Andy (Fatty), Mike (Frodo), Phil (Pippin)l, Bruce (Merry) and Izzy (Sam) played Lord of the Rings: Friends and Foes.
The game started roughly with lots of foes appearing quickly and Sam having to use his special ability even before they left Bree. However the party were able to bypass Moria travelling through the Gap of Rohan to Isengard. Ringbearer Sam picked up a few items from the Elves and then they went to Isengard. Again they survived with a clever use of Frodo’s determination enabling them to complete travelling and find pipeweed thus thwarting Saruman’s evil plans. Again they decided to bypass Helm’s deep defeating Foes and next was Shelob’s Lair.
Things looked almost promising as we climbed the stairs but as usual whenever I play all we drew at Shelob’s Lair were Event tiles and so the board was quickly over before the Hobbits had a chance to move. Now the heavily corrupted party were perilously close to Sauron (except Merry who seemed to be playing the friendly version of the game). As this unfolded they realised that only four foes remained with just 2 hidden and a Military Victory seemed easier than the Mordor board if Event tiles were to keep being drawn with such frequency. So Merry and Fatty heroically defeated all they could and then as the Party entered Mordor with Sam bearing the Ring he dispatched the final Foe and the heroic hobbits scored a Military Victory. None of the Hobbits had been lost (though Fatty was just one space away) and the final score was 87.
This was only the second time ever we had defeated the game using my set; the last being in 2004!
Next we played a good game of Cutthroat the card game. Mike won (as usual) but only just: he had completed 12 correct bids, Andy 11 and Phil 10 with the scores awarding him for this accuaracy. Andy was unlucky in the last round allowing Mike to steal the lead back and claim Victory!
Andy, Mike, Phil and Izzy played some fun games. We even managed to escape from the temple on our final attempt.
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We played our first game of Ronin rules. The Sohei monks against the Bushi.
You can see the images and the scenario details here.
In brief the Sohei defeated the Bushi and enjoyed the Sake wine. They seemed quite powerful.
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An abandoned farm in Normandy overlooking an important road junction forms the basis for our second chain of command scenario: Attack and Defend.
The Red Samurai are painted and based ready to fight. With their red lacquered armour they are useful as clan allies to either force. They are based on the Red Devils of the Ii Clan and the followers of Ii Naomasa.
Our first game of WW2 Chain of Command Rules from TFL.
We decided to use Mike’s British and German forces and try the second scenario (the Probe) for our first game.
See the images here.
Lots of fun this week as James brought over his excellent Star Wars X wing game. He has custom painted Rebels depicting all the famous characters from the game.
This time James and Andy led a small force of X wings and Y wings (with heroes like Wedge, Skywalker, Porkins and Dutch) against a large Imperial force mainly of Tie fighters (Mike, Phil and Darryl). Leading the mostly untried Imperial academy pilots was none other than Darth Vader with the strategy devised by Admiral Mike who had been reading the manuals to good effect!
The game opened with Darth’s missiles taking out a brand new custom painted X wing in a single shot! Doesn’t that always happen when you paint new troops!? Over time the Imperial numbers began to tell as the Rebels ran out of missiles but more Tie Fighters just kept on coming. The Imperials destroyed Rebel ships and in turn suffered losses too (Darryl’s green dice defensive rolls being especially legendary) but had the numbers to absorb them. Eventually only Skywalker and a single Y wing remained and James conceded defeat. Of course as James pointed out it would be at this point that Han Solo would arrive allowing Skywalker to escape but at least this was the first game that the Imperials had not lost!
Ronin rules from Osprey arrived this week. I have prepared an introductory mini-campaign with Bushi versus Sohei Buntai. Hope we get to play soon.
Have also been painting up a new Red Samurai unit.
James hosted a great game of X wing using his collection. Phil, Bruce and James played the Rebel Alliance and Mike and Andy led the Imperial force.
Victory went to the Rebels.
Pictures and Aar to follow.
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