Rex and other games played.

Friday evening saw a trip down to Snake-eyes in Kernow. The object of the trip was to play REX the prequel to Twilight Imperium (a reskin of the Dune Board game we played about 7 years ago … a bombardment replacing the sandstorms). 

The set up was as below … the production of the game is very good (but then Snake-eyes has had the game for 10 years or so). You can win on your own by controlling 3 strongholds or 4 if in an alliance of 2 or all 5 strongholds if in an alliance of 5. If there is no winner at the end of turn 8 Sol and Hacan have special victory conditions.

The races played were Hacan (Steedo), the Universities of Jol-nar (DK), the Federation of Sol (Tiger-King), Lazax Empire (Snake-eyes) and the Barony of Letnev (me).

The first turn saw Tiger-King made a strange move out of a stronghold to get some influence (this was after I had revealed my intention due to a misunderstanding of moving and deployment…).  I swooped in a took it, I also challenged him for the influence and won (although I couldn’t pick much up as I used too many troops in the battle).

The second turn saw alliances being formed - well one really (as because DK kept talking over me, I played a card which prevented him forming or breaking alliances … which as it turn out was stopped the Tiger-King being in an alliance too), this was myself, Steedo and after some deliberation Snake-eyes. 

As it was this alliance worked out very well as due to the various racial special rules we were able to swap influence between us (I was spending…), Steedo was getting influence back via the Hacan gets the deployment costs (also the half price deployments cost was helpful) and Snake-eyes was getting paid in the strategy card phase, so we could out bid DK and Tiger-king …

So when it came to the battle phase the alliance was able to overwhelm the other two players, giving them a win by the end of turn 2 or 3. There was some question of the game being broken as the engine our alliance had was powerful - but I think this was partly down to the seating positions and order. We were sitting in a row were able move the money within the alliance without having the others interfere with our actions … having said that we were very generous with DK and Tiger-King as they weren’t in Alliance in the game but we did allow them to discuss cards a strategy in private …

So in a shocking turn of events we had finished the main game early … what to do?

3 games of One night werewolf - got all the werewolves!

Then 3 games of Resistance Avalon - a win for the forces of good when I was Merlin, and then 2 wins for the forces of evil (by killing Merlin) when I was a minion of Mordred … 

So I was in the winning team for all 7 games - a good evenings gaming.

All the games I would play again. 

Morts

Ork Heavy Suits and Wolf Riders

I have painted up the Mantic Ork heavy suits - I have work out what 40k stat line to use. Fairly happy with these 2 - I tried to do WW2 German tank colour scheme.

Big mech suit with circular saw hand to hand weapon and a “plasma” type  gun thing.

Big mech suit with mini gun and another gun. 

I have also finished (apart from basing) the Marduk Hobgoblin wolf riders. 

I have another 6 to go (with bows) - I might srape the rectangle on the flag off the next set so that I can do a more interesting design … happy with these 2 tone wolves. 

I think these will look good when the bases are done. 

Morts

The Odyssey - seen it!

We went to watch the Odyssey directed by Sir Christopher Nolan at the weekend. 

What did I think?

First up I like a bit of Greek mythology and have read a couple of translations of the Odyssey and a number books on Greek mythology which always include a bit on Odysseus. I loved Tony Robinson’s telling of Odysseus : the Greatest Hero of Them All on the BBC when I was at school. 

I had been following some of the issues which had been raised about casting and was getting concerned. However, as the release date was getting closer I had stopped following news on the film and had decided that I would just try and watch without picking up too many preconceptions.

Well I liked it - acting was good - I didn’t have an issue with the casting. They worked in this telling of the story.

The adaptation of story hit the right beats and points - the cyclops cave (I did miss nobody a bit but not a major issue) - Circe, this was really well done (although no children with her … or is that for the sequel?) - the giants, this was a hmm bit for me to be honest - the trip to the underworld (although no Achilles) - the struggles with the suitors in Ithaca (great acting by Ann Hathaway as Penelope) - Argos the dog (emotional) - defeat of the Suitors.

I felt the structure worked which flashbacks and remembering by Menelaus in Sparta (with Telemachus ) and Odysseus on an island with Calypso. Cutting in with time running out for Penelope and Telemachus 20 years after Odysseus had set off for Troy. 

Did I like all of the design choices - no I didn’t. Silver giants were hmm. Agamemnon another hmm, although I get that they were making him imposing at the high king of the Greeks.

I wasn’t worried about the boat - it was a bit Viking but not a major issue as wouldn’t be surprised if they had similar types (looking ) of ships in the ancient Mediterranean.

As I said the nearly 3 hour film kept me engaged and entertained.

Morts

Pembrokeshire - well worth a visit.

After the puppy had left us, the better half and I headed off to Wales. Mainly Pembrokeshire.

I have to say we had a splendid time - some stunning scenery and castles.

On the way we stopped off at Rhossili on the Gower and took in the Worms head. 

The next day was a circular walk around the Stackpole Estate. Taking in the Quay, Barafundle Bay (great beach) and Bosherston Lily Ponds. This was absolutely beautiful - well worth a visit. 

The next day was a walk to Tenby - a lovely walled town. A walk over to Castle hill but we couldn’t access St Catherine’s island to visit the Victorian fort (opens 20th July…). We returned to Tenby on our last night for a rather nice curry overlord the bay. 

The last full day was a trip to Pembroke and in particular it castle. The castle was great - a guided tour included in the entry fee - plenty to see as you wander around by yourself.

The cave beneath the castle was closed due to archaeological work but just at the end of the tour we were offered the chance to go down and have a talk from an archaeologist about what they were doing  https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cp36lnng046o 

Unfortunately Pembroke town was a little bit sad, with not very much going on - castle is well worth a visit.

The trip to Pembrokeshire was lovely and needed after our loss. We are planning to go back and look at some of the places that we missed out this time.

Morts

 

Cyclades - played

We managed a get together at Steedo’s to play Cyclades - a game set in the myths of Greece as you try and create 3 (mega) metropolises to win (I assume this means dominance over the Greek islands). 

To build a metropolis you need to have built 4 other settlements - Fort, Temple, Port and University. There are other ways of getting metropolis - using Heroes attributes and exchanging 4 philosophers …

The game sets up in a similar way to Catan with troop and ship placement - gaining either priestesses or food. You establish the order and actions by bidding on which God you want - each god gives a different building and soldier/ship/priestess/philosopher/mercenary and the opportunity to buy more or a hero or monster (which could be a play once or a placement on the board (which may need upkeep by sacrificing a priestess).

We played with 5 - Steedo (Red), DK (Yellow), Sylon (Purple), BUR (Green) and myself (Blue). The placement caused a tad of frustration for me as DK took two priestesses meaning that none were available for me. So we ended up closely placed on the islands.

Early game I pick up a monster which allowed me to collect extra food and Jason as a hero. There was much building. DK built some ports - which was very nice of him as I was able to use Jason’s hero power (using opponents ships as if they were mine) - so a quick invasion gave me two ports and blocked DK’s ships. 

The game continued on with other players picking up metropolises - much of the game is a look over there while you do something else somewhere else. DK was struggling to get back into the game … BUR had attacked Sylon and I had stolen one of Steedo’s settlements to get a second metropolis. 

In the final turn I picked Poseidon (who allows to build ships), so I would be able to use Jason’s other hero skill - burn the hero if all of your ships are in play for a metropolis - which is what I did for the win. Apparently Steedo and Sylon had spotted another way I could have gone for the win using Jason’s power to travel to BUR island and steal a university …

So Cyclades was a fun game - I don’t think we scratched the surface of the game play. Certainly the bidding was incredibly civilised - we should have been more challenging to each other. Heroes and monsters was something we didn’t use very much - these can be very powerful. I’m not sure that I will get a win - the others will have leant. 

Morts

A sad week

I have been planning to post for a week or two but I just didn’t get around to it. 

Work has been busy with a project - which is now over. I was acting up over the course of the project. A job came up recently, which I applied for but didn’t get. Although that is not what is sad. 

Unfortunately, after nearly 15 years our family dog Molly had to go on her final journey. 

She will be missed by all of us, as she was a joyful character who was always pleased to see you.

So a tough week.

Morts

Been a bit slack with posting - some more Ork Marauders

The leader figures for the Ork marauders.

Colonel Claw - leader 

Big Axe lad - 2nd in command.

Overall happy with these two - just a couple of grots (goblins) and the mech suits to do now. Then base them all up. 

Been very busy over the last couple of weeks - work, gardening… rugby and now the World Cup…

Morts