The 'Hacking' Nomad List and the Escalation League

My tournament faction has been vanilla Nomads for quite some time now, but recently I changed my approach. Instead of the usual 'shoot, shoot, bang, bang' list, I ventured into a different strategy of aggressive hacking. This has opened up some new and interesting possibilities, and where it may not have lead to a massive increase to my victory percentage, it has given my opponents a great deal more to think about in our games. 

Above: No need of printed lists for Joe or Richard.

Infinity N3 Escalation League - Missions Rejig

Amongst others, I must thank Nate, Dan and Mike, for their comments and changes to the missions below. The agreed view was that they needed to more closely mirror real ITS, but still allow scoring on both sides and assist new players to learn the game. Two missions from the original four have been totally changed, and the other two have been tweaked. Mission four now allows a HVT and uses the classified deck.

Above: Ahh. Happy Infinity gamers.

40K 8th Edition - First Impressions

Thanks to my wargaming chum, Dave G. I finally got round to my first full game of 40K 8th edition. Apart from the odd game of Killteam, 40K in its 7th version, disappeared from my wargaming radar. The diary clash back in May between our club's own 40K tournament and a nearby Infinity ITS event was no contest for me. I had put up a metaphorical sign up against GW's flagship game; 'no fun to be had here'.

Above: Dave setting up.

Infinity N3 Escalation League - Missions

Enough people in the club have picked up Infinity now for me to take it to the next stage, an escalation league. I know that some of the Infinity newbies at the club have been playing full 300 point games, however, now that we have got past the Critical Engagement tournament and Dan's well received Blood Bowl league is reaching its conclusion, time is ripe to for those who have been left behind to catch-up. 

This also coincides with my attempts to use a new faction, Haqquislam. I have played two full 300 point games so far, but it has been all to clear, that I need to learn my new faction by taking baby steps. (The pictures accompanying this blog come from a recent Ibuywargames event in Woking, their biggest yet, with 20+ players. We shall not dwell on how well I did. The most recent Totally Crit podcast covers the event).

Above: A room crowded with ITS excitement.

Critical Engagement: So Alex how did it go?

Saturday 8 July brought 20 stalwart Drop Zone Commander gamers to Chessington, Surrey, for the annual Critical Engagement, 1000 point, 4 game tournament. With preparation finally over, we had now arrived. On the Friday evening I had snuck in a finally practice game against Stephen (last year's event winner). I managed a narrow one point victory, in a game where his Alexander put five wounds on my Thunderstorm in one activation (quite a feat) before the resin tea-tray was finally blown to smithereens. The next morning came around, and before long Mike, Dan, Ed, Joe and myself were eating a pre-tournament breakfast.

Above: Player registration. 'Waive for the camera'.

GamesExpo Day 4 - To boldly go.

The final GamesExpo day arrived all to quickly. However, the four of us had signed up for the spaceship bridge simulator, and were excitedly intrigued as to what was in store.

Above: A morning's game of Tiny Epic Western whilst we awaited our trip to the stars.

GamesExpo Day 3 - Infinity 3 game Tournament

And onto day 3 of our Expo experience. Board games took a back seat as Joe and Ed took part in the Drop Fleet tournament and Mike and myself went off to play at the Infinity N3 ITS event. As with previous years Peter Acs (Lead Rising Blog) and Ian Wood (The Wargames Trader) were hosting the latter. This was Mike's first Infinity tournament and a very brave little soldier he was too. He took his Yu Jing, and I took along my long suffering Nomads.

Above: Gamers for as far as the eye could see.

Critical Engagement 2017: Something different

Taking a break from Expo coverage, this week's blog covers our own Drop Zone Commander tournament: Critical Engagement 2017. As with previous years we have tried to make things a little different. A limit of 1000 points allows us to get four games done in a day. Custom missions give different tactical challenges to the norm. Some unique terrain will add variation to the usual tower block tables, and finally, we have a well stocked prize fund.

Above: Orbital Bombardment (from left to right, Joe, myself, Mike, Dan and Ed) about to record pod magic.

GamesExpo 2017 - Day two

Day two was the first day of the Expo proper. Following breakfast all four of us met up in the queue with eager anticipation. Mike and Ed arrived with much longer arms than the evening before (not due to any sort of strange sexual activity during the night - they had carried Ed's Black Library back catalogue from Joe's car, for the Bring and Buy). And before long, we were allowed admittance into the main hall.

Above: The queue. You could cut the expectation with a blunt measuring device. 

Gamesexpo 2017 - Day One

Here we are again at the UK's primary boardgame convention. The 'here' is the Birmingham NEC and the Hilton Hotel. The 'we' is Joe (designated driver), Mike, Ed, and myself. Following a trip to the cafe in the morning, we all piled into Joe's mammoth 4x4, and weighed down by the contents of the British Library that Ed was taking to the bring and buy, we set off.

Above: The four amigos about to begin their epic weekend.

Critical Engagement 2017 - Terrain update

The OB guys want us to spread the word about our forthcoming Drop Zone Commander Tournament on 8th July, Critical Engagement (http://dzcblog.blogspot.co.uk/2017/05/critical-engagement-17-missions-and.html). I have been helping construct terrain for the event, and here are a few words and pictures on my progress. 

Above: Scatter terrain in progress.

DZC - Coastal Assault Tournament - May 2017

You may have already read Mike's report (Orbital Bombardment blog), so there are no spoiler alerts associated with this post. I took the role of designated drive. After picking up Dan we met up with Mike and Ed for our trip to our favourite south coast wargaming retreat, the Dice Saloon in Brighton. Of the 18 participants 8 had come from our club, and between the four of us, we knew pretty much everyone else taking part. 

Above: Players preparing for game one.

Salute - Part Two. (Tony Harrison tribute)

Welcome to the second instalment of my Salute report. Unusually for me, instead of just buying stuff as soon as I saw it, I was much more reserved and carried out an initial reconnaissance, before returning to traders and items if money and enthusiasm remained. However, although I didn't know it, there were two items on my wish list.

Above: 'It's an Outrage!' - Two of my favourite things collide - Infinity N3 and the Mighty Boosh.

Salute - Event Report - Part One

How does something as huge as the largest annual UK wargaming event sneak up on you? Well on this occasion Salute did, and before you could say 'be at the Waterloo McDonalds at 8.45', we had began a very organised queue experience at the Excel Centre in London Docklands. Salute is a massive event that taxes your stamina.

Above: One big clue to where any right minded wargamer (with pockets stuffed with cash) was on 22nd April 2017. 

It seems that every nook and cranie of the venue is stuffed full of things great, small and peculiar. It is to the great credit of the organisers (all volunteers), and the ' just for the day' volunteers, that the huge scale does not overwhelm them. Good stuff. Gushing over let's get on with it.

Blood Bowl League - Sick as a rat.

Going into game thee of the Blood Bowl league, things were looking ok. A loss to the very able Dan, and a goalfest draw against Mike's super heroes. First up, a friendly rematch against Mike. I was fairly confident of my chances going into the game, being unbeaten at Mike's for three games, and being able to use my new signing, a Rat Ogre.

Above: Mike's superheroes team. Far right is his most recent addition, Rogue.

Infinity - 'A larger font please Corvus'.

 I am the first to appreciate that me writing a blog about Infinity N3 rules is a little rich, and is tempting fate to poke me in the eye*.  Countless, are the times that I have confidently given a rules pronouncement and been proven wrong (sorry Mike). I will hope, that whatever mistakes the next few paragraphs contain a good willed reader will attempt to rectify them. Thank you.

(*If you want to read a blog with a profession approach to rules interpretation visit Peter Acs brilliant Lead Rising Blog).

Above: There's something in there somewhere.

Tails of the River Bank - Blood Bowl League

With a few games under my belt, we have begun a Blood Bowl league at the club. (For a full story visit Dan's blog at   http://madopenleague.blogspot.co.uk/     ). Leagues, much like campaigns, allow your team to develop and grow as games progress, and should you wish, you can develop a story around your team and it's history.

Above: First day of the season.

Space Hulk - A time to leave.

The story so far.

Space Hulk CST6012 had drifted out of the warp much to the interest of the Imperium and alien  races.  Many a zombie has been dispatched, robot rebooted, teleporter used, enemy killed and exciting piece of technology salvaged. However, the hulk has now been caught in the gravity well of a nearby planet, and time has run out for our plucky explorers. It is time to leave.

Above: Will the last one out please turn off the lights?

If you can't beat them, buy them.

Tohaa are my bugbear in Infinity games. This alien faction is completely...............alien to me. So, a recent birthday allowed me to invest in a new faction and attempt to learn how to combat this most mysterious of enemies. For a starting point I bought the Tohaa Starter Pack, a box of Chaksa Auxiliaries, the Kaauri Sentinels blister, and for my HVT, the O-12 High Commissioner. I have yet to play them, but I was determined to build and paint them before hitting the battlefield with them.

Above: All the Models done. The bases were made using a Gamesworkshop Age of an Sigma basing box, Warlord Games Summer Grass and Army Painter Meadow Flowers.

Saturday afternoon is alright for fighting

Club nights too short? Simple run a Saturday afternoon club from 12 till 6. Eleven harden souls paid a few extra coins than the usual Friday night club entry fee to enjoy a range of the finest gaming available......oh....and we flicked some penguins around in a cardboard box. Just to clarify, the penguins were in the box, not us. (Before you go and report us to the RSPB, just Google the boardgame Ice Cool, produced by Brain Games).

Above: Ice Cool. Our first game. An ice-breaker if you will (no penguins were harmed in the taking of this picture).

Blood Bowl - False Start. Everyone but the Centre.*

Blood Bowl has made a very welcome return to our wargaming tables recently. I didn't play much on its first time round, but I did keep my Skaven team from back in the day, so I was ready and waiting to 'play ball'.

* Nothing to do with the content of the post, but just my favourite** referee's call in American Football.

Above: My Skaven Team, Tails of the River Bank.

Teaching N3 - Small Steps. Cautious Movement if you Will.

My crusade to bring Infinity to the masses continues. An open invitation to members of the club lead to my Infinity chum Nathan and myself hosting 6 Infinity newbies. I had brought along three tables worth of terrain (including my new Japanese layout) and a selection of figures for those who didn't have any of their own. Let the teaching beginning.

Above: Setting up terrain before we begin.

World of Wargaming Adventures - Support your Local Club*

A 40K Kill Team game, and planning the next Space Hulk multi-player event with Dave G, were  my entertainment at a recent club evening. Like most wargaming venues the members drive the clubs fortunes. For us, since Christmas, it has been a little quiet, but the Friday in question was a very pleasant change. 

*I appreciate may wish to insert an alternate word instead. Perhaps 'Store', 'Basement' or 'Garage'.

Above: Many an exciting thing going on.

Winter Invasion 2017 - Day Two

Day two of the Invasion Drop Zone Tournament, and my challenge, to win games four and five, and give me a winning record overall. Piece of cake. Again, as well as gaming, there were lots of chances to chat all things Zone. For instance, I met with Hawk Andrew who will become the companies North American representative in the near future. (All the very best with your exploits Andrew).

Above: A lean green fighting machine.

Winter Invasion 2017 - Day One

And here we are again, to immerse ourselves in All things Drop Zone Commander. With the main focus being on Drop Fleet recently, we now have the opportunity to reinvigorate our love for Hawk's first born, at their two day, five game, winter tournament. I appreciate that other quicker bloggers have given you news and views, and more importantly, results. So, unlike most things appearing on the internet nowadays, I can promise you no spoiler alerts (you can read this without any fear of ruining the viewing of a future movies, TV programmes, box sets etc.)

Above: The gang's all here. From left to right, Joe, Dan (kneeling), myself, Mike, Pete and Ed.

DZC - Back in the Zone - Invasion prep.

Invasion flys around again and my focus turns towards the premier Drop Zone Commander tournament. With my many games of Infinity recently, opportunities to play DZC have been few and far between. However, Mike did offer me the chance of a practice game a couple of days before the event.

Above: That's not Scourge? 

Infinity N3 - It was the best of wargaming, it was the worst of wargaming.

Attempting to write a blog every week is a silly self imposed rule. Occasionally it has me struggling. Content is not a problem, I can usually get in two games a week; the Friday club night and Mike's very kind offer of a midweek game. But, it can be problem to write of my wargaming adventures when perhaps the games don't have a great deal of notoriety, or perhaps I have to admit to a mistake or two.......or eight. Dear reader, I just ask that you be kind with your thoughts on this week's offering, as I recount my two most recent Infinity games with my favourite Manga Space Travellers.

Above: A packed Friday club night.

Infinity ITS Event - Van's the Man.

To Ibuywargames I travel for my first tourney of the year. With all my recent N3 games I was looking forward to seeing if I could play a little better than previously. The format was three 400 point games each played in 2 hours.

Above: Players finding their tables. Keith the TO, in the red top.

Nomads - I never had this problem playing Ariadna.

Infinity N3 continues a pace. Mike and Dan continue on their learning curve. You may hear from them personally in the future about their fun and games with JSA and Tohaa respectively. The Infinity N3 infection of Orbital Bombardment spreads as I am due to show Joe the ropes at a forthcoming club night.

Above: Rarely seen together at the club together, all of OB, from left to right, Ed, Joe, Dan, Pete, Mike, and myself (the OB eye candy), off camera. 

The large number games I have crammed in recently has allowed me to better understand my Nomads, and although I appreciate players out there in the big wargaming world might say, 'yes, well of course?', for me, I need to play enough games so that things begin to happen instinctively rather than as a result of actual thinking.

Recently, I have nailed down the use of Smoke and White Noise. It's all well and good knowing what the strategy is, but until you put it into practice, it's not worth a bean. 

Above: Mike playing Ed, but apparently neither is willing to trust the other to measure a range correctly.

Drop Fleet Tournament - In space no one can hear you consult the rules.

As I type this post, due to my failure to visit and update the pledge manager, I have not yet received my Drop Fleet Commander Kickstarter pledge (no one to blame other than myself). However, has that stopped me from playing the game? The answer: no. I bought two of the UCM starter boxes (and a stand alone set of rules) so that I could give the game a go. Also, just before Christmas, there was a DFC tournament taking place in Woking, and with the other Orbital Bombardment crew going along, how could I not respond to peer pressure?

Above: Venue and participants.