Dave’s “Season of Scenery” – update (9)

A lot started but nothing completed today

I also forgot to show these, A bunker for an Anti-tank-rifle and two dug in tank emplacements for two extra turrets supplied with some 3D printed tanks.

Light Howitzer bunker just needing logs painted and flocking.

AT Gun emplacement just undercoated.

Fox holes for snipers that are finished and just need the snipers painted.

Spider holes that need flocking and their infantry painted.

Two HMG bunkers that need the logs painted and flocking.

Five LMG bunkers just undercoated.

Two section bunkers just undercoated. I need to build two more of these. The logs are cut and need assembling.

As I said a lot “on the go”. let’s hope they finish in a rush. I am getting ready for the Victorious convention in Melbourne so you locals come along and see a preview of my “Dinosaurs – a game for all ages” game, that should be out on Amazon soon (in final editing).

A preview only not on Amazon yet!

Musketeers

After sitting on the shelf for years we finally played this game again the other day. Unfortunately it is now out of print, but some copies are still available on the usual websites

The Musketeers are trying to acquire three valuable gems. However, the Cardinal and his dreaded Guards are out to sabotage the Musketeers’ mission. Many skirmishes between the Musketeers and the Guards ensue. The most successful Musketeers will be awarded gems.

Those who fail will be sent to prison and will remain empty handed.

Setup: Begin by removing some specific cards depending on the number of players participating in the game. Once you have adjusted the deck, shuffle thoroughly and place all Guard cards in the center of the playing area, ensuring they are easily accessible to all players. In addition to the Guard cards, make sure to include the Gem and Prison cards in the center as well, as these elements play pivotal roles throughout the game. After organizing these fundamental components, shuffle the Musketeer cards with care to ensure a random distribution and then proceed to deal 12 cards to each player, providing them with their initial hand and setting the stage for an engaging and strategic gameplay experience.

Play: players select 3 cards to place face down; these are their potential rewards (Pay cards) for this fight. Each player carefully considers their choices, weighing the strengths and weaknesses of their cards while trying to anticipate their opponents’ moves. Once all players are ready, the top Guard card is revealed, establishing a benchmark that must be met or exceeded. Players then simultaneously select a card from their hidden hand, and upon the count of three, everyone reveals their chosen card. If the cumulative sum of the selected cards is lower than the strength of the Guard, the player who played the lowest card must place a Prison card on one of his Pay cards, which may hinder their chances of victory in subsequent rounds. Conversely, if a player manages to play the highest card, they are rewarded with the option to place a coveted Gem card on one of their Pay cards, enhancing their potential rewards, or they may choose to return one of their previously played Prison cards back to the center, offering them a strategic advantage. Should the center area not contain a card that aligns with their needs or strategy, players can opt to take a card from another player, introducing an element of risk and negotiation. It’s important to note that if a player finds themselves with all 3 Prison cards, the value of their played card does not contribute to the collective total of the other players’ cards, potentially isolating them from benefit while adding to the game’s tension and complexity.

The round ends after 9 fights, creating an exciting and competitive atmosphere. During these rounds, players earn silver for their Pay cards, which can be a strategic advantage, especially since the amount is doubled if a Gem is on top of the card, adding a thrilling twist to the gameplay. However, players need to be cautious, as the silver earned can be completely reduced to 0 if a Prison card is on top, introducing an element of risk that can change the dynamics of the game. At the conclusion of the rounds, the player with the most coins wins, showcasing their skill and strategy throughout the matches. Alternatively, players have the option to continue engaging in rounds until one player accumulates 100 or more points, which further intensifies the competition. In this scenario, the player with the most points becomes the ultimate champion, proving their dominance not just in coin collection but also in overall gameplay strategy and endurance.

An easy to learn game with lots of strategy and intrigue. I really like it’. If you can grab a.co so

Rating: 4 out of 5.

Victrix German Platoon

This one arrived in today’s mail.

Victrix’s WW2 German Platoon is a highly-regarded set that offers exceptional detail and value, making it a favorite among WW2 wargamers. To provide a more detailed look, it’s helpful to break down the specific components and features that set this kit apart.

Four identical infantry sprues with lots of variety

The Miniatures and Their Authenticity

The sculpts themselves are historically accurate with dynamic poses. Victrix has put a significant amount of research into ensuring the figures are representative of a late-war German force (1944-1945). The miniatures are depicted wearing equipment like zeltbahns and camouflage smocks, which were common for well-equipped and motivated German soldiers of the period, such as Panzer Grenadiers. This attention to uniform and gear not only makes them visually distinct but also adds to their historical authenticity. The kit also offers a mix of helmet types, including some with covers, as well as field caps and bare heads, allowing for a high degree of visual variety within your platoon.

One specialist sprue

Abundant Options and Customization

The true power of this kit lies in its sprue design. Rather than having single-pose figures, the Victrix set provides a wealth of separate components. The box allows you to build a full infantry platoon of 30 miniatures, plus an additional 14 heavy weapons and support figures. On each sprue, you’ll find a wide variety of arm, head, and weapon options, which means almost every figure can be built with a unique look and pose. This makes it a “kitbasher’s dream” and allows for the creation of very personalized and characterful squads. The weapon options are also plentiful, including a good selection of Kar98k rifles, MP40s, and StG 44s, as well as separate stick grenades and hands specifically sculpted to be holding them.

Comprehensive Heavy Weapons Support

A major selling point of this set is the inclusion of a full suite of heavy weapons in plastic. Many other manufacturers often sell these as separate, more expensive metal kits. The Victrix set includes the components to build multiple heavy weapons teams, such as the 81mm mortar and its crew, and the iconic tripod-mounted MG42 with its two-man team. This means that a single box provides you with all the core elements of a standard German platoon, including the crucial fire support that is essential in many wargames. The heavy weapons teams are also well-sculpted with realistic poses, such as one crew member feeding the ammo belt into the MG42 while the other fires.

Forward Observer team I made up as a sample

Scale and Compatibility

The Victrix miniatures are in 28mm scale and are designed to be compatible with other popular wargaming lines. They scale well with figures from Warlord Games’ Bolt Action range, which is a significant advantage for players who already have an existing collection or want to mix and match to add variety. The crisp details and sharp sculpting on the Victrix figures often lead to favorable comparisons, and I believe they are a significant step above other historical plastic kits in terms of quality and detail. This makes the Victrix kit an excellent choice for anyone starting a new force or looking to upgrade parts of an existing one.

Comparison between Warlord Games Japanese which is less “chunky” and a bit smaller, but still fits in well.

Ease of Assembly

One of the problems with many multi option kits is that there is NO assistance with model assembly. Working out which arms go with which body or which weapons go with which arms etc. can be very frustrating and time consuming. Victrix has made this easy by supplying a detailed assembly plan with all of the options listed for each figure. An excellent addition!

One of the best kits on the market. Cannot recommend more highly!

Rating: 5 out of 5.

Hiding in the bushes

Regular readers would know that I have been working on some Zeoforms for Zeo Genesis, a game in development by Andy Chambers and Gav Thorpe. The models Rob has been 3D printing for me are huge, and I needed a place to store them.

I had purchased a storage box from Bunnings a long time ago but found the “pluck” foam too thick for 28mm miniatures, but it was ideal for these large miniatures.

I threw all the foam “pull-outs” into a brown paper bag ready for disposal but left it in the garage and forgot about it. When I ran out of model bushes for my jungle terrain pieces I had been building, I was looking for something to use and just happened to glance at the bag!

The three items I needed. A large open necked storage container. A foam terrain maker often wrongly named as a hand blender, and of course the foam. I suggest you do not use the foam terrain maker when SWMBO is home!

Throw the foam in the jar and just “zap” it!

Mix the foam PVA glue and whatever colour you want (I just used cheap poster paint).

Add to the base of your model or scenery.

Above is an unfinished piece of jungle terrain O have been working on.

I now have plenty of foam bushes for the next few years.