Rommel WW3

Bruce and I have been playing a fair bit of Rommel lately. Great game. Bruce thought he could bring the rules forward to the Cold War so we tried a Soviet attack into West Germany. Below is the set up with a horde of Soviets facing a small NATO contingent (Canadians as it happens) from about a month back (we've suspended playing since COVID is so bad). 

The Soviets had to grab two towns to win. The Canadians had to do 12 stands of damage and prevent the Soviets from getting both towns. Any other results (e.g, two towns gained but more than 12 stands killed) was a draw. 

There were a lot (but never quite enough) Soviets. They faced off against a numerically inferior NATO force.

NATO rushed forward to take up some blocking positions. The Soviets road moved up the right side of the board to get across the river unopposed while throwing a left hook out to try and bag the first objective town.

The town was a tough nut to crack even with arty and helos. The advance on the second town got bogged down in bad going while NATO withdrew across the river to make a second stand and run down the clock.

Close quarters mayhem ensued with heavy casualties. The appears of Cobras and Warthogs made things tough for the Soviets (who could not roll worth crap).

Eventually, though, numbers started to tell and NATO was just overwhelmed by Russkies (albeit badly mauled Russkies).

We called the game with the town surrounded but a draw due to Soviet casualties. Overall, a very simple set of add ons for helos and some different national sheets.

It will be interesting to see what this is like with Arab-Israeli era weaponry.

More tree rehab

Continuing along with some tree rehab, these were a set of plastic orchard trees that also came in box of stuff I was to use or disperse. 

These were one-colour green plastic trees. Maybe dollar store, maybe expensive GW--who knows? I painted the trunk, applied some flock (poorly) and glued them to washers and textured. (No idea why this text is suddenly centred?)

Overall, they look okay. They could use some more flocking to cover up some of the green fronds. I give them one in chance in three of receiving additional time on the workbench.

Tree rehabilitation

Every year or so, a random box of gaming stuff appear on my step (someone getting out of the hobby, usually). I then sort it and pass it along to whomever seems most appropriate.

Last year, the box included a bunch of broken trees. I set them aside, thinking I would rehab them for use. And I finally got around to it. 

I removed the trunks from the old bases, attached them to washers (old bases were too light to secure the trees), then textured. Then gave the trees a dry brush to tone down the glare and give them some depth. 

While I was going that, I also finished off this one stray piece of GW fencing that has been on my table (the rest was painted five years ago.

Not a bad little project. I can always use more trees and these (despite being cheap... and free!) look the part for 28s and 54s. I have some more trees (orchard style) under way. Not sure what will follow them.

Dames and punks

I finished up a recent order or figures from Pulp Figures, including package of gangsters and some young thugs.

I like how Pulp Figures has a lot of diversity in their sculpts--with a bit of paint, it is possible to have a more diverse set of figures. Not sure why the guy below is wearing a Hawaiian shirt.

Up next: Probably some terrain I am rehabilitating.

Coppers!

With the end of Zombtober (probably my last since I'm out of figures), I'm back to whatever strikes my fancy. This week, it is some 28mm cops from Pulp Figures.

I did bunch of coppers last year (?). I spent some birthday cash this fall to buy some reinforcements. The only pack I didn't have was the heavy weapons group. Not sure Commissioner Gordon really needed these fellows (and the worry is always that he's use them to suppress the poor, rather than against super villains), but I had the cash, so... .

The machine gunner was a surprise. I see (suddenly, in this very picture) that he has a shoulder patch that none of the others have. So I will go back and paint that (argh). The crate is from a "clues" pack that I have underway.

I can't tell what this guy is supposed to be holding? Just a large calibre rifle? Doesn't look like a shotty. 

Perhaps Chief O'Hara from the original Batman TV series?

Buddy with a scoped rife.

I was trying to match these to the colours I used last year. I think I was close on the blue (chose one paint pot to the right, I think). The basing is different but I have since gone back and matched the darker grey.

I also painted up this set of "clues". This was a fun little pack of terrain. I wonder, though, if the tray wth brains was from the Frankenstein pack instead?

Up next: Maybe some lady gangsters and youthful thugs?

Zombtober: Week 5 and Happy Hallowe'en!

To finish out Zombtober and celebrate Hallowe'en, I painted up some Pulp Figures monsters (who are technically undead so close enough to Zombies to count).

I bought these (plus a few more pulp figures) with some birthday cash. The gravestone will join the rest of the Gotham graveyard markers.

Dracula has a real Monster Squad look to him. I was less thrilled with how girlfriend turned out.

The Bride is lovely sculpt. I'm to sure where the pink came from on her dress. And this is my second Frankenstein from Pulp Figures. 

The packs also came wth various flunkies, foes, and victims. Now onto some coppers, dames, and punks. Happy Hallowe'en!

Zombtober Week 4: Last of the Zeds

We're not quite at the end of Zombtober, but these are the last of the Zombicide figures (three boxes worth!) that I have.

Jessica Fletcher from Murder She Wrote made me laugh.

There were also these dogs in the boxes that I painted up.

Up next: For the last post of the month (on Hallowe'en no less), some movie monsters!