SAGA-AoM

Had my second in-person game this Monday at the Hobby Bunker at it's new location in Wakefield. It is funny how reliant and sophisticated we have come with Virtual wargaming but it is fun to get together and have a game. This was a SAGA game with my friend Adam. I actually have another in-person game coming up in Montreal at the end of next week, it will be my first trip in 18 months and I will be quite happy to be there.

Game Set-up (BoB Chaos)

Scenery-Unknown Lands

Deployment-Refused Flank

Special Rule-Hostile Land

Victory Conditions-Show of Force

Game Length-Until Dusk

The Lords of the Wild (8 SAGA Dice)

The Hunter (1)

Monster Titan (1)

Creature Flyers (1)
Ranger (4 warriors)

4 Mounted Hearthguard (1)

8 Bow Armed Hearthguard (2)
8 Bow Armed Warriors (1)

4 Warriors (1)
Sacred Ground-Primitive Totem

The Horde (6 SAGA Dice)

Warrior

Champion

Behemoth

3 Trolls
16 Hearthguard
8 Warriors
Sacred Ground-Sacrificial Stone

We were a little rusty, but the game went fairly quickly. I quickly got 4 points for getting my flying creatures on Adam's edge. We then engaged in multiple small skirmishes, some I won and some I lost. I put my Warlord in jeopardy but was able to pull him out to safety although he lost one of his companions. I took several shots at the Trolls but they were invincible. Six turns went quickly and when we tallied up the points it was a clear victory (Lords of the Wild) for myself 19-11.

SAGA is always both fun and a challenge, we are however planning something different for our next game as my Spanish fleet is going to finally sail into Salem!

SAGA AoM - In-Person Game!

On Thursday last, I finally got in a game where my opponent was in the same room...over a year! It was my first game with Adam since the fall of 2019 and my first game of AoM since the Summer of 2019. I had some AoV SAGA games with my friend Luis in Montreal in December and January of last winter, it is amazing how the past year and some has been turned upside down.

Anyway it was great to get in a game and interestingly enough, I suspect it will be my last game at the Hobby Bunker........as they are moving to a new location in Wakefield.

 

Game Set-up (BoB Chaos)

Scenery-Standard

Deployment-Confusion

Special Rule-Forced March

Victory Conditions-Subjugation

Game Length-Until Dusk

The Lords of the Wild (7 SAGA Dice)

The Hunter (1)

Monster Titan (1)

Creature Flyers (1)
Sorcerer (1)

4 Mounted Hearthguard (1)

8 Bow Armed Hearthguard (2)
8 Bow Armed Warriors (1)
Sacred Ground-Primitive Totem

The Otherworld (7 SAGA Dice)

Archdemon (1)
Winged Sorcerer (1)

Monster Scourge (1)
12 Hearthguard (3)
8 Hunter Warriors (1)
8 Warriors (1)
Sacred Ground-Unstable Portal

Although the game was set at 6 turns, time was limited as Adam had to pick up his little girl. The game started off well for both of us, I was able to get in the first kill by using the ability Call of the Spirits, which took out 4 of the The Otherworld Hunters. We seesawed back and forth then, with Adam taking out 1 of my Mounted Hearthguard as well as his Scourge killing all my Warriors. I was able to take out a few of his Hearthguard with my Bow Armed Hearthguard. Adam did a much better job using his Magic spells than I which did give me quite bit of grief. Unfortunately, time went by quickly as we had not played any AoM for over 18 months and we had to finish off after 5 turns only. We did the Arithmetic and Adam was ahead, but it was pretty clear as you can see in the last photo his Archdemon was under significant threat. I believe if we got to turn 6, he would have been done for as I had yet to initiate the Call of the Wild, a one off ability the Hunter has to activate all units for free. Famous last words!

It was great fun to go to the Hobby Bunker, see Adam again and get in a game of SAGA. I also was quite pleased to get a new warband for SAGA on the table. Hopefully another game soon.

Black Seas: Catch the Prize

 

This past Friday, myself and Adam had a go at Black Seas, this was Adam's first game and my fifth. He is planning to put on a game a small con at the end of the month and want to playtest the rules as well as his scenario.

He decided to go with Scenario 5 from the books with the only advanced national rules being in play. The scenario pits a frigate and a brig against other, he elected to go with French and US ships, with one force escorting an unarmed merchant ship across so treacherous waters. Here are a few photos from the game.

 

These are all Adam's ships which were very nicely done. We played the scenario twice with us each taking a turn being the defender, and in both games the defender (the escorting force) winning. Both games took around 60 minutes, cementing my belief that this is an excellent set of rules which give a fun game. We used my off table card holders which obviate the need for wake markers. I think Adam has decided after the game to remove the bases, they do making measuring and turning using the included templates a little more difficult. I used my linear laser for the first time to decide which ship is closest to the wind, thus going first. With the wind gauge in the middle of the terrain this is an absolute plus and I highly recommend it. 

It was a fun game!

First Outing with Chain of Command