Trial of Eagles

Played a test game of Age of Eagles in preparation for Dave M's Play By EMail kicking off. Smallish forces of French and Prussians clash in a large area, interspersed with woods, and with plenty of room to manoeuvre. A game that saw a small force of battered Landwehr Cavalry take on fresh Polish Guard Lancers. Of course, since dice were involved, there was only ever going to be one outcome in a situation like this...

End of Empire

The campaign comes to an end as it normally does... with an all out brawl for the crown. Each player was to command his own personal 12 point retinues they meet on the fields outside of Altdorf. Who will dominate, the insurgents or the Emperor and his 'loyal' supporters?

From Furness Wargamers Fantasies

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.

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

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.
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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

Italian Armageddon

It's the last battles as the Italian Campaign reaches the end of days in 1501, and the final reckoning takes place. But first some unfinished business needed to be taken care of...

From Italian Hordes