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Random musings one J at a time.

Musings

The Rules………..

February 22, 2015JYLeave a comment

image

So after talking about Bolt Action on a number of blogs and showing the development of the United States I thought it was about time I spoke briefly about the game……

Bolt action is an turn based table top war game. Each player takes charge of a reinforced platoon with a set point limit.

The platoon takes a general structure of:

A Lieutenant
Two infantry squads.

From here the player can add additional units, HQ units (Medic, Forward Observer, Captain or Major), machine gun teams, sniper/mortar team, artillery, tanks, armoured car.

When the force has been selected to the agreed point limit, the players will need:

Tape measure
D6 Die
Order die (or chits with the orders on)
Pin markers.
Playing area.

Instead of being a ‘You go/I go’ game where each player moves each of there units in one go, then the opposition reacts and moves there units. Bolt Action uses order die with various orders on that are pulled from a bag at random.

Each die represents a unit. The colour of the die dictates which player activates the units.

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The Order Duce

So when a dice is pulled from the bag the player has the options as shown above. With out going in to too much detail:

Ambush: unit waits until an enemy crosses it’s path then shoots

Down: unit takes cover

Run: units moves at double it’s movement without firing

Rally: unit can move but will lose X number of pin markers dependant on the dice result

Fire: unit doesn’t move, stays stationary and fires

Advance: unit advances then fires.

The game is played on any surface that could act as a battlefield. The game is played using model line of site requiring the player to get down and look at the table from the models point of view. Key point: if when down at model eye level then the model can’t see the target.

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Ambush!

When a unit fires there are certain modifiers (cover/movement/small unit/etc). The number of shots (dice to be rolled) depends on the weapons being carried. If when modifiers have been applied and say a 5 is required. If a 5 is rolled then the target takes a pin marker.

Pin markers are key as the effect that units morale and the effectiveness to carryout orders (from the order dice).

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Mr A's beautiful board!

We play on a board made by Mr A, it’s has all the things you would expect from a Normandy field!

The rule book and game are the brainchild of Alessio Cavatore and Rick Priestly, published by Osprey Publishing. It is an excellent read from both a rule point of view and it’s good for little snippets of information just dotted throughout the book.

The book is laid out to outline the basics in clear paragraphs, as you progress through the pages the information builds from the orders, to the types of units, to playing a game, then to force selection.

There are six scenarios set out in the book. Each use the main rules with additional special rules dependant on the scenario.

The force selection section outlines the rules for selecting from the Army List. The four main nation army lists are outlined in the rulebook, Germany, United States, Britain and Commonwealth and Soviet Russia.

These sections are a good starting point which contain a good selection of units. For a more ‘expanded’ list for individual nations the ‘Armies of’ book is a good next step.

Also included in the rule book is a time line of World War II. I found this a good addition for increasing my information base.

Right at the very back of the book is a helpful rules summary outlining all the main points to save you diving deep into the book.

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Overall in my opinion this is a very good book, both from a rules perspective and from an enjoyable read perspective.

It’s available from the Warlord Games website here.

I would thoroughly recommend a read!

Right, time for more painting!

Till next time,

J

Bolt action, Musings28mm miniatures, bolt action, geek, hobby, Osprey Publishing, rules, tabletop gaming, warlord games

A Thank You

January 25, 2015January 25, 2015JYLeave a comment

So a few days a go a notification came through saying I had been blogging for a year now, wow a year! I didnt think i would get past a post!

I’ve really enjoyed blogging about the various projects and musings that I have posted.

Thank you to the 64 visitors who have spent time viewing my various posts!

A few stats for you,

12months,
28 posts,
64 visitors,
10 likes,
16 followers
139 views. 109 from the United Kingdom, 25 from the United States, 2 from Malaysia, 2 from Italy.

Thank you again!

Until next time

J

Musings, Projects

An Update………. (again?!?)

January 8, 2015January 8, 2015JYLeave a comment

So…….
Erm………
Well………….
Happy New Year????

WOW this is awkward, it’s been a while hasn’t it!

Last time was a brief update on the second Brit Vs American Bolt Action head to head and the little Man’s arrival.

Since then there has been more painting, more models, more making and one more battle.

I’m pleased to report that my winning streak still hasn’t started yet! It’s now played three, lost three after a close battle against the Germans! Although they did tactically retreat!

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Before the calm

The core US army is assembled and is now growing slowly thanks to a birthday and Christmas! Two new tanks, three carriers, two guns, three Jeeps and a lot of men need building, priming, and painting!

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A US Universal Carrier, 'borrowed' of course!

Plus transportation cases built!

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For the troops
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For the support

We have arranged the next game’s day for a few weeks time where I will meet the hoard of Russians for the first time. There are so many of them for 2000 points!

I will try to keep this a regular as possible, I really enjoy blogging and it’s only self motivation stopping me!

Until then……

Thanks!

J

Bolt action, Musings28mm miniatures, bolt action, geek, warlord games

A trip underground………

August 2, 2014August 2, 2014JYLeave a comment

History is all around us, most of the time we just walk past it until something catches our eye.

In the south east, where I live, the past surrounds us so much we take it for granted and don’t even see it.

For example off the north kent coast is the test bed for the Bouncing Bomb. A statue of Barnes Wallis looks out to the test area. I’ve walked, cycled and driven past this statue so many times I no longer see it.

Further East on the A299 is Reculver, a settlement from the stone age and the site of an ancient monastery.

Follow the A299 East passed the pill boxes, taking enough turns you will eventually pass Manston Airport and arrive in Ramsgate.

Ramsgate, more specifically the Ramsgate Tunnels, was to be a family day out a few weeks ago.

The tunnels opened in 1863 have been in and out of use since first opening. To find out more we booked a tour and had a walkround.

From railway line to closure, to reopening as a scenic railway to take seaside visitors from the main station to the beach, to a bitter battle with the Government by the local Mayor to construct further tunnels to protect the residents from bombing raids, the tunnels have have a varied history.

The tunnels were a successful air raid shelter, during a World War One air raid 29 bombs were dropped on Ramsgate killing 29 residents and wounding 6. With no air raid shelters.

During World War Two, 500 bombs were dropped over Ramsgate killing 29 residents.

The tunnels became a home from home for the residents of Ramsgate.

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A home from home kitchen.

It was a very humbling experience walking through the tunnels seeing the graffiti from over the years.  The tour guide was very informative and friendly.

The tour is well worth going on and for £5.00 per person it’s a bargain.

I hope the tunnels are able to be open for a long time to come, the plans for the tunnels sound really exciting and I would love to go back and see more and more of the history under our feet.

For more information and booking here’s the address:

http://www.ramsgatetunnels.org

Here’s a few photos, apologies for the lack of photos I was caught up in the tour!

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Looking into the tunnels
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Looking down the tunnel
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A mock up of the home from homes

Thanks for reading.

J

Musingsgeek, history, Ramsgate, Ramsgate Tunnels, tunnels

Bows or harps?

February 4, 2014JYLeave a comment

Today on the radio there was a short 10minute segment on computer coding.

The piece centred on the fact that from next September all children aged 5-16 are to learn how to code and develope programme’s moving away from the usual Office products. The Presenter was arguing why should children need to know how to write computer code its equivalent to having to drive a car and knowing how it works, if a computer or a car breaks down you just take it to a specialist who knows what they are doing.

Now, I appriciate the Presenter was being argumentative to draw out a strong reaction for the ‘yes’ argument but for me it makes perfect sense to teach another skill, especially as more and more technology plays a major part in our lives.

I know nothing about coding and I doubt that I ever will on an intricate level or in all honesty any level, I do know how to design, draw and build drainage systems.

By day I am a Civil Engineer, I chose engineering because of my dad and how fun his profession looked, I chose Civil Engineering because of an opportunity that my school gave me.

I am of the opinion that school, as well as teaching and learning, is about introducing different experiences and sparking imaginations, whether it be a lesson that creates the opportunity for a childs intrest to be sparked and makes them what to learn more on their own, or makes the child want try something different from the norm.

Yes, like most things, some will not enjoy the subject but chances are they will excel in another area. By giving the opportunity for children to learn how the bird flies in Angry Birds will create the spark that makes a child want to find out more and potentially create a different phenomenon.

If coding is to form part of the curriculum this is no bad thing, this is another string to someones educational bow.

For me I would rather my bow look more like a harp.

J

Musingscoding, imagination, learning, musings, school

Pleasant Suprises

January 26, 2014May 25, 2014JYLeave a comment

This weekend has been full of pleasant suprises, not the big suprises like ‘I’ve won the lottery!’ or ‘we’re getting married!’ Small like ‘found a pound in these jeans’ suprises.

Yesterday I was meant to be working on a side project for our next games night with friends (more on that once the event has passed) but what started out as a bit of advice turned into cutting and shaping 95 45mm wooden squares.

The squares will eventually form part of my next main project, inventively called Project #3, I will share details of Projects #1 and #2 soon to try and keep some linear order to the story!

Yesterday invovled eight hours of cutting and shaping with an interlude of take away pizza that felt only like two hours. It amazing how time flies when you stop all thoughts and worries and concentrate on one task at a time.

Fortunately during the time of wood working I managed to walk away without any minor or major injuries!

Today, Mrs J and I met up with friends to celebrate a birthday, we all met at a pub that we have driven past without thought ever since I can remember. It’s in my opinion one of these places you drive past regular, notice its there but do not have a strong feeling of either ‘we must try there’ or ‘we are NOT going in there!’

We all go in, order our drinks and make our way over to the table. The menu is brought out and we all make the traditional Sunday choices, three lamb and three beef.

Very quickly the food is brought out and was absolutely delicious. There was plenty of veg and potatoes and the roast potatoes were delicious.

The conversation flowed as it normally does when we get together, the dinner was eaten, pudding ordered and huge desserts served.

When we asked for the bill it came back what you would probably expect to pay for a meal for two.

If you like a hearty roast I would recommend The Racing Greyhound in Ramsgate.

Right off to work on Project #3! Enjoy your Sunday.

Musingsplans, Ramsgate, suprises

Am I a Geek?

January 21, 2014February 9, 2014JYLeave a comment

Part of my daily activities include driving, sometimes this means mainly driving, others it means a quick trip, my average monthly miles for the last few months is 2,850 miles. Invariably I have to enter into battle with the M25. Whilst this may seem like a task many would find a chore, well your right it is, but the battle gives me chance to think while staring at the back of a HGV’s rear end.

Today’s excursion gave me chance to contemplate what makes a geek. By definition a geek is either a ‘unfashionable or socially inept person’ or a ‘knowledgeable and obsessive enthusiast’.

WOW! I wasn’t expecting that!

Analysing those statements I found I was trying to measure myself against them:

Unfashionable: debatable, probably can’t choose them most stylish outfits to walk down the town but I don’t look a mess. I understand what clothing is appropriate dependant on the situation you will face that day. (Not yet have I walked in to the post office in shorts or a balaclava because I like the feeling of openness and warm cheeks.)

Socially inept: Nope, I can manage to express my feeling of a situation in the best way possible. (I tend not to shout if I am stood next to someone, expletives tend to be deleted when speaking to customers)

Knowledgeable and obsessive enthusiast: In certain areas yes, but wouldn’t call myself obsessive.

Then it hit me, the term geek now essentially means doing something which gives one pleasure. In short doing something which you enjoy and love doing.

One of the things that has brought me the most enjoyment recently and shown my geek side, has been introducing our family to Qwirkle. Qwirkle is an amazing tile strategy game that brings Dominos Rummikub and Scrabble together, essentially you either create a row of six shapes of different colour or a row of six different shapes of the same colour.

I found this game via Wil Wheaton’s excellent TableTop on the Geek & Sundry Youtube channel  (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hp3IwPbZYSE&feature=share&list=SP4F80C7D2DC8D9B6C&index=38 watch and if you enjoy subscribe it is extremely good!), I then showed it to Mrs J who after some persuasion to watch the video thoroughly enjoyed watching the game and would like to play it.

So inevitably we ordered and took delivery of Qwirkle. Qwirkle was then taken to the family gathering over New Year and was played all night.

What brought me the most joy was not that every played a game that WE found, but that everyone enjoyed playing a new game, so much so my Mother and Father in law have a Qwirkle set, my Sister in Law has a set and it is played almost each time there are three family members together.

This in a nutshell is why I am a table top game geek amongst over geeky activities, you can communicate, laugh, enjoy the time you spend with each other. I love finding new games and sharing them to whoever.

So here goes, my names J and yes I am a geek of most things.

Musingsenjoyment, geek, obsessive enthusiast, Qwirkle, table top

An introduction………..

January 20, 2014May 25, 2014JY2 Comments

Hi reader!

This is my first toe dip into the world of blogging, a blog is something I have contemplated for a while and finally admitted to Mrs J for the first time this previous weekend. a few more days of contemplation followed by an evening of researching which would be the best site to use has brought me here.

So, let me introduce myself, I am J, for background I am married to my best friend Mrs J and have been for the last six months after 12 years. A Civil Engineer by trade with a geeky side that is growing ever present.

My geeky pleasures include the following:

  • Steve Jacksons Zombie Dice and Munchkin
  • The amazing tabletop game Qwirkle
  • Building games out of various materials, mainly wood.
  • Computer games on various platforms.
  • I’m pretty sure more will come out in the blog!

I have to admit that being sat here writing this is pretty scary, I have never done anything so ‘public’ and open as a blog (Twitter yes, Facebook occasionally) and to be honest that’s why I wanted to start this. I am starting to think that if you don’t do something that is slightly (and I must stress only slightly, don’t want to over do it!) out of your comfort zone you get complacent!

So I intend to use this platform to share any thing I find really cool, interesting, or anything that I may build.

Thank you for getting this far and not closing the page!

J

Musingsgeek, introduction

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