Great War Commander played

Game with Stephen today and I introduced him to Great War Commander playing the initial 1914 scenario from base game.

We have played WW2 version a couple of times but his first time with GWC.

I took attacking Huns and he the defending Frogs in what turned out to be a very close result.

I had upper hand initially managing to capture a Secret Objective and inflict losses but then lost a couple of units and after a Sudden Death roll (turn 9) I was 2 VPs ahead but Stephens Secret Objective gave him a 3 VP swing for a 1 point French win.

Whilst GWC is of course very similar to CC:E it is different enough (in scale alone) to make it feel to be a  fresh game experience.

Game end with several Blazes burning and Huns pushing towards exit roads

The Victory Point track at end 

Commands & Colors Ancients - One scenario completed another starts

2nd Beneventum scenario completed in ongoing Vassal Punic Campaign with Mike and next scenario Castulo commenced.

2nd Beneventum was another close run contest which could easily have gone to Carthage had my Romans failed in last turn we played.

New scenario Castulo has interesting terrain set up and victory conditions (Romans lose instantly if Scipio killed but can gain Victory Banners if able to push units of enemy board edge)

No Retreat and Combat Mission

No game this week (due to dental appointment) but did manage to get in a solo session with No Retreat! The Russian Front which is always entertaining.

The low unit count and moderate complexity makes this a fun game.

Germans currently threatening around Minsk and Moscow with Russkies doing their usual scrambling to hold in initial turns.

Also an ongoing Pbem game with Combat Mission Afrika Korps with John with a Tunisia scenario 'Hells Hill' with John as Huns and me as Brits

Early stages but the Sherman pictured has just managed to take out a PzIV on turret at 800m with 3 shots.

 

Middle Earth Strategy Battle Game - Orcs vs Dwarves

Another game of MESBG at Stephens (he is very taken with game) using the usual Minas Morgul chaps versus his new Dwarf army, not sure which version.

We tried a 750pt game which is largest so far and this saw 41 Dwarves facing 56 'Baddies' (I had Witch King on a horse this time and no Troll but had 4 Spectres and mass of Orcs in 4 Warbands).

Dwarves have some nice abilities making them tough, as better strength means they win drawn duels vs my lot (happened a lot), several units get re-rolls in combats (again happened a lot) and they benefit from most terrain, they also shoot as well as Elves, only real downside is they move 1" less (short legs).

Game was a pretty brutal slog as I deployed right up to table center and being orc horde went straight for enemy, indeed we played whole game in Dwarf half of table.

Dwarf shooting took out 6 of mine before units clashed and then I lost tons quickly but began inflicting losses.

My Army reached break point first and several Orcs fled (failed morale checks) but I did manage to break the Dwarf army just before mine was auto-defeated.

Not great or many pics as involved in game

Action starts in Dwarf half of table

Commands & Colors Ancients - Dertosa completed and 2nd Benenventum commences

Completed Dertosa scenario with Mike on Vassal with my Romans gaining a rather too narrow win. 

Despite having a superior Command Card limit (6 vs 4) I had no 'special' type cards until last hand, whilst Mikes Carthaginians seemed to obtain every one  through course of game making it difficult for Rome with myriad extra moves and attacks.

End positions at Dertosa

We are now onto next scenario '2nd Battle Of Beneventum 214BC'.

Starting deployments