Links I Like

Check out these links to the right.  Polyhedral Passion is my other site dedicated to role playing games.  The other two are my buddy Steve's blogs.  They are really great.  He does a good job of updating them with cool new stuff.

Game Days

Wow! Weekend of gaming! Went to Game Days with some of my friends this weekend. Had a fantastic time playing some new games. I would have to say the best new game I played was La Havre (may have to get this one) and the best old game was Descent. Here are some of my random thoughts on the games I played:

DAY 1

War of the Roses- My fav. board game right now. Lost this one, but had a great time doing it. Saw some great strategies from Mark, Jerry, and Peter. Don't get out ahead too far in this one. It is the death knell.

Steam- I do like some train games. This one is fun, but not overly complex. Given the fact that we had some liquid refreshment for lunch, I was not on my A game, but I did try a new strategy and it seemed to work ok. This one was a B for me, at the con.

Race For the Galaxy- Still one of my favorites. Play any time, any place.

Fairy Tale- Another favorite. Very quick and fun. Good draft game.

Washington's War- Jerry and I played this one. Even though we were learning and did a few things wrong, it is a really solid strategy game. Can't wait to try it again.

Bisikle- Peter knows how much I love dexterity games. I have the dexterity of a bull in a china shop. Surprisingly, this game got me. I liked the rolling ball mechanic, the jumps I could never make it over, the curves I flew off the board, etc. I am just not that dexterous. But it was quick and a LOT of FUN! So it didn't matter. A great game.

Factory Manager- OK. Hate this game. I will play it if everyone else wants too, but this was the longest 2 hours. Did my best, but could not wait for it to be over.

DAY 2
Thunderstone- I like this game. The theme is excellent. There is a HUGE random element to the game that can influence the enjoyment level. All in all, a fun game.

Through the Ages- I like this game a lot.  I am willing to invest the 3 hours to play.  That being said, I played poorly.  Dropped out after Jerry decimated my civilization.  Bombed me back to the stone age!

La Havre-  My favorite new boardgame.  A shipping game with building as part of the mechanic.  Liked this one a ton.  I really got into the actions, building, ect.  Like it better than Agricola.  Fun!  One downside, I can see it taking a loooong time if people don't know the cards.  But it still is a fantastic game.

Descent- Jerry, Peter, and I played with another convention goer against a dm.  We lost, but it was very fun.  It took a lot longer than I remembered, but it still was cool.  You need to move fast in that game, cause the longer you take to get through a dungeon, the longer the GM has to kill you.

It was a very fun con.  Top it off with Malafaux miniatures and getting Horus Heresy for 80 bucks and I call it a successful weekend!

War Machine - Cryx vs. Khador

It is an interesting thing, playing miniatures games. In a board game, there are more boundaries, more ways to constrain the play. You know pretty much what to expect and what the choices are. You can predict what your opponent will do, even if only in the broadest sense.
In a miniatures game, the boundaries are there, but they become transparent, because of the myriad of choices you have. It can be an overwhelming thing. That was my experience playing my first non-learning game of war machine. I call it non-learning, although Steve did help me with some strategic pointers early in the game. It was much appreciated, because I was all of the sudden feeling totally overwhelmed and there seemed to be no choice that was optimal.

The Cryx

Asphyxious
3 Nightwretch
Slayer
2 Pistol Wraiths
Skarlock,
min Bane Thralls


Khador

Kommander Strakhov
Beast-09
Devastator
War dog
Battle Mechaniks (Leader and 3 Grunts)
Great Bears of Gallowswood
Koldun Lord


We advanced toward each other slowly...cautiously
On turn 2 I felt a little pinned in by all the evil around me. I cautiously moved forward. Then on turn three after an attack against Beast 09, I cast superiority on 09 and overrun. This in effect allowed 09 to charge 13" into Asphyxious. He was my hammer. Alas, there was no anvil. I did hurt Gaspy, but after that it was in doubt if I could seal the deal. Asphyxious destroyed 09, which was an acceptable loss considering the amount damage I did. The very next turn, I should have cast the exact same two spells on my Devastator, but I forgot, and a failed charge into his Bane Thralls ended my bid for a win.
All in all I was ecstatic with my performance. I thought I did a good job of managing my forces. I came up with a possible game winning move on my own, which is nothing short of miraculous. Most of all, I had the best experience with a miniatures game of my life. I was feeling the dread and despair, and then the rush of possibilities, which is why we play, isn't it?
Great Game!

WARMACHINE - Learning Game

Steve and I played our first Warmachine game.  He was teaching me the basics.  I have decided to play the Khador faction, which is vaguely Russian, which I love!  Steve is playing Cryx.  We have two other friends that are going to play, also.  Jerry is playing the Cygnar and Peter might be using the mercs.

Here are some pictures from my training game.  Steve cleaned my clock the first game.  Then we switched sides.  He again demolished me with my own forces, but I have a much better feel for the game.  It was a lot of fun, and we are going to play every other week so I can really get the rules and strategies down.

Along with Malifaux, this just might be the miniature game I have been looking for.

New Blog for all things RPG

I have a new blog up that will focus on role playing games.  Right now, we are beginning a D and D campaign. 
Here is the link       http://polyhedralpassion.blogspot.com/

This blog will still focus on gaming and my inability to win at most games.  sigh...