Thursday, December 13, 2012

Wargaming Wednesday

Greetings troops,

      A delayed post due to my limit being reached in the GB storage of the google blog universe !  I had to come up with other options and hopefully a solution to the madness.  Another Wednesday of Wargaming for the masses. On to the photos ...








     These photos are from a 28mm war games board at Historicon 2012.  They were home grown rules  per the host in the third picture.  I was impressed with his use of common models and toys to allow a huge feast for the gaming eyes.  I was in such a blur of photos I forgot to ask if it was a modern game or zombie fest type game.  Either way enjoy.

Keep the Paint flowing and the Dice rolling ...

Joe ... aka Mezz

Friday, November 23, 2012

Fast Forward ...

     The hospital was declared ground zero of the invasion.  Invasion was a loose term.  This invasion was not an army of soldiers or a swarm of insects.  It was "humans" attacking humans.  Not violence in the form of weapons but fear and the unknown.  The dead were spreading at an alarming rate.  People were looking towards the government for answers they did not have.  Defend in place began for most, survival was on everyone's mind.

     Who would have thought those doomsday prep people had the right idea!  Tom thought to himself as he finished boarding up the last of his first floor windows.  The walkers seemed to be everywhere these days.  The first step was to board up the house and figure out his next move.  Many people panicked and ran for the hills.  Unfortunately this hasty reaction caused more panic and congestion to all roadways.  The only thing it did seem to do was add targets of opportunity to the walkers.  Running with no plan, supplies or destination was worse than defending in place for the moment.

     Jimmy didn't know how it all happened.  He lost his partner to an attack weeks ago before the outbreak was declared official.  He was lucky enough to be cleared before the hospital was locked down.  The hospital was locked down and those unfortunate still to be inside have either been consumed, infected and dying or hiding until someone decided to move attempt rescues.  Someone ... A vague term but honest.  The government was trying to keep control.  Military bases had become strongholds.  The more secured government buildings have also done the same.  Not true regarding anything else.  The no man zones consist of anything else not military base or secured government areas.  The last emergency messages over television and radio advised stay in place.  Easier said than done.

     Jimmy was glad it was just him and his roommate Kyle.  Kyle was also a firefighter and EMT in the same department.  Kyle was on top of the roof standing watch while Jimmy finished boarding up the first floor openings.  As important as it was to board up the house, it produced noise which attracted the walkers.  Noise was one of the easiest ways to draw attention these days.  Noise for survival was a double edge sword that needed to be faced.  At least today's task was completed with no major delays or "visitors".


  • Jimmy - Firefighter
  • Abilities - Agility d6, Smarts d8, Spirit d6, Strength d6, Vigor d6
  • Skills - Guts d6, Healing d8, Knowledge d8, Fighting d6, Shooting d6, Streetwise d8
  • Pace: 6
  • Parry: 5
  • Toughness: 5
  • Major Hindrance: Code of Honor
  • Minor Hindrances: Habit (Charisma, -1) and Loyal
  • Edge: Alertness (+2 to Notice Skill or Smart notice roll)

     The house was easy to defend being on the corner of the neighborhood street.   The two level house was boarded up as tight as they could manage on the first floor. They took the stairs out and place an extension ladder as their means of accessing the 2nd floor.  The ladder was hooked up with a pulley and rope to extend and retract it for safety.  Power had not worked for some time now that chaos had consumed much of the population.  Candles and camping stoves are now king.  The defense of the house also had a roof access flap in the roof to be able to use the roof as an observation post.  Not too shabby for a bunch of firefighters.

     It got dark quick but it was Mother Nature that had a hand in that.  The ladder was raised for the night and the guys decided to settle in for the night.  It was amazing how silent the neighborhood became at night.  Dim lights from candles and flashlights appeared throughout various houses.  Some house remained dark and the occasional scream or walker moan filled the void.

     Kyle opened up a can of beef ravioli  and passed it to Jimmy.  They agreed to one can a piece for the next couple of nights till they were able to come up to some ideas or options.  Jimmy took a fork full of cold ravioli and peered through the window blinds.  Kyle moved over to him and looked put the window.  Nothing but the occasional walker and abandoned streets once active.  "What ya thinking Jimmy?" Kyle muttered.

     

Wednesday, November 21, 2012

PSC Russians

Hello Troops,

     As any good gamer knows, Bolt Action has arrived and being welcomed with open arms.  I have been fortunate to be a part of WWPD's BoltAction.net as well as being comissioned for painting for Judson's British Commonwealth (hit the table at Fall In) and now Steve's Russians. My personal army at this time is US Airborne and US Infantry as well as some FJ's.

     Steve's Russians are from PSC's 28mm line.  They clean up fast, are detailed to make painting easy and overall get two thumbs up from me.  Here is the Combat Medic I did a trial run on recently.



     I use the Flames of War paint guide for Russian uniforms.  This female medic has the Khaki uniform color, which is an alternative color for the Russians.  Keep an eye out for more WIPS of Steve's Russians.

Keep the Paint flowing and the Dice rolling.

Joe ... aka Mezz

Sunday, November 18, 2012

Some Saga WIPS

Hello troops,

     Just some WIPS for the Viking SAGA army I have started.  Dirty Jon and Steve generously donated these to my forces.  Keep an eye out for more WIPS !





Keep the Paint flowing and the Dice rolling !

Joe ... aka Mezz

Wednesday, November 7, 2012

Works in Progress

Greetings troops,

     I thought I would drop some WIPS your way ...

Battlefront US Jeeps

Battlefront US Jeeps

Gripping Beast Saga Casualties

My Saga Viking Warlord


Keep the Paint flowing and the Dice rolling !

Joe ... aka Mezz

Monday, October 29, 2012

Armored Rifles !

Greetings,

     The other night I was able to get a Flames of War game in with my buddy Steve.  It was actually my first V3 game in some time and I was excited to get my GIs on the table once again.

    
     I placed these armored mortars in the tree line to support my advancing units.  They did a decent job with the smoke support I based my movement on.  Smoke is always an option to be used and forces many players in moving units and losing ROF shots.


     This was my "right hook". Three 75mm Shermans and two 76mm Shermans were supporting my Armor Infantry platoon's advance on the right flank.  I also included the CO in a jeep to keep the boys moving.


     My engineers were deployed as far forward as I could in a field.  My second Armored Infantry platoon remained mounted and deployed in the field as well.  It was not going to be an easy assault since the stubborn Germans were dug in and had a looming ambush as well.


     The right flanks plan was to use the road for rapid movement and take advantage of the new distances in V3.  Since the tanks were in the woods, bog checks were rolled.  Of course, in good noob fashion, my 76 Shermans bogged.

Another view of the Mortar support and units deployed in the field.


     The right flank's movement was hampered by the reserve roll deployment of a stug platoon.  I moved the halftracks off the road and ordered them hull down.  This allowed my supporting tanks to move up fast and push forward.  Knowing my 75s had little to no chance of popping stugs front armor, I fired smoke and hit one target.

FORWARD !





     I decided to move my armored infantry forward with machine guns blazing.  Armored Rifles are new to me and I believe I got transport tunnel vision.  Smoke failed to deploy and things got SNAFU very quickly.


     Steve's German forces unleashed a volley of fire from Hertz' and PAK 40s.  My failed smoke barrage and failed pinning machine fire allowed carnage.  Halftracks exploded,  tossing surviving troops out.  Steve's dug in infantry poured machine gun fire into the wounded ranks and annihilated the remaining platoon. Ugh ... lesson learned the hard way.

Engineers can do nothing but watch the horror.

Hertz' gonna Hertz ! And did so ... o u c h


     I was able to lay down some smoke a little to late.  But it allowed the engineers to move out and be covered for a counter assault.  Smoke is good but this particular smoke WAS needed earlier.


     The right flank's supporting tanks were able to push the Stugs back as the 76s moved forward to show US strength.  The half-tracks got back on the road and began to move forward once again.


     This building was occupied by German Recon units and were taken out by elements of my TD's support units.  The PAKs were still commanding the junction but not enough to prevent movement on the right flank.

Engineers want some payback

     Smoke was delivered for the Engineers assault run into the stubborn German line.  This was gonna get messy for both sides. 


SMOKE removed for ease of assault movement

     The assault was brutal.  Hand to hand was exchanged by both sides and eventually the US forces were destroyed with brutal costs to the Germans.  Steve had to make a motivation test and failed.  His German infantry was too battered to hold the field.  The Hertz' platoon remained.

STUG popped 1 75 Sherman ...

Engineer assualt ...

Still pushing !

Can't stop now


All or nothing ...

Brutal ... left flank is decimated for both sides !


     My right flank got into a position to deploy the infantry for a push on one objective.     The tanks setup for shots on the PAKs as well as supporting infantry.


     The PAKs got pinned with some needed support of the Armor Mortars.  It was an aggressive push for the win.
Germans move up to possibly assault the tank support.

M10s attempted to hurt the Hertz'.  No GO for the M10s

76s burning

     My 76s Shermans couldn't hold and became victims of some great shooting by Steve.  My infantry moved forward to push for the objective.  Defensive fire prevented the push.  UGH !


More brutal hand to hand.



     The battle was a close one indeed.  It was a 4-3 win for Steve.  I appreciate the learning time and great fun Steve ! Can't wait to hit the table once again !

Be safe ... keep the paint flowing and the dice rolling.

Joe ... aka Mezz

Monday, October 15, 2012

Wargaming Wednesday Early !

Greetings troops,

     I thought I would get this post out for the week since I am a tad horrible on the "day subject" post.  Although I have dropped themed days, I figured to keep this one and share the hobby from my point of view.  We all know that the favorite thing of us gamers is to haggle over pictures.

So without further delay, I introduce to you gamers Wargaming Wednesday - Early !


     The above picture says it all.  I cannot agree with it more.  I am sure all you gamers out there can agree that our wives, girlfriends and families want us to be happy and anticipate our arrival home with gamer loot.


     This board involved some cool 28mm Victorian Steampunk armies.  Forgive me for not knowing the rule sets or figure involved.  It was a popular table indeed and never empty.  If you have any further information or know what this game detailed please comment below !


     The above beauty is soon to be part of some AARs of my buddy Steve and I.  We played some Flames of War the other evening and came down to a close game loss for me 3-4.  Brutal of a game and another awesome learning experience at the hands of the jedi master.  I am building up my armored forces into an armored rifle company.  I already have the infantry and armor units so the only thing left is the half tracks for the infantry !

     Stay tuned for the recent AAR battle I will be posting this week along with Steve.

Keep the Paint flowing and the Dice rolling !

Joe ... aka Mezz