General d'Armee 2 - another test play

Another try out of GDA2 with Stephen using my Prussians versus his French in a 'pick n mix' type game again (we have not tried converting any of our old GDB/GDA scenarios as yet) to make sure we understand and are happy with rules systems.

Again we enjoyed the overall vibe of the new version and tried out various iterations of the new Taskings and those new CinC Commands (these need careful thought and timing) for instance I had a Brigade Falter so used the 'Stand With Me! to rectify the situation at cost of 2 ADCs plus 1 of these CinC Commands so useful but costly and a one time only (no repeat of same Command). 

Stephen also tried the 'Chief of Staff' which saw him increase his ADCs from 3 to 7 for that turn, again an impactful Command if used wisely.

We think we mostly (?) have the basics of system absorbed with only a couple of queries today over supports in charges and what thwarts/impacts them.

We are very much in that 'oh shiny new rules' mode at present

++++ My iPad went on blink (too expensive to repair) a couple of days ago so ended up replacing it with newer version - an early 60th (!!!!!!!!!) birthday pressie and so messing about trying out its camera and movie functions and seeing how they interact with Blogger +++++ 

Modern Spear Head our Christmas 'club' game

Game using Modern Spear Head (which I have had unplayed since publication !) at Johns for our Christmas game.
Scenario arranged by John and Stephen both of whom supplied all the 6mm kit and terrain (with roads from me).
Game was set in 1984 with a West German Brigade defending against 3 Soviet Mechanized Brigades both sides with Artillery and Helicopter support.
Richard and I took the Germans whilst Stephen P, Darren and John commanded the Red hordes.
The dice demon umpired.
They also had a Soviet flag and furry hats much to the disgust of Richard :-)

Great game with a good set of rules (WW2 Spear Head outing now in my wee brain).
Germans set up in defence across narrow part of the table with Soviets appearing from eastern edge trying to take a town and bridge on western edge (Or to exit 3+ Bttns).
I had a Panzer Bttn equipped with Leopard IIs and a Pz Grendier Bttn in a mix of Marders and M113s with some Engineers a couple of Gepards and Luchs AC.
I had a battery of M109s in support off table.
Richard had a Pz Grenadier Bttn with a mixed Bttn with a Company of Leopard 1A3s some Jaguars and we allocated him support from M110s and a MLRS Battery and he had control of our Helicopter force (2 PAH anti-tank helos).

We were allowed 3 hidden stands and I used this to 'hide' a Coy of Leo IIs on a hill on my southern flank.
I deployed the rest of my Panzers on a central hill with my Pz Gren forward in a town to stymie the Soviets as my half of table contained the bridge/town objective.
Richard deployed in similar fashion with his Leo to rear on a wooded hill and Grenadiers in forward positions with Jaguars in support.

Both sides had a limited supply of Electronic Warfare missions and a possibility of some Aircraft if air superiority was ever achieved (did not happen in game)

As expected the Soviets arrived in a massive wave across the table led by Tanks on both flanks but in the center (Stephen P) by their Mech Infantry.

Opening exchanges saw our MLRS battery being destroyed by counter battery fire (Soviet artillery was lighter but more numerous than FRG types).
Richard deployed our Helos on turn 2 and they helped delay Soviets on his flank despite 1 being shot down by a SAM.

Shortly a flight of Hind helos appeared opposite my lot as John saw a Coy of Leo IIs advance from their hill to support the Pz Grenadiers.
Thankfully my Gepards were nearby and engaged the Hinds (in MSH the Helos have a priority target of enemy AA types) allowing unmolested progress of my Leos.

Pressure was mounting on both flanks and I performed a Tactical Break Off with my Pz Grenadiers (much to the surprise of the Soviets who it seemed expected me to launch an attack into their oncoming lines) to avoid a potentially disastrous Morale check.
This left my Leos and some Engineers to hold which they manfully did.
They were able to decimate the central Soviet thrust as BMPs were easy targets causing several Morale checks (and much confusion in Soviet ranks) which the buggers managed to pass !!
They also kept Johns force pinned in the town evacuated by the Pz Gr whilst forcing his supporting tanks to retire.
On Richard flank Darrens force was delayed greatly attacking a couple of town sector which took a few turns to grind down and capture.

Upon finish of the game we declared an honourable draw as the Soviets were well off approaching their objectives and had significant losses.
German forces were all close to Morale Check point but with only 2 Leo IIs lost they still had significant striking power especially as Soviet artillery had expended most of its ammo supply.

Great game in usual great company with might craic (I do enjoy winding opponents up) and excellent hospitality.
We went afterward to an Indian for meal and waffling session.

Think my fav part of proceedings was when the Soviets had to stand outside the room in garden whilst we were briefed by Stephen and despite their furry hats etc I could hear cries of "can we come in its freezing out here !" so much for the hardy Russian warriors..........

The 'role-players'

And what Richard thought of it all :-)

Field Of Battle 2 video at UTube

After several requests I decided to try to do a video report showing FOB2 in action in all its glory.

A solo SYW encounter Russia vs Prussia.

Not so sure I managed to achieve this lofty aim but have managed (it took an absolute age uploading) to place a 45min video up on UTube at:

https://youtu.be/VamPhGFcn-4

For future installments (which I hope to do soonish) I think I will divide into much smaller  more digestable 10-15 minute chunks.

Still need to cover Rallying, Routing, Melee among other items.

Season of Battle with Field of Battle 2 and a Seven Year War bash

Game with Stephen today using his SYW Austrians against my Prussians.
We tried out the play test version of Seasons of Battle I have along with FOB2 for the tactical battle rules (why ? because I luv's 'em and SOB designed for use with).
Using SOB with couple of minor house rules I use (relating to set up of terrain) we had a smooth process yielding an interesting battlefield with Prussians able to force Austrians to deploy a command first (Deployment Advantage) but with Austrians gaining a morale pool boost (Strength).
We also used a tentative points system (still needs minor refinement) to establish the SOB Armies which worked out quite well with Austrians have 18 units and Prussians 17 (we later changed points a tad which would reduce Prussians by 1 unit of Infantry).
I had Frederick as a D12 General with an Exceptional Deck (only available to him) whilst Austrians had a D10 General with an Average deck.
As a special rule (and under points system) the Austrians bought an extra Artillery Firepower card and the Prussians an extra Infantry Firepower card.
We both had 4 Brigades, Austrians having 3 Infantry and 1 Horse with 3 Guns (2 heavies which we will restrict to 1 max in future) whilst Prussians fielded 4 Brigades of 2 Infantry  and 2 Horse with 2 Field gun batteries in support.
As Morale pools the enhanced Austrians had 22 and Prussia 17 (more in this later however)

The actual game followed standard when playing the 'dice demon' with a seeming constant stream of rolls of 11 on a D12 against my low rolls with all dice types !
This was especially prevalent early on as Demon got a run of Artillery Firepower cards which dealt a wealth of damage to my units.
These weakened units then succumbed to charges and further shooting damage and soon I had several units destroyed and several routing with little damage caused in return.
A major cavalry battle occurred on my left which after some to and fro saw my units wiped out and the flank of my adjacent Infantry Brigade exposed.

It was however at this point that after a lot of losses I suspected that something was in error as my Morale Chip deck seemed never ending and upon checking I realised that I had 44 cards instead of 17 !!?? as I had used the SOB National Moral Points total (used as overall National Will level) in lieu of the battle total of 17.

So result as per SOB kind of screwed although it was certain Prussians would have lost decisively.
But this made the Post Battle rolls (for enhancing, degrading, pursuing or recognising units) impossible to work out correctly so we will restart campaign at later date.

Still it was as ever with FOB a fast flowing and exciting game fought to a definite conclusion.

Hopefully the game gave Stephen an insight into the SOB system and we can revisit at some point.





Initial Prussian advance

Austrian lines

Infantry face off on central hills

Austrian left moving forward

The two central Prussian Infantry Brigades supported by Mounted on flanks

Central Austrian Brigades

Nice orderly lines

Prussian horse on left disintegrating

As Infantry units suffer

Clash on Prussian right

Overview

Prussians would have been tottering on edge of defeat here had I used correct Morale Pool level

Stand off on my right as Cuirassiers faced by Grenzers in town and loaded Infantry

Prussian guns silenced

Hits accumulating

Gaps appearing in Prussian lines

Prussian right withdraws leaving guns to their fate (we don't allow guns to re-limber in this period)

Excessive Prussian losses (those on window sill would be enough to seal their fate)

Rallied Prussian Grenadiers return to fray but alas too late

As Austrians destroy Infantry Brigade (it was at this juncture I realised error)










And a couple of little vids as messing about (one in slow mo) with apps on new iPad

Zorndorf accidental short video

Was trying to do panoramic picture captures of Zorndorf game but somehow it came out as a short video !

Die Fighting II Solo bash more play (pics and video)

Played some more of game with DFII.

New Inter-phase saw French Cavalry recover and with resource boost later from Napoleon they managed to deal some hurt to their mounted opponents.

French Infantry however suffered from Prussian guns and a couple of charges by Prussian Grenadiers losing another unit of Guns and one Infantry unit.











French Legere skirmishers are no more.................

French Infantry being pushed back near town

Cuirassiers see off Prussian Dragoons

Video of action, however note I make a slight error in that the beaten Prussian Infantry should have retired in Disorder as having a Fabian Commander they cannot choose to 'buy down' these losses but must Retire 2".