Module Suitability Review: White Eagle

Image taken from Twilight: 2000 Wiki, IP from GDW/FFE

So, we're coming up on the end of the Version 1 modules. I will be reviewing the two new releases we've seen of late, Rook's Gambit, and the East African Sourcebook, but probably after I review Survivor's Guide to the United Kingdom, the last of the Version 1 modules.

As for what is the basic plot of White Eagle? Well, the long-hinted at struggle for the future of post -apocalyptic Poland has begun, all three factions, the WL, Krakow, and Silesia are now posturing and getting ready for the fight to come. All of the factions have something to offer, some more than others, but your Player Characters might have a bit of a past here, seeing as how they have interacted with a lot of these people before in earlier adventures (at times, negatively).

The adventure is very open-ended, and the buildup to the major fight can be quite a campaign in it's own right, but a lot of things feel...recycled. Moreover, I've mentioned dissatisfaction with one aspect of the adventure before.

But, how does this stack up as miniature games fodder?

Skirmish Games

White Eagle has a lot going for it in the combat arena, a lot. And, it can be the basis of a skirmish campaign, especially from the WL perspective, as you raise a guerilla army from basically nothing, train it, and send it out to wreak havoc on the enemy. This could be quite a rewarding campaign if done right, and the various Force on Force or No End in Sight campaign mechanisms would work very well here.

Other ideas include:

• Ambushing a small supply convoy belonging to one of the enemy factions and looting it for all it's worth, this works well for all sides.
• Playing out the ambush of a small diplomatic mission to one of the other factions. This could have some roleplaying elements as everyone plays "Let's make a deal".
• Launching a raid against one of the other factions to stir up a rebellion in said faction?
• A raid to capture/kill the leaders of an enemy faction. (There's a good map of Raciborz Castle if you want to make the Markgraf of Silesia the subject of said raid.)

In short, there's a lot of skirmish ideas here, and it's fertile ground if you look hard enough. Helpfully, there is a scenario for Last Battle in the back, and it can easily be converted to the aforementioned rules sets. 

Larger Games

White Eagle is pretty much leading up to some larger battles that are best played out via Spearhead, Command Decision, or Fistful of TOWs. (To be honest, these will mostly be smaller games anyhow, as the numbers involved will be smallish). That said, the shame about White Eagle is that there are no notes on the current states of the three combatants, where there was plenty of information in the previous modules that contributed to White Eagle. So, anyone trying to do a potential game out of this is going to have to improvise. 

Well, that's it for White Eagle. The next module on the list is Survivor's Guide to the United Kingdom. Not 100% sure when that will be, as I am getting married on the 21st of October, and time is going to be at a premium. But, rest assured, when my schedule allows, I will be back at it! 

Till then, happy gaming all!

I Am Getting Very Jealous of the 15mm Crowd!

Man, you guys are getting a lot of nice stuff lately. First, there is the Post-Apocalyptic boat line coming from The Scene in the UK. This stuff is perfect for a Pirates of the Vistula-inspired game. They look great painted up, to be frank, and if anyone's put them together (they don't look too difficult to do so), please chime in.

Perfect for a Vistula river cruise. Sadly, there is no luxury to be found at all, and accommodations are best described as "rustic", but after the nukes fall, you take what you can get. Photo taken from the The Scene

Another small development is more images from Plastic Soldier Company about the 15mm Soviet Cold War figures. They have announced a "Willstarter" with a target of 200 like the 1/72 T-55 project that has been discussed at length here.

The photos are well, stunning in quality for PSC, which is their usual standard, but I really must say, I like the sculpts I see coming out of this project.

I love the group shot here, the poses are dynamic, and the RPG Gunner looks great. Hope they do this in 20mm. Photo taken from PSC

Bit dated for Twilight:2000, but this could work for a Category III or Mobilization Only unit? Plus, it does work well for late 70's and early 80s. Photo taken from PSC.

As I said, the uniforms are a bit dated for Twilight: 2000 but for older formations, this works very well indeed. Not to mention, clothing stocks by 2000 are going to be...sparse. In short, these are great figures for this project and if you game in 15mm, this would be a good project to back.

I do want to apologize for my less active posting of late here. As I mentioned, I am getting married next month, to be exact, the 21st of October, to this lovely lady. I love you sweetheart, you make all things, including this blog, possible. And I look forward to more to come.

More News from Plastic Soldier Company

Color me impressed with the recent efforts from Plastic Soldier Company! I am really, and I mean really happy with the speed and alacrity I am seeing their Cold War product line develop.

I will let their Facebook announcement speak for itself, but again, I am very impressed indeed:

Another Cold War Friday!

New PSC hard plastic 15mm Cold War Soviet Infantry!

A 3 platoon plus HQ company sized box of hard plastic 15mm Cold War Soviet Infantry. 125 figures - all you will need!

Riflemen, grenadiers, RG7s and PKM machine guns plus heavy weapons support of AT-3 Sagger, AT-4 Spiggot, AGS-17 Grenade Launcher, SA-7 Grail AA Missile!!!

We are going to run another "Willstarter" Pre-order program. Once we have 200 pre-orders it will go into production. We have put a stock counter of 200 on the product so you can all see the total grow.

When the counter reaches zero we will be green for go!
*BONUS*! All pre-orders will be entered into a prize draw to win:-
1st prize: £75 worth of PSC products (your choice)
2nd prize: £50 worth of PSC products (your choice)
3rd prize: £25 worth of PSC products (your choice)

The box cover is gorgeous..simply gorgeous..Image taken from PSC website.

And so are the figures...Pretty jealous of the 15mm guys out there! Image taken from PSC FB page.

Pre order here:-
http://theplasticsoldiercompany.co.uk/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=93_94_95&products_id=1673

AND....
1/72nd T55 Willstarter nearly there - 176 is the score on the door... help push it over the line!

http://theplasticsoldiercompany.co.uk/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=93_94_96&products_id=1418

AND....

15mm Leopard 1 kit now in the toolroom and underway and on target for early November release. Preorder now and get a discount and another prize draw entry:-

http://theplasticsoldiercompany.co.uk/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=93_145_171&products_id=1669

AND....

The design team have started work on the next 15mm Cold War vehicle kit, can you guess what it is........?

Next week... its back to WW2!

What can I say, I am impressed to say the least. This is all gear that is very useful to the Twilight: 2000 - inspired miniature gamer. It's looking as if things are coming along. I do hope the T-55 "Willstarter" is concluded soon as I am looking forward to that effort coming to fruition so we can review some of them here for you. I suspect PSC's usual high standards and ease of construction will shine through again here.

In other news, as I have said, things are a bit light now due to my impending nuptials. I am going to be at the National Capitol Model Soldier Society's show tomorrow, and I will be wearing my blue Potomac Wargamer's polo shirt, so if you see me and love the blog? Come on by and chat, I will be there representing, and showing off some of my Battletech/Alpha Strike efforts.

I will post a show report in any case!