Monday 29 April 2013

Easter Holiday, new stuff and Old School

Right, a few weeks behind here, so this will be a quick update before I launch into the reenactment season and produce a SALUTE2013 report too.

The Easter holidays saw a number of gaming opportunities:0)

First I got on with the paint job on my Ork Dakkajet. I bought this when I took Nate, my son, to GW when getting stuff for his birthday. Had loads of fun, making and painting this model. Pointless purchase but that is what gaming is all about. Need to buy lots more now.

My Dakkajet.


Nate has started to play 40k in store. It's a hobby that really suits my son with aspergers. He laps up rules like Rainman:0) I did have a (small) proud dad moment though, Nate totally owned that other kid! I don't know if I approve of of all things that GW do these days, but I do have to make one acknowledgment... Daren, the store manager at Southend, is an awesome member of staff and how he keeps going all day long I don't know. Most gamers are enthusiastic, hell most of us are frothers, but in the 18 years (ouch) I have known Daren his enthusiasm just gets greater. Daren if you read this... Respect my friend.

 
Nate's Deathwing
 Old school then... Not only did Nate start to play in store, we also started playing Spacehulk at home. The latest edition has some fantastic miniatures that I have mostly got around to painting. Nate and Heidi went head to head and, H proved that even after all these years she has lost none of that ruthlessess. Stealers in her hands are very dangerous indeed, even when she took it 'easy' on our eleven year old.

Blood Angels v Genestealers, oh yeah!
 

What a great game. Spacehulk hasn't changed much, if it aint broke don't fix it!
 
Coming next Salute 2013 and the Reenactment year is underway:0)

Sunday 3 March 2013

Blast from the Past --- Brewhouse Bash!

My son, Nathan, was 11 recently and he decided that he wanted a Warhammer party, (he started to paint figures in the autumn) It was great, half a dozen friends, a model each, glue, paint and off we go. However I didn't want the kids just  to paint, we needed a game we could play. I wracked my brains for what we could play, then it just popped up.


Those of you who are old enough might remember a little game in White Dwarf issue 223 (1997ish) called Brewhouse Bash. A small board game inspired by Gorkamorka. It was a freebie (Yeah I know) and it was great fun.


Kitchen and Thunderbox


I used to play it with kids in school, so I went looking for the playing pieces. I found various bits in a folder, but had to give in and search for it on line. PDFs successfully found I was delighted, however it was became apparent that it might not have the impact I was after. So I came up with a new plan; build the Brewhouse, Da Oomies' Arms.


Balcony & bar


I' ve got to say, I am pleased with the result. It was great fun to make and the kids had good fun too. This game is one that reinforces 'simple is best'. A simple game with only a handful of rules leads to a fast paced and ruthless game. If you have never played it search out the PDF, if you have played it, then go and play it again. You'll love it I promise:0)

The whole board


Tuesday 19 February 2013

F&IW Wargames Illustrated Articles

Well it's been a long time coming, but my F&IW articles are finally out in WI in issues 304 (February) and 305 (March, just about to hit the shelves) Flicking through the second article I have to say I am dead pleased, yet again Dan, the editor, has done a great job with the layout and the photos look terrific. 


Huron swarm to attack the loggers
Towards the end of article two there is a bit that says the stats for the games aren't printed in the article they are on this blog. You forget you write these things months ago, so I had better put the stats up, and pronto...

Scenario 2 Phillips Homestead 



Phillips’ Homestead
S
F
St
D
A
W
C
Fa
Ft
Patrick Phillips
5+
3
3
3
1
1
3
1
1
Judith Phillips
6+
2
3
3
1
1
2


Seamus, Rebecca & Nathaniel
6+
2
3
3
1
1
2


Macdonald
4+
4
3
4
2
1
4
1
1
3 Rangers
4+
4
3
4
1
1
4




Phillips’ Homestead
Raiders
S
F
St
D
A
W
C
Fa
Ft
8 Huron Braves
5+
4
3
4
1
1
3


4 Courier de Bois
4+
4
3
4
1
1
4



The raiders launch their  attack across the river
Scenario 3 Grey Hair's Daughter



Grey Hair’s Daughter
S
F
St
D
A
W
C
Fa
Ft
Lt Perkins
5+
4
3
3
1
1
4
1
1
2 Grenadiers
5+
4
4
3
1
1
4


4 Infantry
5+
3
3
3
1
1
3


Colour party
5+
3
3
3
1
1
4

1
2 Rangers
4+
4
3
4
1
1
4


Driver
6+
2
3
3
1
1
2


Bullock
--
3
4
5
1
2
--



Grey Hair’s Daughter
Raiders
S
F
St
D
A
W
C
Fa
Ft
Warchief
4+
4
3
4
2
1
3
1
1
 Huron Braves
5+
4
3
4
1
1
3


 Courier de Bois
4+
4
3
4
1
1
4



The wagon approaches the ford
Scenario 4 Storming the Falls


Storming the Falls British
S
F
St
D
A
W
C
Fa
Ft
Major Bristowe
4+
4
3
4
2
2
4
2
2
Sergeant
5+
4
4
3
1
1
4


5 Infantry
5+
3
3
3
1
1
3


Gun Crew
5+
3
3
3
1
1
3


4 Light Infantry
4+
4
3
3
1
1
3



Storming the Falls French
S
F
St
D
A
W
C
Fa
Ft
Lt Dupont
5+
4
3
3
1
1
4
1
1
French Infantry
5+
3
3
3
1
1
3


 Huron Scouts
4+
4
3
4
1
1
3


 Courier de Bois
4+
4
3
4
1
1
4



The French cross the falls below the sight of the British