Yule Spoils!

 I actually got something gaming-related for Yule his year!!!

I love it! It fits right into my Christmas Wars/Pop Culture Wars thingy! Sally 4th: https://wargamesbuildings.co.uk/product/second-star-to-the-right-collection/
Go get it!

Star Wars Legion: Second Intro-Game

The Initial Set-up

Monday afternoon, Michael came down from Glamsbjerg to visit me and inspect my 3D-printer, and I had set up for a game of Legion, of course with my newly printed Imperial Outpost on the table.

The experience from my first game with Ulolkish told me that cover is of the utmost importance in Legion, so I threw the extra printed barricade on the table as well. I need to print some more scatter terrain, but right now my printer is busy printing dungeon corridors, so that will have to wait until tomorrow, or so...

I had assembled another squad of Stormtroopers for Vader to motivate, and I used some Fringe Walker as AT-RT proxy for the rebs.

Michael donned the black mask, and started breathing heavily, while I meditated to clear my mind of all aggression.

Everybody decided that caution is the better part of valour, and the first turn saw lots of ducking and weaving, and diving for cover.

I managed to maneuver the AT-RT into a position, from which I am not sure if it was able to advance (I have to study those vehicle rules)...

...so of course I backed it off a bit (haven't checked if that is possible, either, but...).

Vader advanced, waving his lightsaber in front of him.

I forgot to take a photo after the third turn, but the most interesting thing that happened was the Stormtrooper section emerging from the bunker and coming towards the rebels on my right flank.

The Stormtroopers charged home, while my AT-RT picked on the section defending the outpost.

The Stormtroopers annihilated the Rebel section (I have to read up on the rules for close combat, too), and then Luke charged them and cut down two, while the walker joined the fight.

As soon as Luke left the Rebel section on the left, Vader ordered all-out attack, and led the charge from behind... (he is rather slow, you know)

With Luke occupied elsewhere, Vader's relentless attack secured the day for the Empire, as the Rebles only managed to obliterate one enemy unit.

This game was a bit more tactical than the first one, and we both enjoyed it.

I had some terrible Dodge Rolls, while Michael succeeded with a lot of his, so with a little luck I might have secured a draw, as the game really hang in the balance until the very last moment.

Vader is a beast, and I am really looking forward to playing some games with the full rules (and Force Power Upgrades), as I think it will only cause more cinematic moments!

Star Wars Legion: Expanding the WotC Forces

I have a gaming appointment with Michael on Monday, and I expect to introduce him to Legion, and I would like the game to have a bit more 'oomph' that the first one, so I checked my WotC collection and was able to build another Stormtrooper squad (actually, when I start using the optional support weapon troopers, I can probably build four), while the Rebels got some Fringe-walker-thingy to use as proxy for an AT-ST.

I really need to start assembling those Scout Speeder Bikes...

Star Wars Legion: First Test Game

Played a small test game with Ulolkish today, using the old pre-paints from Wizards of the Coast.

I do not have an AT-RT, and no Scout Bikes, but I mocked up two squads of Stormtroopers, two of Rebel Troopers, plus Darth Vader and Luke Skywalker (the mini is 'Jacen Solo', but I think he has been erased from canon).

Ulokish took it upon him to restore peace and order to the Galaxy, while I inserted a rag-tag force of insurgents.

Both the Force-using commanders moved forward supported by one squad, while keeping a tactical reserve hanging back. Luke was dodging a lot, expecting to have to deflect some Stormtrooper fire, while Vader is just plain slow...

While Vader was drawing a lot of attention from the Rebel Troopers, Luke charged in, and all but obliterated the Stormtrooper squad guarding the Sith Lord. Unfortunately, this also exposed him to a lot of fire from the second Imperial squad.

Thus softened up, Luke was no match for Vader, who relentlessly mopped the floor with his promising offspring.

The Rebel reserve squad. which had begun moving forward, came under fire and quickly fell back to hard cover once more. No strolling in the killing fields! Vader, in spite of being under heavy aimed fire from the forward Rebel squad, kept advancing in them.

Soon, the Rebels were no more. This was pretty much the end of this skirmish, only the lonely Stormtrooper commander was also wounded.

With the Lord Vader having destroyed two Rebel units, and the Rebels only managing to remove one enemy unit, Victory belonged to the Emperor's finest.

Thoughts on the game:
This was our first tussle with these rules, and we made quite a few mistakes (but learned from most of them), and we shall definitely have to play again with a few units more; I shall have to print some Order Tokens for that to be possible, though, as the game box contains only the tokens need for the included models (so if I want to field, for instance, another squad of Stormtroopers, I have one 'Corps' token less than needed).

Characters with lightsabers are powerful, but they can be withered down. I am very much looking forward to try the Force upgrade cards for both Vader and Luke, as I think they will add a lot of Star Warsy flavour to the game.

The game flows nicely. We only used the 'Learn to Play' rules, so no suppression, stand-by, and that kind of stuff, but I doubt that the full rules will slow down gameplay a whole lot.

In short: We liked it, and I shall definitely add Legion to my regular go-to wargames (I am sure that Michael can also be persuaded to play it with me, albeit probably not building his own force, not to mention Kevin).

Star Wars X-wing: Quadjumper

The last addition to my X-wing collection for now, the Quadjumper is my first designated Scum faction ship - and an interesting one to boot!

A Quadjumper pilot has some nasty tricks up the sleeves, and I am sure it will surprise some opponents.

Star Wars X-wing: Sabine's TIE From Rebels

Another part of the recent expansion of my X-wing collection, the TIE fighter 'liberated' by Zeb and Ezra, and later put to good use by the Spectres.

X-wing: Slave-1

Part of my latest purchase for X-wing (1st ed.). I bought it along with Star Wars Legion, as it was at a reduced price (probably because of 2nd Ed. coming out this fall), so my collection slowly grows.

Star Wars Legion. Getting Stuck In

I got the SWL core set delivered today, and was very delighted to find that the minis come unattached to the bases, as I want to use washers instead of the clumsy plinth FFG provide for this game. The vehicle/large bases can probably be fitted with one or more washers underneath to add weight and magnetic properties.

It will be a while until I have time to assemble and paint the minis, but in the meantime I shall get some practise games played using the pre-painted WotC plastic figures I collected some years ago.

I shall start with only two basic 'grunts' squads, and a commander for each faction (I have enough to add a third squad for both factions when I have learned the ropes, but for now I shall settle for two each), and I can start assembling the speeders and the AT-ST on the side.

The Emperor's finest, led by everybody's favourite Sith Lord, bringing order and peace to the Galaxy.

Rebel scum, harbingers of strife and chaos.

Furthermore, I am receiving a 3D Printer one of the next days, destined for creating some Tatooine-style buildings, and Imperial bunkers (if I can get it to work as intended, that is).

Star Wars: Latest Toy Acquired

When we were browsing a shopping mall in Odense to find some presents for Anna's birthday tomorrow, I stumbled on this discounted RotJ Luke Skywalker figure. At about €7/£6/$8, I could not resist getting it for displaying in the study/office/hobby room.

I was not sure whether or not to use flash, so I took a photo both with and without it.

It is about 45 cm high.

And, yes, there is a lightsaber, I have not unpacked it, yet.

Elsa & The Snowmen (Nice Band Name...)

I'd like to see the Orc that would not think twice about eating her... Just a bit more filler on the bases, and the warband is ready to be primed. If I can slip them in, I may add the two frisky penguins that came with the Snowmen, just for laughs.

My Frozen Warband Grows

Another snow goon cleaned and glued to a washer. Nuff said.

Warband With a Frozen Theme

This teen frost-blasting witch is getting some minions in the shape of snow goons (run, Calvin, run...).

I think they should be immune to cold-based, but vulnerable to heat/firebased attacks, which should cancel each other out, points-wise.

I have two more of these 'Copplestone Collection' minis, and as rather lowly characters, I should have plenty of XP to make the witch a formidable foe for the Monsters.

Star Wars X-Wing: Inquisitor's TIE (TIE Advanced V1)

When you say 'Rebels', you must also say 'Inquisitor's TIE-Fighter'. Or something...

When I ordered Ghost (and some card sleeves) I also got this iconic little ship from the Star Wars Rebels show.

It is the prototype of the TIE Advanced later used by Vader (and probably other high ranking Imperial aces), and comes with shields and targeting computer, which combined with better pilots than the usual TIEs makes it almost as tough as a reliable old X-Wing.

Very much looking forward to try it!

Star Wars X-Wing: Ghost and Phantom

It is Star Wars Day, and what better way to start celebrating than showing my latest acquisitions for the X-Wing game so thoroughly enjoyed by my youngest offspring and myself?

After buying Phantom II on a whim, and then playing some games with Lea the last couple of days, I decided to get some more Star Wars: Rebels-related stuff for X-Wing.

Here is Ghost, with the attack shuttle Phantom, and the entire Spectre crew. I forgot to order Sabine's TIE-Fighter, but the 1st ed. stuff may come on sale, soonish, as the 2nd ed. has been announced, so I may be able to get a few bits and bobs with a nice discount (as of now, I see no reson to plunge into conversion to 2nd ed., as long as I don't buy any 2nd ed. ships, but we shall see...)



Star Wars X-Wing: Phantom II

A week and a half ago, I went to Odense to get some spray primer - and I stumbled on this little beauty in Dragons Lair.

The weeks around Christmas, our TV-provider gave access to the Disney channels, and Disney XD showed most of Rebels seasons 1-3.

The kids and I watched all we could get recorded, and the girls seemed quite fond of the series.

Of course, now I want Phantom I, and Ghost, as the shuttles can actually dock at the 'mothership' in game terms, and I shall keep an eye out for the Star Wars Legion to include the Spectres, which would mean that I shall have to expand my FFG collection somewhat 😏

Among others, Phantom II comes with Ezra and Zeb as Pilot Cards, and Chopper as Astromech Upgrade, which is nice, although I did hope that Hera and Sabine were includes as well.

Not this time, though, we shall have to make good with what we have.

I expect to try Phantom II against a TIE or two very soon, just need to find the time (at a time when Lea is at home and not too occupied with something else).

White Knight Miniature Imperium: The Daughters of Graf Weisz von Schnee (Christmas Wars)

Many of my esteemed readers may not be aware of the gems provided by LAF's White Knight - and if these are new to you, please go visit http://whiteknightminiatureimperium.blogspot.com , to find out what is available!

I got these in the mail yesterday, and am going to get them prepped and primed for painting over the holidays, because, if these are not suited for the Christmas Wars, I do not know many minis that are... 👸

I have also got the two Winter Sorceresses from North Star, and I am going to dig them out and get them prepped and primed, very soon, Do you feel a song coming up...? 😉