FWC2 - Second Test

Another test run of FWC2.  I basically shuffled the terrain from the previous game around, and added some BUA.  I also made an "offboard" zone for each side, where offboard elements and reserves can be held, along with the air and artillery strike schedules and other bits and bobs.

I improved the flow of the game by using more markers, dipping into my ASL stocks.  I also added in some units that I hadn't tried in the previous game.  The unit cards work well, although next time I need to cut them out and perhaps plastify them.

The game wasn't set up to be the most exciting, as I really wanted a final test run so as to check out all the mechanisms, update the player aids, and house rule a couple of things that were bothering me.  That said, it was very tactical and confirms all the good things I said about FWC2.  One mistake I did make on this test run, was not having enough actual fighting vehicles and too much support (including infantry which are more a support role).

There are a lot of markers on the table, but I can't see how any modern combat game that wants a minimum of grit can get around that.  Sequencing the turn into clear steps is important, at least I find it to be so. The mechanisms are in any case solid and it really does feel like a sci-fi game; even more so once I get some extra-terrestrial terrain sorted out, although that will not be for a while yet.

 

I am now ready to run through a proper game, I'll try and get about 40 units per side on the table and see how that goes !  Note to self : rather than a basic encounter game, a game with objectives and a time limit would be a good idea.

Cardinal

This Cardinal - by Signum Games - will be the leader of the Vatican faction for Carnevale.  Although most of my figures come from the TT Combat "official" range, I do like to mix in a few others, and I couldn't resist this one.

As mentioned earlier on in the year, I've given up trying to take good photos, but I also wanted to show a figure now and then before I get them on the tabletop.  So the photos are what they are ! 

 

 

Future War Commander 2

I have just run through my first test of FWC2.  I decided on solo play, so I could get used to the game, make sure my unit creations worked, and that my various game aids were useful and complete. 

The battle zone is rather earth-like, since I don't have for the moment any specific extraplanetary terrain in 6mm !  Still I felt it looked quite nice. 

 

I certainly enoyed the game, although it was of course slow going to begin with.  There is a lot going on, which makes the gaming aids essential, and I managed to update them.

Even with only 20 units a side, this was a very tactical game.  Terrain density is a major influence, and it is important to clearly define terrain effects, and line of sight especially from high ground and over linear obstacles.

 

I initially feared that infantry would be relatively useless, because I had forgotten that they can lay down suppressive fire on armoured vehicles.  Whilst success is not guaranteed, AFVs do need to worry about infantry because of it.  Bit of a shame to have your heavy AFV suppressed by a potshot from a SAW !

During the first reading of the rules, I realised that there would be too much looking at unit cards if I didn't streamline a couple of things (and indeed, that unit cards would be absolutely necessary).  To start with, I made move rates standard depending on locomotion (for example, 15cm for Walkers and 20cm for Anti-Grav). After the first play through, I will need to standardise firing arcs too : the normal 180° will apply to all turreted weapons, the restricted 90° to all non-turreted weapons, and 360° to missiles.

Infantry need to be standardised too.  I already made all infantry weapon ranges 30cm (that does not apply to infantry support), and the distinction between armoured and unarmoured infantry needs to go to.  There will be a standard 5+ save for all infantry and infantry support.  Otherwise it is too finnicky.

Whilst infantry are all S1 (another thing that is going to make them useful), S and S1 should otherwise be the exception among vehicles, as once again it avoids constant checking of the unit cards.

Unit characteristics cost from -10 to +10 in the rules, but after this first play, it is obvious they need to become a percentage increase or reduction, so I will change that.

I am also going to remove EW assets and make them an abstract factor like Air Superiority.  When on-board, the only thing to do is to park them in the most inaccessible area to the enemy, since they do nothing else than contribute to the EW roll. 

Last but not least, I created a small "off-board zone" to group army specific information, such as Air Superiority (and now, EW), for Reserves, for Infantry that is currently in transports, and for OBA.

Some minor tweaks to the army lists and a little bit of work on some chits, and I will play a second game.  Extremely promising and I am looking forward to it ! 

Hillz

Now, I know that global warming has been unscientifically proven to No Longer Be a Thing, just as I know that the only reason Alexander the Great / The Mongols / Napoleon / George Michael didn't conquer the entire world is because it is flat and they went so far they nearly fell off the edge, got a real big fright and scurried home.

That said, it is a little bit hot outside, I first thought.  

Then it was pointed out to me that hot is a relative term and since the temperature is more elevated inside a boiling kettle (the science is solid), it is therefore not hot outside at all.

Wow, can't argue with that.  Amazed I didn't think of it before.

So for some strange reason not at all related to global warming, I was lacking tonight the energy to paint 28mm figures, I have run out of 6mm whilst waiting for my Baccus order, and didn't fancy starting up my 15mm projects with those two other scales pending.

I then noticed two hills trying to hide in one corner of my painting desk.  Not doing a very good job of it, because they were that unlikely bright green colour, yes, you know the one I am talking about.

Yes, that green.  My camera lens actually toned it down (a lot),

fearing I imagine for your eyesight

 

I oft bemoan my lack of decent hills, and decided it would be a brainless enough task for a less-hot-than-inside-a-boiling-kettle evening.

A couple of hours later (wow, paint dries quick at these temperatures !), hey presto.  I'd started out intending to do a bit of a slap job, and am actually rather pleased by the result.

 See you around, I mean, a-flat.

6mm Sci Fi - Another wave of vehicles

Here are another 68 vehicles from Brigade UK that I have just painted up.  I have also added 16 "shield drones", made from 15mm shields, as before !

This batch includes the first Walkers, which I am pleased about as I would like to add many more.  Ever since I first saw the AT-ST on screen as a kid, I have loved the idea of these machines. 

 

I have readied a new order to Alternative Armies, who have some great looking stuff in their Bradley and Xarxa ranges.  Before committing to it, however, I want to play a couple of games of Future War Commander 2, and get a feel for what I might (or might not) be missing in the OOBs.  I have plenty to push around, I must have around 200 vehicles by now.

Also, I have gone and ordered some 6mm stuff from Baccus, for a 1680s / 1690s project.  Just enough to ensure the painting is fun and gives good results, and see how I am going to base the fellows.