Monday 24 February 2014

Cavalier 14

 AS many of you will know yesterday as the First show of the year for me in the South East of England. Cavalier. Run by the Tonbridge Wells wargames Society (LINK) usually the last weekend in February each year.

I have already done a LOOT post when I got home yesterday. Normally I would do a smattering of everything but this time out I decided to just take photos of 2 games. Having looked at the games listed prior to going I had narrowed it down to a couple I was interested in.

First up I thought to check out "Maidstone Wargames Society Somewhere in Belgium 1914". Normally Maidstone club (many of whom I know) put on a very good looking game. I was not disappointed and I hope you are not either.

They were using "Through the Mud and the Blood" rules by Too Fat Lardies and obviously set in the early part of WW1 before the trench stalemate came to be.

They played consistently through the day and this was clearly a trial game for them and they will get faster and more slick with each show they take this to. They were referring to the rules at a few occasions but with another show under their belt this will not in any way be noticeable.

Overall I think this was the most visually impressive game at the show. Unlike many games it being set in a town had some height which makes a great background. Most other games had more figures some painted to a higher standard, but this 28mm game for me stood out.






The second game I was interested in was by North London Wargames Group, Kohima 1944 (10mm). This game caught my eye for completely different reasons. As a 10mm game it was always going to be flat. The terrain was not custom built for the show circuit and as such one might imagine the game being played at a club.

 As of late I have been painting 10mm figures it was great to see a 10mm game. It is a scale I have come to appreciate and enjoy. It has the same advantages over 15mm that 15mm figures have over 28mm figures. Such that you can fight bigger battles, the troops are cheaper and easier to both store and transport. They are also more robust and easier to paint. While I think 28mm makes great skirmish games I prefer 10mm for larger battle games.
 This pacific war battle was fought using the flames of war rules and would have given a fast game if the players had chosen. They were happy to chat a bit with the public as well as each other. Again I like this approach it shows them as a sociable group more interested in having fun than concluding a game in a show environment.
 One of the criteria by which I judge a show game is would I like to play it. And while that would go to the Maidstone group another criteria is would I like to own it. And that would come down to this game. The scenery is not restrictive and allows for multiple set ups.


 
That's it for today. I am not sure that just selecting 2 games to look at is the correct thing to do. maybe if there had been a zombie game or something a little more unusual it would have done. So I would advise you check other blogs about the show to get a much greater appreciation of the show in general.
 
So while 2 games is not the right approach neither is my normal "scattergun" approach. So I will have to adapt my show reports for the next show I go to.
 
Thanks for popping by I plan to post again on Tuesday. so with luck I will see you tomorrow. All the best Clint

24 comments:

  1. The games look great Clint, I really must make the effort to go to this one year.

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  2. The Maidstone game will no doubt get to salute, so perhaps you'll get to see it them. Thank you Michael.

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  3. The 28mm one looks really awesome, it looks like cobbles are done individually. 10mm can' look as great by default, but it does make a lot more sense gaming wise. I like the scarce trees to represent the jungle - it works gaming wise and it's playable. I was never a fan of hexes, to be honest, however.

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  4. True, the WW1 game is stunning. But, as you said, the second game has some virtues, and i totally agree with you.

    seb

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  5. That WW1 table is superb, thanks for sharing!

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    1. My pleasure Zombie Ad. the WW1 game did look superb I cannot deny it. I could also not store it or transport it. But It's fantastic that some people/clubs can do such things.

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  6. You certainly chose two great looking games to concentrate on, Clint. Thanks for sharing.

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  7. Just had this Private Email.....

    Thanks for the kind words Clint.

    I can confirm that Maidstone's "Somewhere in Belgium, 1914" game will be at Salute, and in truncated form (no canal) at Broadside. We also hope to take it to SELWG in October.

    We will also have it at our own open day on 28th June. Keep an eye on our website http://www.brigademodels.co.uk/mws/index.html for details of the open day as we approach the date.

    Andy
    Chairman, Maidstone Wargames Society.

    I have informed him that I would like to do some Victorian Horror games on it..... I bet he does not let me! hee hee

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  8. Great pics Clint, as for only showing two games....its your blog, you can do what you want!

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    1. I appreciate the comment Ray. Sometimes we have to try something and see how we feel about it. I think I will expand on this but I found in previous shows I would come home and then had to work out what the game was and what it was about. So maybe next time I will try for 4-5 games..... My blogging is always a work in progress.

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  9. Love the WW1 batllefield, great pics!

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    1. Thank you Phil. It is always a joy to see some good terrain for wargames!!

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  10. Very cool... hope to see them at Salute. Due to a clash with Smogcon, I didn't get to go to this one.. but hopefully next year the clash doesn't happen and there is a chance to catch both! Thanks for the share here!

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  11. You are welcome. Maidstone have confirmed Salute and hope for Selwg as well, so I am sure there will be opportunities to see the games live.

    Cheers MR Lee.

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  12. they're both god looking games for completely different reasons

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    1. I totally agree Jo. Both very good games for different reasons. Thank you.

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  13. Both games look good the WW1 game looked amazing especially with all the different variety of terrain alone.

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    1. Just found out the guy who made it bough IHMN yesterday!!!!! I know you are already thinking what I am thinking! Great minds and all that! Thank you Simon.

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  14. I like that table Maidenstone Club put together. Those big white buildings and the courtyard is stunning.

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    1. I agree it is stunning. And if I could transport and store it I would be looking to make something similar. I know my players would love it.

      Thank you Anne.

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  15. I liked both of games. The town in Belgium was great and good game. (my late wife was from Belgium). I really liked the second game and where did you get the hex's? Could they be used for 28mm figures?

    I just found your Blog and I am checking it out.

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    1. I think the Hexes are from Kallistra and while they could be used for 28mm theses ones are not very thick. But the Kallistra website will be a better guide than my word. Sorry to hear about your late wife but the fact you mention her tells me you cared for her greatly.

      Check the blog out all you want and thank you for the comment Belique

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