon's left overruns the Austrian infantry. Alvincy makes it to Spumoni.

Disaster for the Austrians! They lose their cavalry and an infantry division.

Followed by their artillery.

Napoleon expects Alvincy to surrender after this debacle. But the Austrian general refuses. Napoleon launches an assault on Spumoni.

The assault fails and the sun goes down. Napoleon settles down to besiege Spumoni.

Aftermath

Alvincy lost nearly his entire army but he manages to hold Spumoni. Tactically a disaster, it is still a strategic victory for the Austrians, albeit a Pyrrhic one.

While Napoleon lays siege to Spumoni, a relief force led by Archduke Charles marches west.

In game terms, this counts as an Austrian victory. The campaign is tied 2-2 and we go to the final battle to determine the victor!

Game Notes

This was an unexpected ending. After losing the 3rd unit (50% casualties), the Austrians needed a roll of 4 or more to keep fighting. They just managed with a 4. After losing the 4th unit, they needed a 5 or better. I rolled a 6. Then, after losing their 5th unit, they needed a 6. I rolled a 6. What the Austrians lacked in tactical skill they made up with dogged determination.

Happy Easter

The tomb is empty. Death is defeated. Hallelujah!

The angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. (Matthew 28:5-6)

Price Cut and Stuff

Price Cut

I haven't had any takers for my some of my recent miniature giveaways. I'd hate to just throw these away. Therefore I'm cutting the price. How can I cut the price on free items? I'll cover shipping costs up to $20.

Crazy Busy

There's a lot going on. Between LARP, home repairs, watching the Chosen, and an upcoming minor surgery, I haven't had time for gaming.

Counter Attack

Due to home repairs, I had to pack up my painting table. Therefore I have made no progress on my 2mm Napoleonic armies.

Instead, I worked on the latest iteration of my top-down counters. I like how they came out.

Each army consists of 7 bases of regular infantry, 3 bases each of light infantry, cavalry, and artillery, a pair of generals, and 6 casualty counters. Should be more than enough.

I have some brown Litko bases already, but I will probably order more in national colors. I think it may make it easier to identify the nationalities on the table.

So yes, it seems I am moving away from miniature gaming and becoming a home brew board gamer.