Sharp Practice: Collecting Cows.

     It was a rather slow day in gaming the other day. My wife was sick, and I ventured out by myself to play whatever I came across. However, it seems like everyone had caught the bug flying around, because there was a real lack of people. It was either this or the 3-day weekend for Memorial Day. Despite this, we still pulled off a Sharp Practice game for the day. The plan would have been for a second game, where I would be playing, but time had the best of us. No worries! It was still a good social outing where we got to discuss some of the various rules on this game's tactics, such as tackling fences in movement or playing the mission. Anyway, here were some of the photos of the day. Enjoy!

AAR: Bolt Action Demo Game: Losing on Turn 3.

   When showing up at a game hall or room, you never really know what can happen. Between my wife, Kalissa and I, we are very flexible for what goes on in our gaming lives to a degree. In this case, we came across a gentlemen named Jason, who was interested in our game set up. We had seen him before for X-Wing games. So, if my normal way, I invited him to play in a Bolt Action game. I, honestly, have missed the days of demonstrating games. For the first couple of years of gaming with my wife, we had demonstrated countless games. Most of these were Flames of War demos! It is not too often that we had Bolt Action interest. It has not caught on in our area as much. Some of that has to do with our local Chain of Command players. It happens!
   Anyway, Jason took the German side. I took the Americans. We played a kill-fest game to get the core rules down. After all, the point is to peak interest, not necessary kill the other side. Apparently, my ideal agreed with my mind set. Needless to say, I got my ass kicked! All is good, since my fellow opponent enjoyed himself. Mission accomplished! Anyway, here are the few pictures of my demise! Enjoy!

Sharp Practice in Full Swing.

       After being introduced into the newer rules from Too Fat Lardies on the American Civil War, our gaming group has somewhat gotten into the grove. I say this, because my wife and I gathered our few historical gamers into a gaming group called Cape Fear Miniature Gamers. The bases of this group was to try to center about two themes a year to focus the group on similar game types. For one, my wife and I have always admired the gaming clubs overseas in the U.K. For some reason, seeing the various inspirations in gaming, modeling, terrain, and overall game types is rather inspiring. Overseas seems to have a rather great art in performing eye-candy games. I, for one, strive to do that in the U.S. I does happen here, but  we only really see it in game shows. We, also, know there are gaming clubs/groups in the U.S., but we only see their work at game shows. Most of these clubs are based up in the New England area.
     Anyway, after much discussion, we decided on the rules set of "Sharp Practice". This seems like the simple choice for people to get into that is relatively cheap to get into figure-wise. So far, several people have played a few games and bought a few figures. My only problem that stands is what to chose for my troops. I am only the fence between being a Union infantry until or Bloody Bill Anderson's Cavalry. I am not sure, since my wife has also not chosen. Since we plan to play against each other, we always pick opposing sides. And I especially want to do this, since we've played several Civil War games on the same side at a few convention games. We do much better against each other in Civil War games on opposing sides!
  But until the decision is made, I figured I would share some Sharp Practice game pictures. Enjoy!

AAR: Flames of War: Korsun Pocket 1944, Game 1

     It has been awhile since I had brushed off my Flames of War miniatures and used them. It occurred to me quite recent, that I have not played Flames of War in over a full year. So when my friend, Tom called up to continue our second half of our campaign, I, of course, jumped in. After all, it had been two years since the first half of the campaign for the Korsun Pocket.
   So what is the Korsun Pocket? The Korsun Pocket was a result of the Korsun–Shevchenkovsky Offensive from the 24th of January to 16th of February 1944 in the Soviet 1st and 2nd Ukrainian fronts. The Soviets surrounded German Army Group South in a pocket that resulted in heavy casualties for the Germans in the relief and breakthrough. The results were a great Soviet victory, despite not punching a hole through the German front lines.
   Now, as usual, I love to play the Germans in most games they are involved. The exception to the rule is with the Polish, since my family is mostly Polish descent. And when I took the Germans for Flames of War, I consider them the challenge of the underdogs in Late War, especially. Are they really that bad? No! But in the progression of the first few years of playing Flames of War (Version 2 and 3), I have noticed quite a large push towards pro-Allied lists. There are some great German lists. Don't get me wrong! The 2nd Panzer rules for "Push for the Rhine" rock! I also love my Market Garden 107th Panzer Brigade and my 9th SS Hohenstaufen lists.
     However, in the case of historical accuracy, I will play it historical. In the case of this second campaign of the Korsun Pocket, I choose a list from Kampfgruppe Bake. Was this a smart decision? Not really. For one, this is a winter battle. Despite the pictures in the game in this post, this first game was fought at night with snow and mud that is frozen until day breaks. What this means is that I have to take double bog checks for everywhere, but the woods (still a bog check) and the roads. The only advantage I had was the re-roll for bog checks based on my "wide tracks" rule. Two, I only could take four platoons with one only seeing action on the last turn. With the Panther tanks and my small infantry unit, I could push onward. My Nebelwerfers never had line of sight until dawn broke. That was on the last turn. Three, I was playing against Tom's Soviets. Tom is a calculated player by nature. So he is very challenging. I have won few games against him. I think five! Lets says about 1%. This does not detour me from playing him, because I am not sore about losing. I have had enough of bad rolls to know tactics is not the problem. Also, because I still have fun playing games against him. This is also why I chose my company. I know he does not like Panthers, but still enjoys killing them! I just want to see a company of Soviet Strelkovy run away for a change.
   Anyway, these are pictures from our first game. Mind you, they are in winter conditions, despite the terrain. Enjoy!