Dystopian Wars: The British are back!

On Thursday night, I gave one of the locals at the club a game of Dystopian Wars. It was his first game, so I thought I would keep it simple and run the British (the French special rules are exceptions, and he might get confused). We were using the expected forthcoming TAGcon rules- 850 points, no Dreadnoughts. I ran...

Ruler Class Battleship Iron Duke
Agincourt Gunships Exeter, Valiant, London
Vanguard Submarines X-23, X-15
Swift Corvettes CV-21,22,23,24
Swift Corvettes CV-11,12,13,14,15
Orion Class Destroyers DD-27,28,29,30


The Iron Duke

My opponent was running Prussians, with a Battleship, 3 Cruisers, 2 squadrons of 4 Frigates, 3 Destroyers and 2 Bombers.

The game started unconvincingly, Turn One amounted to both fleets dashing forward, firing wildly, with my fleet causing an impressive ONE frigate kill, compared to his ZERO kills.


Corvettes just be vettin'

Turn two however, the game got a bit more exciting. Prussians had first initiative, so sent their destroyers headlong against the Blue Corvette Squadron. But, the combination of hitting on a 5+ and the dice didn't work out for my opponent, which left no casualties! The Corvettes however, were not so kind. By zipping rings around the destroyers, they were able to unleash crippling fire to the rear of the destroyers (not that it has any benefit in game terms, it is just a cooler picture)


What is missing is the floatsam from the other two Destroyers

In the centre of the battlefield, the bombers dropped out of obscured and unleashed some firepower onto the Iron Duke, only to have it bounced by shields. The enemy battleship unleashed a torrent of fire onto the Iron Duke, only to have it bounced by shields. Notice a theme?


So that is 25 hits, with no damage points then? Yes. Good.

All the while, the Iron Duke was firing relentlessly at whatever targets presented themselves, be they cruisers, bombers or frigates to great result.

A flight of bombers came screaming in onto the Iron Duke only to have them butchered by Ack-Ack, then for their bombs to fall ineffectually against the shields!


Weren't there five of us? Why do our bombs keep bouncing?

The lone destroyer had this point been set upon by a full squadron of British Swallow class dive bombers, and was dutifully sunk (with 22 plus hits, I couldn't be bothered rerolling all the 6's)

The enemy cruiser sitting in front of the Iron Duke was engaged with main gunnery from two turrets. The firepower was so great that it caused the forward magazine on the cruiser to explode! Which, sounds good for me right? Not so much. There were four corvettes nearby, three of which were swamped by either the explosion or the massive tide of water stemming from it! It did also cause some damage to another cruiser, so there is that I suppose.

By now, the two X craft were ready to make their attack runs, the first got a perfect rear attack onto the enemy battleship (who is on TWO damage points I might add)


This is what they are built for!

So, it revs the chainsaw, makes the attack and......... fluffs it. Not only does it do NO damage, it takes two points in return!

So surely the other X craft can do better.


With prey not quite so large...

So, X-15 revs the chainsaw, makes the attack and...... fluffs it. It doesn't damage itself this time, but it also doesn't sink a frigate! It does however sink it in the frigates activation, as the two collide into each other once again!

But it is a case of too little, too late. The Prussian Battleship makes a last ditch boarding attack against the Iron Duke, losing 3 of their boarders to Ack-Ack, then losing another 5 in the close assault. The Prussians were able to kill all but one of the Royal Marines, but one was enough to save the ship!

Because of all the lost Prussian luftjagers, the Battleship was ripe pickings for the Agincourts, who sent over a fresh boarding party of Royal Marines, capturing the enemy vessel.


Mainly so they could retrieve the stuck submarine

And with that, was the end of the game, and a crushing victory to the British.

The poor, poor Prussians. No matter what they did, they just couldn't do damage to the Iron Duke. The shields were performing exceptionally, the Ack-Ack was ruthless and it's gunnery was sublime.

So really, I made the critical error when introducing people to the game, I didn't let them kill enough stuff! Hopefully he enjoyed it, but for the game, I could do no wrong. Dice kept bailing me out when I stuffed things up, allowed me to do things which I shouldn't be able to get away with and were so atrociously good, I felt bad. If he is reading this, I apologise, and would love another game, and I promise to roll worse.

The other exciting thing at the club was that there was another game of Dystopian going on!


And they got there first, so they got the blue sheet, which is why we were on grey...

That's it from me. The 6mm counter keeps ticking on up, I am afraid if I stop painting tiny tanks that I would never start again, so I am pushing on through. Must get some sort of pictures of them sorted at some point too.

CP

So, what next?

As of this morning, I finished the last of the Myrmidons. Now sadly, because the Analogue challenge is still on, you are just going to have to wait until tomorrow to see the whole lot up on here!

But along with my Hoplites, I managed to get a bit of painting done on some additihons to my Dystopian Wars Brittanian Fleet.

Red Squadron of Corvettes. Light, fast and sneaky!

Blue Squadron of Corvettes. Also, light, fast and sneaky!

A squadron of 3 Agincourt Gunships. Not so light, not so sneaky, not so fast. Big guns and torpedoes however!

 So, with the addition of those, again I have painted everything I want (so far) for my Dystopian Wars fleet! I just need to get them out sailing in our campaign, before that runs out of steam!

So, with my Greeks for SAGA finished, I have reached a bit of an impass. There is exactly one month remaining in the Analogue Hobbies painting competition, and I would like to get a bit more painting done before then! I think I will aim for an honourable 2nd place behind the painting cyborg (Kent).

So, with that in mind, I need some help to give me an idea of what to paint next...

Options are...
-More Greeks to make an army for Impetvs
-Thirty Years War Spanish- Because Tercios are awesome!
- 15mm Vietnam era Americans- for Force on Force
- More Flames of War- If I tried, in a month I could probably paint a fair bit- adding stuff to all of my armies, certainly to my Boat Company, and Early War Germans
-Some other historical 28mm army for Impetvs?
-SAGA Saxons?

Thats where I am at right now, in addition to one of those (or maybe more than one if it is in 15mm!) there will also be super secret project number #1 getting finished!

What do you mean "worst kept secret since Roswell?"

But more on that later, and come back tomorrow for my entire Myrmidon army on display!

CP

Melchett Runs Rampant- Dystopian Wars

Well, the Dystopian Wars campaign continues, and Lord Admiral Melchett was forced into action to curb the advance of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. The Austro-Hungarian fleet, headed by the Dreadnought class vessel (identified as the SMS Szent Istvan) had recently made landing at the supposedly neutral port of Sydney.

Unfortunately for the Astro-Hungarians, the town of Sydney had long been in the employ of Brittania, the port being used for the black market goods sales throughout Australasia, naturally all supposedly against Brittania, but in actuality, entirely run by Brittania herself, ensuring total control over trade.

When the Austro-Hungarians  made landfall, demanding supplies, ammunition fuel and resources, Brittania knew about it. The same day as they arrived, Melchett was handed an exact list of the vessels, their tonnage, their armaments, their numbers of crew. Melchett was even aware of their commanding officer, an aristocratic Admiral Horthy who was aboard the Szent Istvan.

SMS Szent Istvan, photo taken by Reconnaissance Sopwith

With all of this knowledge, it was simple for the orders to be given for saboteurs to be sent aboard the vessels, while Melchett's fleet pursued the enemy fleet, catching it in open waters.

Melchett's fleet, tracking the enemy fleet

Once Melchett caught up with the enemy fleet, the engagement was quick and brutal. The Austro-Hungarians predictably sent their destroyers out to act as a distraction, to allow the Szent Istvan escape. Unfortunately for the Hungarians, Melchett had expected this, using the lighter squadrons of Frigates and Destroyers as his foxhounds in the hunt, to remove smaller targets, allowing the HMS Thuderchild to steam straight for the enemy flagship, engaging her with forward guns and torpedoes. The enemy cruisers were not to be seen, suffering from the actions of Australian saboteurs, losing engine power and being unable to engage.

As shells fell about the Szent Istvan, Admiral Horthy was forced to fully commit his reserve to allow the Szent to escape.

Melchett stared fixated at the dark shape in the distance, watching each explosion, each wave of torpedoes ripple forth from the bow of his vessel, each gun firing in harmonious synchronisation at the shape in the distance.

It was only when an explosions rippled forth from the HMS Conqueror, the newly commissioned Battleship supporting the Thunderchild that Melchett realised what had happened, Horthy had thrown his last dice, his final gamble.

From the dark clouds above the Conqueror, lightning issued forth, causing fires, destroying Ack-Ack batteries and electrocuting crew. Melchett ordered all Ack-Ack batteries to fire, to engage the clouds!

But it was too late, the element of surprise was too great, Hungarian flying raiders emerged from the clouds, rapidly descending on the damaged Conqueror. Melchett was forced to engage this new threat, to save his men. Once the Dreadnought's fire began erupting in the clouds, almost instantly a burning zepplin came tumbling out of the dark mass, a falling iron skeleton, the light metal skin evaporated by the high explosives.

Melchett sent his elite Royal Marines from the Thunderchild over to the Conqueror, in the hope of rescuing the situation, or at least rescuing the vessel.

The Royal Marines were successful in preventing the enemy boarders from detonating their demolition charges rigged to the Sturginum Generators of the vessel, but were unable to save the ship's Captain nor any crew. All hands had been lost, but the vessel remained.

By this time, the enemy flagship had withdrawn, despite being harried by Melchett's foxhounds was able to make her escape while badly damaged. It would be weeks before the Dreadnought would be able to be fully fit again to operate in naval engagements.

Melchett set a course immediately for the harbor at Sydney, it was time for Brittania to end the charade and claim Sydney as what was rightfully hers.

Once in port, message was received of a large Japanese victory in the Coral Sea over Sheridan- word was that Sheridan himself had another ship sunk out from under him! A Japanese presence in the Coral Sea would be problematic, placing them within striking distance of the air base at Feejee.

Melchett ordered his ships to put to sea, to head directly for the Coral Sea, in the full knowledge that the broken fleet of the FSA would be another week before it was ready to put to sea once again. Melchett knew of the vast industrial power that the FSA represented, it was capable of producing Battleships at an alarming rate, Far outstripping the losses they took in the Coral Sea.

The Brittanian strike had to be now, and would have to succeed. Feejee must not fall.

Brittania Prevails.

CP

Melchett's Revenge- Dystopian Wars Game

Lord Commander Melchett stood atop the bridge of the HMS Thunderchild, taking in the bitterly cold sea air of the Southern Ocean. He had been sailing with his two escort vessels steadily south for a week now, chasing that damn engineer. It had been a week ago that one of Her Majesty's agents had told him of Sturginum's whereabouts, he immediately had set sail with the Thunderchild with all due haste.

A runner-boy interrupted his musings, exasperated and gasping at the frozen air. "My Lord, it's... it's... the fleet, they attacked the Eyrie, Admiral Cromwell took control of the Southern Fleet, stating you as a madman tilting at windmills and chasing ghosts, and immediately set to sea to attack". The runner by now had begun to catch his breath in the cold air, giving the statistics with time worn efficiency "the Achilles sunk, along with the vessels from S-Class. Frigate squadrons 1 through 4 all destroyed". Melchett's only reply was "Who controls the Eye now?". The runner needed only to say one word, "Sheridan".

With that word, Melchett's course of action was clear. The Thunderchild immediately turned around, and set sail at full steam back to the home port of Christ's Church. There he knew was the valuable ship yards and the better part of the Southern Fleet. It was a full 4 day's steam away, he just prayed that Sheridan stayed distracted enough by the Eye that he would not press home his advantage....

It was when Melchett reached the harbor at Christ's Church that news of the FSA fleet. Hawk Scouts had been trailing the ships as they left the Eye, Sheridan's flag flying high above the lead Battleship. It was clear they were headed away from the Eye, seeking the safer port of the Phoenix Islands. Clearly they had also received news of the intense storms which were expected for the area of the Eye, and sought safe port for their ill equipped paddle steamers.

Gathering his fleet, Melchett set off at full steam for the Phoenix Islands, with the intent of arriving as the storm closed, to make advantage of the Brittanian vessel's superior oceangoing capabilities.

The HMS Thunderchild with her supporting vessel, the HMS King George

Cruisers HMS Colossus, Vanuard and Excelsior with supporting frigate class vessels.

Melchett caught the FSA fleet leaving the Phoenix Islands, with bitter squalls effecting air support capabilities, the supporting reconnaissance and Hawk Scouts were unable to fly, and quickly quit the battle. Melchett caught the enemy vessel's abeam, ordering all of the forward turrets on the Thunderchild to target the enemy battleship off in the distance. The four turrets forward of the bridge spat forth round after round, targetting the core of the enemy battleship. Few were caught in a haze surrounding the ship, but one shell struck through, crashing into the enemy vessel causing an eruption of green fire, known among sailors as the "green dragon"- signalling an eruption of the fusion generators which powered the ship. Torpedoes rippled forth from the front of the Thunderchild, striking the enemy battleship. The enemy vessel was crippled, suffering extreme damage from both gunnery and torpedoes, and soon sank below the waves once the Thunderchild's  supporting vessel, the HMS King George joined fire.

The second enemy battleship, bearing Sheridan's color's skulked off around a nearby island, leaving the other ship to it's fate. It was only the first battleship's supporting Cruiser squadrons that sought to engage the British fleet, only to suffer the same fate as the Battleship, as the combined fire from the Dreadnought, Battleship and Cruisers were far too much for the small vessels to handle.

The only loss was sustained when a group of enemy torpedo bombers struck the cruiser HMS Colossus below decks, causing a fire below decks, causing the crew to abandon ship. Fortunately the ship was able to be saved, the vessel is currently under tow back to the safe harbor of Christ's Church.

In the confusion caused by the damage to the Colossus, the enemy battleship had escaped out of operational range. Despite the high seas, the enemy battleship was able to run at full steam out of the Phoenix Islands, the FSA quitting the area completly.

Melchett stood impassivly, watching the bow of the enemy Battleship finally succumb to the waves, as frigates moved in to collect those sailors who abandoned ship. The Thunderchild had defeated Sheridan again, but it was without a doubt that the FSA would return.

As the Thunderchild set sail once again for Christ's Church, Melchett could only think, Brittania's interests are preserved once again.

Melchett's map of the Pacific

 Melchett's spies intercepted Sheridan's log to his superiors, it can only be a matter of time before they return to trouble Brittanian waters once again....

So another super fun Dystopian Wars game, the Thunderchild proved it's worth exceptionally, taking just 2 turns to sink a FSA Battleship- crippling Jamie's ability to do damage to the Dreadnought, which would only mean it could keep doing more and more damage to the FSA with no fears of reprisals. It is sad that to make KoB work well, you have to take the Dreadnought, because of it's brutal effectiveness it is hard to pass up, but I don't want to use it all the time either! 


Melchett will be back....


CP

The Bangkok Naval Treaty- Dystopian Wars game

Lord Commodore Melchett sat impassivly around the large table. It had been scant few hours since he had departed his beloved Thunderchild for the neutral port of Bangkok. Four other naval commanders sat at the round table with him, all parties flanked by their aides of staff. Lord Melchett was uninspired by his requirement to be at this so called official gathering; why should he, Lord Melchett sit at the same table as his enemies? Especially to talk about limiting HIS naval power? Could they not see that the Brittanian domination of this economic zone was inevitable?

Two Prussian Commanders sat opposite one another, clearly members of different ethnic groups, one was spouting forth tirades of abuse which his translator blushed and refused to pass along; my aide informed me later that there was an ancient grievance between this Hungarian commander and the other Prussian. Commodore Sheridan of the FSA sat opposite Lord Melchett. Sheridan had the same opinion as Melchett, let the Europeans fight it out, then annihilate the rest. It had not been long since Sheridan and Melchett had come to blows, in the so called "Civil War" of the FSA. Brittania had interests in the winner of the conflict being... responsive to British economic involvement. Naturally, the interests of Brittania were served, as they always were.

It was now that Sheridan spoke up, explaining his proposal as if it were he were unwrapping a favourite present, pausing to ensure effect. The proposal was simple, a limit on tonnage of naval vessels in the Pacific Economic Zone. The Hungarian commander sprang up, continued his tirade and I can only assume swore the deepest vengance upon all those at the table, but especially Sheridan. The other Prussian asked his aide for a book, presumably to check the tonnages of his vessels; smirking and making the unmistakeable sound of a Zepplin's rotors, clearly he thought that the way around the restrictions. Lord Melchett knew of Sheridan's proposal prior to the meeting, Victoria's spies were ruthless in their efficiency. His anger hidden, his distaste for his opponents kept beneath his large mustache. He spoke only two words before leaving, "Brittania accepts".

This act of supplication was simply a farce. Not one day after, Lord Melchett aboard the freshly commissioned Majesty Class Dreadnought HMS Thunderchild was on the tail of Sheridan and his fleet. This fleet was Melchett's own, and as such had the latest in Sturginum technology, as a defense against the well known FSA firepower.

The Brittanian Fleet advancing in Line

The FSA quickly realised the threat, their long range recon aircraft spotting the heaving smoke stacks of the Brittanian vessels and immediatly called their fleet around, and directed fire onto the Brittanian vessels. The initial fire was sporadic and inaccurate, causing a minor hit on the cruiser HMS Warspite. Plunging fire from the Thunderchild was in concert with the fire from the Battleship HMS Iron Duke directed at the enemy fleet carrier.

The Brittanian line edges ever closer, but there are enemies in the distance....

Severe damage was inflicted upon the enemy carrier by the two vessels fire, while in an attempt to silence the enemy indirect fire from the Battleships, one of the Wolf Pack frigate squadrons steamed straight for the island concealing the battleship, to silence the enemy recon aircraft. The recon aircraft was silenced, but serious damage was inflicted upon the frigate.

The lone remaining frigate after their strike, two Doncaster bombers from the RFC fly past in an attempt to destroy the enemy balloons.

Meanwhile, the second Wolf Pack were hunting the enemy cruisers with the help of the nearby Cruiser Squadron, causing crippling damage onto all three of the enemy vessels, in short order the three enemy vessels were sinking rapidly.

A Wolf Pack strikes, Ack-Ack firing at the enemy bombers, turrets firing at the enemy cruisers

It was at this point that the squadrons of the Royal Flying Corps attached to the fleet from their operational bases on nearby Avenger Carriers made their strikes to protect the Thunderchild and the Iron Duke. Crippling damage was made upon the enemy bombers, but those proved to be a distraction as three waves of enemy torpedo bombers rippled waves of fire into the Iron Duke. The torpedo defence provided by the escort vessel was rendered helpless as the Iron Duke sailed in front of the protection; Melchett could only watch in horror as the torpedoes tore a hole through the bow of the Iron Duke through which water began rushing through, as she began to sink.

The tiny fliers attempt to destroy an enemy bomber, the enemy torpedo bombers are about to begin their attack runs on the Iron Duke

All the while, the Thunderchild had been steaming straight forward, guns blazing. It was only until she turned to the side that her full power was unleashed on the enemy Battleship, five of her six turrets striking the first enemy battleship with ruthless efficiency. Raging fires were observed over the ship, men leaping into the waves to avoid the onslaught. Lord Melchett wanted Sheridan alive, so that he could witness the Brittanian domination of the Pacific Economic Zone, as pennance for a wound given many years ago. Lord Melchett ordered the rocket marines off the surviving Wolf Pack to search the crippled Battleship , to capture the bridge and capture Sheridan. It was only after a bitter fight that it was realised that Sheridan was on the other vessel, the one that was now steaming away at a full head of knots past the Thunderchild. Sheridan knew of the weaknesses of the Majesty class, he knew no pursuit could be given. Lord Melchett could only feel that Sheridan's revenge would be coming with ruthless efficiency.....

The Thunderchild engages the two enemy Battleships, crippling one, while Sheridan escapes on the other.....

Vengance had been achieved for the Bangkok Treaty, Brittania would still "observe" the treaty, while building up the size of her fleet, to achieve victory in the Pacific!

For more on the treaty of Bangkok, head here.

One day till the painting challenge starts...

CP

Kingdom of Brittania Fleet finished!

My Dystopian Wars British fleet has been fully completed as of this morning! I thought it would be a good time to get some proper photos of it done, so I can properly call it finished!

The Southern Fleet in it's completed state. I will be adding more fliers and more vessels (once they are released by Spartan Games), but this is every single thing I own for the Brittanians painted!

The HMS Thunderchild, a Majesty class Dreadnought. Equipped with no less than 6 primary turrets, broadsides and all around torpedoes, as well as her forward ram (if all else fails, ram it); Dreadnoughts have become a much feared weapon in the Coral Sea as the Prussian Empire seems to keep bringing them along! If you don't get the naming of it, you have not read enough good Sci-Fi, especially in the victorian era!

The HMS Achillies and HMS Iron Duke both Ruler class Battleships. Three primary turrets and one shield generator, as well as torpedoes make these both formidable vessels, even when damaged! These two are constant performers, primarily I think to their candy cane funnels.

The HMS Victoria an Avenger class Fleet Carrier. Equipped with tiny fliers, torpedoes and small turrets this is a vessel which can bring the hurt- but has sank in both of the games I have used it in! Not sure how to make it work properly just yet, I think it will take a bit more thought before I get it just right. It certainly can dish out alot of torpedo dice, but it is incredibly fragile.

Three Tribal class Cruisers, the HMS Vanguard, HMS Warspite and HMS Colossus. These three suffer from having a low Damage Rating and Critical Rating (meaning they die quick) plus only average firepower. They do not appear in my fleet often, which is a pity, because Cruisers should be essential in any fleet!

The Vanguard class submarines. These are the most "steam-punk" of all of the Brittanian fleet, they are a submarine equipped with forward torpedoes, but their primary goal is to chainsaw the enemy vessels! The subs have a massive hull ripping set of teeth on the prow of the vessel. As for their effectiveness in battle? I like them!

A squadron of Orion class Destoryers. These are one of my favourite units, with forward torpedoes, good speed and the ability Pack Hunters these ships are incredibly effective as a "first-strike" weapon, using their speed to race forward and damage as much as possible! Return fire is absolutely catastrophic to them, but that's life!

Two Squadrons of Bastion class Escorts. These are tasked soley with defence of the Capital vessels, and they are becoming increasingly more important, because my ships keep getting boarded by vicious Prussian luftlancers! So, the more Ack-Ack the better!

Here are my four squadrons of Frigates! These are my favourite vessel in the entire fleet (possibly why I have 15 of them). Pound for Pound, these guys are more than capable of punching above their own weight, using their two turrets to link fire and roll large amounts of dice, especially as a 4 vessel squadron. Add that to their side torpedoes, and these guys are always worth my while!

One of my two Hawk class Scout Rotors, which have yet to play a game, but rather have just been finished painting this morning. Colour scheme was in part borrowed from the Red Arrows and Iron Man.

The twin Doncaster class Bombers, used as late game bombing runs, AA defense and the occasional torpedo run, these chaps are darn useful!

And finally a close up on one of my Tiny Flier tokens. I have 16 of them, all looking exactly like the one above!

So, that is the entire fleet completed, at least for now. Whats next? Well I have some FOW to paint for next weekend, but I get distracted pretty easily, who knows what else will be there!

CP

Dystopian Wars Prussians vs KoB

I managed to get another game in last night, against the Prussians of Than's. I was running my KoB, based around the carrier/battleship combo, I wanted to bring along plenty of air support, surely that will help?

Than brought along his Prussians, with the total emphasis on the larger vessels! A dreadnought and two battleships certainly had me out gunned! The game was played late at the club, so unfortunatly the photos did not turn up as well as I would like...

Most of my fleet arrayed ready for the engagement! The carrier was the central element of my fleet as last time.

3 Squadron of Frigates engages the enemy battleship, bravely and with honour!

The Brittanian Battlegroup nears the enemy, following a tight wedge formation!

The Royal Flying Corps (RFC) make their dive bombing runs onto the enemy Battleship class vessel, crippling her, before one of the brave Frigates from 3 Squadron delivered the coup de grace! One of the quirks of Dystopian Wars is the exploding dice mechanic (on a 6 is is 2 hits, plus a reroll), in this case the Frigate with 3 dice, rolled a mammoth 11 hits! Totally absurd, absolutely ludicrous and I apologise to Than for that.

The final moments of the game, where the HMS Achillies as well as her supporting vessels attempt to put some hurt onto the enemy Dreadnought (identified as a Blucher Class vessel) but to no avail!

This was a pretty typical game of Dystopian Wars, lots of stuff sailed about and died! Again I had real issues dealing with a Prussian Dreadnought- I am not sure how to handle it, it has too much CC to prevent torpedo strikes, as well as shields to prevent normal gunfire. Not sure, perhaps the only solution is to bring a dreadnought of my own? I ran alot of Aircraft this game (16 tiny fliers, 2 bombers) which did a really good job on one Battleship (once it had lost it's CAP and got damaged so it's AA was reduced), so I can understand why people complain about the planes being super powered on the forums!

Well, I have plenty of stuff to paint for a tournament next week, more on that over the weekend! Oh, plus a big Total War game of FOW tommorow!

CP

Dystopian Wars fleet action

Since coming back from Flamescon, my enthusiasm for gaming was high, but the motivation to actually do it had splutted somewhat. So with plans of not doing anything, I was going to not game for a while. That was, until Jason's despicable Prussians appeared on the horizon threatening the supply of New Guinean rubber to London!

So, it was up to the KoB to defend the poor islanders (fuzzie wuzzies couldn't defend their way out of a paper bag).

We played a 1000 point game of Dystopian Wars, we also used Tiny Fliers for the first time (we are learning rules as we go), and there was a carrier on either side.

The Brittanian Fleet arrayed nicely, formed around a core of the carrier HMS Victoria, the twin battleships the HMS Iron Duke and the HMS Achillies. Supporting vessels included destroyers and frigates.

The dastardly Prussian fleet included not only a Dreadnought class vessel (identification unknown) but also a lumbering red behemoth of a Sky Fortress, unleashing hordes of bombers from her decks. To be sure it was going to be a tough match!

 The Combat Air Patrols orbiting over the captial ships of the fleet. These dive bomber squadrons are pulling double duty as both Ack-Ack and as a last ditch anti-ship weapon!

 As the action heats up, a tiny bomber squadron prepares to engage...

 

 Coming face to face with the Tesla coiled nose of the Prussian Sky Fortress! The fortress did eventually go down, to boarding in fact. Ironically all of the Prussian zepplins had a raging fire at one point or another- shouldn't that do bad bad things to a zepplin (ala Hindenburg?)

The downfall of the HMS Victoria, struck by Prussian bombers, then boarded by their rocket marines. The Dreadnought class vessel can be seen lurking behind the oil derrick.

 

The final end for the Prussian Battleship (unidentified name), struck by British dive bombers and subjected to close range firepower from the battleship Achillies.

The game overall was a traditional Dystopian Wars slug fest. I was running around with far more little ships than Jason, but their capacity for damage is no where near enough to get damage done on his Dreadnought, which was ultimatly the only thing that for him, survived. The tiny tokens were fun, not game breaking, but certainly added some cool elements to the game. We will have to keep thinking about how they are used!

As for the Prussians. Well, they are NASTY! Fantastic boarding assaults causes real, real problems, especially for the Brittanians (we are bad at boarding). I think escorts will be the order of the day, extra Ack-Ack dice might work to even the odds slightly. The Prussian Sky Fortress is an absolute behemoth also, a mammoth construction of firepower and death- and cheaper than the KoB carrier (who is for all intents and purposes, worse). 

But, in saying that, I do really like the Brittanians. The battleships and little vessels are great, super fun to run around with. Best described as a glass cannon, the KoB certainly CAN do the damage, it's just making sure they don't die in the process.

Apologies for it not being an "in character" report, I was feeling a bit put out- too much stuff dies in Dystopian Wars to really get a good character going! 

Another game planned for tommorow night, against some different Prussians, perhaps Cooper will return for that?

CP