You Can Be a Winner Too...

I've won prizes in two recent blog give aways. First, a biography of Alfred the Great from Thoughts of a Depressive Diplomatist and also flocking powder from The Blog with No Name. Now there are two more give aways that I want to note: Stop by O'Leary Miniatures and have a look. Anne's blog is always worth reading. This give away is being sponsored in part by author Patrick Hatt. You can find Mr. Hatt's Amazon Writers Page at http://www.amazon.com/Pat-Hatt/e/B00AGFMYVC. I have only recently started following his blog, and you should have a look; It's Rhyme Time And for another prize drawing and worth while blog, head over to Wargamer's Odds and Ends Have a look around and see what you think. I've had my eye on In the Name of Roma scenario book, but haven't purchased it yet.

Heiderscheid; WW II AAR

We played a Command Decision-Test of Battle game on Sunday. I chose the Battle of Heiderscheid from Bob MacKenzie's excellent site,  link.

I brought out my 20mm plastic figures and vehicles; first time they've been out of their boxes this year. We had a total of seven players; Richard, Jim T, Bob, and Gus played German; Jeff, Big Mike, and I were the American commanders.

The Germans have a regiment of Volksgrenadiers and elements of the Fuhrer Grenadier Brigade are  attacking the towns of Eschdorf and Heiderscheid; the later held by two companies of the US 80th Division. The terrain is very close on this battlefield, the forest is heavy, half move for personnel and vehicles are prohibited from entering. There are multiple crest lines that block LOS as well.

Eschdorf is the closer town, Heiderscheid is further away

Task Force Hamilton is ready to attack toward Eschdorf.

Panzer Company of the FGB stages to attack Heiderscheid

Charge toward Heiderscheid; the M10 will knock out two StuG's

German Recon Company supported by a Panther platoon

Panzer Grenadiers attack the other side of Heiderscheid

Demoralized German tanks. If my infantry can reach them, they will be destroyed. Didn't happen...

Volksgrenadiers attack toward Heiderscheid

 

German armor advance to the next crest line

German advance on the other side of town. Arty will knock out the halftrack

Germans prepare to attack Task Force Hamilton

My second insane rush to contact with German armor. This one didn't work either.

It was a fun game; very interesting. I recommend it to any CD-TOB players. This one was a German victory. Our October game will be DBA.

GenCon Part 2

GenCon was great fun. 40,000 gamers all in one place; every imaginable costume and game all thrown in together. I will be back next year.

I played in a Sail Power game. Three teams, British, Dutch and Pirates. The British and the Dutch were at war and the Pirates were lurking around, looking for easy prey. As one of the Dutch player, I tried to bribe my way into the British port to conduct trade; and barely escaped with my life! A British ship arrived, I made for the open sea. The fort at the port put a fire shot into my ship and set it on fire. Of the twelve players, I finished 11th.
Still a fun game with great terrain and models. The rules handle sailing very well for a land lubber like me.

The Pirate fort

two dutch ships vs one British

The Spanish island with my ship headed to it, away from the British port

A Gypsy musician plays near Event registration

Slenderman

My son, Brady, and I played in a game of Freeblades. It's a fantasy skirmish game. A lot of fun; highly recommend this one.

We were members of the Bandit team, trying to steal loot from the wagon.

This piano sits outside one of the entrances to the Convention Center. On Thursday and Friday I sat here and listened to random people stop and play.

Lunch saturday from from this food truck. Good stuff!

Brady standing by a YuGiOh character

We played a demo game of Leviathons. This is a fun, fast moving system. At $100 for 8 miniatures, the rules, and maps, its a little more than I am willing to pay.

One last shot of one of the Bolt Action tables.

This is the way to play Space Hulk

Doesn't every wargame convention have a Cthulu balloon scupture?

GenCon report

The first day of GenCon is over; a good day. Here's a few pictures. I hope that in addition to the photos of the good looking tables that you can get an idea of the number of people here. Attendance seems up over last year; much busier everywhere. 

 I'll have more detailed posts of the games in which I've played. There is no free wireless at the convention center.

 More to come...

Ready for GenCon

Thursday morning we'll be headed for GenCon; 50 miles away! We'll drive back and forth each day. What could be better than the largest Wargame Convention in the world and sleeping in my own bed--I must be an old man.

If the wireless is good at the convention center, I'll do some quick posts from onsite.