Pre-Hill 112 pics

 In preparation for a big Normandy 'Hill 112' game tomorrow with the guys - some pics from the game set up.

Rules will be Battlegroup Panzer Grenadier Deluxe.

These figures, fantastic terrain and vehicles from Stephen's collection; absolutely superb.

(The full game report to follow...) 

 

'O-Group' with Stephen

 With face to face gaming in vogue once more, I had a chance to be taught 'O-Group' by Dice Demon Steve.

With time in short supply, I hadn't even had a chance to read these rules, then quickly discovered, that in order to get the most from the game, you really need to understand the advantages and disadvantages of your force/nationality.  This is probably the biggest plus-point and/or innovation in the game.  These aren't simply 'traits by nationality', each force has a distinct national flavor based upon historical methodologies re. fighting battalion level battles.

So for instance, British pop smoke, US use marching fire, Germans are great equalisers and Soviets have numbers but are relatively inflexible; yes, these are simplifications of what is a very comprehensive and demanding system, but certainly it's worth some attention in terms of further gameplay. The fact that it is historically accurate, or Dave Brown has at least striven to make it so, should be reason enough to pursue this one further.

The system is orders driven, and I found my British being bogged down in the centre, whilst the artillery chewed my infantry, while my armour was exposed to long range fire  -  it's a different way of thinking for this one... though it's certainly an operational way of thinking, and to echo Stephen - 'you need a plan'. If you don;t have one, you lose focus on the battlefield, and are sure to find yourself without enough orders to rectify the situation.

Early deployment.

'pop smoke!!!'

Measuring range for the PAK40 on the hill. British artillery swamped it, but not before it had done some damage.

Bloody German ATGs - even a 50mm - ruin the allied day...

On the British right, despite early hopes, MG42s mow down repeated infantry assaults.

British armour on the left suffers horribly, for even suggesting that a flanking action might be in order...

British infantry bogged down and munched by artillery in the centre.

British armour on its last legs...

A really well honed system - which needs more attention.

'Echo Base' - first try with Imperial Assault

Face to face gaming well and truly back on now, with KF19 vaccines well in place. This was my first try with Imperial Assault at John's, and a really entertaining game. Apparently a 'pastiche' of the old Descent boardgame with Star Wars licensing...I mean 'feel'.

 

Scenario is start of an ongoing campaign, with the defence of the now (in)famous Echo Base on Hoth.

Opening scenes - a Jedi and a Mon Calamari hero try to save the day.

repulsor tank? ...wait a minute now...

 

Character sheet style - works very well

They have a cave troll!!! ...I mean a probe droid.

Weeeeooooowww

Hyroglyphic dice actually a really good design for the system

'Have you paid your imperial taxes peasant?'

That bounty hunter bloke with the bandaged head...

Ouch!

Not in this game - but the walker toys are fantastic

Nice game - more to come as the campaign proceeds; the game keeps the players and the referee (who plays the righteous Imperials) very engaged. Characters can last a long time, and get worn down with hits/fatigue/stress, but it all works well.

Of course, the Imperial forces are simply trying to bring order (and taxation) to the galaxy. I really don't see what the problem is???

(Echo Beach - from Martha & the Muffins ...well, it's nearly 'Echo Base'...)

Ahhh..the sound of 1980

When drummers wore ties,  keyboard players played with index fingers only,  and singers had short 'perm'y things for hairstyles...