Wednesday, August 27, 2014

Retreat from Moscow Playtest at Bruce M.'s

Taking advantage of an invite to participate in longtime gamer Bruce M.'s Retreat from Moscow playtest, I took off early from work and headed over to his palatial residence in the affluent Gig Harbor neck of the woods. Being with the hobby since time immemorial, Bruce has an extensive collection of figures, terrain and interesting artifacts. Bruce is no mean painter either and the figures for the game were mostly his. The rules which Bruce concocted are as always very interesting and fun to play. The combat (or melee as he likes to call it) is decided by D6's per figure after modifications. After rolling, the dice are lined up from highest to lowest, and then both sides compare scores - highest defeating lowest to determine casualties.
French starting their movement towards Paris
The victory conditions were the French getting off the far side of the table using the road. The Russians (which I sided with) scored, or lost points, by either capturing or killing French - including the capture of wagons/sledges. The Russians could also steal captured items/prisoners from other Russians. I tried this with my foot troops against mounted Cossacks - to my detriment.
Cossacks charging the French. Captured French were worth more than dead ones for the game. The wagons/sledges were worth the most.
This was the second playtest for the rules; although my first time playing them. They are easy enough to pick up by the second turn, yet interesting enough for a very enjoyable game. I believe Bruce plans to host this at next year's NHMGS convention, Enfilade!
French just past midway and heading into a village filled with ill-tempered peasants.
The far end of the table for the French. This was the side I was positioned on with several foot units. One an Opolchenie unit with spears. They attempted to assault a handful of French in a cabin, but were completely annihilated by them. I also ran the sledge mounted cannon - which had the crew fleeing from it after being defeated by more French in melee.
I think we played about 5 or 6 turns and called it a slight Russian victory, as most of the French had been either killed, captured or pretty well surrounded by Russians. This was all after another unit of Russians I ran were decimated by Cossack cavalry, after I had impetuously tried to steal the carriage they had captured.

It was a great mid-week diversion, and gave me an excuse to leave work early. It was also nice to see Bruce's collection again.
Bruce's game room and part of his extensive collection. In the far right corner of the photo is his Company B display table which he takes to conventions.
The Bosworth game is still a go for this Friday. It'll be interesting to see how it plays out using the "loyalty" mechanism.

25 comments:

  1. great looking game and a magnificent game room!

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    1. Most definitely, Miles. That's why I had no problem going over to his place and staying until 9:00pm, even though I had to work the next day (today). Best, Dean

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  2. Great looking table - were the minis from Perry's recent 1812 releases? That game room is something to envy, just look at all those neatly stored goodies and that great space for gaming tables. Looking forward to Bosworth!

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    1. For sure some were Perrys; but not sure if all of them were. Some might've been conversions too. Not in the photo of the room is a full wall of cabinets full of boxes of more figures and terrain. Best, Dean

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  3. Great looking terrain and figures....love the games/war room!
    Thanks for sharing Dean,

    cheers,

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  4. Great looking game and figures

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  5. Good looking game. The cannon on sledge is a nice touch.
    Bruce's game room is palatial, isn't it?

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  6. Thanks, Gents! It was a nice venue and game for sure. Dean

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  7. Beautiful looking game (and amazing hobby room). Makes me want to drag out my Retreat stuff before our winter starts up again!

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  8. What a beautiful table...and game room!

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  9. Gorgeous table and even more Gorgeous hobby room!

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  10. Oh for sure, Bruce's game room and collection are very impressive. To cap it off, his home-brewed rules, cultivated over decades of experience, is always geared for fun balanced with excitement. Always a treat to play his games. Best, Dean

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  11. That looks like a fantastic place to hold a game. Excellent figures and terrain too.

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  12. Wow! I'd have a hard time playing, being distracted by walls of figures like that. Beautiful board and armies.

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    1. I made sure to peruse the shelves and other parts of the room during lulls in the battle :)!

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  13. Looks like a easy&fun game to play. Bruce's game room & collection looks awesome!

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  14. What a fabulous looking game and as for that hobby room - wow!

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  15. Wonderfull pictures and battle report! That game room is awesome! All those shelfs with painted minis! Must be heaven!

    Greetings
    Peter

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  16. Great stuff! The Table, the room - everything!

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  17. Great stuff, as always.

    And congrats on the article in WSS - I just picked up that issue and was pleased to see your name in it - well done!

    Regards,
    Greg

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    1. Thanks, Gents! Appreciate the visit and glad you liked the game at Bruce's.

      @ Greg: Appreciate that! Hope you enjoyed the article.

      Best to all, Dean

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  18. Sounds like a good game and that game room is one to behold (well except for the plastic chairs)!

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    1. Thanks, Burkhard. The chairs are probably best being plastic - considering what some of the gamers bring to eat prior to the game - like greasy McDonald's stuff :)! Best, Dean

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