Some solo COINage and ongoing Pbem (Storm Over Arnhem and Combat Mission)

Got Fire In The Lake onto table (no minis game this week) for a solo session (only way I can get a win) and hugely enjoyable it was.

I still have not gotten the wherewithal to try the actual solo systems included but just played each faction as best I can as usual.

Played the Full scenario and US had a torrid time throughout even though they trounced NVA concentrations several times as public support dwindled constantly (only Saigon seemed firmly pro USA) and finished in last place (not helped by a surge just before last Propaganda card)

NVA tried a full military build up from get go which worked to a degree (certainly occupied US army) but a preparatory Guerilla campaign in initial stages (especially in the long scenario) a better strategy but did finish above US in third.

ARVN done usual flip flopping from helping or hindering US goals and did achieve victory conditions at one point with control of swathes of country but could not hold onto gains but finished second.

So victory went to VC who started rather poorly but steadily gained the 'support' of populace and established bases throughout Vietnam and had a +1 VP level on turn of fifth Propaganda card for a narrow win.

Such a fun game even playing it in my own tiny mind space.

Had planned to re-set and play the Fall Of Saigon expansion but instead opted to try A Distant Plain again using long scenario.

Early on but Government in strongest position thus far with Taliban struggling (just like VC) and Warlords and Coalition dawdling

Do so enjoy the COIN system.

Also Storm Over Arnhem game via Vassal started in earnest with Mike with a 6pdr Troop taking out 2 Armoured Car units to start proceedings.

 

And last but not least an ongoing Pbem game of Combat Mission (boy have I gotten moneys worth from this series of games) with NJ John with a scenario set in Italy 1944 with South Africans (moi) defending a German attack

Had to take pics via phone as not able to screenshot for reasons unknown

Not a great start on first turn as an exposed Sherman done what Shermans do 

 

A blast from past - Storm Over Arnhem

Just started a new Vassal PBEM game and we are trying Storm Over Arnhem the old Avalon Hill classic with Mike as Germans.

The Vassal module is one of older types so lacking the finesse of later modules but seems functional overall.

Hopefully with the alternating Area Activation/Action system this should play well with only a couple of issues relating to Advantage Marker to address (Likely we will just ignore the re-roll aspect)

One of the more eye catching boards from AH era nicely recreated

A day of fiddling about..............

Spent the day doing something and nothing !

Completed set up for FOB3 game next Thursday with Stephen, terrain now complete and Russians deployed at Paltzig awaiting the Prussians.

Fleece I am using is green as per second pic (first over exposed ?)

That at least was the something...............


Then set up Storm Over Arnhem and immediately binned it to set up A Distant Plain yet again (kind of addicted to this one even solo).

I have found over 'lockdown' period I have been doing this quite frequently, investing time in setting up a game (board or miniatures) then 'struggling' to read rules or play the game and  flitting to something else !!