Ogre Muster

I have completed Phase 1 of my Ogre project. I have painted all of the conventional forces from Miniature Set I. I haven't painted the 2 plastic Ogres yet, because I already have 3 metal ones. I'll get around to them, but there is no rush. With these forces, I can play the basic scenarios for the game.

I have never enjoyed painting large groups of similar miniatures, so these are a bit 'quick and ditry', but I do think the blue with yellow highlights really pops and will help them stand out on the table.

Long-term, I hope to expand this collection to include all of the official miniatures. I have recently purchased a large collection, but it is 'at home' in the USA, so it'll probably be awhile before I get them. (Though I do have an Ogrethulhu here - thanks to a generous soul). 

Hairfoot Polo!

 

A few months ago, it occurred to me that I could use my Hairfoot Jousting rules to play a more traditional ball game. I could use the same figures, rules, and templates - I just needed a ball! (Mine is a bead covered in greenstuff.)

It took a little time to work it out, but I think I've cracked it. I have made those rules available free to my Patreon supporters. 

Alternatively, you can buy the rules directly from Patreon for $3. Although, a monthly membership only costs $5 and gets you access to the rules I wrote for Alternate Hairfoot Mounts as well as everything else I have written for Patreon. So...

Either way - here's the link: Hairfoot Polo! | Patreon

Sunday Night in the Hulk

 

No pub this weekend; instead we met a member's house for a bit of Space Hulk action (plus some really nice barbeque - that's pulled pork for those of us from North Carolina). 

We played 'The Ship's Log' scenario from the Deathwing expansion, though it strangely uses very little actually found in that expansion. With three players, I took the aliens, as usual, while the guys took a squad of marines each. We play it a bit less 40K and a bit more Aliens, and even had the Aliens soundtrack going in the background. 

This is an extremely tough scenario for the marines (in a game already slightly tilted towards the aliens), and unusual in that it forces them to go up the table, grab an objective, and then take the objective back to the start.

First squad advanced quickly up the middle, while covering the left. Squad two set-up a perimeter on the back and right. This worked well enough, but left a very tricky situation near the objective room, where numerous aliens had massed. With some clever use of the flamer; however, they managed to get a marine into the objective room.

At the same time, I had built up my aliens in the lover left corner, and when I saw an opening, I took my chance. With an all out charge the aliens rushed down the corridor. The marine covering the corridor shredded several aliens before his rifle ran empty. He reloaded, but didn't have enough time to stim the tide. The aliens swept over him into the unsuspecting man behind him. 

While the objective made it back to the middle of the table, the marines no longer had enough men to cover all of the approaches, and the speedy aliens could pick them off from behind. 

In truth, the marines made it further than I expect them too, and with a bit more luck probably could have succeeded... it was a tough one!

Blogging in Circles!

A few weeks ago, I posted about playing Ogre in the pub, and accompanied it with an unfortunately blurry image. A couple of days later, I received an incredible honour - a comment from the game's designer, Steve Jackson!

Two days ago, that honour increased when Steve Jackson mentioned it on his company blog, The Daily Illuminator. Not only is this cool because it's Steve Jackson, but also because The Daily Illuminator might just be the oldest, continuously running blog on the entire internet! 

While I love Ogre, and just finished painting up some new heavy tanks for it (see above), it is another Steve Jackson game that truly plays a huge part in my life and development as a games designer - GURPS. I have written a chapter about GURPS in my gaming autobiography, which I am slowly releasing on my Patreon. In thanks to Steve Jackson for his wonderful games, for his comments, and for linking to my own blog, I have made this chapter free for anyone who wants to read it: Influential Games: GURPS. 

Nod Teaplanter and Gloria

Nod Teaplanter (yes, those Teaplanters!) and his mount Gloria (left), join Tubby Tinkerpot and Reginald on my slowly coming together Hairfoot Jousting team! As I came to paint both of them with red shirts, I've decided to name the team 'The Redjackets' after that nasty variety of wasp often seen during the summer, especially in southern parts of the Sod. 

After ten years of writing games, this might be the first time I'll have a bespoke team to put on the field before the game comes out! Maybe... probably... I've got 10 days until the UK release to get one more member of the team painted.

Warrior Priestess

I have finished the first 'hero' for my Dungeon Crawler, a warrior priestess from Reaper Miniatures. This figures is cast in the new Bones USA material, and I've got to say, I was seriously impressed by both the amount of detail and the crispness of the casting. She took me about 50% longer to paint than a normal mini, but I think the effort was worthwhile. Every party needs a cleric, and she looks like she can bring the pain to monsters while providing healing spells for the good guys. 

The Dungeon Grows!

I've finished up a few more pieces of my dungeon. It's not a fast process, but the end results are extremely satisfying. I've got my first small room as well as my first T-junction. Now that I've got a room, I can really see how the doors work. I was a bit worried about how they would sit on the table, but, actually, they are working great. 

The biggest challenge of the project now is trying not to rush it. Keep it slow and steady, adding pieces here and there, trying to make each one as best I can, and enjoying the process. Do a couple of tiles - paint a few minis. Might paint up a hero next!