Hold Until Relieved AAR

[War Panda]

Got a lend of Blue’s camera to capture a few gaming moments from the weekend. A video AAR will follow once its uploaded.

Here’s a few photos:

 

 

 

 

 

“The great Gaels of Ireland are the men that God made mad,
For all their wars are merry, and all their songs are sad.”

[kyoteblue]

Oh my !! Those are so good, Dude !!!

[War Panda]

Thanks Blue. I’ll let you know when the AAR video is ready.

“The great Gaels of Ireland are the men that God made mad,
For all their wars are merry, and all their songs are sad.”

[Norm S]

Amongst the nicest  Pics / layout I have ever seen. thanks for sharing.

[War Panda]

Cheers Norm! Just uploaded the video:

“The great Gaels of Ireland are the men that God made mad,
For all their wars are merry, and all their songs are sad.”

[kyoteblue]

Puts my poor efforts to shame…..

[War Panda]

Not at all Blue. Your stuff looks great…when we do get pics 🙂

“The great Gaels of Ireland are the men that God made mad,
For all their wars are merry, and all their songs are sad.”

[kyoteblue]

I’m learning…slowly.

[Just Jack]

Good Lord, John, the table is so beautiful it actually makes it worth the four-month wait 😉

I admit it, I’m jealous.  I showed the wife, she said “no, you already have too much stuff.”  I said “look at that, it looks amazing.”  She said, “you could do that,” but the truth is, no, no I couldn’t, I really don’t know how you do that man, it’s just awesome.

If only you’d quit having the midget leprechaun do your voice-over work.  😉

V/R,
Jack

[War Panda]

“If only you’d quit having the midget leprechaun do your voice-over work.”…”I admit it, I’m jealous.”

 

Some may think these statements seem unrelated. We both know different Jack. BTW You’re a brave man (or perhaps completely…nah I’ll be nice)  allowing your wife to listen to that beautiful Irish accent…I’m just saying you’re asking for trouble 😉

And hey, thanks for the kind words…I know how difficult it is for you 🙂

“The great Gaels of Ireland are the men that God made mad,
For all their wars are merry, and all their songs are sad.”

[willz]

V-nice ARR, thanks for sharing.

[War Panda]

Thanks William, glad you liked it

“The great Gaels of Ireland are the men that God made mad,
For all their wars are merry, and all their songs are sad.”

[Nathaniel Weber]

Very impressive stuff!

[Thaddeus Blanchette]

Nice AAR, but I have to admit, every time I see this game’s title, I append the following subtitle: “Waiting for a portajohn at Carnaval”.]

We get slapped around, but we have a good time!

[War Panda]

Thanks Nathaniel. I’m excited to try out Sgt’s War soon.

Thaddeus (or is that Bono?!?) Ha, ha 😀 interesting to ponder how would history remember Major John Howard if he interpreted his orders that way…not good 🙂

If it’s any consolation I have to admit I imagine the exact same thing every time I read it too 🙂

“The great Gaels of Ireland are the men that God made mad,
For all their wars are merry, and all their songs are sad.”

[Mike]

This is eye candy of a most juicy nature.

[Nathaniel Weber]

The voice over from Longest Day…”Hold until relieved…hold until relieved…”

[Just Jack]

”Some may think these statements seem unrelated. We both know different Jack.”
Ah, yes, what it must be like to have ‘life-sized’ wargame figures, to be able to paint your toys using both hands, while standing eye-to eye.  It’s no wonder you have the most realistic livestock 😉

“…allowing your wife to listen to that beautiful Irish accent…I’m just saying you’re asking for trouble…”
Oh, my poor Panda, apparently you’ve been watching your videos with the sound muted.  You sound like Mickey Mouse, but speaking a foreign language, and with undescended testicles.

“And hey, thanks for the kind words…I know how difficult it is for you”
Yes, I’m not much for niceties, but I must show some respect for the table, it is simply awesome.  I keep staring at it: “how the @#$% did he do that?”
That is definitely some master craftsmanship; I’m sure you’re doing the local model railroader’s club proud 😉

I’m glad you posted this stuff, and I can’t imagine how much time you put into setup, play, the comic book backdrop for the video, and the editing/posting of the video, thanks for taking the time, I appreciate what goes into it (even if my stuff doesn’t look anywhere near as good).

On my end, I have yet to watch the 2nd part of your video, but I’ll get to it soon.  I’ve had a rash of ‘real-life’ crap break out, and so I haven’t gotten anything done with regards to wargaming lately.  I’ll look to remedy that this weekend.  Take care man.
V/R,
Jack

[War Panda]

“You sound like Mickey Mouse, but speaking a foreign language, and with undescended testicles.”

My point exactly…drives the ladies crazy…rarrrr  🙂

“I’ve had a rash of ‘real-life’ crap break out, and so I haven’t gotten anything done with regards to wargaming lately.”

Hope all is good on the home front. I’m actually the opposite to you, I’ve a silly busy time coming right up and won’t be around after Friday. Take care you grumpy old so and so

“The great Gaels of Ireland are the men that God made mad,
For all their wars are merry, and all their songs are sad.”

[Rod Robertson]

War Panda:

Wow, what can be said but wow! You do the hobby proud. Now all you need to do is make tea-light artillery impact markers and it will be almost like watching “Fury” once again. A visual treat which both inspires me and intimidates me as well. I salute you, sir for a hobby brilliantly done.

Do the rules which you are using impose minimum ranges on mortars because that 8.0 cm mortar looks awfully close to the Sherman it blasts?

And ignore the whines and protests of biniky ballyraggers like Just Jack. Your voice sounds just fine. He’s just upset that there are no swaths of carpet from which to look down at you from.

I will be taking in your follow-up report tomorrow night.

Cheers and good gaming.

Rod Robertson.

[War Panda]

“A visual treat which both inspires me and intimidates me as well. I salute you, sir for a hobby brilliantly done.”

On the contrary Rod it is gentlemen of the likes of you that this hobby needs most of all. There are far too many rabble-rousers and demagogues dragging this beloved avocation through the dirt. Speak of the ass and its sure to pass…

“And ignore the whines and protests of biniky ballyraggers like Just Jack. Your voice sounds just fine. He’s just upset that there are no swaths of carpet from which to look down at you from.”

Rod I applaud your insightful observations. In fairness to “Jack the Brat” he has always shown a high degree of consistency when demonstrating his animalistic behaviours; akin to a wild beast  brought to captivity  once he is found out of his natural habitat of carpet his explodes into an acute state of paroxysm. The video’s lack of carpet obviously sent him into another of these states. The truth is his sad embarrassing outburst’s fill me with a deep sense of pity and shame for mankind. I’m not making excuses for the man but it seems he’s a Texan as well as a Marine!!!…

The medium mortar needs to be a minimum of 18″ from the target. The Sherman was well beyond.

I’m glad you liked the video 

“The great Gaels of Ireland are the men that God made mad,
For all their wars are merry, and all their songs are sad.”

[Just Jack]

Your voice most definitely is NOT fine, though it was ungentlemanly of me to point out your empty bag, and for that I apologize.

Oh, and I’m glad to see where I really stand with Rod; you’re going to wake up with a rolled up carpet next to you.  And you wargaming snobs have done nothing but harden mt stand: I vow I’ll NEVER leave my beloved carpet, it will be a key battlefield feature on the tabletop for the remainder of my days!

“…an acute state of paroxysm.”
Ooooh, I know what someone got for Christmas.  Though I need to get one too, as I have no idea what a ballyragger is…

“…lack of carpet obviously sent him into another of these states.”
That’s pretty funny though.

“He’s just upset that there are no swaths of carpet from which to look down at you from.”
????  You haven’t been paying attention Rod, I have NO problems looking down on Panda.  Conversely, we’d need to roll up six or eight full carpets and place the wee little guy atop them…

Sure, my tables will never look like Panda’s, but thy’re mine and I love them.  As opposed to someone here that’s so ashamed of his tables he hides them by refusing to post pics 😉

“…it seems he’s a Texan as well as a Marine!!!”
No excuses necessary my pint-sized friend, proud on both accounts.

I did get a laugh today and thought of you (Panda) when I got home from work today and found an advertisement for various Irish paraphernalia (hats, T-shirts, posters, bags, etc…) with my family name emblazoned across the front of each.  At least one of us is recognized…

“Hope all is good on the home front.”
Yes, we’re doing well man, thanks for noting, we’ve just been busy.  Hope all is well there too, and whatever you’re upcoming deluge is doesn’t keep you out of here too long.

Take care fellas.

V/R,
Jack

[War Panda]

Hey Jack, I dare you make a video. I was down in the states last summer with work and I had the misfortune of having to spend a large proportion of the week with a Texan…fortunately I couldn’t understand much of what he was saying. I’d imagine Jack’s the same…unfortunately his communications are all too clear.

So there’s the challenge: make a video…you can even wear that pirate costume you wear to go out (maybe not the false belly though). I’m sure it still fits. (God I pray it still fits because if it doesn’t then it’ll be a sight seeing you stretch across that carpet.

Just do it Jack…can’t promise I’d watch it…I think I’ve enough of that drawl to last me a lifetime…

Now when I read your Bat Reps you’ll sound like a cross between Lyndon Johnson and Dolly Parton…

Bye now Y’all!

“The great Gaels of Ireland are the men that God made mad,
For all their wars are merry, and all their songs are sad.”

[Just Jack]

Negative buddy, not happening, you guys will have to be content with still action photography.  Mostly because of the work involved; while it takes me quite awhile to download the photos to the computer, upload them to the blog, write the batrep, update the campaign roster, then post to the various websites, it seems to me that’s a bargain compared to all the chopping you did to your video.  I happen to know that’s pretty time consuming unless you have a professional editing studio in your house.

And sorry again, no drawl.  I’m actually a transplant, I’m from up north, but my family ended up in Texas and it’s home now.  And unfortunately the fake belly ain’t so fake; it’s what happens when you go from being a man amongst men, to, well, just a guy like the rest of you schlubs…

It is kinda funny, though, and disturbing at the same time: so you’re actually admitting to wanting to see me in a pirate costume, with a big belly, and sounding like LBJ and Dolly when I talk.  Go ahead, Panda, this is your dream, finish it! Go ahead and tell the fellas what you hope I’m wearing under the pirate costume.  Watch yourself buddy, I promise I can kick harder than your drugged goats…

And let me say it one more time, no videos.

V/R,
Jack

[kyoteblue]

Wait a cotton picking minute !!! I have posted pics…er to facebook but still that’s real progress for an old Okie like me!!!  Just as soon as it gets warmer I’ll get to making some hills for ya Just Jack…Oh and Texas is my nother other home state.

[War Panda]

Yeah, yeah, yeah,

Jack says: “no I’m scared you might make fun of me.”

We’ll do that regardless of whether we hear the drawl or not. I think I may have remembered hearing you once on TV actually

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wguqvyjexig

“The great Gaels of Ireland are the men that God made mad,
For all their wars are merry, and all their songs are sad.”

[Shaun Travers]

Well done Panda-John.

I have commented in you tube but one thing struck me – the rules.  Bolt Action?  Do you changes rules every six months? I did not think you played often enough to change rules all the time 

[War Panda]

I don’t play enough it’s true but I am a serious rules junkie:) I love reading rules and considering their mechanics. I really would love to have more time to dedicate to this. I read a lot in my work but also in other pursuits and interests I’d  spend hours a day reading so when it comes to wargaming I’m torn between playing and more reading (even if its a bunch of rules.) I really like to spend a lot of my time with my wife and the kids too so I find it difficult to justify being in the basement with my toys. I know there will come a time when the kids have flown the coop and I’ll regret time I wasted when they were young and still with me.

Bolt Action for its many faults has a very effective  morale system. I also have some friends who play it occasionally. I have found to my cost that if I try to introduce them to a new system we spend the entire evening discussing the rules and don’t play very much. It’s interesting that you brought up the topic though. I have given it some thought recently that I do need to settle on a system. It’s too difficult for this old mind to learn one set of rules only to start playing a completely different set the following game. For the sake of my sanity I need to settle on one…and I am enjoying BA right now 🙂

 

 

“The great Gaels of Ireland are the men that God made mad,
For all their wars are merry, and all their songs are sad.”

[kyoteblue]

Don’t worry about an empty nest War Panda…they fly home again….some times two or three times. Trust me I’m a Grand Pa.

[Shaun Travers]

I don’t play enough WW2 either. While I love Ancients, the spectacle of WW2 always makes it a close second. I love reading rules too and am definitely a rules junkie. I started blogging to test out all the different Ancients rules I have. After about 25 of them, I decided to write my own flay play set for a 2’x2’ table. I must have about 100 WW2 rules as well and have consider testing them out as well. In fact, since early last year I have had a 2’x2’ table setup and two draft blog posts ready to play out two easy rules. I have 8 other rulesets chosen ready to play, just to see how they work on the table, rather than in my head. But I got distracted by my own rules again. I loved Take Cover!! when I used to play it in the early 2000’s but some of it is a little clunky. All I am doing with my rules it trying to streamline Take Cover!! Over 2014 it seems that I am fairly content to how my rules work and I like them! They are designed to be very fast and for a battalion with a ratio figure scale of 1:10. But I have the itch to scratch to play the other rules. While I do not make gaming resolutions at the beginning of each year as I know shiny distractions will occur, I really want to get in 2-3 WW2 games with some different rules. I seem to be able to cope with lots of different Ancients rules, but I find WW2 harder to move between rulesets.

I find I cannot play if the kids are around. They are still young-ish, and everyone says you will regret not spending as much time as you can with them at this age so I tend to find time for them when I can. My wife and I are catching up on some movies and TV shows we have been wanting to watch since last year, so the small free time in the evening is with her rather than the minis. And lunchtimes (when I have them!) I used to read about gaming but I am engrossed in an ancient Roman detective series (Marcus Didius Falco) and read it instead. And I also have a distracting sideline project that I mull over in my mind (portable WW2 game based on the old CCG Tank Commander).

I dream too that when they are older it means I may have more time to play but again, discussing it with others it may or may not be the case.

Regardless, it sounds like both you are I are having a great time, whether we are pushing figures, reading rules or doing something completely non-gaming.

Bolt Action does seem interesting and have a story with it. I have a friend I have known for only about 3 years. When I first met him, he play Warmachines lots and was playing it competitively. Bolt Action came out and he took that up with a vengeance, even running some tournaments. As he says WW2 is amazing – there is all this history behind it (he could not care at all about the fluff behind Warmachine). Just before Christmas he got introduced to Chain Of Command. It is now his rules of choice and plays it lots. I have read about gamers going Fantasy -> Bolt Action -> CoC but never met one!

[War Panda]

Thanks Tim  It’s a small light weight Sony Cyber-shot camera. I have a super-d-duper Canon but its far too cumbersome when I’m doing this on my own.

It’s not Crossfire but I’m glad you’re enjoying them 🙂

John

“The great Gaels of Ireland are the men that God made mad,
For all their wars are merry, and all their songs are sad.”

[War Panda]

Shaun I can identify with a lot you’ve mentioned. It’s funny but I’ve contemplated making videos comparing different rule sets using the exact same scenario and employing similar tactics on both sides. It might sound completely boring to some but I’d love to compare results (die random factor considered I think to would be very interesting)

Chain of Command is an excellent rule set and I’m sure I’ll use it again soon. It would seem to me to be a less gamey set of rules than BA but I’m really enjoying certain aspects of BA and I’m finding that I’m not thinking so much about the rules with BA as I did with CoC. Added to the fact that I videoing at the time my poor old brain is being tested to its limits…. I’m usually pretty mentally exhausted when I do start playing so anything to lessen the mental load is welcome.

Despite enjoying fantasy RPG’s and wargaming I’ve never played Warhammer but there’s a feel to BA that would impress me to believe that there might be a natural transition between the two. Then a possibly more serious CoC would seem like progress to some. I would personally like to combine certain favourite mechanics of both into my own ugly monstrosity 🙂 I really like the feel of the morale mechanic in BA and I prefer the shooting sequence in BA: Troop quality means vets are less likely to be permanently knocked out  of the battle longer while CoC puts the emphasis on them being more difficult to pin. The more gamey BA sits better with my humble interpretation of what may be true.

Like you I’ve read this phenomena of conversions from GW to BA to CoC (boy I hate some acronym’s 🙂 ) although like you I haven’t yet had the pleasure. 

I might get back to this topic later when I’ve more time. Take care

John

“The great Gaels of Ireland are the men that God made mad,
For all their wars are merry, and all their songs are sad.”

[Shaun Travers]

Attempted to not prolong this discussion but failed…

 

“It’s funny but I’ve contemplated making videos comparing different rule sets using the exact same scenario and employing similar tactics on both sides. It might sound completely boring to some but I’d love to compare results (die random factor considered I think to would be very interesting)”

This is exactly why I started my blog, but for Ancients on a 2’x2’ board. I have done 27 rulesets so far using two different battles (After the first 12 I switched battles). I found that trying to use the same tactics is sometimes not viable due to the ways the rules work, mostly around the different morale systems used.

I had vague plans to do the same for WW2. I realised a few years ago that I just could not bring myself to do it for both Ancients and WW2. So for WW2 I will use different rules with different scenarios and not so much analysis.

Oh, and I have played Warhammer once, back in (I think) 1994. Not fond. Can see its appeal though. For WW2 I was brought up on Tractics and then Combined Arms (with house rules) and occasionally pine for a rivet counting game. But then I get better!

[War Panda]

“Attempted to not prolong this discussion but failed…”

Well I’m glad you did 🙂

“This is exactly why I started my blog, but for Ancients on a 2’x2’ board. I have done 27 rulesets so far using two different battles (After the first 12 I switched battles).”

That is seriously impressive! I’m tempted to read your ancient’s AAR’s but I’m worried I might start liking them too much (that’s all I need is to start being interested in a whole new genre.

The main reason I wanted to do something like this was when I got interested in the whole WW2 wargaming thing 10 years ago I was at a loss to choose a rule set. I read a hundred reviews, a thousand arguments and a million opinions and seemed no closer to knowing what might “fit” right for me. I think if I saw a set actually being played out it would give me a much better idea whether the rules would sit right with my idea of recreating reality or even whether “re-creating” was really important at all!

To be honest Ithink the journey of discovering what’s out there and trying them out is a part of the hobby that I enjoy but it is costly to purchase rule sets that in the end will never see the light of day after the first read.

“and occasionally pine for a rivet counting game. But then I get better!”

Ha ha 😀 Again I’m sorry for you but I know exactly what you mean

“The great Gaels of Ireland are the men that God made mad,
For all their wars are merry, and all their songs are sad.”

[Shaun Travers]

I must admit that I partly started the Ancient rules replays to try and find a good ruleset, but there was to other larger parts – the first was to test out the various Ancient rules I had. Authors wrote them intending to be played and not just read. So I thought I should play them at least once to see how they went. There are a few rulesets I just cannot bring myself to try out though. This was a small reason when I started (in 2010) but has become the great one as I have gone on. The other main reason I started was there was a lack of reports showing in detail how the rules mechanisms works. Lots of reviews of rules, but not that many with actual blow by blow account of actual mechanisms. So my AAR reviews of a ruleset show exactly how the mechanisms for a ruleset works on the table.

I cannot bring myself to do this level of detail for WW2 rules, but do want to try them out.

I also seem to have lost the ability to play a game in many small sessions. I used to play (and write notes for) a game over many 10-20 minute breaks spread out over weeks. I have found it harder to do now in the last year or so. I am trying to get the ability back! I think it is because I have too many projects going on. I only had replaying different ancients rules for the first few years.

[Author]

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