Tribal Hawaii Game

Here's the AAR from the Hawaiian game we just wrapped up. We had 6 players - 3 per side. An invasion force of 3 warbands from the Big Island of Hawaii arrived by outrigger canoes and their goal was to obtain a sacred sword that once belonged to a shipwrecked Japanese warrior. They also were to desecrate a sacred pool. The invaders managed to reach the sacred pool and desecrate it in unmentionable ways. However, the Kauai defenders successfully defended the sacred sword hidden in a grass hut. We called the game after 5 turns as the defenders had way more honor points (cowrie shells) than the invaders. There was quite a bit of combat going on around the table, including several one-on-one clashes between chiefs and their champions. I ended up rearranging units so that each side had two Marksman units in addition to ones with long and short weapons. We also had appropriate refreshments, including Kalua Pork on Hawaiian Bread buns and Hawaiian Mac Salad.

One player gave his honest opinion where he felt the rules are a bit "clunky." Admittedly, it does seem to boil down to a card game of sorts. It's not quite as simplified as One-Hour Wargames Skirmish rules - it does make you think strategically of which cards to play - not necessarily the highest value, but which suit too, as only Spades and Clubs can wound. Hearts and Diamonds can win by value, but can only change your suit or your opponents the following turn, respectively. I'm debating to host this at next year's convention or to use another set of rules. I will use the same figures and terrain though. Anyway, it was great to finally host a game again with good buddies. Thanks for stopping by and hope you all are doing well. Aloha!