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.