Litko Re-basing - Early Samurai

In a continuing effort to organize figures for easier handling, both in gaming and also storage, I used up some leftover 50mm round bases from Litko. I had just enough to re-base the mostly The Assault Group (T.A.G.) Early Samurai cavalry I've had for several years. The lone monk is a Kingsford from their excellent line. These had been gamed many times as singles in WAB and modified-WAB games in the past. As this period suits smaller scale skirmish best, I wanted them based for ease of play in this respect. Having two per round base seemed like a good enough idea. So, here they are in a few gratuitous photos.

Besides static grass, Army Painter grass tufts and flowers have been added to the bases to jazz them up a bit.

The large banner is based upon one supposedly associated with Minamoto Yoshitsune - the hero from the Gempei Wars of the late 12th Century. The large white horo has markings from the Minamoto clan - the horo was scratch-built using Green Stuff.

They were painted several years ago - when I used to paint eyes - which nowadays are reserved for character figures only.

The rear shot above shows off the various lacing patterns on the o-yoroi - or great armor of the period. There isn't evidence that the patterns were anything like European heraldry, and more on the whim of the wearer.

Below is yet another gratuitous image - this time with the foot troops - on Litko skirmish trays; both samurai and chugen (pre-Ashigaru types). They are a mixture of T.A.G., Kingsford and Curteys; which mix well together. I feel fortunate to have not only met Mike Curtis of Curteys, but actually played against him at a WAB tournament last year.The figures are on a GW board with skulls which do not look inappropriate. If I were still into this period, I would've liked to have added some West Wind figures from their nice range also.

Cheers!

Siege of Haengju Play-Test - Success!

Well even with multiple last minute player cancellations, the game still managed to go off with two players. My ever-faithful gaming buddy Pat L. and fellow expat Hawaiian James (Kimo) showed up to give it a go. James is a former White Rock Gamer from Vancouver, B.C. He now lives a few miles away from me - he was an Infantry platoon leader in Vietnam and a member of the local chapter 407 of the Military Order of the Purple Heart. This was James' first time playing Hail Caesar, but got into the flow very quickly. Pat chose to run the besieging Japanese and James ran the defending Koreans. At the top of Turn 1, Pat ordered his three divisions to turn to their left with the objective of assaulting the flank of the defended position. His first division commander failed his command roll and basically bottle-necked the rest of his two divisions who had successful rolls.

Three Japanese divisions attempting to march to their left for an assault - the division on the far left failing to achieve this initial move stymieing the overall army maneuver.

The Koreans followed suit by attempting to shadow the Japanese's movements. James actually rolling a 12 for a Blunder with the first of his three division. He subsequently rolled a 1 on this D6 Blunder test and gained a casualty for one of his units in that division. This is a result from a simplified Blunder table for the game. Turn 2 had the Japanese deciding to move towards the defenders with some long range missile fire - not all of which were successful as the barricades provided covering saves.

Japanese at Turn 2 moving forward towards the defenders; having decided it wasn't worth the effort to attack the far right flank of the defenders. Pat changed his strategy a couple times in the game - from cautious to more, shall we say "Samurai-ish" as the game wore on

Turn 3 allowed the Japanese to move up closer, with not too much worries from the poor missile fire from the defending Koreans. Ming Chinese and Korean cavalry were allowed to attempt to enter the fray on the Korean's Turn 3, but failed their command roll to come on. In fact, they never were successful to enter the battle for the entire game of 6 Turns. This actually is historical as they never appeared at the actual battle.

Turn 4 with the Japanese moving ever so much closer

View from the rear of the overall Japanese army commander

By Turn 5, the some Japanese units were able to charge the outer barricades and defeat a unit of Korean defenders, thereby allowing them to move into the outer defense works. The Koreans did manage to destroy an Ashigaru unit or two in the process though. The Korean's Victory Condition was either to destroy 50% of the Japanese or keep them out of the upper level of the fortress.

A Samurai unit has entered the outer barricade area after defeating the defending unit in combat. An Ashigaru unit had been destroyed previously

Another view of the close combat going in inside of the Korean's outer defense work. This is historically accurate, as the Japanese did indeed manage to break into the outer defenses.

The top of Turn 6 had a Samurai unit enter the top tier of the defenses after wining their round of combat. The victory condition for the Japanese was to have one of their units reached the inner/topmost portion of the defensive position and retaining it at the end of Turn 6. This they did and the Japanese were declared victorious - unlike the historical battle which ended in severe casualties and defeat for them.

A unit of Samurai inside of the inner defense work at Turn 6 - retaining it until the end of the Turn and thereby achieving Victory for the Japanese.

Both James and Pat agreed it was a fun game and should work very well at the convention next month with little or no modification to the rules as is. The one thing that could've added a lot of friction would've been if the Ming and Korean cavalry were able to enter the game and cause some trouble to the attackers. It was suggested to leave them out of the game completely, but I plan to leave them, but maybe allow them to come at Turn 4 - contingent upon a successful command roll.

Siege of Haengju - Ready for Play-Testing Tomorrow!

Well, we're finally getting to get in a play-test tomorrow for the Siege of Haengju game I've committed to hosting next month at our local annual convention, Enfilade! Out of the initial six or seven players, only about half will be able to make it tomorrow. That said, it should be fine as the ones making it are very experienced gamers, and in systems that I've based the rules upon. The rules for this game are a modified version of Hail Caesar with doses of WAB and DBA mixed in! Here are a few shots of the table set up - pretty close to what I had set up back last December (for a game that never materialized), but with the addition of more command stands and another Korean artillery piece.

View of the Korean defenders - an outer palisade of stakes and inner stone wall from the older, original fortress of an earlier era.

A view from the side of the assaulting Japanese. The area directly in front of the Japanese are wooded, but passable for the cost of an entire move. To their right are rice fields which will also cost an entire move for small fields and two for larger ones. The walls also cost an entire move to overcome. Quite simplified rules, but geared for convention players with little or no experience with Hail Caesar.

A view from the heights of the Korean defense system. Their artillery are all able to fire overhead their own troops from the higher elevation. As may be surmised by the photos (blurred as they are), units are mostly two stand apiece so relatively "small", but since they are structured this way can be considered "Standard" sized per Hail Caesar.

The right of the Japanese attack. The woods provide cover (+1 Save), but only hinder movement by costing one move as none of the wooded areas are greater in depth than the 6" normal movement of infantry. The Japanese cavalry can still use their full 9" move for wooded terrain also - all units in the game are considered Open Order troops except for the Chinese Heavy Cavalry. The Korean and Chinese cavalry will be able to come on in Turn 2 of the game - contingent upon them having successful Command Rolls.

A view from the Japanese left - there are three divisions for the Japanese; each with a mixture of arquebusiers, archers, spearmen and Samurai. The center division also has cavalry and the one cannon for the Japanese. Both the Japanese and Koreans have three divisional commanders and an overall army general who can choose to lead units/divisions at will.

Some of the modifications to the basic Hail Caesar rules are the removal of Disorder, the simplification of Combat resolution, Break Test and Blunder rolls. All will have only three outcomes - the Combat resolution and Break Test will be both based loosely upon DBA: D6 roll of 1-2 results in the offending unit being destroyed and removed from game; 3-4 results in fleeing a basic move distance away from combat/enemy, and needing to a leadership test to rally their next turn (as in WAB but also requiring the use of a successful Command roll from an appropriate commander to take the test) - failure will have the unit to move yet another basic move away; 5-6 resulting in a "Recoil" back of a basic move distance (similar to DBA). Blunder test results (from rolling 12 in the Command roll as normal) are 1-2 having the unit take one casualty; 2-3 Flee one basic move distance away from the enemy - automatic/free rally at top of their next turn; 5-6 Uncontrolled basic move (surge) toward enemy, but not counted as a Charge. All foot units will have a maximum Endurance (max casualties) of 3, except for Samurai units which will be 4 as all cavalry. Charge responses are similar to WAB also: Stand, Fire (if bow armed, and -1 to Hit); Evade - based upon Hail Caesar - requiring a Command roll for up to 3 moves away, but still have one free move if roll failed; and if overtaken by the Charging unit will be destroyed. There are a few Special Rules and various Saves for certain troops, but still pretty simplified rules and they all fit on a 8.5 X 11 inch page, one-sided.

Litko Horde Trays - Dilemma Solved

Taking advantage of FRP Games' sale on Litko stock I picked up a couple of packs of horde trays at a 40 percent discount. I also ordered some magnetic inserts for the trays. The packs come with 8 variously shaped trays that hold 5 25mm diameter bases each. The total of 80 figures is enough for most skirmish games intended, including Bolt Action, Muskets and Tomahawks, as well as skirmishers for Hail Caesar and the like. Here are various figures based on metal washers which complement the magnetic inserts. I had pondered the thought of rebasing these singly-based figures as I dislike moving individual figures in games, so this solved the dilemma very effectively.

A gratuitous photo op to be sure, but since I've not posted in some time it felt a bit obligatory. For the record, I'm very pleased with Litko products - not only for the high quality, but the pricing as well.

DBA Game Day at The Flying Heritage Collection in Everett, WA

Just got back from a great game day up in Everett, WA at the Flying Heritage Collection. Which as the name implies means it is more than a museum - as all of the planes and tanks at their museum can actually be flown and driven. Okay, maybe the V2 Rocket and buzz bombs don't, but there's probably a very good reason for this. In fact, the M4 Sherman will be taken out and driven this coming Memorial Day. Well, enough about the collection for now, and on with the game day which was hosted by Paul Hannah. He provided 6 paired DBA armies - all based on historical scenarios and all with great looking troops and terrain. We also have to thank Kevin Smyth, former NHMGS President, with arranging this venue.

The venue - under the shadow of a V-2 Rocket - about as cool as under the SR-71 at the Museum of Flight (photo courtesy of Rod Fleck).


Paul announcing the top three winners - prize support came from the Collection - a very hospitable and generous host to be sure.

As the tournament set up had players start their first two games on the same board - switching sides after the first game - I ended up playing against Pat L. on the Siege of Rhodes table. I first played the defending Rhodians, which I ended up winning. Pat had a probably as much to do with the win as I did - schooling me as we played along. After switching sides for the next game, I somehow won it for Demetrius.

I didn't fare as well in the next, and final two, games for the Battle of Marathon scenario. Still I had a wonderful time and learned a lot more about the different kinds of troop types. I'm also thinking of incorporating some of the rules into my Imjin War game - particularly the combat resolution.

As I mentioned, the collection includes a fair amount of impressively restored tanks - all of which are taken out and driven from time to time.

And aircraft which are flown occasionally too.

These probably could be flown, but probably best left just for display.

Finally, borrowing my buddy Rod's hat, I tried to reenact the Gran Sasso Raid.

Yamato Fortress: DBA Army Camp

Here it is with the two remaining Khurasan figures that were ordered for the Pre-Samurai (Yamato) DBA army. The white primered "wood" took a wash/stain of Vallejo inks very well; not requiring any further painting.

The shields are from the range by Khurasan and very nicely detailed.

The rear of the piece with what are stand-ins for psiloi. Yes, they have body armor and carry shields, but think of them as elite light infantry.

The sides of the battlement are filled earthenwork.

The completed army with mandatory army camp. Not bad considering they have a total footprint of a cigar box.

Yamato Fortress: DBA Army Camp - WIP

Used some left over plasticard to construct the "mandatory" camp for my Pre-Samurai DBA army. It is based upon a reconstruction of the Western Gate of Ki Castle.

Here is what the reconstructed fortress looks like. Note the distinctive Yamato style shields lining the upper portion of the gate house. I'm leaving off the roof so an element base can occupy the top platform.

Here are the main components for the fortress. The plasticard was scored with an engraving pen to simulate the wood grain as well as the separate planking. I placed measurements on the base prior to construction - thinking I'd use them. As it turned out the construction was on the fly and mostly eye-balled.

The structure with the upper platform off. It fits onto an 100mm X 60mm bases - which conforms to the 2.2 version of rules that camps must be sized to "fit into a rectangle the length plus width of which totals no more than 4 element base widths."

Choson Korean Multi-Barrelled Cannon

Wanting to add another artillery piece for the besieged Koreans at Haengju, I ended up using this RAFM Miniatures Organ Gun. Although the model is based upon a 15th Century European gun, it should be plausible enough for a 16th Century Choson Korean one.

The figures crewing the gun are Perrys previously painted. In the background are two more barricade stake works I also worked on. Having committed to hosting the Imjin War game at the local convention, Enfilade!, in May the terrain might as well be decent.

This RAFM model was chosen as the Grendel Dwarf Cannon which I wanted to use looked way too big. I received the Grendel model on Tuesday and ordered the RAFM on Wednesday off of ebay. Amazingly it arrived today, and was a quick project.

Here's a multi-barreled cannon from the Choson period in the War Memorial Museum in Seoul, South Korea.

Choson Korean Bell Shrine

Picked up this aquarium piece today from Petco for under $20. Repainted sections of the rafters as well as the roof to make it look more Korean. The Korean temples have really gaudy colors - aqua blues and oranges. It sizes up really well for 28mm - some Perry figures next to it for comparison.

As I've signed up to host a couple of games using the Siege of Haengju scenario at the local convention in May, I figured I might as well make the terrain look good.

It appears this resin model may be based upon Kiyomizu Shrine in Japan - below:

Korean temples and shrines usually have roofing on all four sides - as opposed to only two on most Japanese structures. But as my wife admonished me when I bewailed this fact, "It's close enough."

Here's a close up of typical painting on Korean temples and shrines.

Speaking of the Siege of Haengju game, I just ordered a Grendal Miniatures Dwarf Cannon - the one sculpted like a dragon - to support the Korean defenders.

Thracians (Crusader Minis) Based

So here is the command group recently painted along with javelin men painted several years ago - based on Litko 40mm squares.

They should survive a lot better in Hail Caesar than they did in WAB. To be fair there were only 8 of them, and in most of the games they went up against larger sized units of Velites.

Some of the shields (pelta) have LBMS transfers.

This is one of the last units of Ancients and Medievals, as well as Napoleonics, that were mounted as singles. I may move on to some Russo-Japanese War figures currently on washers, as I intend to use them with Black Powder. Although, they could still be used multi-based in a modified version of Bolt Action too. Lots of gaming talk from someone who hasn't really played a game in a long time.

Thracian Command (Crusader Minis)

These will lead eight previously painted javelin men.

I really like the Ancients and Dark Ages ranges by Crusader Miniatures. One of my first WAB armies was built almost entirely from their Norman range - when I had an Old Glory Army membership and they carried Crusader figures. Anyway, the tunics and cloaks were painted in muted colors with  geometric patterns associated with Thracians.