Little Christmas gift for everyone in Ambush Alley Land.

I made some changes to my Terminator and Kafer rules to bring them into line for TW. Please feel free to either download them at the AA Yahoo Group, or HERE and HERE. Feel free to download...and Merry Christmas all!

Been a bad blogger Pt 2

Well all, it's been really busy in RL (My wife was hospitalized, it's the nature of the beast with bipolar disorder) on my end, but there was a lot of gaming news.

1. Ran a Tomorrow's War game at Steve's place, and while I may have screwed up the reaction rules, in fact, I am sure I did...everybody had fun, and about a billion suggestions for house rules. I do agree with one thing, bigger units seem to have more defensive dice, which is weird, because larger units should be easier to hit? Something to ponder. No pics, but the terrain and troops, 25mm this time, were gorgeous.

2. Fall In was a good time, and though I am writing about it three weeks after the fact. The vibe was kinda a downer, as a lot of vendors had a bad taste in their mouths about the lastest doings from HMGS. Spoke to Walt O'Hara, and while I will not relate what was said, any support I had for the Baltimore endeavor is over. I had no idea how badly it was planned and executed. I just hope the lawsuits that are going forward can be settled to the satisfaction of all parties.

As for actual gaming? I got into a colonials game set in German SWA, and played the natives...The game was hard fought, with the natives controlling the high-ground and it became a smash mouth type of fight, just the kind of game I like. I lost on points, but who the hell cared?

The second game? It was a sci-fi 15s game? Well, it was confusing. I played the UN, and misread my victory conditions, getting into a fight I could not win. Oh well, I left early and hit the flea market, where I got some nice deals.

My third game was a Mexican-American game of Regimental Fire and Fury, while there was some argument over the scenario and play balance (some Mexican siege artillery that didn't fire on the Americans historically took out the US artillery), I had fun, though I don't get how Regimental F and F is much different from Regular F and F?

As for the haul I made?

1 Rapid Fire based company of 20mm WWII US airborne
50-60 20mm Partisans and Volksturm
1 FoV SU-122 in winter scheme
1 kit of the Armourama Fireflies
3 Ospreys I didn't have
The Against The Odds issue with the Russo-Finnish Air game in it.
Some Winter Americans and Early Pacific US and Japanese from SGMM
And, for Gage, a box of the PSC Soviets.

Not too shabby.

3. The deadline (self-imposed really) is coming up for SF 15's second issue, so if you've got something, please send it in. I really only have two submissions, and one's mine! So, if you want to submit something, and it's vaguely useful to the 15mm Sci-Fi gamer, by all means send it in! We've got a new layout guy who has done wonders with the new covers and layout, I just want to give him something to work with!

So, there is is for now folks, more later!

NEW GAMESTORE IN DOWNTOWN DC!!!

That's right, a new gamestore is opening in downtown DC. I am rather happy about this. A place for us closer in to play. It's in Eastern Market, so the neighborhood's decent, and I think the place is something for everyone.

Details to be found here:

http://www.labyrinthgameshop.com/

I think this is a real opportunity for DC gamers as a whole! I plan to be there to scout the place out for their grand opening and I am holding an event there on December 18th as a way to welcome them to the neighborhood.

Please, if you're in the DC area and like 15mm Sci-Fi, Ambush Alley or just wanna game with like minded folks, come on down and join us!

A lot to blog!

Well,
RL has been kicking me in the arse lately. I wanted to write something sooner, but my regimen of doctors visits relating to my seizure condition are a bit daunting, not to mention work has been a bit busy of late.

First, two weeks ago, I played in a not-Battlestar Galactica game with the new Iron Wind Metals miniatures starship line with my Alexandria group. They also are putting out a set of rules for the figure line, and the game was interesting, but the rules had some holes, such as the "missile spam" one sees in the rules, which is something reminiscent of Star Fleet Battles. I much prefer the way Full Thrust handles salvos. The other rules weren't bad at all, but took a bit of getting used to, and the missile salvos crossing the table looked very cinematic.

The Cylons got beat mainly because of our misreading of the Point Defense rules, where each salvo could be engaged anew as long as there was dice remaining, instead of one shot only at each incoming missile. But, the tactics are very reminiscent of planned Soviet tactics against US CVBG...now that we know that we were right, we can try our tactics again.

Also, and bigger news...Tomorrow's War IS OUT!!! I've been doing a lot of playtesting with the crew and to my fellow playtesters, WE DID GOOD! I am proud of you all. This is special for me because I am eagerly awaiting the full release next year; Why?

I'll let what I said on Facebook say it:

A while ago, I got involved in playtesting for these guys:

http://www.ambushalleygames.com/

And well, things kinda snowballed. I submitted some minor pieces for the fluff background for Tomorrow's War, their new sci-fi rules release. Well, considering the fact that AAG just inked a deal with Osprey that means Osprey will be publishing their stuff..that means yours truly, provided I don't wind up on the cutting room floor (always a chance in the biz), will be featured in a minor role in a Osprey product in March 2011!

I am very happy about this to be sure!

Yeah, folks, I am psyched. Folks, I can't say enough about this game! Get your copy here

Jage and I gave FWC and an adaptation of Rapid Fire for Sci-fi a try. Rapid Fire, it's a neat simple set of rules, and with some guesstimates, it worked well. FWC, well, it fell down mainly because we needed to plan things a bit better.

Finally, Sierra Foxtrot 15 is coming along nicely, I think we should be ready, provided we can get the Crucible review done soon. We're not adverse to more articles, but art is our big need. If you can help, please contact us at jasonDOTweiserATgmailDOTcom.

That's it for now all.

The latest

Well,
Things on the SF 15 front have been quiet, we just haven't gotten any article other than the one submission. If you're willing, please submit what you're writing to jason.weiser@gmail.com.

In other news, I had some health trouble recently, another seizure. I am alright, though it's more my back being hurt than anything else, as I wrenched the hell out of it. I'm on Dilantin for now and I *should* be alright as I have a neuro appointment next month.

In related news, I am looking to get rid of my copy of Left For Dead. I was playing it when I had aforementioned seizure. I just think, considering the circumstances, it's probably a good idea to get rid of it.

The ad on TMP for it is here:

I've gotten some more 20mm almost done, Soviet WWII Sailors this time, I'll have pictures up on the blog as soon as I can, they really were rather easy to paint, but I do confess that I think I finally have enough of the lads.

Finally, it looks as if Tomorrow's War is edging ever close to being released for sale. Even as a "pre-release" PDF version, I am enthusiastic about it to no end.

My Battletech strategic PBEM continues apace, me being promoted from Lyran player to co-Gm as the ref sure needed the help. It's more fun than I thought it would be.

That's it for now.

As promised and delivered!

Kansu
25ly Spinward of Friesland
October, TW 339

Senior Lieutenant Chang was weary. Another day facing the rebel siege of Firebase Autumn Wind. It had been ten long hellish days for the defenders, holding off hordes of Association guerrillas, they'd been outgunned from the start, a short company of kids just out of depot training managing somehow to hold off a guerrilla regiment backed up by combat engineers and ancestor knew how many mortars.

To make matters worse, all manner of consumables were running low. Division had promised that the new mercenaries were coming to help. But Chang didn't believe such things anymore. He'd already made his peace two days ago, having written letters home, assuming the guerrillas didn't destroy them. His father's disapproving countenance danced in his mind's eye. A noble son of the House of Jade, dying in some dirt poor outpost at the hands of the lesser scum that made up the Association? The shame of the family would be too great.

He heard a low, throaty cough reverberate through the hills surrounding the firebase, Mortars, his mind reported. The firebase's last Calliope had run out of ammunition holding off the last human wave assault on the eastern end of the perimeter. Chang had tried to bluff it out, but the Rebels hadn't fallen for it. They shelled the firebase seemingly at will now. Chang shrugged as the sound continued to travel. What was the point of taking cover? They were all dead anyhow.

It was with a measure of surprise that a cyan bolt snatched several of the shells out of the sky like the hands of an angry god. More blinding bolts began to land amongst the rebel positions to the hills...the fire coming from the western pass. But how? The mercenaries had only been hired some eighteen hours before according to press reports...when Chang could receive them.

Chang turned his viewfinder to the west and focused them on the grey specks throwing up roostertails of dust and gravel feet into the air..spitting out cyan fingers of death with staccato timing. Each burst triggered the anti-blinding measures on his autonoculars.

His headset crackled to life...it was clear, clear as a bell without any of the squealing and popping from Association jamming. "Blossom Six, this is Golf One-Six, sorry we're a touch late, but we're here. The Colonel sends his regards, now, sit back and watch how we Slammers fight. You might learn something. One-Six out!" Chang shook his head in disgust...he hoped they were as competent as they were arrogant.

TWO AARs! With PICTURES NO LESS!

Well,
The first was a Renaissance Pike and Shot game with the French (nominally, they had troops from half of Europe) and the Spanish (who had troops from the other half!) hacked each other to a thin marginal victory for the French. Both sides were exhausted by the end, and one thing I found I liked with Pig Wars rules? Units die quick..it takes good planning and luck not so much to keep units from folding, but to make sure his units fold faster than yours. I also found out, Spanish Sword and Bucklers don't like two handed swords and halberds AT ALL! (Both of my units on the flank were hacked to pieces!) They exacted a price, mauling both French units, and I brought up my pikes to make the Halberds go away...but by the end...there weren't many Spanish units that weren't hacked up...then again, the French were in much the same boat.

Here are some pics of the setup (My phone died soon after!)







Today's game was another playtest of Tomorrow's War. It was another close run thing that came down to the FoW Cards, and some lucky pulls for the defender. This led to a lot of artillery showing up for him and stopping the attacker cold. Heavy Mortars are murder on armor. 120mm shells versus deck armor....OUCH!

The scenario will probably be published in the final rules, and we got some very good playtest data today. I can't say too much more, give away the game...no sir!

Here are some pics of that. This first set it taken by Krieger of Kriger's Wargaming Records, he runs a good blog, and well, the Droid's got a good camera on that phone! They're used here with permission!





















The next set is mine and isn't as nice...hey, my camera isn't as good!









As you can see, artillery can be decisive in the new rules. I am looking forward, however, to their release. I think honestly, you're all in for a Science Fiction gaming experience that isn't just "20th Century with ray-guns!". It has technology seamlessly integrated into the mechanics, and anyone familiar with AA/FoF should be able to pick this up fast. We did 4 turns in 3.5 hours. Not many games that can manage that these days.

That's it for now folks! See you across the table!

Other wargaming ramblings from the weekend.

Well, I sent along some of my 6mm Sci-fi to Jage. He wanted stuff to paint, and it's sitting around waiting to be painted. I figure I give him a slow drip of stuff. Keeps him busy and us playing (and easier on the wallet). My limited amount of GZG stuff is next, then it's going to be the Stan Johansen and mix of old GHQ. Then, the rest of the Ogre and Classic Battletech stuff. Once all that's done? We organize it into some units. Probably will supplement it with my moderns and 'Mechs so we can get some games of FWC in.

The Slammers are all painted, I need to get them flocked, 4 figures are already done, and I figure at the rate of four a night...I can have the lot done in 8 days or so. I'll probably do it sooner I suspect. As for what's next? I think getting started on my Caliph's army for Djazlah, which are going to double as French Militia for Aurore. After that, probably the Terminator Humans, then the Colonial Marines. I kinda need the militia done soon as it would be useful for the TW playtest that's coming on the 26th. Shame Jage won't be there, but I hope others will make it. Heck, I even got some work done on Blood Upon the Risers.

I am going to pick up The Crucible book that's come out for the Slammers. It looks like a fine work from the PDF previews I've seen and paradoxically, it's cheaper to get from the publisher than from OMM? Um, huh? I want to get some more done on the 15mm side before I go and work on any of my other stuff, mostly getting my 6mm moderns closer to done and get my Germans out there and played with! I also want to look at what I'm going to need to do US Light and Medium weight forces for FFT (Think USMC, 82nd and 101st, and the sadly lamented 9th Light Division). I already have a regimental sized formation for my Soviet Paras, wouldn't take much to build that into a full division, and frankly, I may at some point do it. As for the Iranians? Probably a brigade is all I intend to build, with another brigade of Pasdaran. (Three-four bags from Hallmark should do the trick).

All in all, I think things are going swimmingly. I've made a real dent in the painting pile, and by end of summer, Djazlah might be well on it's way. I am rather happy about that, and there might be some 15mm vehicles from Old Crow I want to grab, along with some more IF types. I think that might wait a bit, but hey, I've got some time.

AAR from 4th Meeting of DC Gamers.

Well,
It went off pretty much without a hitch. We ran two playtests of Tomorrow's War. The first playtest was over before it began, as I tried to move my way mounted into town. Even with the limited militia AT weapons, they still had enough, and the artillery to turn it into something of a fiasco.

The second game was a LOT more dynamic. Blackstone managed to make it to the game and I stepped back as the ref. Jage moved his troops down Blackstone's left and had his dismounted troops gain fire superiority over the militia in town. Things went semi well for him, till had a special event (Don't want to give away the surprise), and the arrival of reinforcements for Blackstone trip him up.

Some may argue that Jage could have been more aggressive. I think his basic tactics were sound. Any lack of aggressiveness is also the nature of the playtest, as we're still feeling the game out. But from what I've seen, again folks, this is a good system that you're gonna like.

As for a future date, we're talking June 12th, as well as making gaming arrangements for non-playtesters. I think we can make this happen folks, but we're still figuring it out. So, stay tuned.

That's all for now folks, here's some pictures:

And the news just keeps coming from AAG!

More from Shawn and Osprey..all I can say is this is REALLY good news.

We’re excited to announce that the partnership between Osprey Publishing and Ambush Alley Games continues to grow! Our partnership has expanded to include the publication of an Osprey version of Tomorrow’s War, our highly anticipated science fiction title, in 2011. This print version will be illustrated with specially commissioned artwork from some very talented science fiction artists.

In the meanwhile, we still intend to release a PDF version of the rules in 2010. We promised our customers that they’d be playing Tomorrow’s War this year and we’re going to keep that promise. Our Tomorrow’s War in PDF will contain all the rules and scenarios that will be featured in the print version, but the format will be printer friendly with far fewer illustrations and photos. Think of the PDF version as a full pre-release that allows players to dive into Tomorrow’s War sooner than later.
To keep up with all the breaking news (there's more to come - this is a very exciting year for us), please friend us on Facebook, join our forum
(www.ambushalleygames.com/forum), or our Yahoo Group (http://games.groups.yahoo.com/group/AmbushAlley).

This is really exciting, being a playtester, and knowing how much work this game has had put into it. It's exciting folks. I can't say more than that, but if you can think of it with regards to SF gaming, you can do it with these rules. They are that flexible. The AA engine works VERY well for sci-fi and the friction and chaos of your favorite movie or book comes through extremely well. With Osprey's lush visual standards? You can't lose here IMO.

REMINDER: 4th Meeting of DC Miniature Gamers

The Date: May 15th, 2010

Time: 11ish (we're not fanatics about this)

Place: Victory Comics
586 S. Washington Street
Falls Church, VA
(703)241-9393

We'll be having a closed playtest of TW, but I think an after game with straight FoF rules can be accomplished. I may even, possibly, by some bloody miracle, get the damned Slammers done before the game...

Let me know one way or the other whether or not you're coming. Also to be discussed, more frequency in meetings and or variety of games as well as the discovery of some folks in Alexandria.

SITREP and some other matters.

First off, I got some new paints and figures lately, including some Khurasan Resistance guys and Cafferta APCs for my QRF marines. I'll keep you posted on that, but I wanna finish the Slammer infantry first. I just haven't had the time to do a lot of painting recently due to some home fires that needed tending.

In other news, the next meeting at Victory Comics is scheduled for May 15th at Victory Comics. It's a really nice place and we got a good table for the purpose. Now all we gotta do is get some more playtests in. TW is going to be a great rules set, I promise you.

Blood Upon The Risers is slightly delayed, as I need time to work out the nature of the scenarios, and it will be the next "guinea pig" I subject the group to when we're done with TW testing. But then again, sci-fi's real popular with us..but hey, you got time and an idea? Come on by!

That's all for now. Hope to see you there!

Also, I forgot to mention, we have a meetup group now, so if you're in the area, let us know and we'll love to have you attend our events!

Link to Meetup Group!