Wednesday, February 22, 2017

Challenge Update #6.1

Quick up date.  The bonus round up dates are in and the 86 points I got have bumped me up to 12th! To hit my target of 1500 I will need approximately 90 Points per week.  I've got my next bonus round Painted already (that should get me 60 points).  I have another 15mm regiment nearing completion  (32 points).  I also have my Curt Geld ready (25 points).  I also have a number of armored pike men (70 points).  That's 187 points in some stage of production I should be able to hit that 90 points a week target though it might come in a big chunk since my painting time will be limited.

Tuesday, February 21, 2017

Challenge Update #6

So this week I managed to move up two spots (some what to my surprise) of course I did move back some first since last week but based on the Monday to Monday snapshot its a net gain.  I got in two main entries this week (that have counted) and a Bonus round entry that hasn't been counted yet.  Ian pulled head of me but we are still neck and neck and Ken is well within over take range as is Clint (he didn't submit anything this week so I am expecting a point bomb from him at some point soon).  I might be able to catch Keith if he doesn't get in much painting this week.  I have Totalcon this weekend so that will limit my painting but I hope to have one entry at least.
My First Entry was two units of cavalry for the Pikeman's Lament.  The top is Galloper cavalry the second is Trotters or a I can mix and match them for two units of either.
My Second Entry is the Guards Enfant a new cavalry unit for the Grand Duchy of D'Argent.  They are painted in honor of my first child who will be born in August.  I'll do a more detailed back ground (as I have with all D'Argent units) at some point in the future.
Finally we have my bonus entry.  A pair of French 75s one of the most iconic field artillery pieces ever created.  I'm very pleased with how these came out and hope you will consider clicking through the link and casting a vote for them.

Monday, February 13, 2017

Challenge Up Date # 5

Another week another challenge update. I've moved up in the standings a little this week, it will be interesting to see if I can hold position or climb higher.  
 I placed as a runner up in the Terrain Bonus round with 17 Votes.  I netted 80 points from the bonus round.  I am not sure if the extra 30 points were for placing among the runners up or if they were for the scrach built item. Either way I will take it.
This week we have 5 civilian figures from Brigade Games.  These inclued a grand lady and her liveried servants, the town crier and a local militia man.
 I also completed my take on Frederick the Great playing the flute for his beloved dogs this is a great piece form Eureka and I am the second person to paint it this challenge. The Great Snow Lord also did this piece take a look at his interpretation. 
Finally we have three ruffian/pirated types all three are excellent pieces from Crusader Miniatures.   Please take a look at the full posting here: High Class Civilian, the Royal Flautist and Ruffians

 I fell short of my target point total for the week getting only 61 points this week.  I'm 602 Points shy of my target with about 5 weeks to go.  So I will have to hit at least 120 points from here on.  I'm not worried about this as I have 240 points(oups 120!) ready to go once their basing and flags are ready.

Wednesday, February 8, 2017

Challenge update #4

Last week I added 101 points to my total and flipflopped positions with Ian.  Ian and I have been jogging buddies in the challenge before nice to see you again Ian.  You may recall that I said I needed about 120 points a week to hit my target, as the score stands now I have fallen short by 19 points.  That said the Terrain bonus round has yet to kick in its point total and it should give me at least another 50 Points.
 I built at Wizard Tower for Frostgrave  I'm quite proud of this scratch building project and I hope you will take the time to follow the link and cast a vote in my favor. I am hopeful that I will place well and that Curt might give me a few extra points for a home made effort.
This week I had to sets of miniatures to display the Sleepy Hollow Militia, which I picked up for Dave's Dearfield Game.

I also painted more Frostgrave though I fear our relaunched campaign may have fizzled before it got started.
I've also painted up my Skeletons for use in Frostgrave or Dragon Rampant.  All in All a pretty productive week of painting you can check out all the pictures over at the challenge. Assuming a minimal point score of 50 for the terrain I need to get about 107 Points a week for the remainder of the Challenge.  There are two more bonus rounds so I think I am in good shape but I have several weekends coming up where my painting time will be limited so its a long way from a sure thing.

Tuesday, February 7, 2017

Honors of War: Meeting engament

Last Thursday Frank and met up for a game of Honors of War.  I ran the Grand Duchy of D'Argent and Frank had the Draconian Empire two Imagi-Nations.  We did a meeting where we both had two brigades arriving via one or more of the two roads we each wrote down where and when they were arriving numbering the roads 1 to 4 going clock wise around the table. The main road on the center was not eligible.  I chose to deploy in line while Frank is mostly in column.  Both sides wish to take and hold the center cross road.
My two cavalry brigades are of board leaving me with only my light cavalry who are under a dithering commander.  I also have an independent Cavalry unit the Cheveliers D'Argent.
Frank has a poor command roll for his cavalry but most of his men are stepping off nicely the New regiment Von Sheppard is leading the way with other Darconian units while their excellent artillery take the high ground.
Frank is pushing a head faster with his column but my own movement is going pretty well.
Then Franks light infantry come marching down form the flank my light cavalry try advancing against them but they are unable to catch them in column.  His light cavalry attempt to arrive by the opposite table but fail their command roll.
Franks artillery draws first blood hitting the Frotino Hussars.
Franks men push into the village.
My own cavalry arrive on road 1 (I made a conservative choice)
Franks slight troops close in and begin a fire fight with the Jagers D'Argent and Regiment l'Rock
Both sides
The Cheveliers decide the scummy light infantry of Draconia is unworthy of their steel and refuse to charge despite the presence of the Duke.
Franks Dragoons dismount to garrison the built up area.
The Darconian light cavalry arrives on my flank and my heavy guns on the hill are feeling nervus.
The Guard D'Argent turns to face the Draconian Light Cavalry as do the artillery.  Franks Dragoon unit with the light cavalry takes 3 hits from my heavy guns. The Fortino Hussars launch a charge at the Draconian light infantey..
They are driven off with high casualties
But the D'Argent cavalry is finialy coming in.
Frank launches a daring charge with his light cavalry unfortunately for him his dragoons charge a pair of ready artillery pieces and that unit disintegrates under the grape shot
His Hussars are able to charge the Guard and if they can go in will fight me at two to one odds. (note the second unit is not a flank attack with just squared them up like that for convenience) The Guardsmen of D'Argent how ever hold steady and roll a 5 for their closing fire on the first unit.  Hussars fall like wheat before the reaper...
It was a bold and daring move but it collapses before superior fire powers.
My artillery on the central road is less lucky they score only one hit and then the horsemen bead down on them
Regiment l'Rock moves left to colse the gap opened when my light cavalry broke and blasts a light infantry unit.
The Guard sees off the last of the light cavalry in savage hand to hand fighting.
Franks Cuirassiers throw back my gunners who just barely escape with their guns they then follow up and hit my light infantry unit.
Both infantry and cavalry and driven back my light infantry got 1 hit just enough to drive back the horsemen (though they took 4 hits so had to run them selves.
Frank sends in another charge against Regiment Marini to start the next turn.
On the left the Chevliers D'Argent encourages by the duke charge home and with the help of fire form Regiment l'Rock break the Draconian Light infantry formations clearing the road for the rest of D'Argents cavalry men.
In the Center Tascovics Brigade moves up to resort the center with marching fire.
l'Rock moves up to suport the flank of the Jagers.
The Chevileres D'Argent charge and rout a battered light infantry unit and then follow up charging the Grenadiers behind them.
Though unable to shoot the grenadiers give as good as they get
and both units fall back to lick their wounds.
Regiement Marini breaks for the rear but they are able to return the favor to the cavalry they face and good shooting by Regiment Tascovics see to the other cavalry unit.
At this point we had to go Frank still holds the down but I have had three units routed to his eight Frank declares me the winner but I do think that digging his men out of the village would have been a hard task.  A great game I need to Tweak both armies a little bit but that's not unusual when building from scratch.