Convalescent Gaming

Its been a couple of years now since I finally started to see some usefulness to having what I might call a "card table game" to hand. That occasion was an extremely warm muggy evening and a friend & I sat out on a deck by the lake with 2 1/72nd ancient armies mounted on 15mm DBA bases and played a couple of quick games on a patio table.

More recently, I have been playing some sit down games with friends with various health issues, a growing concern amongst a certain portion of the gaming population. A few smaller miniatures on a small table may not have the grandeur of a big table loaded with hundred's of 40mm troops but the games looked attractive and were challanging and fun none the less and much less strnouos to play. Its given me food for thought and since I now find myself convalescing, I find my mind turning that way.

The latest game was a 15mm WWII BKC (Blitzkrieg Commander) game adapted to be played on a hex grid with no need for rulers or fiddlyness. Bob Cordery's gridded games are also on my mind, especially as I admire Joe Morschauser's work but a Hotz felt hex sheet is what I happen to have tucked away, never used, in the cupboard. Inside on the kitchen table would make sense, a certain degree of clutching at my chest and making puppy dog eyes ought to secure it but there are anywhere from 2 to 4 cats at hand in the kitchen which may be an issue. Spinner, our Whippet, tends to discourage them from the side yard when present so the picnic table under the Willow is looking very attractive, as long as the wind stays low. Not sure how well 1/2nd plastic figures will pin a felt sheet if the wind backs and rises.

The trick will be to choose a simple scenario, not too big, something not too straight forward as I want a good story rather than a straight bash or a battle of wits. Despite past commitments to focusing on 40mm metal toy soldiers, 5 viable options appear for a truly "light" game:
a) Elastolin 40mm Prince Valiant  for a small skirmish
b) Split my handful of untried RCW 1/72 in 2, the snow based ones may feel out of place today, esp on a sandy mat,
c) ACW 1/72nd Airfix, but something with not too much terrain may be best
d) 1960'S Roscia facing Naryatria, the terrain would match well, dare I field the 2 new Centurians fresh from the factory without a coat of paint?  hmm the makings of  a scenario, The 2 new centurions are in a workshop near the front being painted and not yet fueled or armed. The Naryatrians stage a pre-emptive strike to take them out.

Time for another nap and some day dreaming.



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