Wednesday 30 November 2011

Infestations


The Empire campaign continues, as the new Emperor takes office in Altdorf, a rebellion breaks out, and pesky mythical creatures start interfering.

Paul and Dave S, declares against Emperor Tony and refuses to pay taxes, Matt, declares for Tony but refuses to pay taxes, claiming that his support alone is worth more than any tax. Everyone else pays a small token amount to him.

Meanwhile the newly participating Dave M was joining as 'unknown forces' who would soon make their presence felt.

Wednesday 23 November 2011

Empire Games


Missed the first week of the new campaign due to being down south job hunting.

Arrived on the scene this week to be given a small plot of land in the north of a map that seems to be a bit familiar. Campaign is based upon the shenanigans that went on within the Holy Roman Empire but transposed to a fantasy setting.

From Furness Wargamers Fantasies

Wednesday 9 November 2011

Gladiators


Something a bit different as under Warhammer Historical Gladiator game, bought by Dave M during the Warhammer Historical half price sale.

Played the basic version, but with some made up multi-player rules to allow for the four (later six) players. A mixture of types were randomly handed out and I got to play a heavy, with large shield and slow movement.

The most disappointing part is the roll to hit being a straight dice off with skill only being a factor in a draw. Most Stat-lines for the Gladiators appear nearly identical so everything ends up as a 50%-50% chance. This mechanism is also used in Legends of the Old West, itself derived from Lord of the Rings rules, and is criticised in it for allowing excessively easy lynchings where hordes of weak characters can smack-down ruthless killers.

The Retinarii also appear to be over powered, and in one on one combat have a good chance (about 1 in 10) of ending it straight off with the disabling entanglement. In both bouts they were the last ones standing using their ability to evade from combat and ranged netting to decisive effect. Comment was also passed upon the wound modifiers for the thrown Gladius and Dart being so radically different, not that any weapons got thrown during the game unless you count the annoying nets of the Retinarii.

The rules seem to work OK for mass brawls but there is something unsatisfying about it on one on one combat where it resolves down to straight dice rolls. It does not feel to be much of gladiatorial contest. This may change if playing the more advanced rules which, judging by the crib sheet, appear to use more advanced armour rules.

Having got some pre-painted Gladiators myself after getting a couple of Ludus Gladitorius sets off EM4 Miniatures at previous Phalanx shows, I'm not sure whether to purchase these rules myself. They could be good for the chrome and historical details but the rules could do with a re-write.

Wednesday 2 November 2011

Germanic Link Up


More Great War activity as the newly arrived Austro-Hungarians (new figures of Dave M's, he has still got some heavy artillery to fix up along with some more Infantry) attempt to link up with their Germanic allies as the Russian grimly hold onto the road awaiting a special delivery.

From Furness Wargamers in Trenches