I am Back!!!

Like Arnold here..I am back. So, the wedding went very well and was a enjoyable time had by all, including yours truly. Ceremony was nice, and the reception was a hoot, but I might be a bit biased..I am the husband, after all.

So, now that the wedding is out of the way, we have much to discuss!

First, Podcast at Ground Zero has done a new episode. This is always good news as we here at "500 Miles.." enjoy their work immensely. This is especially true when they've had Frank Frey on. But, much of their podcasts have been very good idea fodder for both the RPG and miniature gaming side.

Second, Butler Printed Models has released more vehicles to it's rapidly growing stable of 3-D printed kits. I like what they have, as it's very easy to put together, holds paint well and it's relatively cheap.  Among the new releases is a HMMWV with a Mk -19 AGL. Gee, when does that ever appear in a a Twilight: 2000 game?

Image taken from Butler's Printed Models

I do promise to get to a module review or two soon, as I am a busy man, what with a lot to catch up on both personal and professional. But that said, expect more time rolls on!

For right now, it's just good to be back.

ADDENDUM: I got some more pics from MacGal of the Guild forum. He has done some very nice inspirational work for Twilight: 2000 and I asked him if I could share it here. All the items are in 1/72 scale, as evidenced by the figures in the pictures shown for scale. MacGal was very gracious to allow me to share these here, so here they are for your enjoyment.

A guntruck done by MacGal, picture by him, taken from the Guild. Note the rustwork and the figure on the HMG up top. This is a conversion from a toy garbage truck. A little bit of plasticard and some planning can go a long, long way. 

The second of three guntrucks, work done by MacGal, picture from the Guild. Note the rustwork, the figure with HMG, and the body work. This is a converted ICM kit. 

The final guntruck done by MacGal, pictures by him and taken from the Guild. Note that he made the model so you can use it as either a guntruck, or a regular truck. Versatility in models. The original kit was by ICM, a Russian manufacturer. I'll be adding them to the plastic kit review page soon.

Still by MacGal, taken from the Guild Forum. He states that it was done in three hours from various parts from his bits box. It's a great example of what can be done with a decent bits box and some patience. I am going to do a future article on the importance of a good bitsbox for Twilight: 2000 miniature gaming.

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.