A Tripod and Fantasy Figures Painted

Last week I tried videoing a game with my Daughter's help and equipment (tripod). It all worked quite well and you can see the results in last week's post. I thought I would try using video on one or two other occasions and I purchased a basic tripod myself. The tripod will also be useful for hosting virtual games, something I want to do having participated in a small number of virtual games myself.

A recent purchase of a tripod

This week I finally finished another unit for my Fantasy armies. These figures (Stormcast Eternals by Games Workshop) have been sitting around half painted for a couple of weeks as I was busy gaming. They are beautifully detailed models which took some time to paint.

Just off the painting desk

I also rebased some of my Ork chariots. These models were painted a decade ago and have been sitting in a storage box since.

Ork chariots emerge after a decade in a storage box to be rebased.

I think it about time I returned to the WW1 Palestine campaign for my next post.

The next painting project has started

I have opted for my next painting project to go with a Fantasy theme. I have a good few Orks and Goblins already painted, these were done many years ago to oppose my son's Wood Elves when he used to play Warhammer. Since then they have been sitting in a box and now is the time to get them on to the tabletop with an opposing army, or two.

The first fantasy unit based.

I have decided to rebase them on 3x3 inch MDF bases I have cut. This size base will suit most units and I can get between 3 to 4 of these large 28mm figures on a base.

After many years stored away the Orks and Goblins see the light of day.

A close up view of the Orks.

Grrrrrr

I also have an Age of Sigmar starter box from a few years ago to add into the mix. These will require painting. There are not many of them and I am starting to see what other units I may need to buy to increase the number of units to oppose the Orks. I quite like to look of the Mantic figures as they have the more traditional looking elves and dwarves.

Part of the Age of Sigmar starter set and how they may be based.

This should keep me occupied for the next few months.

Playing around with Swatters rules

A few weeks back I had a game of Swatters, a set of rules from Ganesha Games, which provides an enjoyable game between Tyranids and Space Marines. The rules are geared towards bugs vs. marines, but there are suggestions for using the rules in other settings. So this week I have been playing around with Orks vs Space Marines and introducing vehicles.

The area of the rules I am playing around with are combat and shooting. Here is a quick list of ideas I'm trying out...

All units get to roll 2D6 when shooting regardless of unit size. Any 3+ removes a partially armoured figure, 4+ an armoured figure, and 5+ a heavily armoured figure. Any 6 that is rolled allows the shooting unit to select the figure removed.

• Maximum shooting is range 24"
• Intensive Fire activation add 1D6.
• Minus 1D6 for cover or if attacking a vehicle.

If the unit has other weapons, then only one of them can be used.

• Support weapons add 2D6 against non-vehicles (heavy bolters, assault cannons, etc)
• Missile Launchers add 1D6 regardless of troops or vehicles
• High Power (AT) weapons add 2D6 against vehicles

Vehicles and monstrous creatures are hit on a 5+ and lose a hit point. Their size determines the number of hit points.

Reactive fire at the shooting unit is allowed after casualties are removed and a successful activation.

Combat (assaults) occur when units are within 6" and have successfully activated. Both sides roll  2D6 simultaneously and the side with the most number of casualties retires one move and the attacker moves into the vacated space. Any ties, then repeat the process.

• If the unit is armed with close combat weapons add 1D6 (unless assaulting a vehicle)
• If the unit makes a powerful attack activation add 1D6 (unless assaulting a vehicle)
• If the unit has a flamethrower add 1D6
• If the units has power weapons add 1D6

I am keeping the same unit size and rules for when a unit only has two models, but whether you have 3,4 or 5 models does not influence the D6 rolled.

Whether or not I do much more with these rule modifications I'm not sure, but I will be using the rules again for Tyranids vs Imperial Guard or Space Marines. A worth while investment for the PDF rules (about the cost of two coffees).

AWI Unit and Orks

This week I have been able to paint up some figures and decide upon the basing of my AWI armies. The figures are Peter Laing miniatures which I purchased some 30 years ago. They are finally getting painted after all this time. I'm going with 18 figure units based on 4" by 2" stands so I can use them on a 6" grid.

Peter Laing - British AWI figures

I found my old copy of "Wargamers Handbook of the American War of Independence" by Donald Featherstone, and published 1977. In a 100 or so pages it provides information on the armies, their uniforms, battle reference charts and details for re-fighting 10 battles from the war. There are some rules in the back, but I suspect I will end up creating some house rules based around Neil Thomas's Napoleonic rules from One-Hour Wargames or Introduction to Wargaming.

My current reading

This last week I've been playing a few sci-fi games and introducing out some new game mechanics like a game clock. Most of the other house rules seem to be working ok and give an enjoyable solo game.

Pre-battle orders to space marines before going planet side

Orks for Orktober

Having a bit of a break from the WW1 games with one-hour wargaming. I'm really enjoying the rules they work well for the period. After numerous modifications, tweaks and play testing, taking a break from the house rule additions will allow me to view them with a fresh when I return to them in a week or two.

WW1 game in progress using OHW Machine Age rules

So as its October, I'm having a few games using my grid based sci-fi house rules using my Orks. In my first game I had to read the rules a bit to remind myself about the last changes, and in the process spotted quite a few typo's. I'll have to update them with all my scribbles on corrections. Having played quite a few One-Hour Wargames (OHW) I will, as I play, be looking at rule areas I can simplify or streamline.

Space Marines vs. Ork Battle for "Orktober"