ScrapYard Armory

Twilight of the Clans: Battle 2

The second battle of the Great Refusal takes place on the standard Battletech map.  The fearless St. Ives warriors, led by none other than Kai Allard Liao himself, take on the ruthless Clan Wolf to stop the invasion of the Inner Sphere.

See other battles from the Great Refusal in the After Action Category or by searching for Twilight of the Clans in the sidebar search.

St. Ives Compact

• Duke Kai Allard-Liao (0/0) Ryoken B
  
• Colonel Adele Tsang (3/3) PLG-3Z Pillager
  

Clan Wolf

• Khan Vladimir Ward (2/1) MadCat Prime
  
• saKhan Marialle Radick (3/2) Man O’ War A
  

Turn 1 – St. Ives Wins Initiative

Both forces maneuver closer while the Pillager and MadCat immediately open fire on each other, locking themselves, 1 on 1,  in zellbrigen.  Both Gauss from the Pillager miss while the MadCat places some lasers on the Pillagers right torso, shaving a few short tons of armor away.

Turn 2 – Clan Wolf Wins Initiative

The Pillager and MadCat look to trade blows at long range while Kai starts a run towards the Clan Wolf Man-o-War.

The Pillager lands only one Gauss Rifle slug on the MadCat, shedding armor on the right arm.  The MadCat returns fires and hits with both missiles and lasers.  The Pillager stands despite the punishment.

Kai is not yet at optimum range and is unable to damage his foe.  Meanwhile the Man-o-War unloads and manages to score a through armor critical that damages the Ryoken’s gyro.  Only Kai’s magnificent piloting skill saves him from a near certain fall.

Turn 3 – Clan Wolf Wins Initiative

The Pillager stands his ground as the MadCat closes the distance.  The Man-o-War feels lucky and rushes to point blank range after Kai maneuvers slightly.

The Pillager’s aim continues to fail missing both Gauss Rifle shots.  The MadCat continues to pummel the Pillager at range, up to now evenly distributing damage across the assault ‘Mech’s frame and one shot to the head that fails to do critical damage.

Kai seizes the opportunity and alpha-strikes the opposing Clan ‘Mech.  The combination of UAC slugs and ER Medium Lasers shred off the Man-o-War’s left leg.  The Ryoken’s heat spikes to 19 but the ‘Mech does not shutdown.   The Man-o-War delivers a furious beating to the the Ryoken’s center torso, gutting the internal structure and delivering a second gyro hit.

Turn 4 – St. Ives Wins Initiative

With the Ryoken and Man-o-War both unable to move, the two ‘Mechs resort to proping and firing available weapons. The Pillager finally jumps from it’s perch as the MadCat backs up slightly to keep distance between himself and the Pillager’s assortment of lasers.

Weapons fire is horrendous for both sides.  The Pillager and MadCat completely miss each other while the two downed ‘Mechs continue to strip only armor.  Kai uses his UAC20 this turn to try to punch a larger hole in the Man-o-War.

Turn 5 -Clan Wolf Wins Initiative

The MadCat and Pillager now close to short range. Both looking for the deathblow.

The Pillager again misses most of his weapons fire, hitting only the left leg.  The MadCat critically hits the Pillager’s gyro and lands a laser to the head.  The Pillager remains conscious and steady through the punishing rain of weapons fire.

Kai switches to lasers looking for the wounds opened up by his UAC20 shells.  He hits with everything but not the right locations for a kill.  The Man-o-War’s weapons gouge through the remaining internal structure silencing the Ryoken.

Turn 6 – Clan Wolf Wins Initiative

The MadCat stands his ground and trades fire with the Pillager.  The Pillager finally begins landing meaningful hits, destroying an LRM rack and a double heat sink.  The MadCat’s return fire is less accurate as luck turns on the Wolf player.

Turn 7 – St. Ives Wins Initiative

The MadCat wisely pulls away from the Inner Sphere assault and opens up at longer range.  The Pillager lands both Gauss Rifles ripping apart the MadCat’s left torso, but for naught. The MadCat unleashed a hail of laser fire and missles that tore away the Pillagers leg.  As the ‘Mech fell, the pilot was again injured and fell unconscious.  Clan Wolf holds the battlefield and claims victory for the Clans.

Twilight of the Clans: Battle Four

The fourth battle of the Great Refusal takes place near a Mountain Lake.  Can the Comstar elite defeat the ferocious Jade Falcons to save the Inner Sphere?

See other battles from the Great Refusal in the After Action Category or by searching for Twilight of the Clans in the sidebar search.

Jade Falcons

Comstar

Turn 1 – Comstar Wins Initiative

Both forces rush towards each other forgoing the protection of nearby forests.  Khan Marthe challenges Demi-Precentor Havanna who accepts, thus pitting saKhan Clees in her undersized Nova against Precentor Harvison’s Black Knight.

Luck is not on Comstar’s side early on.  All weapons fire directed at the Clan Omnis miss their mark.  The Falcons ended up in a slightly better range bracket.  Marthe fires and hits with everything in her Summoner, stitching energy beams, missiles, and autocannon shells across the Shootist’s torso.  Of six lasers fired, only one hits the Black Knight.

Turn 2 – Comstar Wins Initiative

saKhan Clees triggers her jump jets sending her Nova into a ballistic arc landing inside a dense group of trees.  The Black Knight races in close to engage.

Cautiously eyeing the Shootist’s dangerous AC20, the Summoner backpedals to the edge of the battle tempting the Shootist to advance.  Demi-Precentor Havanna is happy to oblige and rushes forward, hoping to eventually corner the Falcon and bring the AC20 to bear.

The Nova unleashes another volley of six ER Medium Lasers netting four hits of which three are through armor criticals.  Only one critical results, destroying a heat sink.  The Summoner fires and hits with everything again ripping through an already damaged torso and critically damaging the Shootist’s gyro.

The Shootist misses with the AC20 but hits with medium lasers; one to the head, injuring Khan Pryde.  The Black Knight unleashes a torrent of laser fire at the Nova nestled in the woods.  The shots are concentrated and burrow deep into the left torso but no criticals result.

The Shootist falls from the Gyro hit injuring Demi-Precentor Havanna in the process.

Although her Black Knight is armed with a formidable hatchet and the Nova would make a great place to put it right now, Precentor Harvison knows what is at stake and is careful not to break clan tradition knowing that if Comstar is the victor, she cannot give the Jade Falcons any reason to declare the battle invalid.

Turn 3 – Comstar Wins Initiative

The Nova brazenly rushes into the open.  The Black Knight follows the Clanner and positions himself for a near point blank fire fight.  Meanwhile, the Summoner begins to circle to his left, unable to keep the Shootist at bay any longer.

The Nova senses an opportunity and lets fly all twelve lasers at the Black Knight.  Ten hit, causing massive damage.  Alas, the only critical hit is a lower leg actuator.   The Black Knight returns fire, ripping completely through the left torso and with it six of the Nova’s lasers and four heat sinks. The inrush of heat from the weapons fire forces the Nova to shutdown.

The Summoner fires and yet again hits with everything, slagging away tons of armor but again not finding internal locations.  The Shootist finally connects with the AC20, landing square in the center torso.  The Summoner shrugs off the damage while Demi-Precentor Havanna fails to keep the Black Knight upright taking another point of damage from the fall but remaining conscious.

Turn 4 – Jade Falcon Wins Initiative

Havanna struggles with the controls of the Shootist managing to stay conscious from another fall.  Undeterred, she forces the controls to do her bidding and the 70 ton machine finally cooperates.  The Summoner, meanwhile, kicks into a run and puts some distance between her and the AC20 Khan Pryde fears so much.

With the Nova shutdown, and Havanna keeping Khan Pryde busy, Precentor Harvison lines up the killing blow. A point blank alpha strike reply for the shutdown Nova.  Amazingly, the damage does not destroy the Clan Omni.  A crueler fate is in store for saKhan Clees.  The Nova’s right arm is ripped from the shoulder leaving no weapons remaining.  When the ‘Omni manages to start up, saKhan Clees will be forced to withdraw from combat, defeated and disgraced.

The excess heat from the barrage released by the Black Knight is more than its own heat sinks can handle resulting in an emergency shutdown.

The Shootist strikes out at the maneuvering Summoner but only manages to hit with one laser at the longer range. Torso twisting back, the Summoner once again hits with her entire arsenal, coring through the Shootist’s center torso.

Turn 5 – Jade Falcon Wins Initiative by Default

Khan Pryde wraps around a grouping of woods for a clear shot at the last Comstar ‘Mech.  The Summoner hits with everything a final time, racking up no less than five critical hits in the center torso resulting in two engine hits and three gyro hits.

Precentor Harvison succumbs to the inevitable and cedes the battle to the Jade Falcons.

NJCon is in the books for 2009.  Here is a brief recap of what went down.

The Grinder

I had three people play in the Grinder.  Each made it at least into their heavy ‘Mech before either the session ended or they had to leave.  I ended up handing out five CDs filled with introductory materials to both players and passers-by.  I had a lot of compliments on the terrain setup as well as my use of Mechwarrior figures.

Twilight of the Clans

There was only one taker for the Twilight of the Clans event.  Together we finished two battles before the Con began cleaning up.  The Clans and Inner Sphere each won one battle.  Look for an After Action Report in the near future covering the St.Ives Compact versus Clan Wolf battle!

There were lots of compliments on the terrain and miniatures by on lookers.  I hope that future Cons will be a little bit better attended but the way I see things, I won’t get anyone to play if I don’t ever try.

Painting Contest

I ended up entering the bring in painting contest with my 15th Lyran Warhammer.  I did not originally intend to enter that particular miniature but the fates were against me as I rushed to complete a new miniature in time for the Con.  Long story short (I’m saving the long version for a later post) I ended up ruining the mini in the eleventh hour and used the Warhammer instead.

The Warhammer was a strong entry and placed third in a popular vote.  I’m proud that my painting skills consistently place but I need to learn a few more tricks in order to vault myself to the next level.  I plan on taking advanced painting classes at GenCon this year.  I hope to learn as much as I can and use those new skills to bring home a first place in the future.

Other Event Photos

Here is a collection of photos from around the Con.  There were a lot of great games to play besides Battletech.  Between running games I played in a medieval wargame using the Hack in the Dark rule set.  The game board was gorgeous and the rules well done.

NJCon 2009 is getting close and the preliminary events list is up at the convention website.  I will be running three games this year, two grinders and Twilight of the Clans.  Both events are ones I ran last year, but if you weren’t at NJCon last year, you have a lot to see.

The Grinder will make use of Mechwarrior figures on an oversize (2″) hex mat with hills woods, water and maybe a building or two.  Twilight of the Clans will have an impressive array of painted miniatures in fast paced games that will put you in direct control of forces on sculpted 3D terrain.  All materials for all games are provided for you so you only have to bring yourself (and a lucky pair of dice if that’s your preference).

There is finally a good reason to come to Jersey.  So come on out and blast apart a ‘Mech or two!

Friday Evening, 6pm-10pm
FE-7: Battletech Grinder
Description: Leap into action with the Grinder! The Grinder is a fast paced game of armored combat in the 31st century. Battle it out in an every ‘Mech for itself brawl!
No experience required. Rules taught. All materials provided.
Club or Sponsor: http://www.ScrapYardArmory.com
No. of Players: 12

Saturday Morning, 9am-1pm
SM-14: Battletech Grinder
Description: Leap into action with the Grinder! The Grinder is a fast paced game of armored combat in the 31st century. Battle it out in an every ‘Mech for itself brawl! No experience required. Rules taught. All materials provided.
Club or Sponsor: http://www.ScrapYardArmory.com
No. of Players: 12

Saturday Evening, 7pm-11pm
SE-38: Twilight of the Clans: The Great Refusal (Battletech)
Description: The brave warriors of Task Force Serpent secretly made the thousand-light-year journey to the Smoke Jaguar home world of Huntress to eliminate the last of the Clan’s holdings. What they find there will test the limits of their skills, their endurance and their loyalty. Come and relive a pinnacle moment in Battletech history as the combined forces of the Inner Sphere, under the banner of the Star League, seek to end the threat of the Clan invasion once and for all. All materials provided. Some experience recommended.
Club or Sponsor: http://www.ScrapYardArmory.com
No. of Players: 12

As a player and a collector I love seeing large uniformly painted forces in my battles.  I kicked off this quest with my first demi-company of Free Worlds League Militia.  For the most part, the militia were easy.  The colors just worked and I found little trouble duplicating the color scheme later on when I added a Perseus and a Cerberus for the Twilight of the Clans collection I painted for a friend.

So I moved on, and started an even bigger force, this time a reinforced company of Regulan Hussars.  For whatever reason, orange is just difficult for me.  The worst part of it is, the full company is sitting on my work bench on corks waiting to be finished because I am not happy with how they are coming out.  Since I decided to do the whole kit and kaboodle at once, I have all those miniatures waiting for me to break out of a color confused malaise.

Test Pieces

Make a test piece before you embark on anything larger than a lance.  Get a representative miniature, not something too difficult to prepare or anything with a complicated pose and slap some paint on.  Work out the details and don’t be afraid to toss the results and try again.  Pine Sol cures all woes.

Since I’m a little embarrassed to show my Hussars, I’ll let you in on a few other examples that I am working on for a friend and ScrapYard commenter Quigs.

In the first picture are two different tries at an admittedly difficult 2nd Donegal Guards.  I’m not happy with either attempt.  The first (the one on the right) came out far too flat and the second (the one on the left), far too dark.  I am going to Pine Sol both and adjust my technique for a third and hopefully successful paint job.

Moving on, I attempted another Lyran scheme in a color I think I am usually pretty comfortable with.  The 15th Lyran Regulars use a familiar drab green with khaki highlights.

Suffice to say, I am much happier with the results.  I think the only thing I would change is making the highlight color a little bit lighter.  It looks more light brown than it does khaki.  For the most part, this mini seemed to paint itself.  I painted him up start to finish in a single day.  Dry times between coats were absorbed with other tasks, like coding for Solaris Skunk Werks and writing this blog.

I’m looking forward to replicating this paint scheme to give this lonely Avatar a lancemate or three.

Take Some Chances with Your Brush

You never know what is going to work and what isn’t until you try.  You’ve got to pick up the brush and give it a go.

Life’s too short to play with badly painted minis.