2016 Predictions Outcome

Posted on December 31, 2016 by Ruckdog
2016 Predictions Outcome

Greetings fellow naval gamers! Given that we are about to say a (perhaps not so fond) farewell to 2016, it’s now time for me to go back to the beginning of the year and review the predictions I made for the naval gaming hobby. Just like with my 2015 predictions, I’m going to be scoring myself on the following scale:

  • Prediction Completely Accurate: 2 Points
  • Prediction Partially Accurate: 1 Point
  • Prediction was WRONG!: 0 Points

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I made 6  predictions for 2016, which means I could earn a maximum of 12 points. As you may recall, my score for 2015 was…less than stellar. I got only 5 points, meaning I was somewhat less accurate that a coin toss! Did I do any better for 2016? Lets find out.

Continue reading →

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Adepticon Preps Vol 2: FSA List Building

Posted on December 28, 2016 by Ruckdog
Adepticon Preps Vol 2: FSA List Building

As I mentioned in my last post, I’m starting the full-court presadepticons on my Adepticon preps. This time around, I’m looking at lists for my Firestrom Armada (FSA) Terrans. Per what I know of the format so far, I will definitely need two 900 point lists for the main 3-game event on Saturday, with a couple of 800 point lists ready in case I somehow make it into the second round on Sunday. For this post, I’m going to present a few 900 point lists I’ve been toying with.

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Now, I’ve gotten a little experience over the past year on what does and does not work with the Terrans, so I’ll be referencing those thoughts going forward here. I’m also keeping in mind some of the feedback I’ve gotten both on the MBS and on the Spartan forums, for which I am very grateful! So, these lists are more of a starting point than a finished product. Continue reading →

Posted in Space Naval Gaming | Tagged , , | 1 Comment

Adepticon 2017 Preps Vol 1: Making a List, Checking it Twice

Posted on December 21, 2016 by Ruckdog
Adepticon 2017 Preps Vol 1: Making a List, Checking it Twice

2016 is almost over, and my gaming thoughts more and more turn to Adepticon, which is a bare three months away as of this writing! Shockingly, I’m not quite ready to go at the moment. There is some preparation I still have to do!

adepticon Continue reading →

Posted in Dystopian Wars, Event Report, Space Naval Gaming | Tagged , , , | 2 Comments

(DW) Terrain Project

Posted on December 17, 2016 by Ruckdog
(DW) Terrain Project

Greetings! As I posted a while back, I recently got some terrain for Dystopian Wars; their Industrial Complex Set, and a set of  “coastal rocks” which consists of a series of small islands and shoals. I’ve managed to get them all painted up, so lets take a look!

The industrial facility, acting as the centerpiece of a land board.

The industrial facility, acting as the centerpiece of a land board.

Continue reading →

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FSA: Thoughts from a (Terrible) Terran Player

Posted on December 13, 2016 by Ruckdog
FSA: Thoughts from a (Terrible) Terran Player

Recently I’ve been reflecting on my experiences over the last year playing my Terran fleet for Firestorm Armada (FSA). In all, I played about a dozen games with my Terrans in 2016, making FSA my most-played game from the last year. However, my success with the faction has not been too great; I lost 10 of those 12 games! Far from being discouraged by this fact, I’m actually inspired to dig into the reasons for my struggles and find ways to do better in 2017. To paraphrase Edison, I haven’t failed 10 times, I’ve only found 10 ways that don’t work!

827191_md Continue reading →

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MBS Newsletter #30

Posted on December 11, 2016 by Ruckdog
MBS Newsletter #30

Hello again! It’s time for this month’s MBS Newsletter! We are all the way up to number 30!!!

First up, Episode 13 of the podcast is live. This time Greg and Andy take a look at boarding actions in naval games, as well as a look back at naval gaming in 2016!

Episode 13

Also, be sure to check out this month’s forum poll, which asks, “What naval game have you enjoyed the most in 2016?

http://www.manbattlestations.com/forum/index.php?topic=1478.0

On the blog, you can find unboxing pictures of my Dropfleet Commander Kickstarter:

Dropfleet Commander Unboxing

You can also find some musing on a recent game of Dystopian Wars Fleet Action that I played:

DW Fleet Action Musings

In the Forums, I’ve started a thread for all of you out there who are going to Adepticon this year!

http://www.manbattlestations.com/forum/index.php?topic=1473.0

The Dystopian Wars kickstarter has been getting a lot of attention:

http://www.manbattlestations.com/forum/index.php?topic=1450.0

In the FSA forum, the RSN has taken center stage in the discussion:

http://www.manbattlestations.com/forum/index.php?topic=1403.0

New updates have been announced for Halo Fleet Battles! See the discussion here:

http://www.manbattlestations.com/forum/index.php?topic=1463.0

In the Historical forum, Yarkshire Gamer has posted some more of his excellent WWI 1/2400 ships:

http://www.manbattlestations.com/forum/index.php?topic=1474.0

Don’t forget, we are in the organization phase for another BFG campaign:

http://www.manbattlestations.com/forum/index.php?board=52.0

Also, Landlubber has started a Year in Review thread for all of your painting exploits! Stop by and share your work!

http://www.manbattlestations.com/forum/index.php?topic=1475.0

Speaking of painting, next year’s contest is just around the corner! The submission window will open on 1 February 2017.

Until next time!

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Episode 13

Posted on December 5, 2016 by Man Battlestations

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Lucky Episode 13! For this episode, Greg and Andy tackle the concept of boarding in naval games, and then do their second Naval Gaming Year in Review. Later, Andy chimes in with some lessons from Pearl Harbor that are applicable to naval gaming, and then Greg and Andy round out the episode with a discussion of the DW Kickstarter!

Naval Boarding: 29 Min

Year In Reveiw: 1 hr 13 Min

Ruckdog’€™s Report: 2 Hr 14 Min

DW Kickstarter Discussion: 2 Hr 23 Min

==Links Discussed in Show==

Poseidon’s Warriors

Dystopian Wars Kickstarter

Sails of Glory

Dropfleet Commander

Attack on Pearl Harbor: Strategy, Combat, Myths, Deceptions, by Alan Zimm

 
Checkout the Latest Episode of the MBS Podcast!

Posted in Podcast | 2 Comments

Dropfleet Commander Unboxing

Posted on November 23, 2016 by Ruckdog
Dropfleet Commander Unboxing

Greetings! At long last, I’ve gotten my hands on my goodies from the Dropfleet Commander Kickstarter. Join me as I crack open the box and get  my first look at the space naval gaming goodness inside.

In Space, no one can hear your wallet scream...

In Space, no one can hear your wallet scream…

Continue reading →

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DW Fleet Action Musings

Posted on November 20, 2016 by Ruckdog
DW Fleet Action Musings

Greetings!

The Donnerfaust support cruisers attempt to interject themselves between the FSA and the Sturmbringer in a brave, but ultimately futile, gesture.

The Donnerfaust support cruisers attempt to interject themselves between the FSA and the Sturmbringer in a brave, but ultimately futile, gesture.

Last weekend I had the chance to play a full game of Dystopian Wars Fleet Action (DWFA) against CDR-G. For those that may not be familiar, Fleet Action is the DW cousin of Firestorm Taskforce, both by Spartan Games. They are intended to be “fast-play” editions of Dystopian Wars and Firestorm Aramda, respectively. This was the first “full speed” game of DWFA that I have been able to play, and it was also the first time I’ve gotten a chance to play since discussing both DWFA and Taskforce on the podcast a couple of episodes back. So, having spent some more time with the game, is it “good”? Is it any faster than DW? Does it work as a fleet action version of DW (ie, DW with more models)? I’ll get to all that, but first I want to run you through how our game went and give you a few observations. Onward! Continue reading →

Posted in Battle Report, Dystopian Wars | Tagged , , , | 2 Comments

MBS Newsletter 29

Posted on November 15, 2016 by Ruckdog
MBS Newsletter 29

Greetings! It’s been another great month for MBS. Here is a summary of all that’s been going on.

First up, Episode 12 of the MBS podcast is available for your listening pleasure!

Episode 12

Along with Episode 12, the latest monthly poll is up for you to vote in. This time around, Landlubber and I are asking for your feedback on the podcast!

http://www.manbattlestations.com/forum/index.php?topic=1461.0

Also on the blog:

-A post I did on some cool DW terrain I received recently:
http://www.manbattlestations.com/blog/2016/11/12/dystopian-wars-island-terrain-unboxing/

-Some pondering on Star Trek Attack Wing:
http://www.manbattlestations.com/blog/2016/11/06/star-trek-attack-wing-ponderings/

-Torpedoes in DW Histroicals:
http://www.manbattlestations.com/blog/2016/10/23/dw-historicals-torpedoes/

-A closeout of the first BFG Vassal campaign:
http://www.manbattlestations.com/blog/2016/10/13/bfg-campaign-closeout/

In the forums, the latest developments with Spartan Games have been a topic of considerable discussion:
http://www.manbattlestations.com/forum/index.php?topic=1455.0

The Dystopian Wars forum has seen a lot of discussion on the recently announced Kickstarter:
http://www.manbattlestations.com/forum/index.php?topic=1450.0

The Firestorm Armada board has been abuzz with some of the shake-ups happening with the playtest group for the game, along with discussions on how to branch out from a patrol box:
http://www.manbattlestations.com/forum/index.php?board=34.0

In the Space gaming section, the new hotness from Hawk wargames, Dropfleet Commander, is upon us!
http://www.manbattlestations.com/forum/index.php?topic=1354.0

The Historical section has seen some great posts from Yarkshire Gamer on his WWI ships, while Charbe86 has been asking for help with finding an Age of Sail ruleset he can use:
http://www.manbattlestations.com/forum/index.php?board=8.0

Finally, be sure to stop by the Showcase and take a look at the great work Sailion has posted there!
http://www.manbattlestations.com/forum/index.php?topic=1430.0

Until next time!

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