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

Bolt Action at Rusty's Gaming House in Waxahachie!

Played my first game of Bolt Action last night at Rusty's new war game digs in Waxahachie.  The game was not what I expected.  I had watched several games and several gamers just go ballistic playing these rules.  I was originally off put by the rules and cost of the game in terms of multiple 'codex' and cost of the miniatures in 28mm.  I eventually bought a couple of Warlord vehicles and cleaned up a bunch of 25/28mm Easy Eight Americans and Germans I had laying around.  The vehicles (M8 Greyhound and a M24 Chaffee) are still in the boxes to "get done".
Rusty hosted me for a small game of Bolt Action.  I've been playing some Black Powder Pike and Shotte plus really like Black Powder Last Argument of Kings for larger AWI games.  He plays in 20mm rather than in 28mm.  His game house is a converted detached garage on his property.  Between the two of us, we have become the "Southern Dominion" of war gaming spots in the DFW area.  His collection is outstanding, his gaming area is outstanding and he's a great host!  He lives approximately 7 minutes from my home in Red Oak.  This is serendipitous!  I do like 20mm for this rules set as well.  I can use 1/76 scale vehicles, support and aircraft.  Most 1/76 models are less expensive than larger scales. I also like AB 20mm figures. I've painted them before. Exquisite models.  Well...on to the game.  Do I like Bolt Action?  Yes!!!  It's simple to learn, fun to play and gets to the brass knuckles quickly and to a conclusion in an evening's game. I'm sure there's warts but on first blush, I'm buying these rules. Just keep those Japanese and Marines away from my checkbook!

Rusty's Display case Area. He's got some really
cool terrain, Buildings and "stuff"

Painting Area 1 of 3.

Painting Area 2 of 3

20mm Allies and Axis dudes

Give Miller a Jeep and watch him get it shot up!

More Goimans

Scenario: Find the pesky F.O. that's directing the
off board railroad gun to shoot up Allied rear area positions.

Told y'all earlier, give me a Jeep....my plan, someone go
left, someone go right, who's goin' up the middle?

The village of Schweinschiess

Medieval tower...hmm...F.O. here?

Ahhh...Jumbo time. A little HE support never hurts!

OK, I'm a whore! I'm going up to OKC to play in the Warlord Games Day. Yet one MORE project! Good evening, good game, great host! You should play there as well.  Worth your time and distance from the usual haunts.