Carnage and Glory AWI Play test for HAVOC

 I was very pleased to get invited to help Rich Wallace play test his game for the up coming HAVOC convention (I almost never make it to this convention as its the same weekend as my wife's birthday) He had created a scenario where Rebels (I commanded a brigade of militia)

 My command started on the picket fence and advanced into the lane to take advantage of the stone wall (or at least deny that advantage to the loyalist infantry that was rushing up at us.

I was just thinking we were in a good position when I got a bad feeling and a Hessian brigade supported by Lt. Dragoons came marching out of the woods.

The Brigade be hind me is scrambling to respond and I have all I can do dealing with the Loyalist and highlanders to my front

The British camp is awake now and is marching out and attacking our line on the left.

While the rear militia brigade was able to forestall the Hessian's nearest the woods the Lt. Dragoons and a battalion of Grenadiers did make it out on to the field.

The dragoons caught a battalion of continental rifle men in column and quickly scattered them coming up in the rear of my right flank unit.

It wasn't all bad news as my militia men are fighting like heroes trading volleys with redcoats are short range and even seding the highlanders packing.

But then the sustained fire fight becomes too much for my left side battalion and it fall back.

The British Press us on the right as well and they charge the artillery pieces in the center as well.

We now have big hole in the center of our line.

and my right most battalion is struck form behind by the 16th Lt. Dragoons and is quickly scattered.

We manage to establish a ragged line of defense.

The continentals on the left make a brave effort to stem the tide but it fall short as the militia units on the right have been battered too badly with 4 units and one battery routed from the field our our army moral breaks.  We had some 40% of our army put out of action adjusted to 25% by the second day when those scatted by the cavalry charges return to their units.  It was a fun scenario and think Rich has learned what he needed to balance the scenario better for the Convention.

A Quick trip to HAVOC and a small side project

Well I have been a bit quiet, taking a break after the challenge and planning stuff for my Fiance's Birthday.  We did a little get away over the weekend but before we left I was able to get to HAVOC a gaming convention run by Battle Group Boston.  Ariana had plans to see a movie with some girlfriends Friday night so I went down to do some convention bargain hunting. Here are a few choice shots or you can check out the album on Facebook

 An 1812 frontier fort made of tooth picks, must have taken a long time and it looks great.

 Dave Susco of Warmonger Miniatures you may remember I got some nice 10mm pike men from him.

 Jerry Lane running some cool raiding action using flames of war.

Allied troops prepare to storm the Turks position on the heights above the Hellas. in a game run by Dave Soucy.

 Finally I did get some bargains a whole fleet for the Grand Duchy of D'Argent 4 ships of the line, 3 Frigates, and large merchant.  The are 1/2400 scale figure head ships and I got them for $2.00 each not bad.

The side project done as a bit of a break from painting after the challenge.  I did some pods a while back and they didn't go over well with every one.  I tried a difference approach this time, I may have done to much flock, but if so well it will work as a swamp too I suppose.   Let me know what you think.

Havoc 2013

I made my way to Havoc this year as a visitor (next year I will try and get in on some games).  By prior arrangement I met up with Jon, Adrian and Cortland to start organizing out Maurice campaign. Cortland and I will form one alliance as we are at some distance from each other and Jon and Adrian the other. We have a "pick up game" planned for next Sunday so we can get more familiar with the rules and try out armies.

 Checking out the vendors I saw there very nice 40mm AWI sets not some thing I would pick up for gaming but perhaps to paint as gifts for reneactor friend.

 The same fellow also had a nice Medival line shown here set for a game using "Day of Battle" You can get the game and the figures at www.dayofbattle.com

 A very impressive Siege of Sevastopol game (look at those Turrets!) not sure what rules were being used here but the board was very impressive.

 A game set in the Age of Discovery, not sure what exactly is going on here but it looked like a good skirmish level game.

 These beauties are from Silver Eagle Wargame Supplies.  A painted skirmish army for under $100 how cool is that!  I had to use and extream act of will to keep form plunking down the cash!

 Ancient Celts in far more detail then I would ever attemtp.

 Pirates looking very realistic, loved the shading affect this guy pulled off. Again it was an act of will not buying these.

 Union troops lined up and waiting for their players.

 Boston's Trained Band had a Bolt action game going set in Ethiopia one of the forgotten theaters of the Second World War

 Old Friend Mike Paine has his pulp era gaming going well.

 More Civil War battles

Attack on the Death Star a very simple but effective table for X-Wing looked like very friendly game  Would have loved to bring out my fighters and join the furball!

 Fields of glory long lines of Ancient troops doing battle.

A personal favorite, the Toy Soldiers v. Rats from the Nutcracker a very clever take on a literary classic turned war game. 

It was great to drop in an see folks especially to run into Bergi who has been MIA with some health issues and was looking great it did my heart good to see him looking so well. Also a quick shout out to Rich, Lincoln, and John M. I twas good to see you folks again, to the new folks I met welcome sorry if it takes me a few meetings to get your names straight.