54mm AWI Game at Texicon 6/28/2014

I put on two All the King's Men AWI game at Texicon 2014 (Grapevine, Texas) on Saturday, June 28.   Kudos to Karl and Kevin Pajak for having a great venue for the mini-con. The venue was clean, open, COOOL in the Tejas summer, family friendly and war gamer friendly.  It was predominantly a fantasy and RPG type of con with a strong board gaming element. I felt a bit out of place as a historical miniatures gamer but KBO anyway.  The spread out game area was refreshing as most game cons are elbow-to a-hole gaming areas. As I get older, I appreciate it.  The majority of the games being played were played with painted miniatures although there was a sizable tournament (Warmachine..whatever that is) that just didn't require painted figures.  That's a rant I won't go into. Just leave it at I don't play nor would I ever take to a public venue miniatures that were not painted. Personal bias. Personal rant. I won't change. I am a paint Nazi!

On to the ATKM games.  I was able to put on two games. Both games were well attended with enthusiastic players.  ATKM rules are simple to learn, fun to play but subtle. The rules don't suffer poor decisions gladly.  I was able to bring on several units of Native Americans (Woodland Indians to we older folks). Magwa was the war band chief. Ken's rules give Indians some awesome abilities.  I want to play them in a FIW style scenario ala "Last of the Mohicans".

The games were played on an 8x6 game table. I got to put out all my collection to date. That's 28 units total.  Doesn't sound like a lot? Infantry consists of 14 figures, cavalry 8 figures, Indians were painted in 16 figure units as that's how the came in the box set.  I was stoked.

The first game went to the British, the second went to the Patriots. Both games went about 1.5 hours with teaching time/rules clarifications included.    If you are considering any rules for American Revolution, like to play in a "toy soldier" style, want something simple to learn but hard to master; these rules are for you.   Here's a gallery of the games. Pictures do better than my pedantic style anyway:

British right flank-Hessian wing

"Fearsome Tarleton and his Green Dragoons"

Not so fearsome Tarleton and his Green Dragoons meet Patriot riflemen

2nd Mass. supporting the U.S. Marines

Patriot center

Two good shots are all I shall ask of the militia!

Right flank of Patriot side. Magwa's full side

The Anhalt battalion didn't sign up for THIS!

British center-Lobsterbacks!

New players-game 2

New player-game 1

Patriot commanders Game 2

General Hard Knox urges on the U.S. Marines...Semper Fi!!!

Germans advance

Knyphausen Fusiliers advance

Light Horse Harry Lee's in column...oops...where's that British arty?

Lord Fop would rather be relaxing with a bottle of Port!

Magwa's full side.  Thanks Steve Bidwell for the units!

Cowering militia

Not bad shooting for militia-can only hit with a 5-6 on a yellow dice.

British look pretty tough...pretty...but are they tough?

General Hard Knox "recommends" that Magwa move his arse and get into the battle

U.S. Marines!  Urrrraah...

Frasiers Highlanders "in trews" oust Magwa with a gift of lead

Pre-Game 1

Pre-Game 2

Pre-Game 3

Pre-Game 4

Seriously? LOL

Summer Gaming at the Rat Palace Redux in Red Oak!

Summer Gaming at the Rat Palace Redux in Red Oak! Make it a ROAD TRIP if you're from out of the DFW area!!! You're always welcome!!!

Friday: Black Powder Pike and Shotte
7:00 PM
We'll order in. Adult beverages in the cabana fridge.
Nothing needed unless you want to bring your collection to add to the fun!

Saturday Afternoon: Napoleon at War
1:00 PM
We'll order in. Adult beverages in the cabana fridge.
Bring 2K of Napoleonics. We'll choose sides once you get here. Don't have 2K? Bring whatcha' got. Loaner Austrian army available.

Sunday Afternoon: 54mm All the King's Men American Revolution
Breakfast:10:00 AM-Norm's Grill
Game: 12:00 noon
Nothing needed to bring unless you want to bring 54mm AWI units to "the ball"

RSVP as per Jeff's group if interested.
Steve Miller

Black Powder Solo Game-54mm AWI Actually Works!

I dug out my copy of Black Powder again after a several year hiatus. The game we played previously left my group and myself a little cold. After reading several posts from a group of guys in "Yankeeland", I thought another try was warranted since the rules were originally a sizable investment.  I put a small solo game together to work out some of the more clunky mechanics that made us turn up our noses at Black Powder.  Used the stats from the Freeman's Farm game.

The rules call for larger sized (in the number of  miniatures) units.  My collection has been constructed for All the King's Men by Ken Cliffe.  Figures are based individually and are magnetically attached to movement stands. I decided the following convention would be in place for my game....
Regular Line Infantry: "normal sized unit"
Grenadiers or Highlanders: "large sized unit"
Jagers, Regular Light Infantry: musket skirmishers, riflemen: "small sized unit"
Cavalry: "regular sized unit"
Artillery: Battalion Gun for the Patriots, Regular sized gun for the British
The rules call for a larger table size. My game house can handle up to a 16x6 but since this was a solo game, I wanted to be able to reach quickly and work the rules rather than work the table.

British OB:
CIC: General Lord Foppe:8

Kilroy's Bde:
1st Battalion of Foote
Light Infantry
Highlanders without Kilts
Royal Artillery

Von Miller's Germans
Jagers
Knyphausen Fusliers
Von Rall's Grenadiers

Tarleton's Tories
Tarleton's Green Dragoons (unreliable)

Patriot OB:
CIC: General "Hard" Knox:8

Granny Smith's Brigade
2nd Mass. Continentals
1st Virginia Continentals
Men of Charleston (militia-unreliable)
South Carolina State Militia (unreliable)
Knox' Left Over Artillery-(batt. gun)

Lonesome Jones' Brigade
U.S. Continental Marines
Simpson's Militia (unreliable)
Lobsterhead Militia (unreliable)
Boone's Farm Rifles (small unit)

Harry Lee's Light Horse
Volunteer Light Dragoons (militia-unreliable)


Turn 1:
British win First Turn and brigade moved both infantry brigades one turn. Artillery caused 1 hit (saved).

Patriots move smartly to deny the Germans the sunken road. Marines and militia roll one move only. Boone's Farm Rifles move to occupy the Old Irish Church (ruins)
Simpson's militia causes one casualty to Jagers and disorders them. I'm not sure how to get the Jagers un-disordered other than to leave them where they are. They continue to take fire from the militia and stay disordered. That's a question for the Yahoo Group folks.  How to unscrew a unit once it is screwed.



Turn 2:
Insignificant fire, lots of saves, British move on the crossroads, Germans and USMC move to keep the sunken road from the other. Single moves for both sides. Patriot Light Horse moves to support the weak right flank of the Patriot line.  Anhalt infantry and Knyphausen Fusiliers open up on USMC. Three hits on USMC, becomes shaken.

Turn 3:Tarleton fails the order to support the wing of the British foot. British foot advance to clear the village of Fugpee. Knyphausen Fusiliers charge USMC with three moves. USMC shoots, no closing casualties to the Hessians. Melee results in the USMC retreating 1 move to the rear. Knyphausen stays in place.  I probably played this wrong as I considered the terrain a bit of sunken road and after reading the rules and a response on the BP Yahoo Group, I probably couldn't have seen the unit as they may have been obscured.  I'll remember next time but hey, it was a charge and melee on turn 3! That was cool!

Decided to stop at that point since I worked through the basic order, move, shooting, melee and morale phases.

I like the rules pretty well. I don't care for the point of having to keep numbers of hits and saves but that's a minor mechanics issue. It's not a game breaker for me. It just seems a bit familiar (LOL)

Next up is to play Black Powder Pike and Shotte solo and then host a game. Keep checking back.

54mm French Hussars for All the King's Men

I painted a unit of 54mm French Hussars over the Christmas break.  These guys were a soft plastic boxset by Italieri. The main objection I hear from other gamers is that "54mm miniatures are so much more expensive than 28mm." I paid $20.00 for 8 figures.  You do  the math!  Here's a brief gallery of the unit. I really enjoy this regimental uniform. It is striking on the miniature war gamer's battlefield.  All pictures were taken at the Rat Palace Redux in Red Oak. The windmill was a gift from a friend of mine, Sandy Botond.  He is from the Katy, Texas area.  Perhaps you know him.  Enjoy....they were a blast to paint.  

6th Hussars

6th Hussars Pic #2

Horses available in the box set

En echelon!

Officer and Trooper

Officer #2 and second style of trooper

54mm French Artillery-All the King's Men

Just finished up a 54mm French Napoleonic Line Artillery battery set from Ken Cliffe's All the King's Men line.  The artillery sets come with 6 figures AND a Del Prado artillery model. The Del Prado model is sweetness and sold me on the set.

These figures are classic with loose arms and heads to enable the painter to semi-customize the unit.

The figures came virtually flash free with minimum mold lines to clean.  I did have to add a bit of Elmer's Glue before using a gap-filling Super Glue to clean up some gaps between the torsos and arms. That's minimal compared to some of the clean up I've had to do with other manufacturers lately (see Westphalia Rises Again post).

Anyhoo, here they are. I'm rapidly becoming a 54mm addict. It's a chore to paint smaller sized figures.  Each of these figures is a mini-project within the larger scope.  I took the photos outside in the spa room since it's a beautiful Tejas day.  The highlights turned out a little heavier than I liked in brighter lights. I painted under a fluorescent lamp. I probably should change light sources but won't for now.   Nah....I've got more to paint during the Christmas break!

Closer up shot. I need to "weather" the artillery piece.

Great figures to paint. The unit turned out quite well.
Your 54mm collection should have these artillery batteries.

My game house-The Rat Palace Redux-Gettin' It Ready For Saturday's NaW Game

I've got the Rat Palace into playing shape finally. Here's a quick set of shots of the Quatre Bra-ish table we're playing on this Saturday.  8x6. I've got another 6x4 under the table (visible) if we need to expand. I can expand the table comfortably up to 16x6 and still move around.

The stream is fordable in one place plus the bridge. Looks like it will be a "hard morning".

One of my favorite Brits oversees the British reserve entry point.  Thanks Clay Smith for the poster!!!

I've got 16' of mirrored display cabinets. I'm slowly deciding what to put in them.  My 54mm AWI collection is pictured.  The little lumps are my Napoleon at War British and Brunswickers. I've got two large hutches and a lawyer's bookcase to fill. I've definitely got the figures to fill them.

I'm stoked to have my game house and feel good enough to have people over.  I'll post an AAR on Saturday evening. Keep checking back or if you're in the DFW area, get your lazy butt down here and roll some bones with us! You're always welcome!

54mm All the King's Men Weekend at M-Con, Austin, Texas

Had a great time at M-Con this weekend. I spent most (all) of my time either playing, game mastering or kibitzing 54mm All the King's Men games.  Players were introduced to the game; not a negative vibe was heard about the rules set.  54mm collecting and wargaming is relatively new for me.   I enjoy painting All the King's Men figures by Ken Cliffe.  I don't work for him but am an avid collector, painter and yeah....a fanboy! So sue me already!  Here's some shots of the weekend's festivities. The photos are all taken with a phone camera so the quality won't be that of Ansel Adams.

I put on several ATKM (All the King's Men) games this weekend.  My collection is primarily American Revolutionary War at this time.  My games were played on an 8x6 table with custom terrain squares I've had for years.

Ken Cliffe released American Civil War 54mm miniatures. He also was able to get Del Prado artillery models for this and his Napoleonic line. I'm sure the purist and collector geek will pick this line apart but they're fun to paint, and look great in units either in the display case or on the wargaming table.

In the background of this shot is All the King's men buildings. I've got a few of these buildings.  They're foam/resin/I don't know.  They paint up really nicely and are scaled to fit the figures. No more dinky buildings for a 54mm game.

We played a six player BFG at MCon. We played on a 6x16' table with 18 units per side.  Ken ran a great game. The rules handle multi-player games well. The game is card driven. That turns some players off as there is a perception of a lack of fairness as cards are turned.  Using only two suits of cards works just fine. Ken also used secret objectives for each player so working together got a bit more difficult.  This shot is my British contingent. Two line infantry battalions and a Highlander battalion "without trews".  Flanking them is a Hessian medium gun battery/crew. The general didn't use them correctly and proceeded to get the only artillery piece on the British side silenced much to the frowns of his fellow generals.

I painted a unit of Hessian Jagers recently.  I finally got to use them personally.  They were fun to paint and pretty cool to use on the game battlefield.  They held their own throughout the game as the Patriot general tried to take the hasty works position.  In the background, my Continentals and militia are moving up to take the works.  The red "bead" by the Jagers is part of the game system.  The unit is out of functions and gives/takes casualties with a roll of "6" on a D6.

Wargaming with 54mm figures is a definite visual treat. The games draw young and old gamers.  The older gamers tend to reminisce about "those games I played as a kid" and the younger gamers tend to just want to know if they can play. This shot is one of my British Line Infantry units. In the background are my Fusiliers and Highlanders.

We pushed the Patriots away from the clearing to the right. It was quite costly for both sides.  Multiple units were wiped out by fire and by melee.  The game handles both extremely well.  It looked like a clear flank to turn.

British Arty-ATKM

A shot of my British artillery.  More All the King's Men figures and artillery models. Great stuff!  Fun to paint

Continental Infantry-ATKM

A shot of one of my Continental infantry units advancing. In the background is a shot of a Patriot militia units. The Continentals are All the King's Men figures while the figures in the back are plastic Accurate Miniatures.  Both lines paint well with no chipping of paint to date using a Rustoleum white primer, Vallejo Acrylic base coats, Minwax Royal Walnut brushed on, flat sprayed, highlighted with Vallejo colors and flat sprayed again. Easy to do, fast to complete, and they look good!

Not so good shot of General Fop. This is another All the King's Men miniature.  Looks as if he had a reins malfunction.  That sucks. I thought I had fixed all of them before the game!

Hessians and that pesky Anhalt depot battalion advance under fire.

More BFG....Hessian Fusiliers and Grenadiers move up to fill a gap "if you please, sir".

American militia....all we're asking for is two good shots! That's two GOOD shots.

British Light Infantry. I like these figures. Fun to paint and look cool on the table!

I'm well on my way with the Napoleonic 54mm project. I picked up a box set of Victrix French Grenadiers, two battalions of French Line infantry (ATKM of course), British Line infantry (1812 stovepipes), French artillery and Britsh RHA.  The journey continues! You should join me! The figures are not expensive, they paint quickly and are consistently fun to paint.  We've got a small (very small) cadre of players and folks beginning to paint their collections. Drop me a line here or at pilum40@sbcglobal.net if you're interested in learning more or playing a game or three!