Call for articles for Sierra Foxtrot One Five and a small shoutout for another piece I worked on!

As you all know, our first issue was released back in September (almost October, but hey, who's counting!) and now that November's rolling about, it's time for a new issue! So, please send in your art and article submissions to:

JasonDOTWeiserATgmaiDOTcom

I am hoping to get plenty of submissions and expand our size this time round!

I also have a small scenario in the latest issue of the SOTCW Journal, look for it on p42-43. It's set in the fateful early morning hours of June 6th, 1944..

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.

A little Force On Force, a new meeting place, and date.

Well, the second meeting of the DC Gamers worked out very well. Curt showed up, as did me and Jage. We ran a scenario of Curt's design that was about the fighting in Anzio during the static phase of the beachhead fighting. It simulated a local push by German 3rd PzGrd Div (mot) against the perimeter of 3rd Infantry Division as part of Fischfang.. The players were the US side (me) and the Germans, ably played by Jage. The US was understrength, with two squads, a .30 cal MG and a Bazooka team.

The map was mostly open, with a couple small stands of woods and a line of ruins over mostly muddy terrain. The ruins were mostly towards the German side of the table, and they used them well to get in position to launch the assault on the US position on a rubbled building forward of the main line set up in the woods.

The German objective was to get at least a squad or more off the US end of the table, or failing that, to take the house. The US job, hold on for dear life. Both sides pulled one asset card before the game, I pulled a sniper card, and Jage a Light Artillery card.

The Germans opened by gaining initiative and shooting up the house, even with the cover the US troops had, the casualties began to mount. US fire was somewhat effective, but did little in the way to slow the Germans down. In the center, the US squad holding the woods traded fire with two German squads set up across the muddy fields in the line of rubble.

On turn 3, the Germans had killed all the Americans in the lower floor of the building and were in the process of assaulting it. But, as the Germans moved forward, the US sniper and remaining Americans on the upper floors took their tool, wounding or killing several Germans.

In the center, the casualties began to mount as the Germans found that even the cover of the buildings didn't protect them completely. Casualties on both sides piled up.

On turn 4, the worm turned, and I finally won initiative. The Americans stymied the German assault on the house just short of their goal. The squad in the center failed it's morale check, but the Americans paid for it...with German counterfire mauling the squad in the woods, the remaining defenders of the house falling and an attempt by the Americans to reinforce the line with the .30 and the Bazooka ending badly, as both elements were shot to pieces, the bazooka team fleeing back to the safety of the woods.

On turn 5, the game ended with more fire being traded by both sides and a German fire mission finally arriving to pound the woods to little effect. After that, it was agreed that the US had won a marginal victory on points...as the Germans had effectively taken the house, but they had bled so much taking it that the US could simply pull back and set up a new line based on the woods. Two German squads were combat ineffective, and the third had two seriously wounded members and wouldn't attempt an assault on it's own, even with three halftracks...the Bazooka was still out there.

Here's some pictures:











In other news, we have a date and place for the next meeting, 24 April at Victory Comics in Falls Church. You can find name and contact information in the previous Battletech post here.

We might have a sooner 15mm sci-fi event either at Pallisades or Victory Comics, but that's space dependent. Watch this space for details...and hey, if you're in the DC area, reading this, and like any of the AAG games, come join us!

Never say Never I guess....

Well,
I was contacted by a new CBT group forming in the area, and get this, they asked me to join them..funny how that worked out. So, I'll give it a shot. Can't hurt, can it? I'm going to be getting a lot of historicals done soon as well..I have so much to do right now, it's not funny...

- Writing projects
- Putting together some kits and organizing my US force for Twilight 2000 Iran. Then, repainting my US Woodland BDU guys because frankly, I've found a better way, probably end up repainting most of my moderns.
- Painting up the remains of the WWII that needs to be done. There's a lot, but the armies are mostly done that I do have, with certain exceptions.
- Getting started on my Micro Armor moderns (getting more of that painted and done).
- Painting more 'Mechs (It seems I'll be putting them to use after all?)
- Finishing up more 15mm Sci-fi armies.
- Get the pics I took at Game Day up!

I think once I can get all this out of the way, life will be good.

Wow, lots to say!

Ok, I attended the Gaming in Education day in Baltimore on Saturday, and I for the most part, liked what I saw. The vendors area was predictably blah, I was hoping Wargamers was going to bring some 20mm, but sadly, only their Essex 15mm made the trip. I did have a good day in the Flea Market, and found some items I could use for 20mm WWII. As for games..the pickings were good, if sparse, and I did three games yesterday. The first was an Ambush Alley game where we insurgents were pretty hapless till our mortar finally found the range. I then played a MTB game hosted by Buck Surdu..it was a bit confusing and the rules were a little too loosy-goosy and card dependent for me. Then, I played in a North Point scenario (there were THREE North Point games that day), it was fun, but the homebrew rules were meant to handle larger units I think and the scenario was a bit more smash mouth-frontal assault than most of the GMs work, but hey, I like buckets of dice games! But, yeah, the casualties were reaching ACW/WWI levels.

What did I think overall?

Pros:
- Easy access to public transportation and food, with good airy venue that was well lit.
- More space= More events
- Security was in evidence.
- Staff was knowledgeable and friendly.

Cons:
- Food at the convention hall wasn't cheap.
- It's a hike to the amenities (Starbucks, ATM, etc).
- Parking might be a challenge, though it is said the Orioles are going to be away this H-Con.

My recommendation? If you're coming in from DC/NOVA, or local..park your car at BWI or a point along the Baltimore Light rail. It's a real easy thing to deal with, passes are $3.50 all day and the stop's across the street. The train runs till 12:35 AM and if you're staying that late, you might wanna reconsider driving. BWI's parking is $8 a day uncovered and $10 a day covered..if you want to go totally public transport...take the B30 express from Greenbelt metro to BWI, and catch the light rail from there..be advised though..the last bus back to Greenbelt is 10:45 PM. But, it got me there and back with very little fuss. Cost one way? $3.50 for the light rail day pass, $3.00 for the express bus one way and $1.85 on the metro...$8.35 is my total 1 way cost for a trip of about an hour and a half, including wait time.

I'll have some pics up soon, but I think all in all, we're looking good for 2010 and 2011. I canceled my hotel room and plan on shuttling back and forth for my con attendance.

I know, two posts in two days!

Lots to say. I worked on some posters for my Twilight 2000 buildings...man I wish those railroad buildings were a mite cheaper! I put them up on the Guild under the Terrain section.

As for other news, I have some 1/76 and 1/72 scale German WWII kits up for grabs. Recent purchase that had some items that were redundant to my needs. Lemme know via the blog or PM on TMP if you're interested!

I am also getting my hands on some interesting rules sets...may I say Troops, Weapons & Tactics is a darn nice rules set, and one I may play or use as an adjunct to Force on Force WWII rules. Too Fat Lardies did a nice job with it.

A word about process driven versus effect driven. I've played process driven rules, and until recently, it was seen as THE way to do skirmish rules. Honestly? I am glad there is a movement away from that to more effect driven sets like Ambush Alley, DH/CF7B, TW & T. Honestly, I agree with the sentiment, even if you have nice kit...if your troops stink, the kit is no damn good.

Thanks to all who have visited! I appreciate the traffic!