Friday, April 29, 2011

Crimson Skies!

I just had to try out the new table top and all it's hexey goodness. And since I've always had a weakness for Crimson Skies, this week's game was an obvious choice.
"Border raids into Missouri by ISA forces have steadily increased. Coupled with the ISA providing weapons to sympathizers in St. Louis, Conferate forces felt that had to act. A daring raid on a suspected munitions factory just across the MIssissippi would send the message to the Industrial States to stay out of the CSA."
Brave Confederate pilots begin their run
CSA forces consisted of a Behemoth fighter-bomber escorted by a light Valiant, a Bandit ground attack ship and a Curtiss Warhawk (pictured above).
Intercepting them would be ISA airplanes and a mercenary pirate gang (the Flying Monkeys) consisting of 2 Brigands, a Cutlass, a Vampire and 2 Defenders.
The pilots plot their moves
The bomber had to cross the table and drop his bombs to be successful. From the start he was in trouble. The pilot of the bomber was going to have to redline the engine all the way. Half of his escort flew off to engage the pirates, leaving the lumbering giant exposed.
The behemoth took a beating starting at turn 2, and the pounding never let up. Only it's armor kept it in the air. He managed to blow an ISA Brigand out the sky with a well placed HE rocket before going down himself.
Lots of shooting this round
The fight only lasted 4 turns, but it was a brawl. I've run this same scenario before with equal forces and the bomber always gets away with it. This time I gave the interceptors more planes and it went completely the other way. Still fun, though.

Tuesday, April 26, 2011

Table Construction

Work on the gaming table continued Saturday. I dropped about $200 at Home Depot and bought some really nice wood to face the rough construction. I faced the top with 1/2" MDF so it's nice and smooth. I painted it the same color as most of my terrain and added hex "corners" so the default top has 5" hexes for Commands and Colors or an aerial combat game.
I'm adding faux "bolts" by glueing dowel caps to make the table, when painted, look like rivetted metal. I'll then give it a rusted look. Steam-punk! Steam-punk!
I've been slowly framing all the military art I've collected over the years, too. It's slowly becoming my dream game room.

Friday, April 22, 2011

Battle of Boscheberg

Franistover's Irish Guards
As every good Unkerlanter knows, the roads in Franistover are terrible. So it was no surprise when good Prince Adalbert raised taxes to help pay for said roads. It was, however, a surprise to the citizens of Boscheberg when their beloved  Schlossenslopp beer got the brunt of the taxation. The town mayor refused to pay, and in an act of near insanity appealed to Franistover's age old rival, Zlobenia for help. A fight was on.
Both forces arrived in late morning (probably because of the state of the aforementioned roads). The Zlobenian center was taking time deploy. Meanwhile, on the Zlob flanks, the cavalry took advantage of open terrain to fly foward. Zlobenia being hilly country, rarely affords a horseman such luxury as open terrain.
On the other side, Franistover forces were also taking their time. Indeed, it was early afternoon before ineffectual cannonade was exchanged. The citizens of Boscheberg lined the walls to watch.
As the Zlobenian cavalry on the right, thundered across the valley, led by the vaunted Ducal Horse Grenadiers in their shining gold breastplates, they spotted the Franistoveran horse still deploying. Now was the chance! But, the Zlobs miscalcualted, and the Franies counter-charged. The Ducal Horse were scattered
and beaten. 
The Ducal Horse Grenadiers charge to their doom.
In the center, the Zlobenian cannon was taking a toll on the Franistoveran infantry, but the Guard were still lagging. The Scots Guard has stopped for lunch, it seems.
With the afternoon wearing on, the Zlobenian cavalry on the far left finally came to grips with the Franistoveran horse. They met the same fate as their broters on the opposite end of the field.
The people of Boscheberg, mesmerized by the battle at their doorstep, had forgotten to lock their gates. The Franistoveran grenaiders occupied the streets and houses and seized the brewery. They lined the walls troops and began reigning fire down on the approaching Zlob infantry.
Night, mercifully fell, and the Zlobenians quickly fell back across the border.
Prince Adalbert enjyoed a lovely dinner in the town square, accompanied by a tall mug of Schlossenslopp and the hanging body of the mayor.

We used Might and Reason again, as it is a flawless, fun system that let us play a fairly large game in a short time. As all my miniatures are not done, a careful observer will notice the use of foamcore stand in:
It is everything I can do, not to do switch from 10mm ( doable scale for this campaign) to 28mm which is soooo pretty.
Once everybody gets a firm grip on the rules, we will continue our Unkerlant campaign started a while back. Stay tuned.