I Ain't Been Shot Mum game played

Played scenario three 'Action At Galmanche' from IABSM3 today at Stephens in order to give the rules a try after our positive view of Chain Of Command.
Of course different scale with these being based around an Infantry Company rather than a single Platoon as in COC.
We stumbled greatly over the card deck at start being unsure as to which cards are in from beginning.
After playing a few turns then restarting we realised that its simply the Tea Break Card and two opposing Blinds cards.
Once we saw how Blinds interact with the Spotting rules and Tea Break Card it all came clear.
We then found the various Movement, Shooting, AFV and Shock rules easy to pick up (as essentially same/similar to COC) and the game fairly cracked along.
The rules have several ambiguous concepts (which the writers sort of expect player to 'common sense' a solution.
For example not very clear when/if the Forward Observer card appears in deck or if he has to Deploy from a Blind to take actions.
Also whilst it states tanks can fire Smoke the rules do not seem to cover it specifically (only indirect barrage style smoke is outlined) and we remain unsure if a single tank can fire smoke or how large its effect area is ?
Infantry units are fairly brittle as they can take combos of kills and shock often in large amounts.
One thing we really liked was the multiple actions units can perform each activation (degrades through casualties and shock) and how they can activate on their own card or relevant Big Man card, this made the single German PAK40 very effective in the game despite facing 4 Shermans.
The 'Ronson' rule make Sherman crews brittle with high chance they will abandon their tank.
As in most WW2 games the attacker has a tough old time against concealed and dug-in troops especially when lacking Artillery support (I got only a preliminary stonk).

On balance I liked the rules in many aspects but would probably plumb for Panzer Grenadier Deluxe or the Battlegroup series as 'go to' sets.

IABSM rules a proper try out

A day off !!!! so managed to get a game in with Stephen playing IABSM with the scenario I had set up on my table (seems to have been there for ages).
I took German defenders and re-jigged my defensive set up slightly (and mistakenly as it turned out).
Stephen took the British attackers.
Good game with a good try out of the various game mechanisms and systems.
We struggled a bit understanding some of the concepts around use of Blinds and Big Men but once we got it into our tiny brains it all flowed fine.
Neither of us having had time to fully read the rules not the most helpful situation of course !
Couple of minor rules issues need resolved such as whether units under Indirect HE fire count the Dense Target factor if applicable (ie units within 2" of each other) or whether this only applies to Direct Fire (which rules seem to imply).
Also biggest mistake was in how we made defenders deploy in relation to Blinds.
I read rules that a Platoon (of 3 x 8 man sections/squads) can only deploy on Blind and up to 2" from it which basically meant with 3 sections they had to be a maximum of 2 wide with third as 'second rank'. This was fine for deploying the attackers but a major crimp on defenders.
Using this for defense also meant a Spot revealed all three sections even those out of line of sight to rear. We now believe that as defenders in terrain are actually 'Hidden Units' rather than strictly blinds they can be deployed separately if desired (I drew positions on a map anyhow).
This would have made defense much more flexible and provided less targets for the roaming British Armour.
IABSM one of those sets that one really needs to play a few times to get to grips with but one I like  as it has that chaos factor via the card play that I enjoy.
If you don't like the possible frustrations of having a unit not activate every turn or a key card fail to turn up before turn ending 'Tea Break' card appears then not a set for you but I like this as it builds a nice 'narrative' style of play to games.

British advance

German Platoon deploys (note in depth as per Blinds size)

British Platoon caught in Mortar Barrage

IABSM a very brief attempt to play game

After a period of truly awful shifts (I have not 'endured' such since mid 90's) here in NI I managed to get a day off and to shoe in a brief (very ie about 1 hour) solo play of the IABSM scenario I have had set up.
Played a few turns getting British onto table via their 'Blinds' (very nice system this) and with a couple of ineffectual opening volleys at each other.
Pak 40 managed to miss Sherman in front of it but has given away its position !
Finding the rules quick intuitive once things get going and of course I like the card based play sequence and its inherent unpredictability.
I do see that I could do with labelling each 'Big Man' as hard to remember who is who in the heat of things.
Same probably desirable for individual Platoons.
I have used several small dice in 'frames' I got awhile back to mark Big Man values.
Hoping to get another go tomorrow and try the Direct and Indirect HE rules as well as the AFV and Close Combat rules.


British advance on the Blinds

And start to be spotted by hidden (ie also technically on Blinds) Germans

British Squadron revealed

IABSM German defence set up

Placed German defenders in defensive positions on table tonight ready to do battle at later stage
Nothing fancy simply a forward defence along wood edge with Pak 40 and Mortar Observer fairly central.
British armour cannot enter the forward wooded area (others are orchards).
Several squads dug-in and some Panzershreck teams in support.
One squad in each of the 'mdf' houses.
Brits come on top right corner (on blinds).

Now I just need to read the rules !!

And their British opponents awaiting

Table set-up for IABSM scenario

Set -up table for a test game with 'I Ain't Been Shot Mum' rules the latest version which I have had since publication last year and not yet used !! Using the 'Galamanche' Normandy scenario from within the book.
Hope to report soon on how I found the game/rules (hopefully with a live opponent but if not solo version).
I may time permitting try same set-up with ciuple of other rulesets (Fireball Forward and KG Normandy and ?)
Also its an excuse to use my newly acquired MDF buildings too :-)





Pics of table (some 'glamourized') from German defenders end, with Brits due arrive from top Cornfield area. Mix of orchards. woods, stout buildings and low hedges.

Oh dear succumbed again.................

Despite trying to curb spending on run up to Warfare show trip late November (which I just booked for three mates et moi) I have just succumbed to a pre-order of the latest edition of Too Fat Lardies "I Ain't Been Shot Mum" rules. Just simply could not resist ! In my defense I did manage to avoid purchasing the mega bundle offer which includes a Pdf copy, Card Set and Token Set in addition to the hard copy set. I do after all need something to buy at Warfare !!