A fair number of us (12 or 13 players) showed up at our buddy Bruce's place (he's the owner/proprietor of Company B) for a multi-player Dragon Rampant game. The last time we did this was in 2019, just a couple of months before the "Big Change." It was great seeing everyone again; most of whom had played in the 2019 game. Although I've been gaming routinely since Enfilade back in September, this was the largest gathering of players for me since then. Luckily Bruce's gaming room is quite big, and although we were somewhat crammed around the gaming table, it still felt roomy. We also were well-nourished with BBQ pork sandwiches which one of the players kindly provided.
The table layout at the start of the game. I used some of my Sisters of Battle figures for my warband. The Junith Eruita canoness in her pulpit being an Elite Rider with mounted missiles and a squad of Battle Sisters as Scouts. I hid behind a tall wall for most of the game taking shots as the enemy (Snowmen and Nutcracker) would expose themselves. My dice rolling was surprisingly good for most of the game. I always managed to activate my units and caused enough hits to help destroy an entire enemy warband and also a dragon (Greater War Beast/leader) from another warband. They survived until the very end of the game - I did a suicide attack with my Battle Sisters (already at half-strength) against unit of heavy foot with predictable results to finish the game and get more refreshments.
Some images of the game - I think we played for about 8 or so turns. With such a long table, with 6 warbands per side, it was surprising each side correctly stayed together for each turn.
My "Sisters" warband taking out enemy with missile weapons from behind cover.
The opposite side of the table where I was playing. That's Bruce's warband made up of Russian (or Finnish?) ski troops.
Missile tossing hooligans.
Evil penguins.
War rabbits mounted on rams.
Might've been due to slipping on their banana peels, but this enemy warband failed to activate for most of the game.
Elves with bows, along with my Sisters providing firing cover on our right flank.
A working Christmas train.
All in all, a nice way to end the 2021 gaming year, although I plan to do one more blog post for 2021 as a wrap up for the year. Until next time have a safe and great holiday season.
Dean, what a fitting and fun way to end your wargaming year!
ReplyDeleteMerry Christmas!
Thank you much, Jonathan! Merry Christmas to you too!
DeleteHappy Crimbo!
ReplyDeleteThanks and same to you, Javier!
DeleteWhat a cracking looking Christmas game... That looks so much fun.
ReplyDeleteCheers
Stu
Thanks, Stu! It was very nice gathering and fun gaming. Warmest regards, Dean
DeleteGreat looking Christmas game!
ReplyDeleteBest Iain
Thanks, Iain. Yes, a nice way to ease out of the year - low stakes gaming :) Kindest regards, Dean
DeleteGreat looking game Dean!!
ReplyDeleteThank you very much, Michal! Warm regards, Dean
DeleteNice game. It sounds like there was a good turnout and fun game.
ReplyDeleteLooking forward to your end of year post.
Thanks, Dave! Yes, nice to be gaming with the usual suspects. Warmest regards, Dean
DeleteA rather odd looking game Dean with a wide variety of unusual troop types...looks like a bit of light hearted Christmas fun though, so cannot be faulted as a great way to wrap up the year!
ReplyDeleteThanks Keith. Yes, pretty much anything close to looking "Christmasy" was thrown on the table. Kindest regards, Dean
DeleteNow that's a game best accompanied by Eggnog and Gingerbread men.... oops, he's armed! :-)
ReplyDeleteThank you very much, Peter. Yes, a lot of bells and whistles. Best regards, Dean
DeleteDude that is hilariously awesome! I love the snow ball throwing missle men. Happy you got out with the boys. An excellent pre Christmas present to you.
ReplyDeleteCheers
Kevin
Thanks a lot, Kevin. I plan to build a more festive looking warband for next year's game. A lot of us just threw together stuff at the last minute. We weren't sure if we were doing it this year. Warmest regards, Dean
DeleteThat looks fun …I am off to order a banana and penguin army 😀
ReplyDeleteThanks, Matt! I sort of liked the war rabbits. Kindest regards, Dean
DeleteVery surprising game....and good idea for all of us! :)
ReplyDeleteThanks, Vladimir! We kept the warband points to 12, to allow for so many players. That said, folks got creative. Warmest regards, Dean
DeleteOkay...that certainly was not what I expected.. :)
ReplyDeleteThanks, PC! If I had spent a little more time/effort, I'd have done up a more "festive" warband. I'll try to start on one for next year's game. Warmest regards, Dean
DeleteStrange armies , but fun looking game Dean !
ReplyDeleteHappy holidays !
Greetings
Thanks a lot, Mario. The last one we played (in 2019), someone had a giant dinosaur with a fighting tower. Lol! Warmest regards, Dean
DeleteFunny game this! Never thought I’d see a Nutcracker assault!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Mike! Back in 2019 when he had the last game, there were a lot of nice warbands. I think this year we kind of threw stuff together at the last minute as we weren't sure if this was going to happen or not. That all said, I do plan to spend more time and thought on a warband for the next one. Happy Holidays! Dean
DeleteInteresting fighting Christmas table :)
ReplyDeleteThank you! It was a nice gathering of odd warbands. Merry Christmas! Dean
DeleteA very colorful game! She creates a festive mood!
ReplyDeleteThank you very much, Sergey. Merry Christmas!
DeleteSo, were the nutcrackers and penguins terrain, or a warband? Either way, love this - it's what DR is best at; bring a bunch of folks together, jam a bunch of stuff on the table, and have fun.
ReplyDeleteThey were parts of warbands :) thanks for the kind words, Markus. Merry Christmas, Dean
DeleteThat's quite an impressive table. Your game looks like lots of fun. Well, it's too late to wish you Merry Christmas. Have a great 2022! Cheers, Karl
ReplyDelete