Seasons Greetings - Updated 23.01.2024

 Hi Everybody,

                            I hope you all had a good festive season. I was mainly watching tutorials and battle reports on YouTube. I did get to see a few non-gamer mates too. I watched seasons 1-4 of The Expanse, which I can highly recommend, the books are very good. Leviathan Wakes by James S.A. Corey is the first in the series, I believe.

                              I have been flicking through Mighty Empires and printed out the rules, (I need more ink before I can do Rally) and "Rally Round the King" since the "Old World" has been revamped in the new books and models that are coming out. I will not be getting the updated versions as I have Version 1 and 6 of Fantasy Battles, not to mention that they cost a bundle. 

I do want to find my mini bat rep photos before I start anything new. I think my monitor is on the way out too.

Regards all,

Ivor Cogdell

Thoughts On - The Free "Stargazer" App for the "Starforged" Rules system.

  Hi everyone,

                      Thanks for stopping by today. I was just digging about in "Netland", wondering if the "Ironsworn: Delve supplement" was suitable for use with "Ironsworn: Starforged" or if it had been superseded with the Explore mechanic in the rules.

                      As it turns out, "The Stargazer" is a Virtual Table Top App made specifically for the Starforged RPG. It has the Moves, Combat, etc., enabled for the Starforged game engine in drop-down menus. You can paste dice results and text into your campaign journal. It is hex-based and can auto-generate planetary surfaces, planets, ships in orbit, maps of ships, dungeons, robots, NPCS, etc.  

It is currently at https://nboughton.uk/apps/stargazer/#/campaign

Donations are accepted but not obligatory.

It looks well worth your consideration if you use these rules. I am running a campaign on it for myself. You need to keep a note of the file name of the character that you generate, as it autoloads a new character and database on bootup. Type in your character name in the load database section, and it will load your campaign database. Then you are ready to continue on your adventure. Enjoy.

Regards,

Ivor Cogdell

Mini Review - Zombicide The Board Game

 Hi Everyone,

                        Yesterday, I unexpectedly joined in on a game of Zombicide. I did not get to take any photos, as I did not want to interrupt the flow of the game for the others. You are in a house with 6 rooms.  Each player begins in a different room, armed with one weapon. Zombies come in various types, Breakers can break baracades at windows and doors and get inside. Relatives are inside the house and can spawn within the house (blocking you from making any searches), "Fatties" move slower, and normal zombies begin at three "Spawn points" surrounding the house.

There is a weapons cache inside the house, which players can gain access to, as well as searching the rooms they are in with one of their three basic actions per turn. Wood can repair windows. Weapons have different stats - number of shots, range, to hit number and damage.  You destroy spawn points by throwing molotov cocktails at them, made by finding flammable liquid and mason jars.

Players gain experience for doing tasks, one a player has passes a certain level, they get bonus actions, but they also unlock a zombie ability, such as the number spawning each round. 

Objectives per game increase in complexity, Destroy spawn points, get cars etc.

Thanks to Alice, Steve, both Dave's, Martin and our host, Richard for a fun time I next had a game of Carcosonne with Richard and Dave. Another great game.

On another note, my "Alien" GM Richard (another one), loves the electronic version. He has been giving us blow-by-blow accounts of his progress or lack of it for the last few weeks before we start our Alien session over the airwaves. 

Regards all,

Ivor Cogdell

Thoughts On - An Eco Warrior Special

 Hi Everyone,

                     Today, I bring you an ECO WARRIOR special announcement, not that it will be a surprise to most if not all of you reading this, but I just wanted to wave my arms about, shouting it from the rooftops one more time.

NASA Scientists announced that it has been the HOTTEST EVER SUMMER since records began in the 1800's.

All of you know the reputation that NASA has for truth and honesty in the community. Governments and scientists have used their data for baseline measurements. They are peer-reviewed, meaning that everything is cross-checked for accuracy by the finest brains in science.

You may dispute the how of it,

But whatever caused it - "Global Boiling" is here.

 RIGHT NOW!

IT HAS ARRIVED EARLY.

What are WE going to do about it?

What are YOU going to do to help?

RIGHT NOW?

I have just got a job working from home to reduce my carbon footprint. I appreciate that everybody cannot do that.

How about getting together with your neighbours and sharing a car to go to work. (Put a note in your local store with contact details). You save a few bucks on gas that you can spend on hobbies or other things later, and you spill a few yarns on the way.  Fewer cars on the road mean the journey is less snarled up and takes less time.

 You arrive less stressed at work, so everybody is happy. Same on the way home, more energy to do stuff. What's not to like.

No doubt you can think of other things too. Ask around. It is the future of the planet that is at stake here. Don't leave it up to the government, some of them are trying, but they are just fighting with each other most of the time.

PLEASE ACT NOW.

You will feel better about it.

So will the planet.

Ivor Cogdell

Check it out on the Space.com website.

https://www.space.com/nasa-2023-summer-hottest-on-record

Thoughts On - Wargamers Show - 1 October 2023 (Updated with photos).

 Hi Everyone,

                       Just a quick shout-out to the Wargamers Show 2023. 

The venue for the show is the 100-acre Scout Hut, Aldridge Road, Streetley, Sutton Coldfield, B74 2EB. Sunday, 1st October 2023, 9.30 - 16:00. 60 parking spaces are available on site. 

The 937 and 997 buses are on a Sunday limited timetable. It is not exactly Wembley Stadium, but better than nothing. No information about entrance fees. There are 9 traders on the list so far. I don't know about any bring-and-buy tables, but if not, set up in the car park.

Source - bhgs.org.uk/calendar.

I did manage to attend the show, but I was not feeling at my best, due to having the Covid 19 vaccine and Flu jabs in both arms the day before. (The journey on public transport took about two hours each way for me, so I was rather shell-shocked, through being bounced around by the time I arrived). Some of the other Battle Circle members were there, having arrived earlier. I tried to order food from the pub next door, but they were too slow, so I left, unimpressed.

I was hoping for more magazines and rule books in the second-hand section. They did have large collections of painted figures and vehicles, just not what I was looking for at the moment. I did purchase some scout figures for my 5 Parsecs game. Other things in the main hall were out of my price range or covering subjects I had already had rules for.

I think this was a Zombies game of some sort, run by "The Guards Club".

I think they can be found at "Thye Church of Saint Thomas Moore Parish Hall or possibly next door in the Primary School on Friday nights. Please confirm the details before going.
Corner of Horse Shoe Lane and Church Road. (71 and 60 bus routes).

A WW II aerial dogfight game of some sort.

Thanks to the show organisers and all who came along to support it or sell us goodies.

Regards,

Ivor Cogdell

Thoughts On - The Augur VTT

 Hi everyone,

                      Thanks for stopping by today. I was just digging about in "Netland", wondering if the "Ironsworn: Delve supplement" was suitable for use with "Ironsworn: Starforged" or if it had been superseded with the Explore mechanic in the rules. I found a couple of comments on Reddit and one of them mentioned "Augur". I just thought it was an oracle that someone had made for exploring. I decided to click on the link and find out more.

                      As it turns out "The Augur" is a Virtual Table Top setting for Starforged, Ironsworn and other Sci-fi and fantasy games. It has the Moves, Combat etc. enabled for the Starforged game engine. It is hex-based and can auto-generate planetary surfaces, planets, ships in orbit, maps of ships, dungeons, robots, NPCs etc. Another feature is that ChatGPT is built into the text area so that it can generate relevant content in response to what has gone before. 

It is currently priced at $24.99, as of 18th August 2023. There is also a free mode that you can try out too. I plan to dig into that later.

https://www.augurvtt.com/

It looks well worth your consideration if you use these rules or if you play solo games in general.

Ivor Cogdell

Stargrave Character Sheet and Battle Report 01a (Part completed.)

 Hi everyone,

                    Here is my Character Sheet from the short Stargrave Battle I took part in a few days back. The rules are similar to Frostgrave, free reference sheets can be found on the Stargrave website. Starting Credits for the Captains = 400. 

May I present - MacDougals Misfits (My forces).

Our Ship: The Upgraded Balloon.

Captain: Jim MacDougal. Level 15.  Cost Credits 50.

Move     Fight    Shoot    Armour    Will    Health

    7           +3       +3            11          +4        17

Rogue Powers

Name            Activation        Strain

Data Jump          10                    0

Fortune               12                    0

Quick-Step         10                    0

Void Blade          10                   0

Power Spike          8                    1

Gear / Notes

Rapid Fire, Heavy Armour, Frag Grenade, Knife.

====================================

First Mate: Baxter Wilde, a Veteran, Level 0.

Move     Fight    Shoot    Armour    Will    Health

    5           +3       +3            11          +2        15

Veteran Powers

Name                    Activation        Strain

Concentrate Fire            10                0

Energy Shield                10                0

Armoury                        10                0

Target Designation         8                 0

Bait & Switch                12                2

Gear / Notes

Heavy Armour, Flame Thrower +2 shoot, Frag Grenade.

=================================================

Crew:  Hooper Peters                                Hacker    Cost   Credits 20

Move     Fight    Shoot    Armour    Will    Health

    6           +1       +1            10          +1        12

Gear / Notes

Light Armour, Pistol, Knife

==================================================

Crew:  Fiona Robbins                                Medic    Cost   Credits 100

Move     Fight    Shoot    Armour    Will    Health

    7           +2       +2            10          +3        10

Gear / Notes

Light Armour, Pistol, Medic Kit

===============================================

Crew:  Wally Baker                                Sentry    Cost   Credits 50

Move     Fight    Shoot    Armour    Will    Health

    4           +3       +2            11          +0        14

Gear / Notes

Carbine, Heavy Armour, Hand Weapon.

===============================================

Crew:  Dodger Harris                                Runner    Cost   Free

Move     Fight    Shoot    Armour    Will    Health

    7           +2       +1            9          +1        12

Gear / Notes

Pistol, Knife.

=================================================

Crew:  Barney Short                                Chiseler    Cost   Credits 20

Move     Fight    Shoot    Armour    Will    Health

    6           +1       +1            10          +1        12

Gear / Notes

Pistol, Lock Pick, Light Armour, Knife.

==========================================

Crew:  Andy Fox                                Recruit    Cost   Free

Move     Fight    Shoot    Armour    Will    Health

    6           +2       +2            10          0        12

Gear / Notes

Cosh.

===================================================

Crew: Humanoid Robot                               Commando    Cost   Credits 75

Move     Fight    Shoot    Armour    Will    Health

    5           +3       +3            11          +1        14

Gear / Notes

Carbine, Heavy Armour, Knife.

==============================

I think I'm missing one here.

Remaining Credits to Jim = 145.

There is no battle video, I'm afraid, only a couple of pictures taken at the start of the day. I did not take more snaps as my pc will not receive any downloads from my mobile camera, even though I have downloaded the drivers for it. The scanner did not pick up the colours of the photo as I was scanning them from my phone, but, at least you can see how much effort Martin, our host, put into the table. 

Starting positions - I am top-centre and will come on the board in that corner. Richard is on the left and will come in behind the Med Bay with the red cross on its roof. Martin is centre-right in this photo and will come on the table from the right of the brothel and to the left of the tree.

One objective is in the offices behind the saloon on the first floor, accessed by a circular aerial ramp, partially visible, going to the ground and the rear of the saloon. One is in a tree behind the saloon.

It is a desert setting, with sand on the base. The building at the lower centre is the Brothel, painted red, naturally. The multi-storey building in the middle is the saloon (Orange). This has the prime objective placed on its roof. Minor objective markers are placed at its left corners. Mid Left is the car park. Left (pale blue) and mid-right are warehouses with assorted storage containers scattered around, adding cover. Vegetation counts as soft cover. (Lower left = orange). (Grey = Mid-right.) A minor objective was placed on its roof. One objective was at the front of the warehouse mid-left.

Turn 1

Martin wins the initiative and his Captain and three troopers move North. His sniper climbs onto the brothel roof and his other forces move around the left side of the brothel.

Richard brings his forces to either side of the Medbay. 

I advance my troops forward, Captain Jim, Fiona, the Medic and Wally the Sentry, go towards the tree with the objective in it, to the left of the ramp. Baxter, the First Mate, flicks on his Energy Shield.  He joins the others to get in cover below the walkway on the right. Hooper, our hacker, is going towards the circular walkway ramp along with our shiny robot.

Dodger Harris, our runner and Andy, the Recruit go up the hill, difficult ground, so half movement distance, on our left. Barney, our chiseler, is not needed to open anything yet, so hangs back.

Shooting

All were out of range of each other.

Turn 2

Martin's Captain climbs up the roof and heads for the objective. Another climbs up after him and pauses there. The Sniper moves forward to the roof line in the middle. The rest move towards the Saloon.

Richard's Captain heads towards the loot token at the back of the saloon. His first mate moves towards the front of the saloon to collect the other objective. The others take cover in the car park and spread out.

My troops advance forward. Captain Jim, Fiona, the Medic and Wally the Sentry, get to the tree with the objective in it. Baxter, the First Mate, grunts, as the weight of his flamethrower's straps dig into his collarbones. He jogs right, below the walkway, towards the cover of the cargo containers that the offices are supported by. Hooper, our hacker, starts to ascend the ramp, difficult ground, to its halfway-level point, followed by the robot.  Dodger Harris, our runner and Andy, the Recruit go up the hill on our left, to get into cover. Barney, our chiseler, is not needed to open anything yet, so hangs back.

Shooting

Assorted pot shots went off, no damage.

Turn 3

Richard's Captain reaches for the loot token at the back of the saloon and tries to unlock it. His flamethrower advances towards the front of the saloon. 

Martin's Captain reaches the objective. Another soldier moves halfway along the roof in support. The sniper advances to the front of the roof of the Brothel. The rest advance towards the Saloon in two waves.

 My troops advance forward. Captain Jim uses the tree as cover. Fiona climbs into the tree to unlock the data token and Wally the Sentry splits off to the left into cover of the offices. Baxter gets into the cover of the containers. Hooper gets to the top of the ramp and heads right towards the loot, followed by the robot.  Dodger and Andy get to the top of the hill and into cover. Barney, our chiseler, is not needed to open anything yet, so hangs back.

I had rolled a low number for the initiative roll (<5), so was allowed to put our first local on the board. I put him coming out of the brothel.

Shooting

Assorted shots went off. After much soul searching, Richard's second in command fired the fragmentation grenade into the group of Martin's soldiers advancing towards the Saloon, scoring "First Blood" points. Martin's Captain got wounded on the container as he unlocked it by Dodger. My Sentry got wounded, as Martin's soldier returned fire from the rear end of the container. Baxter used his flamethrower on Richard's Captain and got wounded by return fire from the car park. The local shot one of Martin's other Crewmen.

Turn 4

This is only part done, but I wanted to show you that I am working on something for you.

Thanks again to Martin and Richard for a fun game. I have no doubt got some of the moves and shooting wrong, but it is as close as I can get it.

(Apologies for not finishing this bit off yet. I am doing a course online currently and my notes have gone walkies.)

Ivor Cogdell