So i had heard about people finding games at antique stores, thrift stores and the like but always thought it too good to be true until...I walk into a thrift store in New Orleans and see No Retreat sitting by its lonesome like an abandoned, lost puppy and so what could i do? 10 bucks was all it took to give this game a good home. 2011 edition, mounted maps, everything inside still in shrink. So now i feel compelled to organize a rescue mission for abandoned wargames, together we can find good homes for these things and bring new life to an otherwise dead end fate. Who's with me?! So lets get out there and rescue those games!!!
Friday, August 29, 2014
My first thrift store find...
So i had heard about people finding games at antique stores, thrift stores and the like but always thought it too good to be true until...I walk into a thrift store in New Orleans and see No Retreat sitting by its lonesome like an abandoned, lost puppy and so what could i do? 10 bucks was all it took to give this game a good home. 2011 edition, mounted maps, everything inside still in shrink. So now i feel compelled to organize a rescue mission for abandoned wargames, together we can find good homes for these things and bring new life to an otherwise dead end fate. Who's with me?! So lets get out there and rescue those games!!!
Wednesday, August 27, 2014
Hexes And Soldiers Wargame Podcast Episode 35.0 is up!
Not too much to report. This episode consisted of some brief news, and a top 10 (bottom 10) worst wargames list according to BGG and the rankings.
Additionally, I had seriously debated on whether or not to use valuable podcast time to go into my upcoming game, Rendezvous With Destiny, but in the end thought what could it hurt. I look forward to any feedback as well as any interest in this project.
What's the next episode? I plan to tackle Kursk so wish me luck!
Meanwhile, keep gaming! (That's an order!)
Sunday, August 24, 2014
What's new...
Ok so why the scary Nazi zombie guys? I'll get to that in a minute but first let me give you a brief update on what's been going on.
New job. That's right, i've yet again managed to hop the career tracks and this time i've landed a gig on campus which is within walking distance from where I live. Why do i even mention this, because it's kept me busy.
Obviously i'm overdue for a show and all I can say is, that will happen when it happens. I have no exact time frame for when that will be and i've also decided that i'd rather wait and do a halfway decent show than do one just to do one. The next one will be episode 35.0 and let me tell ya, its a long way from episode 1.0 but i'm glad i took that first step, or should i say, we took that first step.
So what's new otherwise? The Napoleonic rules set is nearly complete. All that is left is the charts for firing and melee. So i decided to give myself a break but all i ended up doing was coming up with the rules to a game that I am quite pleased with. In fact, i have considered dedicating the next show to it. The game in question i have dubbed Rendezvous With Destiny. It is a WWII platoon level game that needs no charts, cards or combat results tables and the development has gone so well it should be available by the end of next month at the latest. Let me back up. I had tinkered around with the idea of a squad level WWII game for sometime, but for some reason it all came together recently. The action takes place in Normandy as a couple platoons of the 101st Airborne clash with Germans. It has a distinct solitaire element to it and focuses heavily on suppression and reaction. Leaders are in there and i've skimmed the cream off the top of a number of other games to come up with my own concoction. I'd love to go more in depth but i'll save that for a possible show topic. Otherwise, i'll "crack the seal' in an upcoming blog. The exciting thing is, this puppy barks, that is to say it really works! And i can't wait to share it. I have a few minor things left and then i will be presenting it to the printers here on campus after which i will have copies available through this site as well as ebay.
So why the zombies? Not that im the biggest zombie fan, but as a bonus, i included a rules section in the game for a zombie variant.
Otherwise, i have a birthday coming up this Wednesday and am sure to have something by way of a new game/s for show n' tell.
So that's it for now. Thanks for reading, and keep gaming!
Friday, August 15, 2014
Wednesday, August 13, 2014
I Nearly Forgot...
I guess this proves that there are just too many Napoleonics rules sets out there for our own good, but one in particular that i own and have played (and forgot to mention) is the Napoleon's Battles system.
These are traditional rules for 15mm Napoleonic Miniatures. The basic game covers weather, routing, command & control, movement & maneuver, defensive reaction, fire, combat, and pursuit. The basic rules are more complex than most miniature games. Advanced and optional rules add depth in the areas of fatigue, morale, evasion, special cavalry rules, supply chains, hidden movement, and generals.
Like most Napoleonic minature games, the basic turn segments are:
The winner can be determined by control of scenario objectives, a loss of army morale, and/or casualty counts.
Combats are resolved via the rolling of a d10 and a combat table that is modified for a large number of factors, ranging from troop quality to current formation.
Data for a large variety of nationalities and troop types are included.
Includes an introduction to miniature wargaming bookle and cardboard counters that can be used in place of miniature stands.
An updated version of this game (3rd edtion) was released in 2009 by Lost Battalion Games. This edition has been upgraded to a 100 page rules book, 56 page reference book, 12 scenarios and over 180 status cubes and markers.
These are traditional rules for 15mm Napoleonic Miniatures. The basic game covers weather, routing, command & control, movement & maneuver, defensive reaction, fire, combat, and pursuit. The basic rules are more complex than most miniature games. Advanced and optional rules add depth in the areas of fatigue, morale, evasion, special cavalry rules, supply chains, hidden movement, and generals.
Like most Napoleonic minature games, the basic turn segments are:
- Rally
- Command & Control
- Move
- Fire
- Close combat(called All-out attack in this game)
- Casualties (including routs)
- Morale
The winner can be determined by control of scenario objectives, a loss of army morale, and/or casualty counts.
Combats are resolved via the rolling of a d10 and a combat table that is modified for a large number of factors, ranging from troop quality to current formation.
Data for a large variety of nationalities and troop types are included.
Includes an introduction to miniature wargaming bookle and cardboard counters that can be used in place of miniature stands.
An updated version of this game (3rd edtion) was released in 2009 by Lost Battalion Games. This edition has been upgraded to a 100 page rules book, 56 page reference book, 12 scenarios and over 180 status cubes and markers.
Companion Guide To Hexes And Soldiers Wargame Podcast Episode 34.0
When it comes to miniatures wargaming, there is way too much ground to cover but i took what i consider a few key objectives.
For WW2 fans you can't do much better then Flames Of War. Love it or hate it, you have to respect it as it has demonstrated its staying power and effective mix of playability and detail. What is more, i can hardly think of any game system that is better supported by its creators.
From the back of the box Open Fire which is a fantastic starter kit. There are also a number of great introductory learning videos on youtube.
Also:
A wonderful starter kit for Bolt Action.
For WW2 fans you can't do much better then Flames Of War. Love it or hate it, you have to respect it as it has demonstrated its staying power and effective mix of playability and detail. What is more, i can hardly think of any game system that is better supported by its creators.
From the back of the box Open Fire which is a fantastic starter kit. There are also a number of great introductory learning videos on youtube.
Also:
A wonderful starter kit for Bolt Action.
For Napoleonics it gets a bit trickier. It really all depends on the scale of battle with which you wish to immerse yourself in.
Start with:
The company Man at War of which this is a product, also produces there own box sets of minis for this game. Also check out the wonderful Rules review of this at the Meeples and Miniatures Podcast episode 79 http://meeples.wordpress.com/podcast/
Otherwise give this a shot:
So these are but a few suggestions but honestly, there is so much to choose from, there is truly something out there for everyone. If you've never tried your hand at minis, it can be a rewarding experience as it is an all encompassing hobby when you consider painting and terrain set up. For some this may be too overwhelming, but as i myself have been a minis gamer for a number of years, i can sincerely add that it has all been worth it!
For those interested in the Finnish War Trilogy that was mentioned at the beginning of the show, take a look for yourselves:
http://mikugames.com/fintri.php
Monday, August 11, 2014
The Wargaming Tribe Does Not Eat Its Young...(part 2)
A massive Civil War miniatures game.
Rules for the Civil War minis game.
Old School!
GMT's A World At War. Melds Advanced Third Reich and Empire of the Rising Sun.
Ginormous WW2 miniatures set up.
D-Day at Omaha Beach!
Life size mg34 ASL game piece. Yea? Well you should see the mapboard!. I think portage points for this are way too generous.
So overall, I would say my first CON was a success. Was it comparable to World Board Gaming Championships or Consimworld Expo or any other major con? No. But it was better than I expected and i see its size and scope growing in the coming years. I would have liked to see a bit more cardboard (no ASL or OCS) but there was plenty to see and do. Would I go again? In a heart beat! I met a great gang of wargamers and to my relief, they do not eat their young.
Stay tuned for Hexes And Soldiers Episode 34.0 for a more detailed account.
Rules for the Civil War minis game.
Old School!
GMT's A World At War. Melds Advanced Third Reich and Empire of the Rising Sun.
Ginormous WW2 miniatures set up.
D-Day at Omaha Beach!
Life size mg34 ASL game piece. Yea? Well you should see the mapboard!. I think portage points for this are way too generous.
So overall, I would say my first CON was a success. Was it comparable to World Board Gaming Championships or Consimworld Expo or any other major con? No. But it was better than I expected and i see its size and scope growing in the coming years. I would have liked to see a bit more cardboard (no ASL or OCS) but there was plenty to see and do. Would I go again? In a heart beat! I met a great gang of wargamers and to my relief, they do not eat their young.
Stay tuned for Hexes And Soldiers Episode 34.0 for a more detailed account.
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