Fireteam Fatigue and Some Painted Miniatures (With Colour Guide)

It recently dawned on me that I'm currently suffering from a very specific kind of gaming fatigue - Fireteam Andromeda Fatigue.

Last week I finally got around to having a game of Fireteam Andromeda which, considering all the work I've put in it, should have left me overjoyed! But therein lies the rub of it - all the work. It seems that (and I don't know if other game designers share this experience) after all of the work that I've put into Fireteam Andromeda it has ended up sucking out all of the fun from the game for me.

By no means do I think it is a bad game - far from it! Apart from a few "clearly-a-first-ever"-game design things that have annoyed me, the game is solid, works and has given people great games. So, the product itself isn't really to blame. It is, and again I'm guessing because I don't really know any other game designers, simply due to stress and burnout after having put a lot of energy and effort into it. I just can't seem to play it anymore and just have fun with doing so, but always end up tinkering and considering stuff.

So with that out of the way, I still needed a game for my 15mm armies and the Terminus Nebula setting as well. Rather than re-invent a new game from the base up, I instead decided to do the time-honored thing and tinker with an already published set of rules.

This means that within a couple of days (real-life permitting) I'll post a bit about my Employment War modification for Bolt Action as well as upload it for the general public at large. Thus I hopefully can get back into gaming - for fun -  and get back into developing the Terminus Nebula setting... which, when I get back into gear, will become immensely helpful as I start development of the Mecha Legion 6mm wargame that I've been tinkering away with.

Anyway! All this rambling and wordyness needs to stop - I've also been painting whilst contemplating the fate of my 15mm gaming life!

First up is a squad of Republican Guards for the Republic of the Western Sphere. These troops have been around since the dawn of the Republic and haven't really changed neither uniform colour nor equipment (overly much) in the last 200 years. I painted them in simple muted colours to reflect their campaign on Earth as well as Mars during the Civil War. The colours used also match my Mecha Legion for the Republic as well - which was the intention all along!

• Fatigues / Uniform - Iraqui Sand (VMC), washed with Soft Tone (Army Painter) and then painted with Iraqui Sand (VMC) once more, leaving the darker tone in the recess.
  
• Helmets / Armour - Beige Brown (VMC), washed with Strong Tone (AP) and then painted with Beige Brown (VMC) again leaving the darker tone in the recess.
  
• Webbing - A simple coat of Umber Brown (VMC) which was washed with Strong Tone (AP).
  
• Weapons - The rifles were all painted using Gun Grey (VMA) with a two drops of Black (VMC) added in to tone them down, then washed with Nuln Oil (GW). The missile launcher was painted with Reflective Green (VMC), washed with Nuln Oil (GW) and then painted with Reflective Green once more, leaving the darker shade in the recess.
  
• Flesh - Was painted using Foundry's (urgh) tri-color shade of basic skin. This is the first and last time I'll ever use this so...
  
• Bases - These were painted with Flat Earth (VMC) and then given a drybrush of Cork Brown (VMC). I later found bought a bottle of Brown Sand (VMC) and will use this colour for drybrushing in the future.

Secondly we have a squad for my other Republican Army that I'm working on. I really should have gone for them being Alliance Patrol soldiers or similar - but oh well. They're a continuation of my trend of trying to paint the same uniforms for my sci-fi miniatures across scales, where possible. The miniatures are from Critical Mass Games (Arc Fleet Troops) and are really great high-tech footsloggers, if a slightly bit too small next to my Ground Zero Game miniatures (sheesh, this scale-creeping!). 

• Bodyarmor - Was all painted using Dark Blue Grey (VMC), given a wash of Dark Tone (AP) then painted with Dark Blue Grey again, leaving the shaded areas in the recess.
  
• Fatigues - Whilst barely shown, then these were painted Dark Grey (VMC) and then given a wash of Dark Tone (AP).
  
• Weapons - The casings were all painted Cold Grey (VGC), given a wash of Dark Tone (AP) and then painted with Cold Grey again, leaving the shaded areas in the recess. The few metal bits were painted with Steel (VMA) with a bit of Black (VMC) mixed in, then given a wash with Nuln Oil (GW).
  
• Visor - The visiors were first painted Flat Green (VMC) and then painted with Scorpy Green (VGC). It was then given a wash of Thraka Green (GW) and then painted once more with Scorpy Green leaving the shaded areas in the recess.
  
• Bases - Burnt umber (craft paint) which was then given a drybrush of Light Sand (Lifecolor)

Finally I also painted a Sister of Mercy Sigmar for yet another unnamed Fantasy Warband. This time we go up to 28mm and is more a showcase of the flesh colour I've finally decided on using, as well as just to spice things up a bit on the painting table. 

• Flesh - First a coat of Beige Red (VMC), then washed with a 70/30 or 60/40 mix of Red Ink (AP) and Soft Tone (AP). Then painted with Beige Red (VMC) again, leaving the shaded areas in the recess.
  
• Hair  - This was painted Brown Ochre (VMC), then washed with Soft Tone (AP). It was then painted using Brown Ochre (VMC) again leaving the shaded area in the recess.
  
• Tunic - First given a coat of Flat Green (VMC), then followed up with a coat of Iosan Green (P3). This was then given a wash of Strong Tone (AP) and painted with Iosan Green again, leaving the shaded areas in the recess.
  
• Non-armor Leather - This was painted English Uniform (VMC) and then given a wash of Strong Tone (AP). Painted with English Uniform (VMC) again, leaving the shaded areas in the recess.
  
• Leather Armor - Painted this with Bootstrap Leather (P3) and given a wash of Strong Tone (AP). Painted again with Bootstrap Leather (P3) leaving the shaded areas in the recess.
  
• Dress - Painted with Beige (VMC) and then followed by a coat of Menoth White Highlight (P3). This was then washed with Soft Tone (AP) and then painted with Menoth White Highlight again, leaving the shaded areas in the recess.
  
• Hammer - The shaft was painted using Foundry's Spearshaft paint (urgh), washed with Strong Tone (AP) and then given a basecoat of Foundry's Spearshaft again. The metal was painted using Steel (VMA) with a drop of Black (VMC) added. This was then washed with Nuln Oil (GW).
  
• Golden Bits - This was painted using Bright Brass (VMA) and then given a wash of Seraphim Sepia (GW).
  
• Base - This is then setting my new default for painting generic bases! A good coat of Flat Earth (VMC) followed by a drybrush of Brown Sand (VMC).

So there we have it - some painted miniatures and a new feature for the blog as well; the colour guide! I might have to revise the method of these in the future were I hopefully get around to write up an article on how I go about painting my miniatures in general. 

The paints used were mostly Vallejo Model Color (VMC) with a touch of Vallejo Model Air (VMA), Vallejo Game Color (VGC), Army Painter (AP) and the last time I'll ever use Foundry paints (which is a rant for another day).

Thanks for reading this far and let's see how quickly I can get the Employment War up and running!

Seawood Elves clash with Hogwild Beastmen

Another installment of the GOB-15 Diaries.

Last night it so happened that Duncan and I had ourselves a small game of GOB-15 once more; it was a first outing for a lot of his newly painted miniatures as well as a first outing for my Wood Elf army as well which meant a lot of lessons to be learned.

Our initial deployment of forces, as provided to you by State-Of-The-Art-Special-Effects

One of the first things I noted right away was how much of a point drain a unit of Chosen can become for the Seawood Elves in these small 36 point affairs. While they most certainly pack a punch, they are more easily outflanked in these lesser affairs. They are quite an investment, not only in points but also in deployment as you really need to have a better plan than my: "... Erh, right, they'll... uhm.... attack... that one!".

The Seawood Elf Gloryboys!

The game itself was great - as all of our GOB15 games have been - with some half-hearted opening moves from ranged attacks and the scuffle of light troops as the main battle lines slowly drew to a close. Then there were heated exchange of swords and wounds followed by the inevitable collapse of any higher plan other than 'Get 'em!' It was great fun and lovely to see that Duncan had painted up a host of new models for his army.

 Herdlord with his Brutes - alongside with a, what turned out to be of the Heavy sort, Chariot and another unit of Brutes

Duncan's Monster of the Deep Woods (counts as a Minotaur)

I find myself completely enamoured with how much fun and tactical thinking is to be found in such a simple and elegant design as this. Jake Thornton has really pulled a rather magnificent stunt here - albeit I'd wish that it wasn't as locked to Foundry's ill-fated miniature line. While manageable (as you can plainly see from our armies) it would be great for it to encompass many more races and factions which would make it easier to tailor it to other available miniatures... but that's neither here nor there.

The game itself ended in a sound defeat for my Seawood Elves. The Chosen unit overextended itself on the weaker of my two flanks, leavning it open to a sound thrashing in the flank(!) by the Ravagers. It was short and ugly as they minced their way through the Seawood's finest. The loss of the Seekers and Merwolves as they fought to prevent the Ravagers from pillaging their camp sealed the deal and the Seawood Elves broke tail and ran off...

What I learned from this battle was that I should consider going for the 'lesser' units from the list rather than relying on a single block of troops to carry the day. While the Chosen are an effective unit, I was most definitely blindsided by their prowess in battle that I forgot about the key aspect of all warfare - manouver.
Naturally I've already taken this to heart and have begun painting up the next batch of Marines for the army; I'm hoping to employ 3 units of Marines and then 2 units of Seekers in my next battle and see whether my gut-feeling of using the army in a more hit'n'run manner will bear fruit.

Quote of the Game -
"So... Is that a heavy chariot?" (moments before it got peppered by bolts in the flank as - indeed - it was a heavy chariot.)

DreadBall: The O.C. Comets vs. PharmaTech Paladins!

... As well as some stand-in Veer-Myn of which I unfortunately have no pictures of.

What can I say? I absolutely love this game! It's fast, it's fun, it's clever and it's immersive! It's an accquired taste, sure, but to me it has beaten Blood Bowl by a mile or two as far as actual gameplay goes.

It is not that I'll bash on Blood Bowl or anything like that - it's comparing appels and oranges as far as I am concerned as they are two very distinct games, with the only overlap being the general idea (fantasy sport wargame), some of the races (orx and dwarves especially) and that you roll dice. Where BB takes its inspiration from Rugby and American Football, DB instead takes its inspiration from Basketball, Handball and Speedball II - making it more about plays, moves, and the occasional jawbreaker than about maintaining a cage around the ball.

Yes, that is indeed an Marauder Guard that was taken down by a Jack, none the less!

To me, as you might have guessed, then it has really got me stoked on playing a lot of games and try out various teams, plays and tactics and what have you. Partly because it is, for now, somewhat unmarked territory with no fixed dogma regarding team set-up as well as line-ups, as well as the possibility for it to never be so.

As the die rolls fluctuate a lot, with the roll of a 6 being "wild" and thus exploding, you've set up for a game in which you can never be that sure of what's going to happen, a bit like calculated anarchy. Sure, you can play it safe for as long as possible, making sure bet moves and not pushing the boundaries - but as soon as you see that magical opening in the opposing teams line-up, then you can swoop in and complete a three-Striker-pass that will end up scoring the final 4 points - on a single die roll of 4+ - that will win you the match by the landslide! And that, in essense is what makes this game so great; you never really know what to expect!

The man of the match; Corporation Striker #3 in an earlier game - he alone managed to score two 4-pointers during a single match, needing to roll 4+ on a single die!

Dust Tactics - First Impressions

The forces are deployed and the first turn is well underway (Photo by Lars)

Last night I had my first game of Dust Tactics.

Dust Tactics have been on my radar for a long time; I mean, what's not to like about huge Axis mecha-death-machines wielding dual 88's walking across a war-torn Europe? Zombies, that's what. Zombies and then the simplicity of the game. And did I mention the zombies? I hate zombies.

Being a long time wargamer and having played a whole host of different wargame rules (as my overburdened bookshelves will attest to) I have slowly formed my own opinions on what makes a great wargame, and like any wargamer of renown I have also become set in my ways and will always scoff at the notion of anything new and exciting. I think you can't help but develop a certain level of cynicism after having dedicated yourself to playing, demoing, thinking, writing and breathing various "indie" game systems time in and time out - but that's a rant for another time.

As I was saying; one of my key complaints for Dust Tactics is that it wasn't (and isn't) a proper wargame. Where's the home made terrain? Where's the home-made boards?  Where's the sweeping charges? Where's the unpainted hordes of half-assembled miniatures? In either case, it went under my radar as a game that looked cool (to an extend) but also a game that there was no way in hell I was going to invest in yet another "indie" system only to watch it burn out and never get any play-time around here. Been there (yes, Warzone, Void, Vor and Starship Troopers - I'm looking at you!), done that.

Fast forward a few years. I became heavily interested in boardgames (or just games in general), joined up in a couple of local groups over on Facebook and what did I find? A couple of gamers who had invested quite heavily into the Dust Tactics game system and asked me if I would join up.

The German sneak-attack, moments before the "Ludwig" jumped out of cover and blasted the SSU artillery walker to kingdom come!

Now, as you can see from my pictures I joined up and got a couple of games in. Two quick "Learn the basics"-scenarios and then a big three-way battle. I played the Axis and went for a Walker heavy set-up (I just like big, stomping, death mechs!). It was a bit of a nailbiter, with highs and lows for the Axis and SSU (and mostly lows for poor, poor Lars who had the most horrendous dice rolling karma!) but in the end, the SSU prevailed; despite their early setback.

The rules themselves are simplistic; line of sight can be a bit weird at times (it took me four turns before I finally got my head around how you determined line of sight in and out of buildings!) and the Initiative roll-off system is awful (a whole lot of re-rolls, especially when playing three persons; we quickly house ruled a solution to save ourselves a lot of time); and finally, the scale of things seems a bit off for any wargaming purist - as I mentioned to Lars; I think I would have been all over this game, had the miniatures been in 1/100 or similar scales and been on a company level rather than this weird half-way-platoon-half-way-company level.

But I had fun. I had great fun.

The game is simplistic for a wargamer, yes. And I would get bored, in the end, if I only ever played Dust Tactics. But it works for what it is; a simple introduction to wargaming that stays fun on its own and isn't some feeble Games Workshop introduction to the hobby. And, most importantly, I met some cool guys from the local area who are interested in wargaming and I got to play wargames as well - so it's a win-win all around!

Now all I need to do is to lure both Lars and Peter into playing Warfare as well...