ncc1717

General Quarters – Pacific Naval Game

This weekend the local HMGS-South group played a non-historical Pacific naval battle using the General Quarters 3rd Edition rules. Not many players turned up, but we took the opportunity to learn a new set of rules and discuss naval topics. In the absence of miniatures, ship counters were borrowed from a board game.

On the first turn, both sides learn how the collision rules work. Against the odds there were no collisions.

Two IJN DDs were sunk and several ships on each side were damaged. Due to time constraints we did not play to a conclusion. GQ3 seems to be a quick game system suitable for club games as long as you can keep the naval buffs from arguing about the abstractions. Good luck with that.

Shapeways 1/6000 Scale Naval

Several 3D printed 1/6000 scale Amagi class battlecruiser models purchased from Shapeways have been completed. Compared to metal 1/6000 scale models the surfaces are rough, but the dimensions are more accurate. I don’t think the roughness will be noticeable on a wargame table. The Shapeways models lack the ships boats molded on the Hallmark/Figurehead castings.

Unpainted

Base coat

Completed

Tactica Medieval Castle Assault

This weekend the local HMGS-South group played a medieval castle assault game using the Tactica Medieval rules. It was quick and fun so we did it twice. In each case the defender’s heroic resistance was in vain.

The castle surrounded.

The white stones denote damage to the wall

The attackers swarm in using scaling ladders.

The second game. The gate has taken a lot of damage and will be broken down soon.

Rapid Fire Game – Battle of Hatten Rittershoffen

This weekend the local HMGS-South group played a Rapid Fire scenario based on the battle of Hatten Rittershoffen, in Alsace, France, in January of 1945.

Elements of the 14th Armored Division, 242nd Infantry Regiment and 315th Infantry Regiment attempt to secure the villages of Hatten and Rittershoffen but are counterattacked by units of 21st the Panzer, 25th Panzer Grenadier and 47th Volksgrenadier divisions.

The northern 88, to be knocked out early in the battle.

The seemingly empty town actually crawling with German infantry.

The southern 88 survived but didn’t hit much.

The Americans advance on a broad front and rush across the only bridge.

What little is left of the first infantry unit across the bridge is pinned down.

Infantry use the dry river bed for cover.

Many vehicles bog down crossing the dry river bed.

The counter attack of the 21st Panzer catches the Americans by surprise.

Carnage on both sides as the tanks engage at point blank range.

Tigers can be destroyed with a good die roll.

SAGA Dark Age AAR Vikings vs Normans and Saxons

On Saturday the local HMGS-South group played a dark age skirmish game using SAGA rules at the Dogs of War shop. This four-player game pitted the Saxons defending a village against two allied Viking warbands intent on loot. A Norman warband arrives to support the Saxons.

Saxons in the village surrounded by pigs, chickens, children, women and clerics.

A bow-armed Saxon levy on the ridge sees two Viking warbands approach.

The Saxon bowmen fire and retreat behind the ridge while Norman units rush to the left and right flanks.

Norman bows and crossbows pepper the Vikings on the wings. A strong Viking attack in the center causes many Saxon casualties and opens a hole in the shieldwall.

The Saxon counterattack destroys two Viking units. The Vikings depart, satisfied with their captured pigs, chickens and children.

In terms of combat the game was fairly even, but the Vikings left with enough loot to call it a victory.