I think one of my gaming highlights of the year has to be the annual gaming day that Jeff hosts to celebrate another year going round the sun. For the record the other is going to the UKGE.
This year like the previous one saw Memoir 44 hit the table with an overlord map.
Our first conflict from World War 2 saw the British forces of Montgomery’s 8th Army go up against the German forces of Rommel’s African Corp at Alam Haifa.
Dave (German General/Commander), Diego, and Katie (a friend and colleague of Jeff’s) were the German forces aka the bad guys.
Whilst Jonas (British General/Commander), Gavin, and myself were the British forces aka the good guys.
Wait Jeff wasn’t playing? I hear you say. Kind of. Whilst we were engaged in bloody conflict he was finishing off the curries for lunch. Then at opportune moments in the cooking process joining us to “consult” with the German forces. Which is a fancy way to say he offered advice to Katie because she hadn’t played Memoir 44 before.
There was lots of good natured banter, lots aimed at me. But when your own side are cheering on your opposite number on the battlefield. I rely on one of my favourite quotes.
“Again, right in the ears, straight to the feelings.” Wil Wheaton Big Bang Theory
Sadly for my “team mates” my opposite number with the aid of outside advice, great cards from her Commander, and really good dice rolls, was kicking the butt of the units under my control.
My team mates were getting what they had been calling for earlier in the game. What’s the say “be careful for what you wish for”?
It was getting so dire Jonas our Commander had to move some tank units to my sector to shore up our forces.
Around midday play was interrupted for lunch. Which was a welcome relief from the whooping we were getting.
Lunch was a selection of four home made curries by Jeff. These are always a delicious treat that everyone attending looks forward to.
Fully fed, the German forces went against history and pulled off the inevitable a points victory.
Game two for the day saw a change in the conflict to the from the North African theatre to the Pacific theatre of war. It also saw a personnel change as well.
With the food all consumed Jeff was able to join in the action replacing Katie who had to leave.
That meant that the American forces aka the good guys at Guadalcanal were being represented by Dave, Jeff (General/Commander), and Diego.
Which meant the Japanese forces aka the bad guys were unchanged from the first game members and role wise.
There was a Sudden Death victory condition for the Japanese. All we had to do was get a unit to an exit marker and leave the area of play through it.
Early on I got a behind enemy lines card that allowed me to make a dash for that exit marker. I was three hexes from the exit marker. A great distraction for the opposition forcing them to attempt to stop the unit. They had one turn to stop the unit or lose in spectacular fashion.
Luckily despite a little shenanigans from Jonas weakening the American attacks to take out my unit. They did indeed stop my lone unit. But it did divert their attention and force them to burn up some cards.
We were in a strong position I was getting control of my sector whilst Jonas and Gavin inched forward in theirs.
We were getting some great cards, and dice rolls. Whilst the opposite was true for the American forces.
Points wise we were inching closer to victory. Although it was pretty close still.
And then Jonas played one two knockout combo. He started with an arial bombardment to clear the exit space, followed by a behind enemy lines card allowing his unit to make a dash for the space and grab the win.
After our glorious victory defying history once more, we chewed the fat whilst enjoying Jeff’s salty tears over the manner of the win.
This was a great day. They always are. Great food, great company. An amazing way to celebrate Jeff getting a year older. I’m lucky he invited me. A big thank you to Jeff for being such an incredible host.
Another cunning plan with an old favourite…
I did pick up from Gavin his Dicemasters stuff (which was originally mine before we did some wheeling and dealing a few years back). And Jeff very generously gave me what bits of Dicemasters he had.
I really liked Dicemasters back when it came out. But sadly Wizkids really fumbled the ball with it. Which is a shame it’s a great game.
However I had been thinking recently I’d like to get back playing it, especially with Nathan. I think he’d like it.
I know it’s a “dead” game. But that just means we can use what I have, and anything I can get cheaply to build “teams” and play. It doesn’t mean we can’t play it or have fun.
What I do need to do is try and remember how to play the game again!
Thanks for coming along…. especially with your back. I hope its improving?
Arm! Lol