HAWKs Have Club Cold Wars Playtest Day

Yesterday, the HAWKs had a club games day to help those members running games at the upcoming HMGS East Cold Wars convention have an opportunity to playtest their games. We always find this time of year, that there are more GM's wanting to run test games than our meeting calendar permits, so we often find ourselves scheduling these special weekend dates to help everyone have a chance to work out the kinks in their scenarios.
This day we had three games. First up, Duncan Adams ran his WWI Mons scenario using Buck Surdu's "Fire Team Vietnam" rules. These rules adapted quite well to this earlier era of warfare.
Here is an overview of the table. In the foreground the Germans prepare to attack the British held city of Mons. There were only two bridges across the canal, so it appeared the Hun would have his work cut out for him.

On the German right a small force advanced through a wooded area and approached a small footbridge in an industrial section of town. You can see the slag heaps, in the foreground, from the nearby iron smelter.

The British prepare to defend the town from the buildings and the streets.

The British had a small foothold in some farm buildings on the German side of the canal that managed to hold out for almost the entire game.

When the British foothold finally collapsed, the Germans began rushing into the town. By this time the British defenders in the town had been so shot up by heavy German rifle fire, combined with shelling from a German field piece, that they were not able to fend off the assault. In the end it the game was determined a narrow British victory as the Germans did not have undisputed control of the bridge. A few more turns and this probably would have changed.



The second game was Tank Nickle's Gettysburg East Cavalry Field battle using modified "A Union So Tested" Rules.

In the foreground, J.E.B. Stuart's cavalry prepares to assault the Union position.

The Confederate artillery begin shelling the Federal horsemen.

The Rebels on the left combined with their artillery begin to have an effect on the Michigan cavalry holding the fence.

Meanwhile, the rest of the Southern riders try to head on a flanking maneuver around the right of the Union position.

Things begin to heat up in the center as the Rebels move to find, or create, a gap they can exploit in the Union lines. While in the distance, Confederate horsemen succeed in driving in the Federal flank.

In the end the Rebels were declared the victor having inflicted severe casualties on their opponent, and capturing much of the field.

The final game of the day, was Dave Wood's Fantasy Battle by GASLIGHT game. This game pitted an alliance of 'Good' forces against an amalgamation of 'Evil' troops. The goal of the game was control of a nearby port currently in the hands of the side of "Evil"

An array of reptile mounted troopers made up the weight of the "Evil" center.

Hand to hand fighting develops all up and down the line, while the inclusion of magic rules allowed various magical being and units to have an effect also.

The fighting intensifies in the center, while on the "Good" side's right wing, units advance towards the port.

On the "Good" left, a force of Dwarves and Halflings tries to fend off hordes of Imps and their Demon masters.

A view of the battlefield from behind the "Evil" lines. In the end, the left wing of the "Evil" forces had all but collapsed, allowing the side of "Good" to capture the port and be declared the victor.

A fun time was had by all, and the games were great, and will need only slight tweaking before the convention. If you are attending the con, and get a chance, stop by the HAWK's club room to check these games out, or better yet, try to get a spot in one of them for an enjoyable game.