Franco Prussian War Game - And a New Period Project!

We got together for a game last Saturday afternoon/evening to play a FPW game using Field of Battle, 2nd Edition.

 

French Command Team (Left to Right):  John, Bob, Chris

 

 

Prussian Command Team (Left to Right):  Ed (Advisor/Observer), Terry, Greg

 

 

Rather than a blow by blow game report, I'll instead do a quick summary....the Prussians mopped up the table with the French!   I think a couple of things (Krupp grand battery rule, ranges relative to unit frontages, French "special" cards) made the game practically impossible for the French to win.  However, they lost with style!  Both sides planned a "left hook" flank attack, but the Prussians got theirs in first, and combined with heavy artillery support from the hill (at the bottom of the photo below), they pummeled the French defending the town and center - effectively destroying the French will to fight (their Army Morale Points hit 0 when the Prussians still had something like 21 out of 24 original points!).

 

Some photos from the game:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

As for the new period project - I'm painting English Civil War!   I'll post more about that project in my next post.....which hopefully won't appear with as much space between it as has happened between this post and my most recent previous post.....

 



Pulse of Battle Cover!

Thought I'd make a quick post and show the front and back cover for the very soon to be released "Pulse of Battle", the new ancient era, Field of Battle based set of rules.

We'll also be offering playing card quality sequence decks for those who pre-order, and then at intervals after that.   A sample of the sequence cards:

The final card back will not have as much shadow around the title, and the title will either be in white or blue.

Goodbye to a Dear Pet and Companion

August turned out to be a bad month.   Our dear little West Highland Terrier, Bailey, passed away in the very early morning hours on August 19.

Bailey was a sweet, energetic, curious little dog.  As a pup, she delighted in digging holes across our backyard, and catching the occasional sparrow.

Bailey suffered through a variety of health issues in her 12 years, 11 months - 2 knee surgeries for torn ACL's, skin allergies and shots, arthritis, and digestive issues.

However, even with those challenges, she never was aggressive or snippy, ever the happy little dog to greet us when we returned home.  

Bailey delighted in being around people, and was always an enthusiastic observer at games at our house.

Bailey on my lap, intently watching a Pulse of Battle playtest game

As I explaing some fascinating rule concept, Bailey looks down at Toby (our Jack Russell terrier) as if to say "there is NO way you're getting this spot"

The last few weeks have been trying for my wife and I as we deal with the loss.   But - we're to the point now where we can laugh about all the goofy things Bailey did over her beautiful life.

RIP Bailey.   We miss you tremendously.

Back from Vacation

After the last two years of incidents and accidents while on vacation, it was really nice to have a great vacation at Sturgis and in the Black Hills (South Dakota) that went smoothly.  Two years ago, a clown made an illegal U-turn at the entrance to Mt. Rushmore and hit both my wife and I on our bikes.   That took over a year and a half to resolve the health and legal issues.   My advice for any rider out there - make sure you immediately get a good lawyer involved.   You won't be sorry.    Last year, we decided to trailer our bikes up to the Black Hills - in case some moron hit us on our bikes we'd at least be able to get the bikes home!  Well.....all was going great until our tow vehicle seized up - a complete failure of the oil pump and resulting main bearing failure.    It's a lot of fun to buy a new vehicle while you're on vacation.

However - this year went flawlessly.   No vehicle problems, no incidents or close calls on our bikes.   Great rides in the Black Hills, and out to Devils Tower.   Some photos below.

Devils Tower, in Wyoming

 

My bike at Devils Tower

 

 

The Badlands

 

Next up is to finish off Pulse of Battle and get it to the printer.   I'm planning on that getting finished in September.

 

Historicon - Or "What I Did Instead of Historicon"

I went to Historicon for quite some time, but haven't been for a number of years.   I was one of the few (?) that didn't have a problem with either the Lancaster location, or the Lancaster Host facility.   It had a personality of its own, and I felt comfortable there.

I'm really not a "convention guy".   I don't really enjoy competitive gaming - I don't care if I win or lose, and instead just being with good friends.   I don't even have to play to enjoy myself.  I've never been one that gets much enjoyment out of playing a game with strangers; might as well play solo!

Another reason I don't attend Hcon anymore is that the two reasons I used to enjoy going are no longer necessary - the dealer's room and seeing games for ideas to steal regarding painting and terrain.   With the internet, I can get anything from any manufacturer in the world, including rare or hard to find books, within a matter of days.  Likewise, blogs and newsgroups provide a vast treasure trove of inspiration for painting and terrain ideas.

So what did I do on Historicon weekend instead?

Well, for one we had a great bike (motorcycle) ride.  Open fields and fresh air in our faces, with the deep rumble of HD exhaust in our ears.   SWEET!

In my job, I have the distinct pleasure of managing my company's sponsorship program for professional NHRA teams.   That's given me the chance to work and interact with top teams and drivers - which is VERY cool.

This week we had John Force Racing and their drivers (John, Courtney, Brittany Force, Robert Hight) visit our headquarters for a meet and greet session - as this weekend was the Mile High Nationals here in Denver.   For those of you who don't know who John Force is....he's a legend, and the face of the drag racing sport.   A 15 time Funny Car champion, and a personality bigger than imaginable.  On top of that, I find him to be a genuine, very nice guy.

Oh yeah, and Courtney Force was just in the ESPN body issue.   I'll wait while you Google that and then come back to finish reading this blog post.

My wife grew up drag racing with her Dad.   Drag racing, cars, and speed are in her blood.  For as long as she can remember, she's been a fan of John Force. 

My work gave me a chance to get us back to the more private area of the John Force Racing pits, so she could meet each of the drivers - and John Force (the MAN) in person.  She was so excited she could barely contain herself.   I don't think I've ever had more fun than introducing her to Brittany, Courtney, Robert, and then John.   Of course, photos with each followed!   She's still enjoying that event, and the memories will never leave her.

Here's a photo of my wife with John Force this Saturday at the Mile High Nationals:

All I can say is "thank you" to all the people at John Force Racing.  A legendary, outstanding, organization and team.

A fantastic, stand out, memorable weekend!

Did I miss Historicon?

Not for a second!

Off-Board Assets

A quick post of my first painted off-board assets - a pair of US 105mm artillery pieces (Old Glory/Westwind) and a pair of German 75mm Infantry guns (Blacktree).

I really like the OG/WW guns and crew....and the Blacktree Design, well, less so.   The BTD crew just look a bit odd to me - the helmets aren't quite "right".  But, they look functional for what I need in my games, so there they are!

Today I received 3 German 105mm artillery pieces and crew from Warlord Games.   Great looking castings.   I think I'll be ordering some 120mm mortars for some heavier battalion support weapons from them as well.