GAMING NEWS: MWSS Session Report (10 March 2007)

.

Jarrod, Mike W. and Mike O. having a great time hunting zombies!

Hi Everyone,

Well, I finally got around to writing the battle report for the 10 March 2007 meeting of the MWSS (Miniatures Wargaming Society of Sacramento) gaming club. It was a fun meeting with lots of attendees during a very busy weekend. I didn’t keep track of victories this time… only who played. Without further ado, here’s what happened:

Dick and Mark chuckling as the zombies ran wild.

Attendance:

1. Andrew
2. Anthony
3. Charles
4. Connor
5. Dave S.
6. Don
7. Chris
8. Dick
9. George
10. Greg
11. Jarrod
12. Joe B.
13. Joe R.
14. Keith
15. Ken
16. Maksim
17. Mark C.
18. Mike O.
19. Mike W.
20. Randy
21. Mystery Guest #1
22. Mystery Guest #2 (Improved model)

Game (miniatures) #1:
Armati (15mm ancients historical game)
http://www.boardgamegeek.com/game/10266

Gauls (Germans) vs. Romans
(Hosted by Chris) 15mm Roman and Gaulish lines mix it up.

Gauls (Germans):
- Don
- Joe R.
Romans:
- Chris
- Randy

- In a fairly standard game of Armati, the Gauls were trounced by a more devious pair of Roman commanders, Randy Randulous and Christophero Christophicus. The poor Gaul commanders were more like Hanz & Franz from the 1980s Saturday Night Live television show than fearsome hulking Germans from ancient times! You can't win them all and Armati does have a learning curve...

Game (miniatures) #2:
Gaslight (15mm Victorian Science Fiction game)
http://www.boardgamegeek.com/game/7071

Prussians vs. Confederacy vs. Mercenary Spanish vs. Cruel World
(Hosted by Mark C.)

A huge 15mm British VSF vehicular contraption overuns a smaller brother.

Prussians:
- Dick
- Maksim
Confederacy (Tinkertons):
- Anthony
- Charles
- George
American Adventurers
- Greg
Spanish Mercenaries led by an Insane British Lord & Arab Allies
- Mike O.

- This was definitely a wildy and wooly game. Mark specializes in writing colorful and funny background stories as well as creating wacky special rules that often don't come into play. For instance, one of the Confederate characters was a mad scientist with a "pig zapper" gun/device that literally turned its targets into... PIGS! Mark also built a number of scratch items for the game including all of the vehicles and scenery pieces. It was a great game and we all had a blast playing it!

A 15mm Mad Sheik fights an Indiana Jones-like American adventurer.

- As a side note, I have detailed notes of this game and will create a separate battle report for it in the near future.

A beautiful scratchbuilt 15mm VSF robot, the "Firebelly," made by Mark C.

Game (miniatures) #3:
Xtreme Zombie Hunter (28mm Sci-fi)
http://www.boardgamegeek.com/game/20901

Zombie Hunters vs. Zombies
(Hosted by Nils)

A 28mm "chainsaw chick" is surrounded by marauding zombies.

Zombie Hunters:
- Connor
- Dick
- Jarrod
- Maks
- Mark C.
- Mike O.
- Mike W.
Zombies:
- Nils (The gamemaster)

- This amusing game of commercialized zombie hunting had all the best zombie themes: rednecks, store clerks, hopping zombie legs, crawling torsos, hot chicks, etc. We all had a good time hunting down the zombies and spouting one-liners... think of a mix of Duke Nuke'em and The Running Man!

An apprehensive Connor doesn't like what Nils is pointing out...

Game (board) #4:
Battlecry (Civil War Board Game)
http://www.boardgamegeek.com/game/551
Connor (North) vs. Mike W. (South)
(Hosted by Mike W.)

Another scratchbuilt 15mm robot built by Mark C.

Game (board) #5:
Iliad (Ancients Card Game)
http://www.boardgamegeek.com/game/21654
(Hosted by Dick)
Players Unknown

Two 28mm "redneck brothers," a crik savvy zombie hunting team.

Game (board) #6+:
- A number of board games were played after I left early.

MWSS Meeting Outcome:
- It was a great day… plenty of folks showed up! We had three major miniatures games hosted and all three were great fun. I played in two of them, the VSF adventure and the Zombie Hunting thriller! Everyone was a great sport and with the exception of a little vendetta between two players (…solved on the field of zombie hunting), we all got on fabulously. A special thanks to Mark C. and Nils who both put a tremendous amount of effort into their gaming set-ups!

Thanks again, Mark and Nils!

Joe Riddle showed off some of his finely painted 15mm HOTT Fantasy figures.

I took lots of photos of the session and they can be found here:
http://s44.photobucket.com/albums/f23/Maksim-Smelchak/Gaming%202007/MWS_3-10-2007/

Nils has his own blog here:
http://blackcavalierswargaming.blogspot.com/

And Mark C. keeps a gallery here:
http://s81.photobucket.com/albums/j213/MACarper/

The 15mm British roller tanks were particularly effective at running over infantry.

Have a great Tuesday!

Shalom,
Maksim-Smelchak.

Notes regarding photos / pictures: These are not all my images. I am using various images from around the web, mostly from public sources and/or private sources used with permission. I have tried to include only images under public domain, creative commons, or fair use. If I have inadvertently violated any copyrights, please inform me and I will remove your image/s (if it is indeed an infringement).

PERSONAL NEWS: Mazel Tov, Von Compton (9 April 2007)

.

Baron and "gentleman adventurer" Otto Heinrich von Compton, Grand Naval Commander, Knight Of the Realm, Doctor Emeritus and Scholar Extraordinaire.
This photo was taken before the Baron acquired his "gentlemanly girth."

Hi Everyone,

GREAT NEWS!

The Baron's dear friend, President Scott "Pride O' the Rebs" Davis, American gentleman, distinguished scholar, and Phlogiston expert.

I wish to formally congratulate former local gamer Grand Naval Commander Otto Heinrich von Compton (otherwise known as Jon) on the successful and blessed birth of his first child.

The Lady and Baroness Karolyn Malonski showing off her finest smile.

Baron von Compton was only married last year to the Lady and Baroness Karolyn Malonski so it's a very blessed event to welcome Lady-to-Be Lauren G.A. von Compton to this world, 7 lbs, 7 oz, born at 4:42am on the fourth day of April of the year two-thousand and seven.

The wee angel next to one of the Baron's smaller aetherboat shells.
She's a real beauty, isn't she?
Wonderful shell. Simply marvelous.

Mazel Tov again, Baron and Baroness von Compton!

The Grande Admirale Jan-Michel "Mikos" Vincent-Brandeisium, foe of the Baron, paying his respects.

Baron von Compton is sorely missed around these parts and his annual Fourth of July and Birthday bashes were the joy of all. The Baron also has one of the finest collections of American Wild West and Victorian Science Fiction miniatures this side of the hemisphere. Baron von Compton is currently studying Advanced Aethersphere Engineering at an undisclosed university.

The von Compton Summer Home on Mars Colony.
The lady takes the utmost of effort in training her roses to Terran Imperial standards.

Have a glorious day and long live the Queen!

Shalom,
Maksim-Smelchak.

Notes regarding photos / pictures: These are not all my images. I am using various images from around the web, mostly from public sources and/or private sources used with permission. I have tried to include only images under public domain, creative commons, or fair use. If I have inadvertently violated any copyrights, please inform me and I will remove your image/s (if it is indeed an infringement).

GAMING NEWS: Grimm's Lost World (4 April 2007)

. Visit exciting & exotic Grimm's World, home to the fauna and flora that time forgot!

Hi Everyone,

Ace Reporter Maksim-Smelchak reporting from Grimm Port, fantastic entryway to THE LOST WORLD!

There are many beautiful women on the island even if the clothing is at times lacking!

Solution: Don't wear ANY!

Continuing the Lost World theme running lately here at YIAWWS, you may wish to look up Grimm's version of it. Here are some lovely figures (...beautiful women, dashing heroes, salty sailors, etc.), beautifully painted and well photographed. Inspiring stuff!

Digging expeditions are available for the eggheads in your party!

You never know just what you might turn up!

And don't forget to check out his other very impressive galleries as well!

Find the site HERE:
http://grimm.backofbeyond.de/gallery_lost_world.html

In such a beautiful and pristine environment, the local animals really GROW!

Here, some locals are interacting with a cute and fuzzy animal!

Ace Reporter Maksim-Smelchak signing off!

Shalom,
Maksim-Smelchak.

P.S.
I crossposted this review from my friend's blog "Yours In A White Wine Sauce":
http://pauljamesog.blogspot.com/2007/03/grimms-lost-world.html

Notes regarding photos / pictures: These are not all my images. I am using various images from around the web, mostly from public sources and/or private sources used with permission. I have tried to include only images under public domain, creative commons, or fair use. If I have inadvertently violated any copyrights, please inform me and I will remove your image/s (if it is indeed an infringement).

WEIRD NEWS: Quirky Star Wars Viewpoints!

.I think we ALL wish we were Han Solo at one time or another...

I wonder... do Wookies get hairballs?

Hi Everyone,

Got a few posts in the works, but thought I'd drop off a few fun graphics (the one above and below) for your perusal:
.

Darth Vader - "Truther" Conspiracy Theory Nut: "Need $$$ to build Deathstar!"

And to top that Darth Beggar photo off, check out this amusing "truther perspective" of how the Deathstar was really destroyed:

http://www.websurdity.com/2007/02/28/uncomfortable-questions-was-the-death-star-attack-an-inside-job/

Yeah, right!

------

I have a great weekend planned:

SATURDAY:

- Visit a bunch of friends at the MWS meeting and play games.

- Link to MWS Yahoo E-group:

http://games.groups.yahoo.com/group/M_W_S/

- My old buddy Mark should be there who I haven't seen in awhile. Should be lots of fun.

- Mark is hosting a VSF (Victorian Science Fiction) game.

- A link to Mark's photo album (gaming miniatures):

http://s81.photobucket.com/albums/j213/MACarper/
- Nils will also be hosting a zombie game.

- Check out his blog (lots of photos) here:

http://blackcavalierswargaming.blogspot.com/

- Wish my bro-in-law Vince happy birthday!

- Chill out and work out.

SUNDAY:

- Go see the new movie "The 300" with a group of friends on an IMAX screen.
- Official "The 300" web site:

http://300themovie.warnerbros.com/

- The real historical Battle of Thermopylae that inspired the movie:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Thermopylae

- A Wiki page for the comic book of "The 300":

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/300_%28comic_book%29

- A movie review by Debbie Schlussel of "The 300":

http://www.debbieschlussel.com/archives/2007/03/weekend_box_off_43.html

http://www.debbieschlussel.com/archives/2007/03/300_not_an_anti.html

- Possibly go pick up a new bed mattress from an old neighbor.
- Chill out and work out. It should be good.

I have mixed feelings about seeing "The 300." On one hand, I love the history of The Battle of Thermopylae, but on the other hand, the previous film "Sin City" was WAY TOO gory for me. Very tasteless, it was. On the other hand, my buddy Vynnie of RIF (Recon In Force) invited me and he should be there with a number of our other friends... and we get to see it on the giant IMAX screen... so, I guess, if nothing else, the company should trump the film if it's really bad.

Vynnie's web site:

http://www.recon-in-force.com/index.html

*** Any good weekend plans yourself? ***

Have a great Friday!

Shalom,
Maksim-Smelchak.

P.S.

Haven't posted a "gratuitous babe" in awhile so here goes:

Notes regarding photos / pictures: These are not all my images. I am using various images from around the web, mostly from public sources and/or private sources used with permission. I have tried to include only images under public domain, creative commons, or fair use. If I have inadvertently violated any copyrights, please inform me and I will remove your image/s (if it is indeed an infringement).

MINI WARGAMING: Happy Birthday, Otto Heinrich von Compton!

.

Hi Everyone,

I want to first wish my old friend, Jon Compton, a happy brithday!

The "ol' gang" got together at Vynnie's place this past Thursday to celebrate Jon's birthday with pizza, beer and a rousing game of:

Sky Galleons of Mars!

Jon has always loved SGoM so it was perfect.

You can check out Vynnie's well known and loved site, Reconnaissance in Force, here:

http://tinyurl.com/op7bs

The following folks showed up:

MIGHTY GAMEMASTER & SUPREME HOST:
League of Nations Supremely Important Chancellor played by:
- Vynnie "The Man," Wielder of Mighty Dice & Tomes

GERMANs, MARTIANs & the BIRTHDAY BOY:
Grand Naval Commander Otto Heinrich von Compton played by:
Jon von Compton commanding the:
- LZ-5 zeppelin
- Red native corvette Swiftwood

Martian Lackey, Grand Vizier Schmendrick Smelchak played by:
Maksim-Smelchak commanding the:
- Liftwood tripod transport Moltke
- Red native cruiser Glory Sled

FRENCH NOGOODNIKs:
Grande Admirale Jan-Michel Vincent-Brandeisium played by:
"Dirty Mike" B. commanding the:
- Gloire gunboat

Admirale Sebastien De'l Ordures (French name for a Southern Gentleman) played by:
President Scott "Pride O' the Rebs" Davis commanding the:
- Ney boarding sloop

------

The evening started out with a briefing to the French commanders:

To: Commander, Aerial Gunboat Gloire
From: French Admiralty, Thymiamata

TOP PRIORITY

You are ordered immediately to take the field in the interests of Liberte and La France. Reliable French intelligence has revealed certain negotiations on the part of the infamous "gentleman adventurer" Otto Heinrich von Compton by which he would supply unaligned red native tribes with rifles, machine-guns, terrestrial cannon, and even tripod assault walkers in return for their use of such equipment against the interests of the Republic.

Von Compton has long been a thorn in the side of civilized colonial interests. His warmongering ways must be stopped, and those of the red natives who stoop to deal with him must be punished.

You are to requisition as escorts any military vessels available immediately to hand, put up full steam to Von Compton's headquarters, and level the trading lodge he has constructed. You are also to punish by bombardment the red native settlement within which it sits. Gloire, being a modern and heavily armored steam ironclad, shall be indestructible by the light vessels that Von Compton has at his command.

Viva La France!

- The game started out with both French ships hot on the tail of the German / Martian forces, who were attempting a perimeter defence of the Von Compton trading lodge. Initial volleys were traded as Smelchak's command truned into the wind to engage the mighty Gloire while Von Compton's forces ran with the Ney in hot pursuit.

- Initial volleys were traded and the Glory Sled took a terrible blow to her tiller, which nearly put her out of commission while her crew labored to keep her from falling to the Martian soil. However, that sacrifice opened up the mighty Gloire to boarding actions by the crack German marines of the Moltke. Bloody fighting broke out on the deck of the Gloire, which was to last no less than three turns.

- Meanwhile, Scott's Ney aimed numerous volleys at the retreating Zeppelin and liftwood Martian corvette Swiftwood... with little to no effect. Ney with her superb boilers quickly cut off the Von Compton flotilla and encountered a GREAT SURPRISE!

- The Swiftwood was manned by "flying monkeys," a winged and fully flight-capable variant of the red native species, otherwise known as High Martians, who quickly took off on their mighty wings to flood across the skies to the deck of the Ney, where fierce and bloody boarding clashes ensued. The crew of the valiant Ney repulsed the inital "flying monkey" attack by killing the Martian leaders, which demoralized the Martian boarders. However, the "flying monkeys" returned to the Swiftwood, regouped and very shortly returned with a new resolve backed by new Martian officers to utterly wipe out the crew and officers of the Ney... and they did! Oh, unhappy French day!

- The crew of the Gloire was finally overcome after much fighting, only a skeleton crew was left to survive with the Moltke. The Gloire's deck was awash with the blood of fighting men and liftwood sailors. The Glory Sled finally recovered from her near mortal blow from the Gloire (...after three turns) and closed into boarding range and found the Gloire overcome by the crack German marines of the Moltke. The Glory Sled, pride of the Martian liftwood navies, had been utterly knocked out of the fight with a single broadside from the mighty Gloire.

- And the game ended up being decided by boarding parties. Both French ships were boarded by the German / Martian forces and boarded in bloody hand-to-hand clashes that ended up with both French ships being captured after inflicting sizable casualties on the German / Martian boarding forces. And it was no fault of the French commanders either, they chose to start in an uncomfortably close proximity to their enemies, which was exploited by the outgunned German / Martian forces in a mad dash to grapple and board... a good fight by all the gentlemen involved.

------

I wish everyone a good Saturday!

And a happy belated Sukkoth to those who celebrate it!

Shabbat Shalom,
Maksim-Smelchak.

MINI WARGAMING: New Blog From Tas!

Hi Everyone,

My friend Tas has created his own blog now called "Yours In a White Wine Sauce!"

YIAWWS is primarily about Victorian Science Fiction (VSF), which is also called steampunk among other things.

Here's an intro from Tas:

Whats this humdrum all about Chaps?

Well, it's this new Officer's adventures in 2mm VSF wargaming and general ramblings about Aeronefs, Land Ironclads, Terranefs and all manner of contraptions and steam conveyances. It may not make sense, but there will be large quantities of claret and a nice cheese board at the end.

Tally-Ho!

It all looks like good fun and I'm happy to announce his new blog here!

http://pauljamesog.blogspot.com/

Tas is an old friend as well as an Australian Navy officer and is best known to the gaming community for one of his previous web sites about SJG's OGRE game.

http://panpacalliance.tripod.com/index.htm

Watch out for the pop-ups at PanPac Alliance... it's an older free site that pays for itself though pesky advertizing. It hasn't been updated for several years and has some bad code, but Tas hopes to rebuild it someday.

Shalom,
Maksim-Smelchak.

WARGAMING: The Shield Gaming Conference & Starfleet Battles With Vince!

Hi Guys,

The apartment move is really coming along... most of my belongings are packed and the old aprtment is slowing being moved (scrubbing every surface, filling in holes with putty, repainting any off spots, etc.) although unpacking is nearly as daunting a task as the packing and shlepping itself! Ugh!

However, I am taking a break for most of this weekend and here are the plans:Tonight, my good friend Vince and I are heading down to Lodi (...about an hour or so away) to play Starfleet Battles with our friend Jeff. At least the last game he mentioned that he wanted to play was Starfleet Battles... who knows what we'll actually do when we reach destination. One things for sure though, I'm sure that we'll have a good time!

For those of you who don't recall Vince, he is an inveterate gamer and a great guy with a really varied interest in miniatures.

POLITICAL DISCLAIMER:
Be wary checking out Vince's site as he is decidedly NOT political correct. Warning given...

Here's a link to his web site:

http://www.recon-in-force.com/index.html

And since I know that there are a number of fans of Colonial and VSF games out there, here's a link to the VSF / Colonial section of Vince's site. As a side note, I've played in many of those games...

http://www.recon-in-force.com/Queen-and-Country/index.html

Eat your heart out, Tas and Vanvlak!

Tomorrow on Saturday, my friend Dick and I are heading down to The Shield Gaming Conference for the day. We'll be playing in the DBA tournament and generally having a good time.

Check out this link for more information about The Shield:

http://www.geocities.com/ancientconference2004/

And Sunday, Mark and Kurt as well as Dick have expressed an interest in playing a agme of Star Mogul. We are all three creating our salvage companies / Necromunda gangs and it should be fun!

I am organizing my company / gang around two combat squads and a third salvage team squad supported by some kind of truck for hauling the salvage. Dick had an old 28mm hover truck that I'll probably convert into a wheeled hauling truck for the campaign.

Shalom,
Maksim-Smelchak.