Historical Games

With the recent surge in interest in playing in campaign games, I set about getting one together for the historical players. I developed a relatively straightforward and simple system for running the strategic portion of the campaign based on a map divided into ‘Sectors’.  After creating the map, I realized how much cooler it would be to have a three-dimensional map like the ones  used by the real military planners – so, I made my own…

The map is broken into sectors which are represented by 4” square tiles. Terrain has been represented on each tile in a very small scale. The campaign has been set-up so each sector also corresponds to a 4’ square tabletop for the tactical battles with miniatures to be played out on. This allows the terrain on the tile to be translated to the tabletop in exact proportions, i.e. 1” on the tile equals 1’ on the tabletop (happily convenient, eh?).

Units are represented on the map by counters. Each unit has a certain amount of activation points to spend for maneuver and attack.  At the end of each campaign turn though, units have to check to see if they can be resupplied; if they can’t then they have to spend the next turn in a ‘Depleted’ and inactive state. This feature means that while both sides in the campaign will be working feverishly towards their stated objectives, there will also be the added element of making sure they don’t over extend their forces and leave them stranded.

As we run through the campaign, I will try and post updates to let folks know how it is going.

Until next time…

Cheers!

Dan

As I was cleaning out some old photos, I found this dramatic shot of a ‘nighttime’ Combat Cards game. It just looked to cool not to post it.  It was a 15mm WWII game between the Russian attackers and the German defenders somewhere on the Eastern Front in mid-1944. I believe the Russians pulled this one out, but my memory on this game is a little foggy.

Until next time…

Cheers!

Dan

Here are a few random shots of recent games of Flames of War at the shop.  The guys have been running a campaign over the last few weeks, which have lead to some rather interesting battles on Saturday afternoons.

I think they are wraping up the current campaign in a few weeks and will be starting another one again real quick after that, so if you would be interested in joining in stop by and let them know (if you can get a word in between the ferocious tank battles… J).

Until next time…

Keep your head down!

Dan

It was recently time for the local quarterly miniatures convention again. As I had brought a 15mm WWII game to share for the last few, I decided to shake it up and do a little something different – a modern middle east battle in 1/72 scale.

The change did force me to have to hurry to get a lot of the elements done in time – a new desert battle mat, some rock walls and piles, as well as the figures themselves! Somehow I did manage to get it all done, and it all turned out pretty great (if I do say so myself…).

The scenario was US Army forces moving into a middle eastern town trying to clear it of insurgents using the Tactical Assault: Combat Cards for the rules (yes, they work for modern actions as well!). The insurgents had to eliminate three units of the American forces for a win, and the insurgents could ‘recycle’ their destroyed stands (i.e. bring them back onto the battlefield after they had been eliminated in battle). The Americans had to eliminate eight units from the insurgents, the Americans could not ‘recycle‘ their stands, but they did have a distinct sophistication advantage (technology, communications, training, etc.).

We ran the scenario a few times during the day with both sides winning their share of the engagements (the American players usually lost their aggressiveness after suffering a casualty and couldn’t score any kills to win), but everyone who played had a great time – including yours truly!

Now I have to get cracking on finishing a bunch more insurgents as I have a pair of Blackhawks and Apaches waiting to get on the tabletop!

Until next time…

Stay frosty!

Dan