All Bridges Burning set up

Managed to get All Bridges Burning fully set up for hopefully playing through of the tutorial. 

As with all the COIN games components are excellent and rather eye catching (loving the wintery look)

Similarly to all games in the series there are several nuances and unique rules specific to the subject matter at hand, which being about the Finnish Civil War in 1917-18 I am not at all familiar with.

This is first COIN title I have that has an overtly non-combatant style faction (the Moderates) which is primarily Political rather than Military or Insurgent, interesting to see how they play.

Unfortunately my levels of concentration of late have been rather low (anyone else finding this ?) and will have to try this one in small chunks if I am to assimilate it to any degree. 

All Bridges Burning (how apt)

All Bridges Burning the latest COIN series finally arrived today but I confess that presently lacking any enthusiasm for this or anything gaming related.

Will hopefully get into it in due course does look good.

Colonial Twilight - solo play

Not much wargaming this week (for various reasons) but have set and begun playing the ever excellent COIN series game, Colonial Twilight with the Medium scenario.

My son is (hopefully) coming home for Christmas (to bubble) in a few weeks and keen to play this with him so getting some practice with rules and system again.

Still awaiting arrival of All Bridges Are Burning (which has been delayed from supplier)

Some more Board Wargame COINage

Managed another couple of solo COIN game outings this past week and started a PBEM game via Vassal as well.

Medium scenario game of A Distant Plain with Warlords winning narrowly (by 1 VP)

Long scenario game of Colonial Twilight with French coming out on top by 5 VP

Vassal game with Falling Sky commenced with Long scenario (very early stages)

Such a great system and fun even played solo (I have not used the included 'Bots' as yet) as so many variables and choices it keeps one fully engaged no matter the subject matter.

Colonial Twilight a solo outing

 

Had another solo session with this hugely enjoyable game.

Played the full scenario again but it ended on fourth Propaganda card with an FLN auto win by +3 VP.

Even solo I love the depth of decision making and choices each side is presented with on every card.

The sense of history is prevalent throughout despite the random nature of card event 'timeline'.

Colonial Twilight a close run thing.........

 

Played that most excellent 2-player COIN game Colonial Twilight with my Dad.

We played the full length (5 deck) scenario and it went right to the last Propaganda card (with only 5 Event cards not used).

Dad played as the French/Government and I was therefore the FLN insurgents.

As always a totally engrossing topsy turvy flow of events and actions and tough decisions.

French twice failed by just 1 Victory Point to achieve an auto win but in the end the FLN pipped them at the post by a narrow 2 VP after 'Agitating in a 2 Population area to tip balance from a drawn result.

Such an excellent game.

Fire In The Lake - solo play of short scenario

Had a quick solo play of Fire In The Lake trying out the short (3 deck) scenario for first time.
Great game even solo as so many choices and events although again I did not use the 'Bots' as too time consuming.
Scenario covers 1965-1967 with only 24 cards (+3 Coup cards) from the 1965 portion (48 cards) of deck.
NVA have a larger initial presence than in other scenarios and indeed finished a close second to the US.
VC third with ARVN in last place as I continue to struggle to play them effectively.
COIN system is very addictive.

A Distant Plain - another solo play through

Managed a game of A Distant Plain solo today with the Medium scenario.

Whizzed through to completion on 5th Propaganda card with a victory for the Coalition who scored a -1 (mainly due to a timely use of Surge to get stuff out of the country) narrowly beating the Warlords on a -2.

Both Taliban and Government some ways back.

Another fun outing with the COIN system which is enjoyable even in solo (non-Bot) mode.

I really ought to get Pendragon and Falling Skies to the table as neither more than fiddled with thus far.

Colonial Twilight solo play (or chasing off the 'Black Dog')

Managed a full solo game of Colonial Twilight yesterday and what a cathartic time it was.

I played the Medium (4 deck) scenario which I have not tried before.
Game went along at a cracking rate and I just did not notice the whole (wet and dreary) afternoon disappear.

Game was narrowly won by the French Government (score -10) over the FLN (score -14) on 4th Propaganda card with some 9 Event cards unplayed (out of 48 in scenario).

I do so enjoy the COIN system even solo

++ Here in N.Ireland our Covid-19 restrictions are be eased and from now we are allowed to gather indoors with friends (groups of up to 6 with distancing) so 'proper' live wargaming back on the menu.
Game planned for next Monday with Stephen after a hiatus with our last game being on 12th March, which seems an absolute age ago !!
Not so sure when club meetings will return ?
Also hope to get back to face to face board wargaming with my Dad, but with he and my Mum both being in more vulnerable group (over 70 but no major medical conditions) we will need to discuss and maybe delay.
But certainly looking forward to getting back to some form of normality to counteract the depressing deluge of crap ongoing at present. ++

Vassal session with the 4 Barrs and A Distant Plain

Another session with family via Vassal of A Distant Plain.
This our third go with this excellent game and the Main 5 Propaganda card scenario.
Completed 2 Propaganda rounds thus far and honours pretty even.

Vassal - A Distant Plain again

Another session with family circle and A Distant Plain.
We managed to thwart the Coalition(brother) win but at cost of Taliban (Dad) success after a wave of terror throughout the country.
Warlords (son) finished third and poor old Government (yours truly) languished in last place.

Game 2 end situation 

All enjoying this most excellent COIN game so 'signed up' for a third session which has started with an opportune card for Taliban (a free wave of Terror) and a Surge by Coalition forces.



Game 3 after 1st Card play

Vassal - A Distant Plain more family fun

Another Vassal session of A Distant Plain with Dad, Brother and Son tonight (after waiting a week for Virgin to come back on line for son).
Played through two more Propaganda cards with only 1 more to appear.
None of us really doing that well but Coalition (brother) sitting at -4 and with Surge ability has good chance of winning unless we can thwart him.
Great to get some 'live' wargaming.

Also set up Storm Over Normandy for some quick playing solo fun for VE Day

A Distant Plain - Vassal a second family outing.

Started another game of A Distant Plain on Vassal with Dad, Brother and Son.
Brother staying with Coalition (I can see he has an idea how to use them), Dad now Taliban and Son Warlords with me retaining Government.
We played the Main Scenario again and got through 2 Propaganda cards with Coalition being close to a win just before second Propaganda Card but Warlords managed to use Terror in several key locations pegging the Coalition back by loss of Support.
Good to see they are getting the gist of the game and its many strategies, twists and turns.
Good deal of 'diplomacy' in a 4 player game (as in "fer feck sake do something to stop him !!" and suchlike) and just a bit of back stabbing and double dealing.
Great system COIN, not a 'pure' wargame but nice mix of Military, Political and Economic issues backed by historical Events.
And whilst there is no substitute for me to physical play of game with its tactile feel and visual appeal, Vassal is a good system for such remote (and savable) play with family and/or friends.


Situation at end of 2nd Propaganda card