Terrain: My new gaming mat for more Arid Regions

As the size of my gaming table has grown to 2.10 x 1.30 metres and my previous gaming mat was designed more for Central Europe/North America (too much vivid greens), it was time to build a new mat.

I used painter's fleece as the fabric, onto which I then applied acrylic caulking using a spatula and a rolling pin and into which I then worked sand in various colours and grain sizes.

After everything had been allowed to dry thoroughly for 24 hours, I then coloured everything, added different shades, highlights and colour variations so that the surface of the mat looks ‘alive’.

Finally, I cut the mat to a size of 2.50 x 1.60 metres, so I should be prepared for all eventualities 😅

The new mat represents rather dry regions such as Sicily, Tunisia or the Levant much better than my previously used mat, which has since been sold to Norway 😎

Detailed view of the surface texture

The WiP stage

After applying the acrylic caulking I have added the first layer of sand and then pressed everything down firmly with a rolling pin.

Colouring started: Base colours and the first highlights are applied to the mat.

Read More

Warmaster Revolution: A new Wizard for my Demons has spawned 😎

My Warmaster Demons received another reinforcement today - a mighty Wizard joins the ranks of my still growing Demon Horde 💪

The STL comes from Tordo Miniatures again and as always I printed it using the proved TGM-7 resin.

I used my airbrush to paint a figure for the first time, in this case for the colour transitions on the feathers - I'm quite happy with the result, even if it still requires a lot of practice.

Freshly materialised through the dimension gate:

And some photos from the WiP stage:

Read More

Warmaster Revolution: Demon Temple with a Dimension Gate

At the moment I'm in a kind of terrain-building mood, so next up is a completely self-made Temple including a Dimension Gate for my Warmaster demons.

Styrodur, MDF, cork litter and lots of Mode Podge form the basis, followed by turf, tufts and ivy for the details.

The great thing is that this temple can also be used in other settings and even other scales too.

For example, it could be a Stargate in a sci-fi setting (I'm going to print and paint a suitable terminal for this version soon).

On the other hand, the temple itself can also be used as a ruin in historical settings - the dimension gate is fixed to the base with a magnet and could therefore be replaced by a statue of a god, for example.

For size comparison - some of my Demons spawned from the new gate!

And here are following some pictures from the WiP stage:

Read More

Chain of Command AAR: Another Teaching Game

Yesterday there was another chance to introduce a fellow gamer from the Weiß-Blaue Strategen (a club from Munich) to Chain of Command.

Bernhard is an experienced player of rules like Battlegroup and has plenty of Brits for North Africa, but for the sake of simplicity he commanded my US Airborne (played as Regular) against Alexander's German Grenadiers.

For once, I only acted as match director and referee.

The patrol phase in full swing

The first of the 3 Grenadier squads deploy, immediately going on Overwatch

While the Airborne deploy their 60mm Mortar first, to make sure that the Germans keep their heads down

One of the airborne squads cautiously approaches the village occupied by the grenadiers, who are completely isolated there.

The other squads advances too ...

... but mounting Shock from the crossfire of 2 Grenadier squads will force them to back a little bit

Firefight between the grenadiers in the village and parachute infantry, which is additionally supported by well-placed fire from the 60mm mortar ...

... accordingly, the defenders, who had all squeezed themselves into a house and were therefore unable to bring all their weapons to bear, are shot up shortly afterwards and flee. The village is thus liberated.

Only now does the lieutenant commanding the grenadier platoon decide to concentrate the fire of the 2 remaining squads on the airborne squad in the orchard and allows the squad positioned in the centre to advance.

While his other remaining squad tries to hold the position against well-placed fire from the Airborne.

But too late, the advancing squad is caught in the concentrated fire of the Parachute Infantry and the mortar fire and finally has to withdraw as well.

This finally broke the morale of the German grenadiers and they hurriedly cleared the field before they could be completely wiped out.

Conclusion:

1. One could see Bernhard's experience. He formed focal points and always concentrated his fire on one of the grenadier squads and was thus able to take them out one by one.

He also utilised one of the US Boys' greatest advantages whenever possible: Marching Fire.

2. CoC has once again proven its potential one can play the period even if he don't know the rules as such.

Read More

Warmaster Revolution: Daemons vs. Chaos

Last Friday Helmut an me fought two battles of Warmaster Revolution (1500pts per side) putting my Daemons versus his Force of Chaos.

Helmuts General commanding the forces of Chaos.

My center ...

and the right flank.

Dragon Ogres, Chaos Warriors and Chaos Spawn pushing forward - the Chaos Knights hat to retreat disordered.

My Daemonic Hordes have entered some defendable positions meanwhile, anchoring my left flank.

Daemonic Chariots led by my General crashed into Marauders and Trolls while my flyers blocked their possible line of retreat.

My left flank under attack from Chaos led by their General - but thanks to the defended position they survived this onslaught long enough ...

... until my Chariots could save the day but with losses mounting.

Two exciting and fun games in a relaxed atmosphere, in which we both learnt a lot at the same time.

Normally I usually have the smaller army because of the high point costs of my units, but in this case it was the other way round.

A nice experience 😁

Read More