Legacy of the Weirdboy, the first DLC for Sanctus Reach, just came out. You can expect my full review in a few days, but in the meant...
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WH40k Sanctus Reach: Legacy of the Weirdboy Gameplay Video
Don't say we never gave you anything! We have codes for a few games to giveaway, just be the first to comment below claiming one ...
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Giveaway! Get in here quick!
Don't say we never gave you anything! We have codes for a few games to giveaway, just be the first to comment below claiming one of the following games, then send an email to beardjoe33 at gmail dot com so I can get you the link. One game per person!
- Joe Beard
WINGS OF GLORY: BATTLE OF BRITAIN This game has a solid ancestry, first came Wings of War WWI and then WWII which morphed into Wi...
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WINGS OF GLORY : BATTLE OF BRITAIN
WINGS OF GLORY: BATTLE OF BRITAIN
Despite a significant number of additional planes for Wings of Glory WWII, its WWI focus has always seemed to draw greater interest, mainly I suspect because of the glamour of those early amazing machines with bi-planes and tri-planes and, of course, the Red Baron, Von Richtofen himself.
I certainly understand and share that pull of the beginning of aerial warfare and the birth of the Royal Flying Corps. But being born five years after WWII, my childhood was filled with Spitfires and Mosquitoes, Stuka dive-bombers and Messerschmitts and the Blitz and the amazing story of Douglas Bader as recounted by Paul Brickhill in his book Reach For The Sky. Not to mention the many Biggles books [including the one linked to here Biggles Defies The Swastika] that span both WWI and WWII.
So, Ares Games latest addition to their oeuvre of aerial combat has an enormous appeal. Wings of Glory: Battle of Britain like its predecessor Wings of Glory: WWII comes as a stand-alone package which can act as a starter set or bring a further set of planes to your table if you've already embarked on the WWII series.
For those of you familiar with the mechanics of play and typical contents, you may wish to fast-forward to my comments and conclusions. As always, the quality of the contents represents excellent value for money, starting with the four pre-painted model planes: 2 Spitfire Mk1s and 2 Messerschmitt Bf109 E-3s, each with its double-sided console marked for the Basic game on one side and Standard/Advanced game play on the other.
Inevitably, and necessarily, there are sheets and sheets of markers. Many relate to damage and speed and, of course, each plane comes with its own deck of manoeuvre cards as well as three special ability cards.
The rulebook text is an identical replication in a compact 44 pages of the original Wings of Glory: WWII as are all the diagrams, though many of the reproductions of cards from the manoeuvre decks are different.
Instead of planning and playing a single manoeuvre card at a time, you start with your first and second card planned. From then on it's play first card, move your second card into the first slot and plan next card. Admittedly, I miss the more prolonged choice of three cards which must all be played in sequence before planning the next set of three that is a feature of the WWI game. But, the greater responsiveness and manoeuvrability of WWII planes are reflected by this two card sequence.
The other two additions in the Standard Rules are the classic Immelmann turn and special damage tokens. As you can see, hardly a difficult trio of developments. Even the Advanced Rules only goes 4 pages further and largely develops movement concepts - bringing in High/Low Speed, Altitude and the accompanying ability to Dive and Climb - slightly trickier to handle, but nothing overwhelming.
The Optional Rules bring in a wide range of elements that certainly add to my enjoyment of the game. Just some of them include: the potential for airfields and landing and taking off: fuel: cloud cover; extended crew damage and [my favourite] Ace Rules, which bring in a wide range of special abilities and Rookies too.
The next part entitled Special Airplanes is obviously preparing the way for further models, covering as it does two-seaters and multi-engine planes. Once again, all these include excellent diagrams and illustrations.
Finally, there's a small section on Ground Units. In part, they provide targets for bombing and the wherewithal to fire back at the planes. The latter anti-aircraft guns have a very personal appeal as my father served in the Royal Artillery in WWII, manning A/A guns around the British Isles from as far north as the Shetlands to postings along the coast and the English Channel during the period of the feared German invasion and the Blitz.
The whole is contained in a very compact, well designed package - with just ONE problem - getting those superb models out of their recesses!!
If you haven't bought into this system yet, then Wings of Glory: Battle of Britain is the perfect starting point and I'd strongly recommend buying a copy immediately. If you have the previous starter set Wings of Glory: WWII, but haven't extended the range of plane types, then this package still offers great value for money just by giving you 4 more planes. These alone bought separately would cost you at least as much as this whole product and would give you only the planes and their manoeuvre cards. Buying the new starter package adds four more plane consoles, shed loads more markers, obviously another rule book and a separate booklet with Battle of Britain scenarios.
A final item worth mentioning is the series of battle mats that can be bought to enhance any of the Wings of Glory games. I hope even my photos do them enough justice to encourage your adding them to your must buy wish list.
So, dare I say, " Chocks away and tally ho, old boy!"
The Mongol Conquests The Military Operations of Genghis Khan and Sube'etei by Carl Fredrik Sverdrup Genghis...
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The Mongol Conquests: The Military Operations of Genghis Khan and Sube'etei by Carl Fredrik Sverdrup
Genghis Khan, (I will use the spelling the author uses on both his and Sube'etei's names. I have seen them spelled three or four different ways) not the greatest conqueror in my eyes. That should be reserved for Timur, but Genghis Khan's descendants ruled the greatest land empire the world has ever seen, thanks in a large part to the actions of Sube'etei The Valiant.
Robert
Book: The Mongol Conquests: The military Operations Of Genghis Khan And Sube'etei
Author: Carl Fredrik Sverdrup
Publisher: Helion & Company
Distributor: Casemate Publishers
Hello everyone, today I'm introducing my new podcast "Skirmish Line" This podcast will bring you more the great content y...
For your Wargamer, Toy soldier collector, MiniFig collector, military history nut. Reviews, interviews, Model Making, AARs and books!
Introducing the Skirmish Line Podcast
Hello everyone, today I'm introducing my new podcast "Skirmish Line" This podcast will bring you more the great content you expect from A Wargamer's Needful Things, delivered in a new way. I listen to a ton of podcasts, and have wanted to try doing it for myself for a long time. This first episode is rather short and I'm sure my delivery could use some work, but I hope you enjoy it!
More episodes to come in the weeks and months ahead!
Roman Republic At War A Compendium Of Battles From 502 To 31 B.C. By Don Taylor Part one of the book is an '...
For your Wargamer, Toy soldier collector, MiniFig collector, military history nut. Reviews, interviews, Model Making, AARs and books!
Roman Republic At War: A Compendium Of Battles From 502 To 31 B.C. By Don Taylor
After the introduction to Roman warfare there are two very helpful lists of all the battles in the book. The first is an alphabetical listing of the battles. The second is a chronological list that helps you to follow the battles through the myriad of Roman wars.
Had some free time this Saturday so I decided to provide you guys with a bit of Cold Waters gameplay! My mission was a success...until...
For your Wargamer, Toy soldier collector, MiniFig collector, military history nut. Reviews, interviews, Model Making, AARs and books!
Cold Waters Gameplay Video
Had some free time this Saturday so I decided to provide you guys with a bit of Cold Waters gameplay! My mission was a success...until it wasn't. Watch on Youtube
You can also read my review here.
Japanese Battleships 1905-1942 by Miroslaw Skwiot Japanese battleships; the list of them is a long one: the Mika...
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Japanese Battleships 1905-1942 by Miroslaw Skwiot
http://burdenofcommand.com/ Every once in awhile, wargaming gets a breath of fresh air. Burden Of Command is the newest game ...
For your Wargamer, Toy soldier collector, MiniFig collector, military history nut. Reviews, interviews, Model Making, AARs and books!
Burden of Command by Green Tree games
Every once in awhile, wargaming gets a breath of fresh air. Burden Of Command is the newest game to give us a great big gulp. It is a leadership RPG that is based on historical World War II incidents.
In the game you take control of a unit and you are a Captain. I'll use their own synopsis of the game here:
"You are put into the shoes of a Captain of a company of the fabled 'Cottonbalers', leading your men on and off the battlefield from morocco to Hitler's Eagle's nest. You must build respect, trust and battlefield experience to bring your brothers safely home."
"We were guided by Professor John C. McManus and his book 'American Courage, American Courage Of The Cottonbalers: the only regiment to fight in all American Wars"
The BOC team has stressed that reliving history will be a number one priority. They are striving to put you into command of a company as realistically as possible.
They should also get credit for picking the regiment that Matt Dillon (James Arness) served in.
The mechanics of the games are as follows:
Psychology Focused-Morale, Stress, Experience, Trust, and Respect
Units gain Experience Across battles
Turn based
Single Player
Dynamic Events Cause Chaos
Limited Command Points Mean Every Decision Counts
The inspiration for the game came from:
Band Of Brothers
Banner Saga
Crusader kings II
As the developers ask, "Would you lose a mission to save their lives?". That seems like it deserves a pretty cut and dried answer of 'Yes'! Wait a minute, what if by losing that mission it now takes three times as long to take that town or patch of ground. It may be that your unit would have lost two men completing the mission. Now, the task has cost a total of eight men out of other units needed to complete the mission the next day. The sword of Damocles hangs not only over your head but your men's.
As a commander in war you are literally asked to make almost God-like decisions. Who do you send to flush out that sniper? Is it a green kid to save your veterans, or do you send a veteran who may well save you and four other men later today or tomorrow with his nerve and experience?
Again using a quote from the developers:
"Leadership moment:
In Sicily, Lt. Col. John Heintges stepped into the open to lure out an enemy sniper. He risked his life for his men. Would you?"
Another part of warfare will also be a part of the game, and few others have even mentioned them. Civilians, those pesky little things that we never have to deal with. However in real warfare they are always a major concern. Those poor people who are just trying to live or flee for their lives. They block roads and upset timetables, etc. along with running through firing zones.
Burden Of Command is shaping up to be a great new experience for us wargamers. It is on the path to being a genre bending game for both grognards and newbies. Please take the time to check out their website and all of the features of the game.
Robert
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