Star Trek - Attack Wing. Battle Report

After Maurice Steedo and I squeezed in a quickish game of Star Trek Attack Wing.

Obviously based on the X-wing game engine, picked this up to play with my brother last year when he was visiting and it has only had a few plays.

I have done this on the cheep with a number of the ships old micro-machines and a few spares from DK's Fleet Captains - this means I have had to make up the dials - boardgame geek is excellent for this and trawling the net for images of cards. 

Steedo and I picked 100 points of Federation and Romulan ships and upgrades. Steedo had a Nebula,  Excelisor and the Enterprise D with Ben Sisko at the helm. I had the Valdore and Khazara  captained by Donatra and the Romulan commander TOS respectively - and plenty of upgrades. 

We set up with a the ships in each corner heading towards the planet roughly in the centre of the table.

An early pass by a warbird and Nebula class. 

Early manuveuring around the planet. 

An nice look at an Excelisor class. 

It starts to go wrong for the federation! Excelisor class destroyed by the Valdore!

Then it is the turn of the Nebula class! Look at all those hits on the attack dice!

Finally the Enterprise D is taken out by the Warbird Khazara

A cracking little game - the choice of powering up the Romulans worked well as opposed to the more ships but worse crew approach of the Federation. The additional weapons array was very useful, allowing the Valdore to throw 8 dice in attack (more if in short range). 

Steedo reckoned the cloaking really helped the Romulans, as it should - I also need to check on the photon torpedo rules. The manuveurability of the Romulan ships was also a key factor in there victory.

Nice to draw the evening one each to Morts and Steedo.

Probably won't be much on the blog for a bit as there has been a flurry of activity this week ... Back to work on Monday!

(Will work on the photo editing stuff - promise). 

GNW Maurice - Gross-Jägersdorf 1707 Battle Report

Steedo came over and chose to be the forces of the Kingdom of Sweden. Leave me the forces of mother Russia. 

Below a birds-eye view of the battlefield - initial depositions. The only change to was the relocation of the elites within there brigades.

The Swedes advance. The Russians bombard - well try to.

The Swedes charge in and the Russians counter charge!

The Swedes lose some elite cavalry (a bit of a shock that one). 

The Swedes go in again! This time two of the Russian dragoon regiments are broken for another Swedish unit. 

But the Russian cavalry has effectively been swept away. So the Russians bombard again (below).

 Then the Swedes charge the guns!

This was devastating - the Russian artillery wiped out - army morale dropping!

The Swedish cavalry then retreated as they couldn't break the infantry in front of them. 

From what I have read the battle was following the historical one - the Russian cavalry pushed a sided by the Prussians who then have to drop back in the face of the infantry. 

Below the Swedish cavalry try and fail to break the last Russian cavalry on the field (apart from the Cossacks - who just stayed around the camp!). Current unit losses are Swedes 3 Cavalry (including 2 elites) and Russians 2 Cavalry (1 elite) and 2 Artillery.

The Swedish Infantry working their way through the woods.

The infantry attack begins!

Exchange of volleys! Well actually Steedo played firefight twice to stop the Russians disrupting the attack. 

Elites, good rolling - helped by "a la Baionnette!" and the Russian line is struggling!

And it is all over the Russian morale collaspes! Frustratingly for the forces of the Tsar there were 4 battalions unengaged on the right - but unable to get into action. Well played Steedo who though it was all over at the start with the Swedish cavalry taking a beating.

I really enjoy Maurice - I find the game tactical and enjoyable. I couple of things we noticed in this one were elite infantry are game changers - I was unable to get the Russian elites from the far right flank to support the trained on the left where the Swedish elites punched through.

The pike rules worked well and reflected the Swedish "ga-pa" doctrine of the times - the -1 to hit on volleys coupled with the the 5+ needed to disrupt the elites won it for the Swedes and Steedo.

We also find that artillery is very week in Maurice and in the games we have played generally a target for knocking those army morale points down!

Overall a good game, which sort of reflected my perceptions of the Great Northern War well - small Swedish army taking out a larger Russian one - well up to 1708/9.

GNW Maurice - Gross-Jägersdorf 1707?

Another game of Maurice as the team can't get together for Linden Way.

This time it is Gross-Jägersdorf about 50 years early. The Swedes being subbed in for the Prussians, the Russians being the Russians- duh.

This scenario is shamelessly nicked from:

http://www.edinburghwargames.com/syw.htm

It is a word document at the bottom of the page - thanks for sharing. Please read up the general dispositions and run up to the battle from there - saves duplicating it. I have kept the brigade commanders names to help with deployment but no other reason.

I do have another version of  Gross-Jägersdorf from an old 18th Century Notes and Queries which includes the battle on the Russians left flank - I plan to do that when I have a few more Saxons painted up (Needs about 22 battalions on the Russian side!).

The following changes were made to make it in "period" -

1. The Swedes have tried to catch the Russians unprepared for battle (sound familiar?). 

2. The Swedes have 4 Cavalry units rather that 3 in the scenario - looking at the unit sizes it seemed right).

3. The Russians have a unit of Cossacks in addition to the forces in the scenario.

4. Objectives:

Swedes (Prussians): To break both Russian infantry brigades and drive them from the field. This would plunge the rest of the Russian army into confusion and force it to retreat. There is also a Swedish objective in the Russian camp.

Russians: To drive off the Swedes (Prussians), while inflicting heavier casualties on them than they inflict in return. There is also a Russian objective in the village of Metschullen.

5. Forces as follows with points and National Characterists;

Swedes (Prussians)- 70 points and 18 points National Advantages (Cavaliers and a la Baionnette). Army Morale 10

Schorlemer -

2 Units of Elite Horse

2 Units of Line Dragoons

This differs from the Edinburgh set up with an extra unit of Dragoons - but it seemed right.

Dohna -

2 Units of Elite Infantry

4 Units of Line Infantry

Russians - 86 points. Army Morale 15

Gaugreben - 

1 Unit of Elite Dragoons

2 Units of Line Dragoons

Leontev -

2 Units of Elite Infantry

2 Units of Line Infantry

2 Units of Conscript Infantry

2 Artillery Batteries

Manteuffel -

4 Units of  Line Infantry

1 Unit of Irregular Cavalry (Extra Cossacks) 

The Map

DEPLOYMENT

Swedes (Prussians): the infantry brigade is deployed to the right (east) of Metschullen village, on the southern table edge. The cavalry brigade is deployed on the left of the village, on a north-west to south-east axis, facing towards the Russians to the north-east.

Russians: Manteuffel’s brigade is deployed along the northern table edge facing the Nordkitten Woods. The rest of the army is deployed on a north-west to south-east axis, facing the Swedish (Prussian) cavalry to the south-west. Tyutchev’s gun battery may be placed anywhere within Leontev’s deployment box – historically it protected the Russian brigade’s left flank. 

Off to battle - must remember the rules for pikes (or ignore them again!)

Battle Report to follow!

Morts

Linden Way musters!

First up the militia - 9 Spearmen, 11 with swords and 5 archers. Out front is Mayor Leofwine!

As already stated some of this lot are off to be a Lion Rampant retinue, while the Viking element will be off to join Saga warbands - just some touching up on getting a "uniform" styling on shields so that groups can easily be identified on the table (battlefield if you like). 

The mayor will become the Viking warlord - with the funky helmet! Don't care if it isn't historical. 

The people of Linden Way!

Back row from L to R: the Baker, the Busker, the Inn Keeper, the Inn Keeper's father, the Inn Keeper's daughter and the serving wench. 

Front row for L to R: the Storekeeper, the Storekeeper's wife, the Stable owner and the stable boy. 

Most of these are by Irregular Miniatures- not brilliant sculpts but fine for the job of civilians in game scenarios. Most are Greek/Roman/Celt - I do have some more civilians by Warlord to paint .. Sometime!

Been quiet for a while .....

Well it hasn't been quiet actually, hence not posting on the blog. Not that many read it. It is mainly written for my own egotistical benefit. As I am sure most blogs are.

There should be much to comment on such as the general election result - but I will save my ramblings to the pub it is easier to verbally spout my opinion rather than write it. 

Above my first attempt an making flags using Publisher - not bad will probably use the rest up on the rest of the "men of Anflas" Lion Rampant retinue/Warhammer warband. What to get this little dude painted ASAP.

I have put my pre-order in for Dragon Rampant on the mighty Amazon and I picked up a copy of the May Wargames Illustrated for the Dark Age rules. 

Next up will be a couple of Saga warbands - probably only 4 pointers ( some of the troops will be part of OGAM warbands). Trying to get the duplication to work in my favour. 

Should be having a game with Steedo on Friday - haven't decided what yet, but it does mean the blog will be updated fairly quickly.

Will try a Linden Way muster soon.  Unfortunately I don't think it will be getting to the table until the 3rd week in June due to the upcoming Village beer festival!

Been a busy week

Well no painting done .... Work has gone in the way, as has wild camping on the moor last weekend. Really enjoyed the 40km hike carrying all my kit! Shoulders ached but the pint at the Tors in Belstone was worth it.

On the back of the expedition I have purchased a new tent - will be giving it an overnight test on Friday 8th.

Been to the cinema and seen Avengers - Age of Ultron. What did I think?

It was ok - some of the CGI was obviously CGI - the attack on the Hydra base at the start and the bike chase in Seoul. I think special effects are good when you can't see them.

For me the film lack something - I just didn't really care enough about the characters - which baring in mind I liked the Thor and Captain America films was frustrating - ultimately it failed the achy backside test (for me a key factor in deciding if a film is good or bad). Perhaps it was too formulaic... Heroes fall out etc etc .... Too many characters too care about? Witch girl looks interesting - not sure about Paul Betany's character. 3 out of 5 seems fair - probably need to review how I score films, as this is the same as couple I watched when I was sick.

Legionary 2015

Saturday was the Legionary wargames show in Exeter - probably the only show I will get to this year. It is the first time in 5 years that I have been able to go (as the girls didn't do the Exmoor Challenge). 

I am not keen on the Matford Centre - the smell of dung from the livestock centre next door and the roof was leaking. The place lacks any atmosphere to be honest - I hope the Exmouth Club get a discount!

I was on a tight time table to look around and chat to people (and collect daughter) - took a little shopping list and got some of the items on it - but not all - and a couple of traders didn't turn up.

So still on the look out for some Viking berserkers (SAGA) and Samnite warriors (DBA allies). Rob Broom of Scrab Miniatures tried to sell me War and Conquest - but I want to get DBA 3 to the table and see how that plays - perhaps after Orc's Drift. A special shout out to Forlorn Hope games who opened up blister pack so I could get what I wanted - top customer service!

Some lovely games on show and most people were chatty - a couple of Bosworths and Bolt Action games. Nice to see Star Wars Armada in play.

Unfortunately for me the show was a little flat - possibly the fact it follows a week after Salute means that it can be tough to gamers and sellers to be up for a little show in the South West .... 

I really hope that the lads who organise Legionary keep going with it - hopefully at a new venue!

Breaking news - well possibly not but the sequel to Hawk the Slayer is on its way (as posted on frothers). Will it match the original?

https://youtu.be/3ykit7uiQOk