Some solo COINage and ongoing Pbem (Storm Over Arnhem and Combat Mission)

Got Fire In The Lake onto table (no minis game this week) for a solo session (only way I can get a win) and hugely enjoyable it was.

I still have not gotten the wherewithal to try the actual solo systems included but just played each faction as best I can as usual.

Played the Full scenario and US had a torrid time throughout even though they trounced NVA concentrations several times as public support dwindled constantly (only Saigon seemed firmly pro USA) and finished in last place (not helped by a surge just before last Propaganda card)

NVA tried a full military build up from get go which worked to a degree (certainly occupied US army) but a preparatory Guerilla campaign in initial stages (especially in the long scenario) a better strategy but did finish above US in third.

ARVN done usual flip flopping from helping or hindering US goals and did achieve victory conditions at one point with control of swathes of country but could not hold onto gains but finished second.

So victory went to VC who started rather poorly but steadily gained the 'support' of populace and established bases throughout Vietnam and had a +1 VP level on turn of fifth Propaganda card for a narrow win.

Such a fun game even playing it in my own tiny mind space.

Had planned to re-set and play the Fall Of Saigon expansion but instead opted to try A Distant Plain again using long scenario.

Early on but Government in strongest position thus far with Taliban struggling (just like VC) and Warlords and Coalition dawdling

Do so enjoy the COIN system.

Also Storm Over Arnhem game via Vassal started in earnest with Mike with a 6pdr Troop taking out 2 Armoured Car units to start proceedings.

 

And last but not least an ongoing Pbem game of Combat Mission (boy have I gotten moneys worth from this series of games) with NJ John with a scenario set in Italy 1944 with South Africans (moi) defending a German attack

Had to take pics via phone as not able to screenshot for reasons unknown

Not a great start on first turn as an exposed Sherman done what Shermans do 

 

A blast from past - Storm Over Arnhem

Just started a new Vassal PBEM game and we are trying Storm Over Arnhem the old Avalon Hill classic with Mike as Germans.

The Vassal module is one of older types so lacking the finesse of later modules but seems functional overall.

Hopefully with the alternating Area Activation/Action system this should play well with only a couple of issues relating to Advantage Marker to address (Likely we will just ignore the re-roll aspect)

One of the more eye catching boards from AH era nicely recreated

Commands & Colors - finale

Finished (in super quick time) the last C&C scenario Cirta with Mike the final scenario in our basic game campaign.

Roman victory in short order (5 turns) with only my left flank units being used and those being enough to takeout the Numidians facing them.

And so ends a hugely enjoyable series of games using Vassal.

C&C Napoleonics (as well suited to Pbem) a real contender for next game we try but maybe something else ?

  

Commands & Colors - last scenario Cirta 203 BC

Just finished Iliturgi scenario with Mike on Vassal and Romans thoroughly thumped with Elephants stomping a unit of Legionaries and killing attached General to secure victory for Carthage.

So now its on to the last scenario of our Punic Wars campaign with Cirta 203BC 

Commands & Colors - one more down and two to go

Another C&C scenario completed with Mike via Vassal and a very narrow win for Rome at Cissa. 

The last unit loss could easily have been Romes. 

Now its onto Iliturgi 215BC the penultimate scenario of our campaign (I only have one other C3i scenario)

Great stuff with this easy to play and fun system on Vassal

The end at Cissa

A tough looking task for Romans at Iliturgi

Commands & Colors - on and on we go

Vassal PBEM scenario Agathocles Tower with Mike completed with a narrow Roman win, had my last combats not worked highly likely any Battle Back would have lost my last unit rather than Mike.

Thus onto next C3i scenario I have this one being Cissa 218BC which has rather more terrain than most

Commands & Colors: Ancients - a (very !) quick end and another new beginning

More of ongoing Pbem Vassal 'campaign' with Mike with the fun and very playable C&C Ancients

Umbria scenario completed in almost real time as Rome crushed again by Mike's Carthaginians with the 6:2 (then up to 4) card advantage really restricting Roman options.

Now we are onto a new scenario Agathocles's Tower 204BC with Scipio roaming about Africa, with Rome this time having a 2 card advantage and interestingly this is an all cavalry affair.

Commands & Colors - another finish and start

End of the Castrum Album scenario with Mike and what a absolute wipe out for my Romans who just never got going although I did kill Hasdrubal just at end. 

The 6 cards for Carthaginians vs Roman 4 proved to be a major advantage

Next up is Umbria and this one looks like another potential nightmare for Romans as well, as I start with just 2 Cards to Carthage with 6 (I do get 1 extra per turn but only up to 4 again). 

Commands & Colors - another finish and another beginning

Having completed the C&C Punic War play through with Mike on Vassal we have just completed the first of our C3i scenarios with a Roman victory at Argigentum (1st Punic War) and now started a new scenario entitled Castrum Album set in 214BC with what seems to amount to an ambush on a Roman force.

End at Agrigentum

And start up for Castrum Album

Old Year seen out at Zama (Commands & Colors)

Finished up 2025 with completion of C&C Ancients 'Zama' game with Mike via Vassal

My Romans managed a very close win after destroying Hasdrabul's Heavy Infantry escort to take last Banner (Carthaginians also only needed one more)

That was last of the scenarios included with C&C (at least the basic set I have) but I have several scenarios from C3i Magazine and so copied to Mike and we are starting 2026 with 'Agrigentum' 262BC a First Punic War encounter.

A Happy New Year to all and may your dice always roll high or low as required

Commands & Colors: Ancients - More Vassal goodness

Great Plains scenario completed against Mike with my Romans coming out victorious despite a suicidal light cavalry charge (I tried surrounding Cartho leader with a HC unit but got stuffed).

Now its on to the last of the scenario booklet games: Zama 202BC but I do have another 7 scenarios from C3i for us to try (I only own base game).

End on the Great Plains

And set up for Zama with several of those nasty Elephants to deal with

Commands & Colours: Ancients more Pbem action

Finished up Ilipa scenario with Mike from our Vassal Campaign with my Romans coming out on top in short order. 

Such a playable system that works well on Vassal in Pbem mode

Mike never really get off the mark and early loss of his Elephants (to my lights shooting) for no gain was painful.

Now onto next (penultimate) scenario entitled Great Plains 203BC

 

Commands and Colors: Ancients - An end and a beginning again

Finished Metaurus scenario this week with Mike suffering an absolute thrashing with Romans. Just never got going with lack of cards for areas I wanted and Mikes digital dice were awesome.

But now its on to Ilipa 206 BC scenario with our Vassal Campaign