Tag: Robot Peacekeepers

“Attack of the Warbots” at September Mass Pikemen Gaming Session

We had a good showing on Saturday at the September Mass Pikemen Gaming Club session.  We played an “Attack of the Warbots” scenario using the Combat Patrol™ system.

The biological Alliance (Star Ducks, Space Dwarves, Frinx, and Aphids) have captured a Warbot Mark 1 Sphere tank and are attempting to repair and convert it to their use. The Warbots have landed a large force and aim to deny their enemy this loss of technology. Can the Warbots be stopped? 

This one, like all of the games that I run, was modified for playability based on experience and the number of available players.  This time I also got to add some new terrain and my new Wastelands gaming mat (which I described here and here).  I did not take as many pictures as I had wanted to – but what I have is below.

The game went well with a victory for the biological alliance of Star Ducks, Power-Armored Frinx (with glyptodon cavalry), Space Dwarves, Aphids, and RT22 (and his Robo Sentry guns).    The Mark III Warbots were supported by Roberker and two Mark 1 Sphere tanks – and the Robot Peacekeepers.  Most are all old Archive figures from the 1970’s.

The Aphids held up the Warbot attack and were almost wiped out by the Warbots.  However, they did delay them enough to achieve a victory, however, the tide of battle was about to turn so it could have ended differently.  Time just ran out on the Warbots.

The photos below are the set up and a bit of initial play.

1 set up defender side
The set up from the defenders’ side.

2 set up attacking side

Set up from the attackers side.  Reinforcements await deployment on the table’s edge.

3 PSG Juggerbot blows up from Aphid critical hit
Aphid casualties pile up as the Warbots move forward.  The Aphids, defending the middle crater, were able to get a very lucky critical hit on the Warbots’ platoon sergeant, causing a catastrophic explosion of its power plant (the smoke plume in the center above).  This explosion also killed and wounded several Aphids, and dented a couple of nearby Warbots.
4 Mortar Rounds and Plasma Breaching
The Warbots move into the smoky crater that once held a squad of Aphids.  The Warbots used a plasma ball breacher to fry the bugs, hence the smoke plume.
5 wide view
Aphid and Star Duck mortars add to the chaos of the battlefield as the Warbots breach the initial wall defense and roast an unlucky Star Duck alive.  Biological Alliance reinforcements move up on the right.

This fun scenario, with some minor tweaks, will be coming to BARRAGE on 9/28/2018!

 

Retro Sci-Fi Combat Patrol – Texican Space Rangers & Space Phraints defeat Space Dwarves & Robot Peacekeepers

The July 2018 session of the Mass Pikemen Gaming Club was fun time for all.  We had an epic battle using the Combat Patrol™ gaming system.  The battle (called “Get The Data!”) was between the attackers (an alliance of the Texican Space Rangers and the Hurraku Space Phraints) and the combined forces of the Robot Peacekeepers and the Space Dwarves.  The objective for the attackers was to seize weapons design data from a computer in an abandoned and ruined factory/research facility.  The defenders mission was to exact a high price in casualties from the assault force.

So why did I align the Texicans and the Hurraku?  One picture in the Star Rovers game shows them having a drink at Moondog Maude’s Cantina – so I went with that.

21 bar image of rangers
Hey, after this drink, let’s go to battle!

I assigned points differentially for the attackers and the defenders based on the mission.  The Hurraku attacked on the defenders’ left, and the Texican Space Rangers attacked from the defenders’ right.  The defenders also had Robo-Sentry guns deployed run by RT22.   I also gave them Roberker, a flame-throwing giant robot to help with their defense.

1 0718 Startwith Will Valentine (2)
Will prepares to defend
2 0718 the cowboys get cover
The Texicans destroy a Robo-Sentry gun, then take cover.  You can see the defenders in position in the building.  If only the defenders had mortars!
3 0718 the cowboys get hit
Two Texicans are dispatched by automatic weapons fire.  I use casualty cards to designate fallen figures and to help score the battle at the end.  Plus I think it shows the battle’s progression without having a bunch of minis tipped over. 
4 0718 the cowboys assault the bunker
Chris Comeau (Texican commander) made a bold move and had his gray squad jet pack directly into a bunker filled with one of Will’s Robot Peacekeeper team.  The bots passed a reaction test and the Rangers took massive fire and three dead before they could fire.  The red beads mark morale checks for them, the blue for the bots.  This sacrifice was to prove worthy, as follow on teams of Space Rangers were able to clear the stunned robots from the bunker.
5 0718 the cowboys take out a rsg
Another of the 5 Robo-Sentry guns is cleared by the Space Rangers.
6 on the other flank Jared Burns and Michael Morgan
On the other flank, Jared Burns and Mike Morgan were able to use the long ranges of the Hurraku blasted to keep the defenders’ heads down.  They maneuvered to flank the defenders.
7 bugs hiding
One of the Agribot automatic weapons did hit a team of Hurraku for one wound.  Unluckily, the team promptly failed morale and became pinned behind a boulder.  They were eventually able to rally.
8 Roberker moves out
Back on the right flank, Will and Dave decided that it was time for Roberker to counterattack with his dual flame throwing arms.  Roberker successfully roasted a number of the purple-sombreroed Space Ranger team.  However, he put himself in the open…
9 Chris Comeau happy as Roberker dies
…and he took automatic weapons fire from multiple Rangers.  The plume from his smoking hulk is next to the bunker…Chris Comeau smiles…he also killed Roberker in his last game BTW!
10 Carnage by the bunker
The Robot Peacekeepers in the bunker then drew an unfortunate morale result that caused them to perform a banzai charge (I have robots use the WWII Japanese in the Pacific cards for morale).  Thus, they left the nice safe bunker and got mauled.  Note the large number of blue morale checks to be performed after the banzai charge.
11 sdas last stand
By this point, Will and his dad Dave had to leave, so I took over.  The defense was collapsing, so I withdrew the front line defenders as best as I could.
12 sith smash
The sacrifices of the Texican Space Rangers allowed the Hurraku to penetrate the defensive position.  The first in was their Sith warrior, who used the powers of the Force to smash two robots (RT22 and a Robot Peacekeeper) with a Telekinesis attack by sending them into the factory walls.  This destroyed them.  As you can see, the morale checks were piling up…
13 satchel charge
…so why not add more to the carnage with a satchel charge thrown by a Hurraku Space Phraint into the Space Dwarves (the smoke plume here)!  Meanwhile, the Hurraku Space Phraints swarmed in.
14 the end
The attackers swarm the compound.  Game over.

The game was fun, and when the tide turned, the attackers did a good job of exploiting the openings presented.  I love it when maneuver is executed well.  The Texican Space Rangers aggressiveness resulted in nearly 50% casualties, but helped the Hurraku press their assault on the other flank.  The defenders did get some very unlucky morale results, but so did the attackers so it was a wash there.  Next time I run this scenario, I probably will include some defensive indirect fire support as well as some time constraints on the attackers.

Still, it was a fun session, and I am appreciative to the players!  It was nice to meet everyone, and I’m glad that they got to learn the system so quickly.  Our next session is tentatively scheduled for August 18th.