Smitten With SAGA - And Other Misadventures

Umm, something to do with being retired, I suppose, but my mind has started to wander and come up with things a normal person may not consider. One of these are multiple re-basing projects. I have to blame my recent venture into SAGA with the use of single-based figures. Having just picked up the Age of Hannibal SAGA supplement, whent ahead and re-based some Foundry and 1st Corps Hypaspists, Victrix Gauls, Samnites, and most-recently some Macedonian-Successor Phalangites. Oh, I also re-based some Celtic chariots onto the 50x80mm bases vacated by the Mycenaeans re-based back for WAB. I also picked up the Graeculi and Gallic dice sets. I also started to look at the Franco-Prussian War and AWI figures. The FPW figures are currently on 50mm rounds, 2-figs per; plan to put on 3-figs per and some singles onto the 25mm rounds the AWI figs are on - and also base the AWI figs 3-per on the 50mm rounds (after pulling off the FPW figs). See, this is what happens when you aren't gainfully employed.

Here's tentative SAGA Epirote 6 point warband (one of my buddies has a Carthaginian warband): an Elephant (activates as a unit of Warriors), a unit of mounted Hearthguard, two units of Warriors w/sarissa (Phalanx), a unit each of Mercenary Tarantine Cavalry and Cretan Archers.

Initially, I was going with Samnites as Mercenaries as my Phalangites were already on multi-fig bases, but after realizing the Graeculi Battle Board had almost half of the activation abilities assigned to Phalanx troops I ended up re-basing 16 (two 8-man Warrior units) of the Phalangites onto 20mm washers. They'll be able to rejoin their multi-based brethren on magnetized 40mm squards again if needed.

Oh, and I had also ordered a copy of Hail Caesar 2nd Edition, as another one of my buddies has it and is keen to get his Successors in battle again. For those who haven't picked it up, the book is very nice with an actual table of contents, as well as updated (clearer to understand?) diagrams, etc. I was happy with the original, but figured I'd get it anyway. The one odd (interesting?) thing is the time-frame covered. It has sections on Bronze Age (3300-1200 BC), Classical Greece (510-323 BC), Hellenistic Era (323-31 BC), Late Roman Republic (134-27 BC), Dark Ages (AD 476-1066), and finally Wars of the Roses (AD 1455-1487). Granted there are supplements (which the author states are still compatible with the 2d Ed.) that cover of the time periods left out, but AD 1066-1455 had some significant conflicts - Hundreds Years War comes to mind. Anyway, just wanted to let you know that I've not given up on the hobby in my retirement, in fact, I've been revisiting projects (like the re-basing) which I would otherwise not be inclined to if still working "9-5". Wishing you all the best and thanks for stopping by.

Saga - Chosokabe Samurai vs. Normans

Played a Saga game today with my Gempei Era Samurai vs. my buddy's Normans. A bit out of period, but seeing how we used a sea mat, it really didn't matter. I hadn't used these Samurai figures for several years (last time in a Lion Rampant game day), so it was nice to get them out of the cabinet.

I used one of the factions from the "fan made" "Age of Samurai". I chose the Chosokabe factions as they use a lot of bows. I like a fairly shooty and mobile army, although I only had enough mounted bowmen for one hearthguard unit. My warband consisted of two mounted hearthguard (one each composite bows and katana); three foot hearthguard (two bow and one katana); and finally one unit of warriors (monks) with yari (naginata). I liked how they played out - even against Normans run by a seasoned Saga player. I may replace the one foot hearthguard with katana with another bow armed unit.

We played the "Kill the Warlord" scenario which did end at turn six with our two warlords surviving melee.

I went first and was able to kill two of his mounted hearthguard and one foot hearthguard by bow fire.

A unit of each of foot and mounted hearthguard - the Warlord in the background.

Unit of warriors (monks) wielding naginata, and another hearthguard foot unit with bows.

Since I used regular D6 I annotated the values on the battle board. My buddy sent me the files for an updated board with easier to read die markings - below.

There are about 7 or 8 different Samurai factions, but this one is the one using bows the best.

Unit of mounted hearthguard with katana. The Norman foot hearthguard in the distance already losing a figure due to melee.

Norman mounted hearthguard and Warlord.

Foot hearthguard with bows.

Near the end of the game. My Samurai down two units - one each foot and mounted hearthguard.

Samurai Warlord attacking enemy mounted hearthguard - he did well enough, but gained max fatigue.

The final clash of the game - enemy Warlord attacking the Samurai Warlord with max fatigue. They both survived the melee and the game was called a Norman victory as they retained all of their 8 units they started with. Otherwise, it was a close game and I plan on using this warband again - with a switch out for another foot hearthguard with bows.

As for Saga, my impression, after only 3 or 4 games, is that it is definitely one that is best played one on one. There is a bit of back and forth using the abilities on the battle boards (both yours and your opponent's). Definitely not a game I'd want to host (or play in) with multiple players - unless all were experienced Saga players (which I'm not). I will continue playing as it is with a bunch of buddies who regularly meet, and I need to get out of the house to give my wife a break from me now that I'm retired. I may try out a Roman warband in the future as my EIR figures are singly based (best for Saga). Well, thanks for stopping by and wishing you the best.

Battle of Halbe - Bolt Action

 Just finished up a fairly decent game of Bolt Action using a bit of the Tank War rules (with armored platoons), and Scenario 7: Envelopment from the main rule book. The game was based upon the Battle of Halbe with the German Ninth Army trying to breakout westward via the village of Halbe Their intent was to make it to American/British lines to surrender and avoid capture (or worse) by the Soviet forces which were already encircling them in large numbers. As it turned out the game played out well enough with the more than usual vehicles in Bolt Action game. The Germans only managed to get two units off table and one unit into the Soviets set-up area. They did, however, win by overall victory points by destroying enough of the Soviet units. The Germans started out with a Tiger II, two each Panthers and Panzer IVs, and several halftracks transports. The Soviets had a IS-2, SU-100, two T-34/85s, two Shermans with 76mm guns, and a T-34/76. I added another Tiger II after the first one was knocked out, and also recycled the IS-2 after it was knocked out. Several tanks were set on fire and had their turrets jammed. I thought the Germans played a little too conservatively, although you never know how things go with die rolls. Specifically, their advance stalled out before most had reached the midway point by the end of turn 6 (which is how many turns we had agreed to play). If I were to run this scenario again, I might add more German tanks. I was hesitant to give them more in this initial playtest as I thought they were too powerful, but since they were the attackers they likely needed the help. Here are some pictures from the game.

About the end of turn 6 - the end of the game. The Germans had given up trying to make it off the table, and attempted to destroy remaining Soviet forces.

One of the Panthers advancing to take aim at the IS-2 in the distance.

One of the Sd.Kfz. 251s already in flames. The crew escaping the wreckage - with a pin.

Lend-Lease Sherman and IS-2 occupying the center of the battlefield.

The T-34/76 manuevering through hedges to fire upon the advancing German left flank. Dismounted tank riders taking up position in the town ruins.

A 251 making it to a road to hurridly make it off the table. The Panzer IV and Panther awaiting a clear shot at Soviet armor in the distance.

The IS-2 taken out by a King Tiger.

A Panther awaiting an advance order to fire on Soviet troops. An Sd.Kfz. 7 and Sd.Kfz. 251 destroyed and burning in the background.

The first King Tiger before being taken out by the SU-100 out in the diistance.

A second King Tiger appears on the battlefield after the other one was destroyed.

Remnants of a Panzergrenadier squad about to assault a T-34/85 which has been immobilized and having its turret jammed.

T-34/85 on the left immobilized with turret jammed awaiting assault by Panzergrenadiers. The IS-2 on his right has been recylced into the game after being initially destroyed.

A view from the vantage point of the stalled German advance.

The Panzergrenadier squad failed to damage the T-34/85, and regrouped away from it afterwards.

The SU-100 taken out by a Panther.

Another view from the end of the game.

The second King Tiger on the prowl

Panzer IV cautiously advancing.

Panthers and Panzer IVs were teamed up into separate platoons on each flank.

SU-100 in light cover supported by infantry.

All in all I enjoyed the way the rules played out with so many AFVs. There were four players, two of whom are more into Chain of Command, so was happy to see that they enjoyed themselves too. With some minor tweaks (like giving the Germans a few more units), I think it would work okay for a convention or game day with players with little or no experience with the rules. In fact, for this particular scenario, I'm wondering if more AFVs and less infantry might be better. Maybe most of the infantry in smaller Tank Hunting units. Although, the Panzerfaust wasn't used much in the game - most-likely due to the short (12") range. Thanks again for stopping by and checking out the blog.

Battle Honors Sd.Kfz. 251's

Finished these up today, inspite of spending over an hour unclogging my airbrush after mistakenly running distilled vinegar through it instead of distilled water. Thankfully the camo was done before the clogging.

I used epoxy for the attaching the upper and lower halves together. The kits being older (OOP) Battle Honors metal, the fit was not precise, so some Green Stuff was needed to fill in some of the gaps.

I was about to spray the interior with dunkelgelb but the airbrush kept clogging. I took it apart several times to clean it, but it kept clogging - after I kept adding a little bit of the vineger - which I had thought was distilled water. The jugs of distilled vinegar and water are kept next to each other in the pantry and I grabbed the vinegar by mistake. I thought the smell of the vinegar was the Vallejo acrylic air paints.

With the few gaps filled in and painted up, the vehicles look nice.

A couple of Warlord Games figures for size/scale comparison.

Well this should be it for the game on Friday. We'll see how it plays out. Thanks for stopping by and wishing you the best.

Bolt Action - Battle of Halbe Playtest Setup

 Set up for a playtest of a Bolt Action Battle of Halbe game. Using a bit of the Tank War rules by using more than usual AFVs in the game. The Germans will to move off the opposite side of the table - replicating the Ninth Army's attempt to break out of the Halbe pocket and head west to surrender to the American/British forces. Historically, they never made it and were chewed up by both the 1st Ukrainian and 1st Belorussian Front armies. The Soviet infantry and German Panzergrenadiers are both classed as veterans with Fanatic traits. They also both have ample antitank weapons including Panzerfausts. Will post an update once the playtest is over. Will likely be tweaking the scenario for a few more playtests - plan to host it at a game day later this summer.

The initial table set up; maybe move around or add terrain prior to the game. Mainly wanted to add enough LOS-blocking terrain for the AFVs, but still allow for their manuevering.

Soviet forces including an IS-2, SU-100, two T-34/85s, a T-34/76, and two Lend-Lease Sherman 76mm. Most of the infantry will be tank riders.

German armor consisting of a King Tiger, and two each Panthers and Panzer IVs, three Sd.Kfz. 251s, and one Sd.Kfz. 7. Most of the infantry will ride in the halftracks. Also included a Kubelwagen carrying the command staff.

Some painted blue painters tape to cover the US stars on the turret to make it look like a Lend-Lease tank. Should be good enough for the game.

Last minute work on a couple of old Battle Honors Sd.Kfz. 251s my buddy gave me a few weeks ago (same buddy who gave me all the Soviet armor). Since these will be strictly troop transports for the game, left off the bridge ramps for the 251/7, as well as the gun for the 251/9. I used some blister plastic for a gun shield on one of them. The Tamiya 1/48th 251 will also be used in the game - along with the Sd.Kfz. 7. (Note: these were finished and are pictured in the photos above).

Well, just a quick update for the blog. And as mentioned, will be posting again once the game is played out. Thanks for stopping by and wishing you all the best.

Tamiya 1/48th Soviet IS-2 Tank

This is another 1/48th plastic kit - figured I need an IS-2 for late-war scenarios to face off Tigers and Panthers. Didn't add the cool looking "don't drop a bomb on me, comrade" white markings for the assault on Berlin as it wasn't used previously, and then not all tanks had the markings. I may add them later - maybe. But for now, this should be more than enough armor for late-war Bolt Action scenarios. This tank along with the SU-100 and pair of T34/85's already in the inventory. According to Bolt Action stats, the SU-100's gun counts as a "Super Heavy AT" gun, whereas the IS-2's gun as a "Heavy AT" gun but with an increased HE of 2D6 hits vs. the usual D3. The IS-2's gun is slow loading due to cramped turret space and can only be activated after another Soviet vehicle has activated (or attempted activation).

This is a very nice kit that has minimal parts and goes together fairly quickly. I attempted to use a bit of color modulation with the airbrush. Specifically, after using light grey primer, I hit some of the recesses and wheel and tracks with black. Also went over some of the higher areas with a lightened mixture of the olive green base coat. After this it was given an oil based pin wash and also highlighted edges with Vallejo Yellow Green. This last step seems to give it a nice overall appearance, IMO at least.

I had to replace the rear MMG after I accidentally broke it off. Luckily a spare length of 17 gauge guitar string fit the bill. I managed to Super Glue my thumb and index finger together while putting the string in. Used my left hand to search the internet on how to remove the Super Glue. Ended up running warm water over the area with some soap to release the bond. Amazingly, this is the very first time it's ever happened to me - after years of using the glue.

I left off the grab handles on the sides of the turret as they might get broken off during intense wargaming.

The kit comes with a lenght of cord to use for the tow cables. It actually works well and wasn't too fiddly.

The IS-2 flanked by a KV-1 and IS-3. All are 1/48th scale kits so should give a decent comparison of size and shape.

The Russians are coming! The Russians are coming! The current force of 

Soviet armor (including IS-2s) in Berlin - note none seem to have the white aerial markings.

I now have to come up with a scenario to get most of these tanks in battle. Thanks again for stopping by and checking out the blog. Wishing you all the best in health and the hobby!