Russian Into Battle

We've taken to playing 500 point games of Bolt Action recently in order to all be able to get games in and to really get to grips with the rules.

Due to the small game size we've been playing without army special rules as we've found that they can be unbalancing in smaller games

This week my newly finished Russians went up against Matt's partisans that double as Volkssturm when fighting Allied forces.

My Soviets:

2nd Lt & 1 man (SMGs)

12 Regulars (rifles + LMG)

8 Veterans (rifles, 2 SMGs, tough fighters)

3 Tank Hunters (rifles, panzerfaust)

Anti-Tank Rifle team

Sniper Team

45mm Anti-Tank Gun

Matt's Partisans (this might be wrong)

Officer & 1 man (SMGs)

12 Regulars (rifles)

12 inexperienced  (mix of rifles and pistols)

6 Veterans (SMGs)

MMG team

Inexperienced Captured Puma

I began with my sniper in the big hotel on the left and the tank hunters lurking around the centre of the table. I brought on my anti tank teams in the centre to threaten the road and hopefully tame the Puma. Meanwhile my veterans went up the left whilst the regulars and officer went up the right.

One element of the game I was pleased with was my use of 'kill zones'. The threat of the sniper made Matt bring all of his infantry on the right, bunching them together, whilst the Puma used it's Recce move to avoid the first shot from the AT Gun and never came out from behind the house in the centre for the rest of the game. 

Meanwhile, Matt used his MMG to control the ground between and beyond the houses in the centre. This effectively divided my force later in the game.

In the picture above the advance of Matt's regulars caused my tank hunters to retreat to the ruin by the road, but were countered by a devastating charge from my veterans, which destroyed the partisans, but left the vets hemmed in by the MMG.

Meanwhile, despite a brief exchange of fire, the right side of the table was tensely poised. My regulars were stranded in the woods, but being on ambush meant the the first of the partisans to appear would get a face full of lead. The inexperienced unit were in the larger ruined house, with the veterans and officer behind it.

To break the stalemate I advanced the AT rifle into a vulnerable position in the ruin and the inexperienced unit duly took the bait and assaulted. Despite being successful, the casualties they took (along with some earlier in the game) meant that the inexperienced unit was somewhat weakened.

Then came the exchange. Matt got the run of the order dice but was let down by his rolling to wound as the partisan officer and veterans advanced to pour fire in to the wood, and the inexperienced unit assaulted from the ruin.

However, when the dust had settled, the Russians were still standing and began to pin the partisan veterans into oblivion. Matt fired his MMG into the maelstrom, which allowed my veterans to finally cross the road and add their weight to proceedings.

By this point the battle was won, but it's worth a brief note about my tank hunters. They'd lurked, hidden, retreated, advanced and finally found themselves within striking range of their target, the Puma. The only problem was that attacking it would expose them to both the Puma and the MMG if they missed.

But they had a panzerfaust and weren't afraid to use it. The tank hunters advanced into the open, fired and...missed. The Puma's MMG spat fire at point blank range, but also missed. The tank hunters prepared to assault but then noticed the MMG in the cornfield turning in their direction. I imagine that the expressions bore a startling similarity to those of Richard Attenborough and Gordon Jackson at the end of The Great Escape...

Overall, I was pleased with how the game went and generally things went according to plan. Matt was unlucky in the exchange of fire on the right. For the first time I made extensive use of the ambush order in a game and it served me well, controlling fields of fire and making my opponent consider their moves carefully.

Playing amongst the buildings was a cagey and brutal affair and my tough veterans were fearsome. I was pleased with the durability of my big unit of regulars, and I was particularly happy with the effect that my AT gun had even though it didn't fire. However, I'm not all that sure of the effectiveness of the tank hunters.

I'm now considering whether to change my set up for next week when I'll be up against Americans or Germans.

The Quantity of Dubious Quality

I've been putting off this post for a few months. Since last year I've been working (on and off) on my Soviets for Bolt Action.

When Pete's mithering caused me to eventually relent and buy in to Bolt Action, I followed my natural instincts and looked for the cheapest option possible. I managed to pick up a box of plastic Russians, a T-34 and an Anti-Tank Gun for the princely sum of £30. Some glueing and swearing later I had three squads, an officer, a sniper and an Anti-Tank rifle team to go with the tank and gun.

I later discovered that my emphasis on rifles rather than SMGs, including LMGs, only having one AT Rifle and lacking artillery of any sort is apparently 'not optimal'. However, one of the pleasures of the Cheaphammer creed is that just like real commanders, you end up fighting with what you can get your hands on, not what the internet thinks is best.

I set out to be quick and dirty with the painting in order to get through the mass of resin, plastic and metal as quickly as possible and I painted a LMG squad, the officer, the sniper the AT rifle and the tank quite quickly. I was able to get games in using my BUF units from my VBCW force (which are made from WF plastic Russians) to make up the numbers.

Having a useable force combined with laziness and butterfly syndrome and I didn't pick up the paintbrush again until February when I got all systematic and ploughed through the rest of my infantry and the AT Gun. I'd also accidentally on purpose bought a pack of Artizan Designs Russians which added a second sniper and a few more SMGs to the force (the second sniper is allowed if you use the Battle of Kursk theatre selector).

The final step was to sort out the bases, and over this I procrastinated. However, a bout of illness kept me off work and largely immobile, and so I made use if the time and finally got them finished.

There are still a couple of things to finish off, but the army is pretty much battle ready.

First up, the command team. Obviously, there's a flag that still needs sorting, and is proving more problematic than you'd think. The chap in the trench coat currently serves as part of a sniper team, but I'm considering a little bit of a repaint and conversion to make him into a commissar.

LMG Squad 1. I've not sorted out a way of distinguishing squads on the tabletop yet, so currently I've put all the 'chargy' models in one unit...

...and all the 'waity' models in the other. LMG Squad 2.

Veteran Squad. These are really just the leftovers of what doesn't fit elsewhere. Smaller numbers, more SMGs and the Tough Fighters upgrade make them my assault unit.

Free Inexperienced Rifle Squad. I was looking for a way to add points to the army at my FLGS, but when I went in the only Soviet item they had was a blist pack of LMGs. However, my eye settled on the Copplestone Castings Back of Beyond range and the Bolshevik Partisans jumped out at me.

I'd wanted to do some partisans for a bit of variation, but I couldn't see myself ever wanting to field two inexperienced units in one force. However, I realised that these chaps (with a couple of Artizan partisans to make up the numbers) would work well as my free unit of cannon fodder, freeing up the other models I'd painted to add another 100 points to the army.

Sniper Teams. The two standing models are both due to serve double duty. The chap with the binoculars (the extra crewman from the AT gun) is currently being used as my Forward Artillery Observer (which is why the 'commissar' is in the sniper team). The standing sniper is also destined to spend some games as part of a Scout squad I've bought but not painted.

Anti-Tank Units. A 45mm Anti-Tank Gun, a PTRD Anti-Tank Rifle team, and Tank Hunter team complete with Panzerfaust and Molotov Cocktails.

The Tank Hunters were done on a whim to get more points together and because of their handy deployment rules. When I get my scouts done, these chaps might find themselves folded back into the Veteran squad.

Finally, my trusty T-34. I'm glad that this is the tank that came with my eBay purchase because it is the iconic Russian tank. It may not be the best in terms of the game, but it's the most appropriate support for a bog standard platoon somewhere in the Ukraine.

It's still in need of decals, a little bit of highlighting (maybe even weathering), and you might notice that I forgot to add the searchlight, but it's table-ready.

And so there we have it. I've just bought some Artizan SMGs and Scouts to begin the process of adding some choice to my army selection, but I have a workable 1000 point army, painted, based and (in my opinion) fairly historically appropriate for 1943.

This is the first 28mm army I've painted in quite some time. In terms if cost, it's come in at about £50, which isn't bad. I do think that there are cheaper armies out there, and I'm already tempted to do more than one of them.

Is it going to win tournaments? No, but I'm not planning on going to any. Can it match Pete's tank-happy Germans, Matt's mad-bomber Partisans or Wes' first-ever-army Americans? Well that remains to be seen...

"There'll be no escape for the Princess this time..."

Pete has recently bought the mahoosive Rebel Transport and even more mahoosiver Tantive IV for X-Wing, and as he wanted to play with them, I'd been moaning about not having played X-Wing for a while and we both had some free time, we decided to give the mini campaign that comes with the Tantive IV a go.

The first mission saw my squadron of TIE Fighters, led by 'Howlrunner', swarm the isolated blockade runner. Some very effective evasive flying from Black Squadron saw the Imperial ships weather the initial barrage from the bigger ship and then focus their fire to knock out the aft part of the Rebel ship.

Limping away from the battle, the Rebel ship put in for repairs, but was once again tracked down by Captain Jonus, Howlrunner and Black Squadron. This time however, the crippled ship was protected by three Rebel X-Wings from Red Squadron.

The Imperials lost some ships, including Howlrunner, to the Rebel fighters before Red Squadron turned to focus fire on Captain Jonus' TIE Bomber. Too few Imperial ships made it to their target and the blockade runner was able to escape.

The campaign continues...

I like the Tantive IV and, combined with the campaign scenarios, it adds a very different element to X-Wing. I'm not sure that I can justify the expense of buying one for myself, as I don't play lots of X-Wing and neither of the big ships are really suitable for standard pick up games. However, I am looking forward to completing the rest of the campaign.

Resistance is NOT futile!

Just a short post to say that I've finally won a game of Attack Wing which didn't involve my opponents softening each other up first.

Admittedly, I wasn't using Dominion ships, I was fielding my new Borg Sphere for the first time against one of Pete's new Species 8472 Bioships. Also, Pete had over-stacked his ship with a couple of inappropriate upgrades to match my points value. But a win is a win and I'm taking it.

As for the Borg, I think they've been designed for bigger games as some of their abilities are really quite scary and I'm pretty sure that my fully loaded Borg Sphere could probably give a fleet including all six of my Dominion ships a run for their money. The lateral movement  of the Sphere is also very powerful.

Giddy with victory I then played a scenario game with my Dominion ships against Wes' Klingons in which I had to protect four orbital platforms against a fleet twice the size of mine. Four turns later, the game was over. Normal service had been resumed... :(

Tanks For The Memories

I've just started to take part in a Flames of War Tank Aces campaign run at a club I've never been to before. Several of the chaps from both of my previous clubs attend, so it was a fairly famiar environment.

I'm using U.S. 4th Armored Tanks in the campaign and my initial 500 point force features six Shermans. I've named my Tank Ace after Sergeant Blast, the commander of the Army Surplus Special in the Wacky Races.

I played three games on my first night.

Game 1 saw me take on five SS Panzer IVs. I rushed forward and mobbed two isolated tanks before mopping up the rest. Some fortunate dice rolling saw me make this look smarter than it was.

In game 2, again it was against Panzer IVs, but this time it was Hungarians. I couldn't get through their armour an was soundly beaten.

In game 3 I was up against just two Fearless Veteran Panthers. My opponent castles up well, but another rush attack through terrain saw me manage to exploit their flanks, although I did lose half my tanks.

All in all, this was a fun beginning playing against new people. Most of the players are new to Flames of War, and this format will serve as a good introduction to the game. I'll be looking forward to going back to the South Yorkshire Dice Devils for some more games.

Cheap Knight Out

I've been doing a bit more painting and I've completed the last of the Batman Miniatures and Heroclix proxies I've had waiting around.

First up, Dark Knight Rises Bane. Not my favourite version of the character, but at the point that I bought him, the only alternatives were the tiny Clix model and the (in my opinion ridiculous) pumped up version from the Arkham Asylum game. Knight Models have since released an Arkham Origin version which I prefer, but you know what I'm like for spending money...

Anyway, he joins my burgeoning League of Shadows along with Talia and the Prisoners. I probably need to de-shine him with some matt varnish and I'd like to have another crack at the eyes, but here he is...

Next up, Deadshot. One of the better known of Batman's lesser villains. I have to say that this is probably my favourite of the heroclix models I'm using, and I actually prefer it to the Knight Models sculpt. A very simple, but effective, paint job.

In contrast to Deadshot, Catwoman isy least favourite Clix sculpt. I've wrestled with getting official model for some time now, as I didn't really want to use this one. However, ultimately, I'm not overly keen on the Knight Models version either, and eventually the price difference for a single model won me over. If I can get a less expensive and better alternative, I'll probably replace her.

Finally, Penguin and his gang. Initially I wasn't keen on this model either, but the painting him revealed a fairly comical little figure. I really like the expression on his face.

The thugs are fairly bog standard but combined with a couple of models I've already done, provide a solid foundation for Penguin's gang.

I'm getting close to the end of my stock of useable Heroclix figures. I've got a Two Face that I like, but without a gang, he's a bit difficult to use. I've also got minis for Spoiler, Trickster, Lady Shiva and a League Assassin that I want to use, but they're not something I'm going to rush to do.

On the shopping list are Clayface and Solomon Grundy, who are both somewhat chunky, and my favourite Batman villainess, Poison Ivy.

In the meantime, I went to Sheffield Triples and stocked up on miniatures for my Marvel project, so expect to see some of the soon.

It was a day unlike any other...

...when I began posting again!

I'm not dead! News which should be a relief to my legions of adoring fans. No, I've just been a bit wrapped up in work for the past couple of months with it being coursework deadline season. It's now exam season which is when I've done my bit cajoling, motivating and marking and it's over to my students to deliver.

This means a bit more spare time for me and I can get back to the time consuming business of blogging.

And what have I been busy with?

This!

Gotham City is born!

As you can see, I'm perhaps in need of another couple of buildings and other features (I've got some chain link fences in process as I type) short of a real cityscape but I'm really happy the board is taking shape.

As you can see, there are people on the streets. I decided to take some pictures of my Batman miniatures. Not much new here, but you can see how my different gangs are getting on.

Btw - apologies for the quality of the pictures. I'm stuck with my phone and poor lighting.

First up, the Bat-Family on a day trip to the park.

Next, Joker's Crew piling out the van at Axis Chemicals (unfortunately the white faces don't play well with the flash). Observant readers will spot that I've done two new clowns so this crew with the addition of a free agent or two is probably ready to rumble.

And now, my motley League of Shadows featuring Talia Al Ghul, Killer Croc (who may not stay with this gang) and Scarecrow (who will). Bane (the Dark Knight Returns version) is currently on the painting table, which is why Croc may not be staying. But don't worry about him, I'm sure his talent will be of use to others.

Gotham's Finest (again with glare issues). This is a complete crew although I do need to address a couple of problems. I need to sort some decals for the cruiser, I need to convert one of the SWAT assault rifles into a shotgun and the police station needs a door!

And here's a motley collection of others. The Riddler, Mr Freeze and Firefly backed  by a couple of thugs who are destined to be part of my all-Heroclix-we've-got-nothing-to-do-with-movies-or-console-games Penguin Crew, the rest of whom are on the way.

Now, after all that, the more comic-booky amongst you may be wondering why I opened with a reference to Marvel's Avengers and the proceeded to discuss DC's Batman.

The reason is that I've begun another project...

Avengers Assemble! Iron Man! Hawkeye! (in purple Dame Edna glasses...that'll be a shock to those who've only seen the movie). Speed!

Who?

Speed.

Who?

Never mind.

I bought the Iron Man and Hawkeye models from Crossover a week before Knight Models released their own Iron Man and Wolverine miniatures at the start of a Marvel line in the same scale as their Batman stuff. This small purchase has served to defend me against. Buying another range of extremely expensive miniatures (although I have bought a mahoosive Hulk).

All this means that my own Marvel project will be conducted in 28mm and so won't be compatible with the Batman miniatures. So I've decided to base them differently as well and enable me to use the cops and civilians from my Zombie project with them. I've also decided to not use any Heroclix models as part if the project (Speed is the only one) as I don't already own them and I'm enjoying hunting through different manufacturers for models to use.

An example of this approach can be found in my HYDRA agents.

The HYDRA goons are from Crossover Miniatures. The Wrecker (yes, I know he's not with HYDRA) is a lightly converted Crossover mini. Viper is actually one of the plastic female survivors from Wargames Factory. And yes, this is the worst photo of the lot.

Well, that's what I've been painting, apart from a Bolt action Soviet force which I'll post pictures of when I've finished. In terms of gaming, my losing streak in Attack Wing continues unabated, and we've been playing lots of boardgames.

That's all for now. Triples beckons at the weekend and I sense that I may get a bit spendy this year...