Gaming at Arsenal Hobbies

I went to open gaming last night at Arsenal Games and Hobbies in Augusta, GA. Mike, Norman, and Jim have an outstanding store with a wide range of Games Workshop, historical miniatures and boardgames.

When I arrived a large Flames of War game was going on and everyone seemed to be having fun. Tigers were on the table, but they were all smoked by the end of the game.

I brought some of my 28mm WW2 Eastern front troops and ran a game using Chain Reaction 3. This was the first time any of the players had seen the THW rules. There were 4 players and I used a simple scenario.

The Germans had two 7 man (understrength) regular infantry squads, each with an MG 42, defending a farmhouse. The Soviets had a full strength, 9 man, squad, and a squad of 7 experienced scouts. I was excited, as this was the first actual game my scouts had ever been in! I told the Germans what side the Soviets would be entering from, had them set up, then I let the scout squad enter from wherever they wanted to! MWAHAHAHA!

After the first few turns the players had the hang of the rules. I made a custom quick reference sheet for WW2 for C CR, you can find a copy here. The feedback on the rules was positive, they really liked how fast the game moved and how the inactive players were constantly engaged in the game.

By the end of the game, the Soviets had lost 12 men dead or out of the fight from their original 16, the Germans only 3 out of 14. The highlight of the game was the Germans winning initiative, recovering an MG42 from being stunned, and shooting a scout who had a ready grenade. Who dropped it when rendered OOF. Which killed another guy with a ready grenade. Who dropped it. Which killed another guy.

In retrospect, the game was unbalanced for the Germans. Even with the unbalance, the Soviets had a good time and I think will play again. We discussed it, and next time the Soviets will bring an extra squad and a Maxim. Or maybe a flamethrower, too....

Here is a photo pf the happy players:

I will bring this back to Arsenal the next time I come. I also had everyone keep their QRS with the Two Hour Wargames URL so they can download the full copy of CR 3. All in all a very fun game.

Afterward, Mike talked me in to trying a quick intro scenario of the board game Conflict of Heroes. It was a blast, the mechanics are very smooth and the components are beautiful. I shall probably pick up a copy next pay check. This game might actually get me back into hex and counter games.

Looks like I am getting more gaming in these days, let's hope I can keep it up!