Alternative Critical Hit Table For Black Seas

 To streamline the game I eliminated shooting high because almost no one did it  anyway (since their was 20% penalty to hit without offering any significant benefit.) The one thing that Firing High did was change the critical hit table. I decided that it made sense to combine the tables and use a d10. 

I've made a few other changes to the game but I will post details on them some other time. The key change is to split Moral from Skill (which is hinted at in the crew hit section). 

Wicked Gaming: Battle of Sandy Hook

 Traveled to Wicked Gaming in Peterborough NH for a game day set up by my friend Arofan. I ran the Battle of Sandy Hook again since I had it ready to go.  Frank handled the British and  David and Bill commanded the American Navy.

HMS Shannon lead three English Frigates north against President and Congress While Africa moved against United States and Essex

HMS Aeolus faced Hornet and Argus she took two heavy blows but... 

Then crossed Hornets T and smashed here in turn.. 

One broadside took down the poor Hornet. 

Shannon and Guerrier exchange blows with President and Congress then Guerrier moved beteween the two ships hamming Congress but then the brave crew boarded the English ship starting a battle that would last almost 3 turns. Congress was eventually over overwhelmed then Shannon Crossed Presidents T and she (President) caught fire setting off a chain-reaction resulting in fires on Shannon, President, Congress and Guerrier. (Congress burned to the waterline) 

Mean while Africa and United State were hammering each other until African crossed United states T and forced it to strike. 

The English won a clear victory sinking Congress and Hornet and probably capturing President and United States. Essex and Argus would have gotten away into the Atlantic though Aeolus might have been able to dog their steps.  The most of the English ships are damages though Belvedere is unharmed and could have placed New York under blockade. 

Something completely different...

My daughter Evelyn has a question 

If you want to order please follow the link below. You can ask for direct shipping but it's fairly expensive so if you live close enough to game with me let's use delivery as an excuse.

Order cookies here: abcsmartcookies.com

Privateer Azul

My latest ship inspired by the Aubrey–Maturin novels (technically a brig as Jack would be quick to point out). The Spanish Privateer/Blockade Runner Azul. 

In the book the Azul is a brigantine but I thought she would do brig instead (as I didn't really wan to build the correct rig) 

This is probably a brighter blue than was described in the book but mine will probably be more privateer than blockage runner.

A belated Happy Thanksgiving to all my readers. 

Fort Devens Game Day Battle of Sandy Hook

 Saturday was the Fort Devens Museum Game Day I ran my Battle of Sandy Hook a speculative battle in the early War of 1812.

View of the American Squadron from the masthead of HMS Africa.

The two flag ships President and Shannon exchange fire. 

USS Argus faces off with HMS Aeolus.... 

Results in USS Argus being blasted out of(or under) the water. 

The battle is now fully joined the President catches fire after a broadside from Belvedere 

Hornet crosses  the T of Aeolus which was caught in irons after destroying the Argus. Hornet gets a key critical hit disabling Aeolus' steering. 

The next turn Hornet talkes out one of Aeolus masts. 

Essex then comes up and blasts Aeolus then boards her in the smoke the fist English ship taken out. 

USS Congress Cross the stern of HMS Africa scoring a heavy hit.

English ship tack across the wind and turn on the Americans... 

HMS Guerrier  rakes the United States

The United states narrowly avoids a collision (and fails to board)

HMS Africa sets the United States on fire. Both Fleets are mauled at this point.  Congress crosses Africa's stern for a second time forcing her to strike. 

HMS Guerrier and Congress exchange the final broadsides of the game.  Aeolus, Shannon and Africa Strike... Guerrier is probably run down by Hornet and Congress and forced to surrender. This is a clear tactical victory for the American.  Still of the US Ships only Hornet and Essex are in a position to continue their sortie and the other ships will probably get blockaded in New York Harbor if the English react quickly so the losses might work out for the English in the end. (assuming the British Government doesn't fall as a result of this disaster) 

Rohirrim and other Fantasy Figures

 These guys are left over from last years Analog Hobbies Painting challenge it took me a while to get to them since life has been busy and I didn't have any prospect of using them. The Rohirrim are nice figures from Games Workshop.  

They came out a reasonably good table top quality as far as the paint job goes.. 

Next we have a Dwarf from Reaper. 

A solid figure the close up shows a number of bare spots I will have to touch up (or not as they aren't too visible in real life).

The red cloak inspired by Balin from the Hobbit. 

He'll be handy for my Frostgrave stable for games with the kids. 

Another Reaper bones figure also intended to flesh out my Frostgrave stable and possibly some other games. 

Not my best work but I am glad to have them finished as I get ready for the next Analog Hobbies Painting Challenge. 

HMS Euryalus

 

Painting time is rare lately a but I have gotten another frigate finished HMS Euryalus a ship with a very active war as was often the case for a frigate. Including service in the Baltic, the Mediterranean, the Cannel, the battle of Trafalgar and service in North American Waters. 

He figure head is not one of Warlords better ones almost no detail... best I can tell its a woman(or possibly a man) naked except for a shell of some sort covering her(or his) intimate parts.  

The Stern by contest is one of Warlords best simple but clear details that are easy to pick out and paint. I'm thrilled with the results. 

She's a fine looking warship I decided to do her in an off with (Vallejo Silver Gray) rather than a buff or yellow to give her a slightly different look from her sisters in the Royal Navy. She may see action this weekend. 

Gunboat squadron

 

I've made no secret that I prefer Warlords plastic models to it's resin products but these are excellent.

The bases and boats work just about perfectly to represent a group of gunboats working together.

The sharp-eyed will have noticed I actually did a little rigging this time around. Not sure if it's anything close to accurate but it adds a little something.