Colonial Twilight - some solo COIN action

As Ulster summer seems to be over already and raining again here today, I had an enforced break from reading wargame rules in garden (and associated chores) whilst basking, so decided to have a quick solo session with a COIN game and selected Colonial Twilight (it being a favourite).

Played the Full scenario and as usual a cracking game (even solo) was had with things being very close throughout.

FLN had early advantage but on 3rd Propaganda card the French were a mere 2 VPs from an auto win.

The FLN surged again and looked to be well on way to victory but some judicious (and lucky) French card play and actions saw them reel the insurgents back in line and the game ended on last Propaganda card with both sides 6 shy of their winning margin so a draw !

Great game.

End of 3rd Propaganda card and French just 2 from a win

End of game and a rare drawn result

A 'lonely' day with COIN - Fire In The Lake and Colonial Twilight (solo)

Managed to get a couple of board wargames in today with that favourite system of mine COIN, I do so love the depth of play and decision making even when playing solo (I don't use the included bot systems as find them way too time consuming).

First up was Fire In The Lake playing the Full Scenario and this one concluded after 3rd Coup card with a VC win. 

The very first card drawn was a Coup and this saw US and VC get a big boost with their Pacify and Agitate actions. 

VC were able to increase their victory level steadily and a nice run of cards just prior to 3rd Coup left them in an unassailable position as I could not get any other faction to effect their progress in time.

NVA had just built up a huge Regular Force by that stage (35 of 40 available troop cubes) but never got to use this amassed power !

Then it was Colonial Twilight and trying the Medium Scenario (I usually play the Full scenario) which I think is a tougher task for the FLN as French well established on the board compared to Full scenario.

And so it proved as French garnered support faster than FLN could gain opposition and despite some losses to French troops they prevailed being 1 past their victory level with FLN only a couple shy of theirs.

A bit more solo board wargaming

Whilst treading water (O Group game scheduled) and having been bitten by COIN bug again (so easy to set up and play) I had another couple of solo sessions, this time with 'A Distant Plain' and 'Colonial Twilight'

A Distant Plain (medium scenario) was a fast and furious affair with Coalition winning on 3rd Propaganda card by judicious use of Surge special activity to 'bring the boys back home' en mass.

Colonial Twilight (full scenario) still ongoing but French in ascendancy at present, which can however change very quickly, and mainly due to Propaganda card coming up immediately after FLN had played 'Suez Crisis' pivotal event card card which saw the 6 removed French troops coming back tout suite followed swiftly by a full Mobilization.

Boardgaming with offspring

Son over from England for Christmas and we managed to get a gaming session in yesterday.

Played Colonial Twilight which he stuffed me at as French and then a scenario form Combat Commander with my Yanks annihilating his Huns.

Colonial Twilight - solo

With a dearth of gaming at present (due to nasty leg injury and mate on holiday abroad) I managed to set up and play a solo game with the excellent COIN system game, Colonial Twilight.

Been a while since I had this (or any board game) on table but was able to recall bulk of rules (low complexity overall) and fairly whizz through the game.

Game ended on 4th Propaganda card with French in the ascendancy and I had forgotten just how good the COIN system is even solo.

Really must get 'the guys' to play one of these titles.

Heatwave board wargames

Managed to get a couple of board wargames in with my son Steven who is 'home' from England for 10 days (not seen him since late 2019 due to travel restrictions) and who brought a incredibly hot heatwave with him (several record temperatures recorded for N.I.).

Had planned a couple of figure games but room just too hot and sticky.

First up was the excellent COIN game 'Colonial Twilight' with Steven as Insurgent FLN and I as Government (French) playing the Full length scenario.

This proved to be a very close game, in fact a draw with us both scoring zero !

Then later a Combat Commander scenario with Steven choosing Russians (do not recall scenario title) defending in 1941 against Germans.

Another close game, but a run of Time Checks saw the game slip from Germans as time ran out before they could invest the last objective (which has large VP count)

Great to get some quality time with son after so long and with two fine games played.

Treading water..........

Not much wargaming action this month, as feel like I am treading water (actually more like treacle) awaiting lockdown restrictions to ease here in NI sufficiently to allow face to face gaming again (last game was back in early October !).

Just about managed a couple of COIN games solo play and of course ordered a couple of new  rule sets.

Fire In The Lake

Colonial Twilight

New edition due anytime soon (by end of April ?)

This one on pre-order a big battle set from Osprey

Division sized set from author of Honours of War (SYW Set)

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.

Several board wargames dabbled with..............

 Been a quiet sort of week gaming wise but did manage to get a few board wargames to table top to muck about with solo fashion.

First up was Paths of Glory a game I have neglected and trying to re-learn

Then it was No Retreat! The Russian Front 

And last but by no means least Colonial Twilight

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'.