Remote Game in a Galaxy Far, Far Away

As alluded to in my previous post, Peter offered an invitation to try out Squad Hammer rules with his Star Wars Legion collection.  Having an interest in seeing his figures in action and curious to see a walkthrough of the rules, I jumped at the kind offer.

Since Peter has already documented the scenario and the two battle recaps here, I only add my impressions from Game #1 via annotated screenshots and brief commentary.  For reports on both games, please visit Peter's accounts at the link above.

Peter's game layout reminds me of a cool, retro sci-fi setting.  Quite creative especially some of the sources used for the terrain pieces.  The hand painted backdrop adds another dimension to set the scene and impart this retro vibe.  Love the look of the game.

Dusthaven
photo courtesy of Grid based wargaming

In Game #1, I commanded the Rebel defenders ensconced in Dusthaven awaiting the Imperial attack I know is on the way.

With Rebel flanks guarded by one squad armed with a Z-6 Rotary Blaster positioned on the heights in the background and a Laser Cannon situated on the heights in the foreground, Luke, Hans Solo and the remaining Rebels hunker down within the town.  In the distance, Imperial troops work their way through the rocky terrain.  I mistakenly deploy my Sleeper Cell on point in the cover nearest the enemy line of advance.  With a weapon range of only one square facing enemy weapons having longer range, these fellas will likely be put into permanent sleep soon.

The Empire moves up!

Rebel Swoop bikes zoom out from behind the town firing into the AT-RT as the pair race forward. The walker takes some damage but moves toward the bikes to engage.  Imperial speeder bikes move out on the left wing as Stormtroopers advance in the center.  Concentrating their firepower onto the Rebel bikers, the bikers are gone in a flash.  As a consolation, the Z-6 Blaster takes out the already weakened AT-RT. 

Rebel Swoop bikes race forward!

Rebel bikers and Imperial AT-RT go down!

Pressing on after the elimination of the Rebel bikers, Imperial bikers swoop in on the Rebel Sleeper Cell.  Darth Vader leads the Riot Squad into the fray!  From afar, the Rebel laser cannon pours down suppressing fire to keep another squad of Stormtroopers at bay.

The Imperial attack, with Darth leading the way, makes short work of the Sleeper Cell.  Seeing the possibility of their defenses being breached, Luke swings around the building complex in an attempt to outflank the enemy.  Time for a Rebel counterattack!  

Darth Vader attacks!

The Rebel counterattack is vicious!

With Hans and Chewbacca providing deadly covering fire, a Rebel squad goes in to attack the Imperial Riot Squad.  Luke, coming around the building, cuts down the unsuspecting bikers.  Not only is the Riot squad destroyed but Darth falls as well when Luke steps in to settle a score.  The Imperials lose three units in one turn!  The loss of one more Imperial unit signals defeat for the Empire. 

Rebels counterattack and destroy three enemy units!

With one Imperial squad still under fire by the laser cannon on the hill, the Empire makes one last ditch effort to turn the tide of battle.  In goes the Dewback!  Taking out the Rebel squad was easy but Luke and the Rebel rotary blaster on the hill make short work of the Dewback.  Caught in a deadly crossfire, the Dewback falls.  With only two squads remaining, the Imperial attack is called off.  Victory to the Rebels!

Dewback caught in a deadly crossfire!

While I ended up winning Game #2 as well when sides were swapped, Peter offered up plenty of hints and tips to likely leverage the games in my favor.  Without his suggestions, I may have lost both decisively.

Thank you, Peter, for a pair of interesting and fun games.  Really good fun!  The QRS and unit stat sheets provided were clear, and the rules were uncomplicated.  I learned a lot and picked up the rules quickly.  Fast playing game and bloody.  Very bloody!  It would be fun to bring this collection to the table again to reinforce what I learned in this fine pair of contests.  Proper tactics are beginning to evolve in my mind.   

Star Wars Legion

Having painted a small collection of Star Wars Legion figures about five years ago, I struggled to dig into a set of rules to get these figures onto the gaming table.  I briefly looked at the Star Wars Legion Core rules that came with the base game.  I also considered giving Xenos Rampant a try.  Neither prompted me to jump into action.  Making a commitment to getting the collection to the table has been at a standstill for the past five years.  I simply could not bring myself to diving into a new set of rules.

All of this changed a couple of weeks ago when Peter (Grid based wargaming) offered to host a remote game using Squad Hammer Core rules and his Star Wars Legion collection in a remote game.  Peter played a solo game using these rules about a month ago (see Star Wars Game Report).  With a mentor to walk me the through the game mechanisms, how could I pass up this generous invitation?  Well, I could not especially since Peter crafted an interesting scenario to help my introduction into this yet unexplored genre!

Peter's game is on deck for Thursday. 

Another Plastic Distraction

Following my recent diversion into 1/72 soft plastics (here), I pushed another batch of plastic figures into the painting queue.

This time, I return to a fledging Star Wars Legion project meant as an occasional distraction for my nine year-old grandson.  He has a keen interest in all things Star Wars so we thought this might offer up a chance to try out some simple and small miniatures games together.  We have yet to attempt such a challenge but now, at least, I can field opposition for a couple of handfuls of Stormtroopers.

Off the painting desk today are 15 Rebel fighters broken into two groups of seven with Luke Skywalker leading the way.

Unlike the Strelet's WSS dragoons in the link above, these figures are about 40mm and molded in hard plastic.  Great figures that my grandson was excited to show-off to a friend this week.

As a reminder, figures mustering out earlier include,

It is probably time I begin looking at simple Rules of Engagement for this small collection of figures.

On the gaming table this week is my interpretation of the ECW Battle of Cropredy Bridge.  Next battle outing is scheduled for Monday.

Mustering out from the painting desk next ought to be some Sumerians.  

Come to the Dark Side

It has been a long time since any progress was shown on the Star Wars Legion front. Today I finished off the last of the Imperial Storm Troopers from the Star Wars Legion Starter Set.  Seventeen Imperial troopers completed in all.

The Rebel AT-RT (see here) completed late last year has been joined by a handful of Rebel Troopers.  The Rebel Trooper contingent will receive a pass-in-review once I complete the remaining Rebels present in the starter set.

Why the sudden resurgence in this fledgling, little project?  Well, we spent this past Saturday with our eight year-old grandson treating him to a day of hiking, shopping, and dining to celebrate his recent birthday.  One of the stops was a game store.  The store was lined ceiling to floor with Warhammer, Flames of War, and Star Wars figures.  Spotting the Star Wars figures, he made a beeline to that section and quickly picked out a couple of sets.  The new sets chosen were Clone Troopers with a separate leader.     

Today’s requested after-school activity was the assembly of the figures picked up over the weekend.  We occupied ourselves for several hours building the eight figures in the two packs.  Next week, we plan to lay down the primer on the figures before turning to painting them.  With him having never used a spray can before, it will be interesting to see how this exercise pans out.  He has mastered figure assembly.  We will see how spray painting works for us.  Soon, we will be be considering a small game.

I have finally committed to taking my first step in hosting a remote wargame.  I will be on deck for next Tuesday's session in which I hope(!) to muddle through hosting my first remote game.  On the docket is an ECW battle.  While I initially fielded about 20 units per side for the planned game, reason surfaced and I cut back each army by five units.  Each of the combatants will field a more manageable 15 units.

Below is a view of the game table, before force reductions, showing the big screen display at the end of the 12 foot table viewed during a solo testing session.

That is it for now.  Next time, a battle report but which one?

Control, Control, You Must Learn Control

Yeah, that is what I tell myself almost weekly with respect to taking on another project. This time, it is different. Really it is.  Fielding Sci-Fi rather than the usual diet of historicals?  I am surprised too. 

What I have today is the first figure off the painting desk in what is planned as a very small project.  To lead off the project is a Rebel AT-RT from the Star Wars Legion Core box.  Why the AT-RT off the painting desk first?  Well, it is cool!  I will stick to painting just this one box of figures.  Who is buying such convictions of project restraint?  Well, I am, for now.

There is method to this madness.  My young grandson has developed a strong fascination with all things Star Wars.  I figured this could be a chance for an enjoyable, collaborative effort for the two of us.  Building the figures is a task we managed together while I took on the painting.  Once we have enough figures painted, we could work on developing an easy set of rules.  Rules that are easy enough for a first grader to grasp yet offering a chance at working on rudimentary math skills, measuring (maybe a grid-based system would be better?), and perhaps critical thinking.  

While the Core box contains rules that I have not looked at closely, I want something very simple.  My thought is that some of my old, Old West gunfighter rules would work well for this genre of game.  Most have simple mechanisms, easily grasped, and having a Hollywood style of exciting narrative.  What do you think?  Any other suggestions? 

You know what?  Painting this figure was quite fun.