Weekly Digest

23 September 2024

World of Warships

Yahagi is a Tier V premium cruiser available from the Armoury for doubloons (off memory I think). I ran it this morning with Isoroku Yamamoto, my Unique Japanese commander, as its skipper. Yamamoto is at 19-point at the moment. I am opting to upskill my high-skilled commanders using any premium ships because it doesn't cost anything upon transferring in, i.e., no need to spend resources to retrain. 

Anyway, Yahagi is a light cruiser with 12km torps. Decent enough guns (on very low health, kiting away from a full-strength Italian cruiser Trento and ended up killing with four successive Citadels using AP). More suited to staying under cover and blatting away when the opportunity presents itself; its long-range torps are meh but serviceable in denying area...well sorta. In a fight with a DD up close however, you had better sink the DD quickly otherwise you will end up dead. I forgot that at times. 

Spent most of my Free XP and Elite Cmdr XP already this month to upskill commanders and upgrade ships so I will spend the months leading up to the Christmas Santa crates event rebuilding resources.

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English Civil War - Morning

Trying a different approach to previous times whenever painting horses. It is based on ideas and skills researched over time. This time round I'm using Raw Umber as the basecoat. Did not finish the job on Ireton's Horse as I had visitors all day not long after. Intending to vary the coat colours.

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Online PC Gaming: Black Myth Wukong

Staying up late to download and install Black Myth Wukong as it's a large file (over 118 GB). Taking several hours. Started earlier this evening; it's now half past midnight and there's still an hour to go. And that's just the download; the install is still to go. I should mention that Black Myth Wukong is not my normal style of game so I really don't know what to expect.

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24 September 2024

World of Warships

Continuing from yesterday's session by playing Yamamoto on Yahagi. Ran it thrice in order to complete the requisite Event Pass conditions and earn two bonus crates. Nine days left on that event so at least eighteen more bonus crates - signals and economic bonuses (greys). All free; just play. 

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English Civil War

Finished basecoating Ireton's Horse using the second successive basecoat, Burnt Umber, for skin tone on certain mounts. Experimented first with one of horses painted yesterday (red circle in photo below) by highlighting the skin tone of the mount using Burnt Umber. Interesting result. Compared to Raw Umber, which has a darker tone, adding Burnt Umber didn't really add much. I may lighten the tone in further applications. 

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25 September 2024

World of Warships

Repeat cycle with Yamamoto on Yahagi. Getting familiar with its usefulness in kiting away which prolongs its lifespan that little bit long. Yahagi is definitely not a brawler and should never really YOLO into a melee unless seeking an early return to port. 

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English Civil War

Continued with plan to implement experimental ideas. A bit frustrating as I still have no idea if it's going to work. 

Second basecoat is 50/50 Burnt Umber. Overlay is upon the skin.  

Time to turn attention to the rider, especially the buff coat. First, basecoated the coat and other parts with Burnt Sienna. Other "brown" parts will contrast in Burnt Umber.

The rest of this figures group. The officer is a Cuirassier figure and attired differently. Not sure how he's supposed to look so am guessing the painted area. Can always overpaint later on once I am more familiar with the requirement. Happy to paint the boots, pistol holsters and cape in the same basecoat colour. 

Arquebusier or carabinier (this example belonogs to Vermuyden's Horse). Going for consistency with the basecoating. Not bothered by the paint spreading on to other areas as it will be corrected and overpainted in the detailing stage.

Harnessing using Burnt Sienna as the contrasting colour. May lighten it further still.

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Painting Opportunity

Got an opportunity to produce a couple of animal portraits on commission. Should be an interesting venture. Buyer paying so that's cool. 

Also inspired extra painting tasks - a couple for the wife as Chrissie presents to her son and his partner. Animal portraits as well as something promised to my son. 

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26 September 2024

World of Warships - Early morning

Session was a little longer today because it was the return of TMNT (Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles) event, an annual gimmick designed to loosen purse strings. Ignored the obvious cash lures and played the Common mission instead with the TMNT theme - the reward being a choice between TMNT or TMNT Nemeses camo. Chose the Nemeses camo. 

At the same time, advanced Yamamoto further along his promotion (upskill) climb. 

Prior to logging out, checked out some of the existing cash lure events. In one, I saw that under Rare reward, they list camos. Really? Camos offer nothing to game play these days: they make your ship look pretty (according to taste) unlike previously when camo was tied to earning resource rewards - economic bonuses, signals, free XP, and so on. When WG removed that incentive several years ago, camos suddenly became worthless eye candy and many outright sold off their camo in exchange for credits. Myself included. It's not uncommon these days to see many playing without camo simply because they add nothing other than visual appeal. So to label camo as a rare bonus is hyperbolic twaddle.

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English Civil War - New Model: Ireton's and Whalley's Horse

Very snail-pace progress of test figurines one from the heavy cavalry (Ireton) - top - and one from the carabiniers (Whalley) - bottom. New colours to the mix: Indian Yellow: admixed 50/50 with Burnt Sienna to layer the buff coat. Yellow Ochre next to represent the buff coat. Next colour will be highlight (yet to be determined) then several layers of a dark wash. And then Black for the front breast plate. Just trying to decide what colour I will settle on for the saddle cloth/blanket and whether consistent. 

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Space Marines 2 - Afternoon

Finally began playing Warhammer 40K: Space Marines 2 today. A couple of in-game screenshots.

Enjoying it so far. Observations: when swarmed it's easy to forget which key to press but will adjust. Should I change the key settings? Nope. I'll just adapt.

Played 2.5 hours today. Would have continued but decided to log out before starting the Magos rescue mission. I can continue later on tonight but it depends on how I'm feeling as I nowadays as I tend to grow tired very easily.

Next up will be Black Myth Wukong. Maybe tomorrow...maybe whenever.

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27 September 2024

World of Warships - Early Morning

Ongoing grind in Yahagi with Yamamoto. Slow work but it's a quick in-and-out session that frees up time for other activities like working on my English Civil War lists. 

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English Civil War - Afternoon

Continuing with the two test figures for the New Model army cavalry. Further research has provided me with some clues on how to determine what goes where and who is what. As you may already know, I'm not English. The period I know little to nothing about apart from old memories of histories and old movies. So I'm pretty much going in blind, as opposed to the Borodino project where I had some idea and there is a wealth of information on formation, histories, uniforms and flags. The English Civil War period is pretty much lacking a fair bit on details, especially on uniform timelines. 

Anyway, enough excuses...

Ironside (heavy cavalry) test figure. Coloured in shirt and metal bits. Orange sash. It's coming along according to how I envisage it. 

Carabinier test figure. Same process as for the Ironsides figure. I realise now that I can probably mix my carabiniers up with any dragoon figures (hat) I have spare to break up the uniformity.

Rearranged the three units collected. The shuffling produced this outcome...

Based on what I read in the MAA New Model Army book, when they formed the New Model army, Cromwell's Ironsides (thirteen companies strong) was split up with the majority forming Ireton's and Whalley's Horse. Because I am classing them heavy cavalry that means three figures to the stand and four stand unit. I think the above unit is Ireton's while the bottim figures are Whalley's.

Due to the reshuffling, I am now shy several figures/mounts for all the newly reformed units so will have to make a third order purchase. Shame that Hinchliffe range does not include a specific stand-alone standard bearer figure.

First Carabinier unit. Most probable it will be Vermuyden's Horse. Not sure if it was a Carabinier or Ironside horse unit historically and not too fussed as I don't want all Ironsides in the New Model army (thinking ahead to the solo campaigning part).

Second Carabinier unit which remains unidentified for now. Because they're Carabinier (or Harquebusier) the unit fields four stand of two figures per stands. I am presuming they're lighter than heavy hence the two-figure-per-stand classification.

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28 September 2024

World of Warships - Early morning

Continued the routine quick session with Yamamoto and Yahagi. 

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English Civil War - Throughout the day

Happy with how the test figure has turned out - colour-wise - I decided to paint the entire group on my workbench. Then the detailing can begin. 

Decided that the second unnamed Carabinier unit is now Graves' Horse which was historically at Naseby.

Pulled out the rest of the New Model list for review and as a reminder of what's still left to go in the way of assembly. Aside from the artillery which is also being reshuffled and needing assembly, there are now five Foot units - Waller, Skippon, Montagu, Pickering, Fairfax, five Horse units - Butler, Whalley, Ireton, Vermuyden, Graves, and one Dragoon unit - Okey (both mounted and dismounted). I am projecting that I will likely expand the list next year once I've started my solo campaigning. 

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Space Marines 2 - Evening

The rescue Magos Nozick mission played out. Because I've been gorging myself on all YT streaming of the SM2 gameplay, I know what to expect. But it doesn't spoil the fun nevertheless when it's you actually playing because it's so immersive. Tonight I began the Magos whatshisname rescue mission. Got stuck on the jump pack part (learning how to use it) so logged out. Knowing when to use the pyroblaster was also a pretty funny cockup on my part. Still liking the gameplay. 

Black Myth Wukong

Like I've stated multiple times previously, this is normally not the type of game I prefer. However, I've always enjoyed the Monkey television series of the late 70s so was curious to give it a whirl, so to speak. So far am enjoying it. Started playing Chapter 1 which is the Forest of Wolves one. Facing off against the Bullguard is proving tricky. However, many side ventures like spotting a creature that dived off a waterfall into a pool with a cave or coming across a frog creature that if killed emits poison that depletes your health. Or the bird-like creature guarding a spark that's hard to kill. 

Assessment? Was not expecting to like it but I do...very much. The visuals are gorgeous. From the opening scene with the fight in heaven to starting Chapter 1, everything about this is so engaging, not to mention just how beautiful everything is. So immersive. The creatures and characters so far are amazingly detailed. You cannot help but be drawn in: you want to know more. I am beginning to see why this game is acclaimed by many. I actually prefer this to Space Marines 2, to be honest.

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29 September 2024

World of Warships - Morning

Yada yada yada. Not a particular good session in the Yahagi. Got cocky thinking I'm some shit hot player but in truth I'm just hot shit messing up the game!! Hopefully the rest of the day pans out much better than this inauspicious start to what is a beautiful Sunday spring morning.

Unrelated to this morning's session but while playing it suddenly occured to me that this will be my final year of playing WOWS as a daily routine. Been doing so, with the few exceptional days off, since early 2020. That's over four years straight now, and I am suddenly tired. Fortunately I have kept a diary of progress over these playing years. I still remember when resuming after a hiatus between 2019 and 2020, I had the sum total of twenty-three ships. Now I have five hundred and fifty. My goal is to reach six hundred or over by the end of the Santa crate event. I am on track.

WG keeps pumping out new ships and tech tree lines that somehow have no more appeal. The recent Pan-American battleship line with their OP ships is prime example of why the game has begun to lose my interest and continued involvement. As a collector of anything though, this decision comes as sad news, but from the gamer's perspective, I have loads of other untried games and limited time left to actually play and enjoy them. Playing Space Marines 2 and Black Myth Wukong have reminded me that I should value my time instead of wasting it on WOWS.  

Every Update foists new gimmicks and events. They keep trying to make you believe the value is in their camo/skins when it's actually the ships that interest me. The latest TNT event is proof of how ridiculous the prices are for camo/skin. While WG's Art Department has continued to be the hero of this business organisation, the pricing is now above that of ships. And I was happy to fork out money for ships but not camo - no matter gloriously beautiful they look. And from a historical buff's perspective, these new lines/ships are just pure fantasy with many just paper designs or wishful thinking that never saw actual light of day. And many of these paper designs are more powerful than their historical counterpart which hurts me as a military history buff. 

The constant promotion of CVs and submarines over surface ships despite the overall clamour to remove them and/or nerf them to more realistic levels has me skeptical WG really care. I know they don't so I will be moving on. So, in advance, thanks for the memories, WG. 

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English Civil War - Day

A bit more painting...as much as I can bear. Short session therefore. Mostly basecoating the buff coats and colouring in the breast and back plates. There is something to be said for natural lighting when painting. Just loving the new workshop at the back of the renovated old garage. Lots of natural light, spacious, and quiet.

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PC Online Gaming - Evening

Played games on my other Steam account starting with Stardew Valley. Replayed the tutes for Command Modern Operations because I've already forgotten how to play it. Then ended the night with a quick foray in Black Myth Wukong.

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16 September 2024: Weekly Digest

16 September 2024

World of Warship

Upskilled Kuznetsov, the Russian Unique commander. He's now 20-pt. 

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17 September 2024

English Civil War

Started work this morning on the three remaining Horse units for the New Model Army. First off the rank is Ireton's Horse. Filing and trimming is tedious but necessary work. Distracted by the furkids enjoying the sun and watching the other creatures.

Played sitter to our furkids. View from new workshop. Cats enjoy lounging about the bird bath in the vain expectation of nabbing any inattentive bird wanting a drink. No such luck however as the birds tend to act in small groups with one lookout. Still, cats doing what cats do. Lol.

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Off-topic - Grandson's first gridiron game last weekend

He wants to play Defense. They put him on Offense. He wanted to play End (Defense); he ended up playing Left Tackle on Offense (still on the end). Proud of his effort nonetheless even if he looked very lost in his first ever game. Pluses: more mobile than last time I saw him when he was playing Rugby League, and he's still very keen to try out the game. He's #64. He's sixteen. Lots of growing left in him yet. And much room for improvement.

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18 September 2024

English Civil War - Ireton's Horse

Sprayed undercoat before basecoating main colour. Referencing several online sources of uniforms for this unit, I will likely replicate. The image below is taken from Palouse Wargaming Journal...image shows the standard being more pinkish than red but that's fine. At least the emblem is the same. Lol. 

Lucky I have the standard downloaded from earlier research.

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19 September 2024 

ECW - Whalley's and Vermuyden's Horse

Despite my best efforts at researching items from the website, my first major order (New Model) was filled with gaffe and errors due to misunderstanding and misinterpretation - entirely my fault. So, I will be placing another order to rectify the numerous mistakes I made with the first order. Which means some bases will not be completed due to the shortages.

One of my mistakes surfaced while priming the remaining two Parliamentarian cavalry units - Whalley and Vermuyden. I had been swapping or interchanging mounts without consideration to their actual correspondence until I realised there is a relationship, ie one size does not fit all. Vermuyden's unit, for example, are carabiniers and therefore the riders are designed to fit with mounts that have the reins projecting up, as shown below. This means some adjustment and only add to the subsequent ordering.

Memory is going so to aid me with multiple unit tasking Whalley's mounts are attached to red bottle caps while Vermuyden's horses are mounted on blue/black caps as shown below. The primed horses are now ready for basecoating. Planning on doing the horses in one run and leave the riders for another day.

This is the only way I can stay motivated despite myself. Breaking it down into tiny tiny steps and posting it online. It sort of beats promising and then never following through. 

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World of Warships

With Kuznetsov now at 20-point level, I planned to upskill the remainder in the 19-points group starting with Isoroku Yamamoto. Needing 500,000 points to achieve this though per commander. Ha! Not into grinding so will just log in and run a few games then log out. No real rush.

Well, plans don't pan out sometimes. Logged in this arvo with a set plan only to remember that I was only 4 pieces shy of my next steel ship so did the grind for that courtesy of the Dockyard Event bonus phase reward (for every token earned you receive 250 steel). Reached my goal after several games in the Atlanta and Groningen. 

Tier X Mecklenburg is an interesting ship. It smacks hard when RNG is on your side (German BBs suffer notoriously from being wayward with their shell dispersion and therefore accuracy). Played her thrice after obtaining her to fully earn the Festive token (for the intevitable Supercontainer) and got no less than three kills per game which was pleasing. Only two Supercontainers left on offer (in the Daily Reward). Odds of getting a ship are slim though (200th attempt will yield a ship regardless) which is why Supercontainers are practically worthless these days.

So far, new ships earned this month include Ipiranga (Event Pass), Borodino (100% discount coupon), Almte. Oquendo (Dockyard event), Xan Zhong Guo-14 (Ninth Anniversary crate prize), Cossack (doubloons), Tulsa (coal), Edgar (credits), L'Aventurier and Orage (both credits and Free XP), Cassard (credits and Free XP), Maine (credits), Mecklenburg (steel). 

New commanders include: delmas_38 (Pan-American), Lisboa Marques Lisboa (Pan-American Unique). Dismissed a ship load of low-skilled commanders to free up space in the Reserve.  

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20 September 2024

World of Warship

Really liking the Mecklenburg. Glad I got it first instead of the Austin which will be my next steel ship - unless some other vessel comes along that's more enticing. Short sesh this morning saw me playing the Mecklenburg. Liked it so much I actually installed the modules; normally I play without the mods which is a bad habit I picked up early on that's somehow stayed with me ever since. But my new "Pommern" deserves it. Liking it more than the G. Kurfurst which is a decent ship but it doesn't have torps. Never really warmed to the Schlieffen even though it's rated higher than the Meck by many. Some ships you click to straight off, like the Pommern and Ohio. Now it's so with the Mecklenburg. 

Noticed the next Event Pass (for Update 13.9) will feature the Premium German DD K. Schonberg as the ship reward plus specific camo for certain German ships. Not going to bother as I have the reward ship already, and ship camo doesn't really interest me despite WG's vain attempts to entice players into believing it's as valuable as ships. Ships are the only real valuable asset in this game. Nothing else. 

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Stardew Valley

Chillin' Out playing this on my other account. Having played almost as much as WOWS, this time round it was more fun.

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21 September 2024

World of Warships

Mecklenburg is an absolute beast in Co-Op. No regrets acquiring this steel ship; glad I saved and waited. Took a while as I only play Co-Op but got there in the end. It's not unusual to score 4 kills nearly every time I take her out. In my last game before logging out, one-shot-killed a Minotaur and then straight after that suprise also one-shot-killed an A. Nevsky. Both were full HP. Battleships aren't safe either. Got a surprise random invite to join a couple of Asian clans but sensibly declined as I'm not bilingual and I am just settling back into just playing solo in Co-Op and having pressure-free fun.

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22 September 2024

Online PC Gaming

Grinding the Pan-American Unique commander Lisboa in the Ipiranga in order to complete the Common Mission and obtained the reward - a flag. Finished the last of the Dockyard event mission earlier in the day playing both the Yahagi and then the Groningen. Both skippered respectively by Yamamoto (Unique) and De Ruyter (Seasoned). 

Still haven't played Black Myth Wukong nor Warhammer 40K: Space Marines 2. Why? (1) Because I know it won't just be a couple of hours but an all-night bender long session. And (2) BMW is forever downloading (60+ GB). 

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9 September 2024: Weekly Update

9 September 2024

World of Warships - Update 13.9

Reading the Devblog regarding Update 13.9 and its many announcement. I noticed in one the very rare premium US carrier the Enterprise (unobtainable from anywhere in the game or Armoury) will now be made available as part of the reward for the upcoming Battle of Leyte Gulf anniversary event. I already have this rare ship from one of the Santa crates two years back. Played her only a few times and got reported by my own teammates for having the gall to play it while they died. Lol. But now she will be made available to everyone who will no doubt eagerly have a crack going for her through the missions required. Not so unobtainium now I reckon!

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Wargaming - Last Major Hobby Project

Planning on taking a long hiatus after this last major hobby project primarily to sort out my developing and ongoing health issues as well as explore other 'creative' outlets while I still can.

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World of Warships - Festive tokens and Supercontainers

No free ships from the many Supercontainers obtained. Ninety-nine ships left to go still. Used my hoard (credits and Free XP) to the next two French destroyer line - L'Aventurier and Orage. Hope to get the Cassard in the next day or two (forgot that the mods had to be purchased as well). Also decided to "go for it" and obtained the Supership Maine.

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English Civil War

Royalist army finally arrived from the UK. Large package. Haven't opened it yet but I expect I will be busy sorting out the listing later on this week. 

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10 September 2024

World of Warships - Ninth Anniversary month

Still grinding the remainder of the Tier VI ships. Most likely tomorrow will earn me the Tier X Unique commander Lisboa. 

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Space Marines 2

Yeah, bought into the hype after watching gameplay by some lady YT streamers: they were having fun and that appealed to me for some reason. Installing took a while so went to bed and awoke later on in the day. Will properly start playing over the weekend.

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11 September 2024

World of Warships - End of Festive tokens run

Sorta...managed to utilise the six extra tokens rewards today. No more bonus Festive tokens from port ships. Not sure what happens now, whether or not you still receive festive token rewards for the ships play or what? Will see either tomorrow or Friday. Got the Cassard though to complete the second French destroyer line. Avoiding the other Anniversary events like the Pan-American Early Access battleship line as well as the Spanish battleship line, also Early Access apart from the Iripanga which was the reward for the Event Pass event. 

Logged in again tonight to verify if the Festive token event only applies to ships still unused in your port. It is so. If you purchase a new ship, depending on its Tier, you will earn whatever Festives apply (or Steel if you decide on a Supership instead). What this means is there are now only two ways you can obtain Festive tokens: (1) either pay for or earn a new ship, (2) or wait for the Daily Rewards to drop 125 tokens (the price of a Supercontainer) of which there are limited numbers (five available I believe). Which makes chasing after them now a wasted exercise. So basically the hype WG promoted is useless insofar as once ALL your port ships have yielded Festive tokens, no more is to be had apart from the two methods described above. Interesting.

With that understanding therefore it's back to the usual skipper grind until the next Update kicks in a few weeks. Had a quick squizz and what's on offer is a total waste so looking forward to just stockpiling the credits and XP until November when it will be the annual Black Friday event (one hopes). Then it's on to Christmas and the much anticipated Snowflake event. 

This new Collection has been changed. Before it used to be a one-for one-exchange with duplicates, ie for every duplicate exchanged you got a new collection tile/object. No longer so; you have to have a number of duplicates before they can be exchange for a new collection tile/object. Another sneaky introduction by WG. 

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12 September 2024

World of Warships

Ran into one of the old clan members in my short morning session. Greeting by tag went unanswered. Probably forgot me anyway. No mind. Noticed that a few times in the past since leaving the clan whenever I see a former clan member. Wasn't really there long enough to make a mark I suppose so no biggie.

Yeah, the Festive tokens deal is officially over; this morning's session confirmed it. Gone from the Armoury tab but still present in port. So (a) grinding for no reward) and (b) any future Festive tokens earned will go towards Supercontainers. Bound to get a free ship soon one wishes...perhaps...hoping...lol.

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Thursday is Hobby or Wargaming Day

Taking a major break from tabletop gaming and the hobby side of it while I sort out my ongoing health issues. My final last hurrah for the time being therefore will be building my English Civil War armies up to tabletop standard.

But first I have to finish off my New Model army which is in varying states of completion. Currently, on the 'workbench' are three more Horse units awaiting filing prior to undercoating. Then it's on to the still unassembled artillery which are painted. All the New Model foot units are painted and largely assembled and are at the final detailing and basing stage. For the most part. 

Unit above is Henry Ireton's Horse. I made a start but I still need to finish off the filing completely before applying the undercoat/primer.

Whalley's (bottom) and Vermuyden's (top) Horse. All three horse units are wearing lobster pot helmets but are classified as Horse by me for gaming purposes. All are in need of filing and trimming the excess before undercoating can begin.

New Model

I like to recap...a lot. So, here is my full New Model Army list circa 1643. It is a modified list taken from the Battle of Naseby OOB. Basically it's just the first line with some changes.  

Overall commander will be Sir Thomas Fairfax. I have several other commanders who can step in but they represented earlier time periods and are non-New Model. I'm including them all the same primarily as figureheads as they can represent anyone I nominate. The Earls of Manchester and Essex are Old Glory minis that came with a personality set purchased from the USA which included Oliver Cromwell as well as Royalists.

Infantry (or Foot) are as follows: 5 Regiments of Foot (Pike and Muskets) and one unit of Forlorn Hope. These come under the command of Sir Philip Skippon. All the artillery will be concentrated here and consist of two batteries

Cavalry (or Horse) include the various types split into two wings - left and right and commanded by Henry Ireton and Oliver Cromwell respectively: 8(???) regiments of Horse (of varying strengths) and 1 unit of Dragoons (mounted as well as foot displayed).

Initial Observations: New Model are largely experienced soldiers and greater in numbers than their opponents. They should win most of their upcoming/planned scenario games is what I'm speculating as their senior commanders were all good and very experienced.  

Royalist

King Charles will be the nominal and titular head of this force although Prince Rupert will exercise field command in-game.

Like the Roundheads, the army composition will be split into three wings - Left and Right will be horse and Centre will be foot. A small reserve exists under King Charles direct command and consist of what I deem to be elites.

Left Wing - Langdale will command just two Horse units on this wing - the 'Northern' Horse and Cary's Horse. I may add a few muskets later on, either commanded muskets and/or dragoons.

Centre Wing - Under the control of Lord Astley. Four Foote units divided into two equal tertias (brigades) under Lucas and B. Astely. 

Right Wing - Under Prince Maurice who will command three units of Horse. Both Princes will have attached to their individual headquarters their own Lifeguards. These can be detached to form a fourth Horse unit if desired. 

Reserve - King Charles. Comprising 2 Foote regiments and the King's Lifeguards (horse) component. 

Artillery - I am "balancing" out the artillery between both sides numbers-wise with both sides having the same number of batteries and gun types. I suspect artillery will feature less prominently on the tabletop battleground but still prove an irritant to whomever is on the receiving end of their focus-fire. With the Royalist, the artillery will be distributed in the Centre and Reserve while the guns of the New Model will reside with their Centre Wing. 

Initial Observations: This Royalist force are mostly experienced veterans but are weak in strength across the board. They will have to deploy other tactics other than engaging their opponents full-on in set battles. The upcoming campaign should prove interesting therefore...so it's hoped. Rupert is brilliant but inconsistent while Charles is more a problem than anything. The next level down commanders are all experienced. 

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13 September 2024

World of Warships

New event began today - Exploration to the North Pole. Checked it out later and discovered it's an annual thing with WG. Rewards are mission-specific tokens that can be cashed in on 1 December. The major rewards are 1 Tier X ship, 1 Tier X Festive camo, and 6 Santa Gift crates. There are other rewards on offer as well I believe but no details have been provided as far as I can discern. 

Firstly, this event is FREE. No expenditure whatsoever. That's a plus for sure.

Secondly, it's a decent alternative to whatever Event Pass will be running between now and Christmas. And it's not unusual for me to 'fast track' progress by spending pingas to access the second level (first level is always free). Each month brings a new Update: currently we are in 13.8. Next month (Halloween) will be 13.9, November (Black Friday) will be 13.10, and December (Santa/New Year) will be 13.11. So that's 3 new Battle Pass events between now and the New Year. With EthNP there are four missions in total spaced a month apart. Completed the first mission objectives so that 2,500 tokens out of a possible 10,000 earned.

Focus today was the continued pursuit for Festive tokens to spend on the remaining Supercontainers (around 30-odd) still for exchange. Daily Rewards still have five lots 125 Festive tokens available. And you can always try your luck with the daily loots crates. 

Finished off the Collection and received the reward, the Pan-American Unique commander Lisboa. Ran him on the Atlantico for the rest of the session to get him active. 

Hoping to get my next steel ship, Mecklenburg, eventually earning the bonus steel reward from the Dockyard event while it lasts. 

Currently finishing off the penultimate mission and earn the two Dockyard tokens that will convert to 250 steel apiece. Last mission will yield 750 steel which will start the next steel ship grind which will go towards the Austin.

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14 September 2024

PC Gaming - New Games

Mentioned it previously about buying into the hype and getting Warhammer 40K Space Marines 2. And now I have also added Black Myth: Wukong after watching another YT streamer gaming it. Going to be some fun over the next few weeks alongside the ECW armies build. Have both games installed on my other Steam account. 

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World of Warships

Short interrupted session today. Received last-minute notification from one of my grandsons this morning that it's his first game of gridiron today. So, naturally enough, I am going to watch and support. Should be interesting to see if he does as well in gridiron as he does in rugby league. Love the game of gridiron but not into the over-hype or excessive BS that comes with it however. 

Go Team K! Go Raptors! Lol. 

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Online PC Gaming

After a chilly spring day spent watching my grandson's team win their game I decided to 'chill out' playing Stardew Valley on my other Steam account. Then crashed.

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15 September 2024

World of Warships

Co-Op is dead. It'll be even more dead with the return of Mode Shuffle in Update 13.9. Already Operations mode has been spiced up with Tier Xs and Superships accessing the mode now which pleases many. Sticking with Co-Op however because it's solo and just a relaxing mode for me. Noticing a lot of premium ships in the lower tiers though lately, some rare. Well, not so rare now. Grinding the Dockyard missions to obtain steel (going for Mecklenburg). 4 steel shy of my goal. Missed it by this much, as Agent 86 might declare to anyone listening. Lol. Have to wait until the last Dockyard mission is made available in a few days time. 

Avoiding the Aquatic event (chance of getting the Victoria odds were incorrectly stated as 0.2% when it's actually 1.2%) as well as the early Pan-American battleship release. Sinkhole for whales with money to spend. Not interested in the Los Andes or the Libertad; happy to wait until they're released around 13.10 (November) or 13.11 (Christmas time). Got the Ipiranga as reward for completing the Event Pass.

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2 September 2024: New month. Weekly Update

2 September 2024

World of Warship: Upskilling commanders grind

It's the turn of Andrew Cunningham, the Unique commander for the British tech tree line. Played him on an old favourite, Hood. 

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3 September 2024

World of Warships: Ninth Anniversary month

Andrew Cunningham upskilled. Made it past halfway point which is 130K XP, and then used Free XP to finish the upskilling. Last Unique commander for upskilling this year is the European Unique commander Jerzy Swirski. Will be playing him on the premium Polish destroyer Blyskawica although I have him alloted to the Tier X Ragnar.

September is also WOWS anniversary month. Nine years this game's release I believe. Lots of free goodies with the next upgrade 13.8 next week. Note: Do NOT spend money as nearly all of what's being offered is free as long as you participate. Well...mostly. The next Dockyard event requires some spending but only doubloons if you have it. I don't have much doubloons so will have to buy some in order to satisfy the Dockyard event requirement where you have to spend a minimum amount of doubloons (at least two phases worth) to be eligible for the final reward; the rest of the phases you just grind away.

November sees the return of the Black Friday event which has some goodies on offer. Then December and January will close out the year with its annual Santa crates. That is the big event for me playing this game - lots of ships on offer. After some of the rare ones like the Tier IX Friesland and the Tier X Smaland. Or Tier V Kamikaze and/or its variants.

Still aiming for six hundred ships in port by year's end. Targeting one more coal ship but nothing really of real interest among the remainder (already have all the 'good' ones like Moskva, Napoli, Pommern, Marceau and others) so will likely spend what's accumulated on much-needed economic bonuses and upgrades instead. My next steel ship will likely be the Mecklenburg or Austin. Already have the Bourgogne, Stalingrad and Ragnar. As for Research Bureau, I've not yet reset a tech tree line (for a reason though) but willing to attempt it once because there are some Research ships that interest me like Vampire II and Paolo Emilio.

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4 September 2024

World of Warship: Swirsky grind

Turn of Jerzy Swirsky, the Unique European commander, for upskilling. Forgot how much fun the Blyskawica is to play. But also forgot her fragility means playing requires more thought and/or care than simply YOLO-ing into the cap first gun a-blazing and torps a-running. Guns are handy taking out other DDs of the same tier however. Can farm cruisers and battleships too when the opportunity presents itself.

Definitely getting the Maine and the Edgar but wanting to have at least 200 million creds first before acquiring both ships. Likely to happen by month's end. 

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5 September 2024

News Update

Ongoing declining health issues means limited activity. Usually confined to a few hours before I crash hard. Can barely survive a grind in PC gaming which is all I am interested in at the moment. Still waiting on my ECW Royalist order from the UK. What's left of the New Model cavalry sits idling in the garage awaiting attention. And painting is not happening.

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World of Warships

Month of events started today. Got the Rochester only to remember I already have it but instead of the promised compensation coupon (to obtain a free new ship) I got 1 credit coin. Ninth Anniversary crate (free) yielded a Pan-Asian submarine, the Xin Zheng Guo-14. No interest in playing it so it will rust in port.

Did an evening session. The more ships in your port means more extra Festive tokens. Just earn 1000 base XP (cumulative) in-game and you receive the extra rewards. I get to earn six bonus festive tokens because I have over five hundred ships in my port. Also the higher the tier, the greater the token amount earned. Just finished grinding through my Tier Xs worth 250 tokens per ship. Tier IXs are worth 200 tokens. And so on. Steel is the reward for Superships (or unoofficially Tier XI). Aiming for 6500 Festive tokens to see if the 100% discount coupon offer still stands. I suspect I stuffed up by spending on the Rochester when I didn't need to, i.e., I could have just checked the Armoury coupon tabs to see if the offer was available PRIOR to spending the tokens. Will have to see over the weekend. 

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6 September 2024

World of Warships

The 100% discount coupon was available when I logged in so got the Tier VIII Soviet battleship Borodino. Free. It was always my first choice. Only has two turrets in the front; rear turrets are secondaries. Its gimmick though is its 12km radar (base value of 25 seconds though). Its armour is weak and citadel can be smashed when presenting citadel side-on as when I got destroyed by the V. Veneto and Sinop.

Spent some of the accumulated credit to obtain the British supership cruiser, the Edgar. Was about to get the Maine but did not have enough. Further credit grinding before that happens. Noticed the price has increased from several months back for all superships. BBs used to cost 49 million but are now over 57 million; DDs costs over 43 million, up from 38 million. As long as I'm not spending real money, it's okay.

Hurrying through my port ships to get the collection tokens and earn for free the reward of the Pan-American Unique commander whats-his-face. 

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Space Marine 2

Seeing a lot of playthroughs by favourite YT streamers. Impressed enough to almost buy the pre-order. Almost. As one YT streamer pointed out repeatedly, Space Marines 2 is "so cinematic". He was quite impressed by that fact. And it does looks amazing visually. But as a number of commenters pointed out however, it's much the same linear combat - defeat a horde, rinse, repeat cycle. Endlessly. Irrespective of the impressive visuals. It goes on sale September 10; I will wait until then to make a final decision. Of course, I am looking at it from a single solo player perspective. There is online multiplayer options but that part doesn't really interest me for now.

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7 September 2024

World of Warships

Was planning to play the Dutch #1 commander but instead continued playing Kuznetsov in Okt. Revolutsiya. Mainly to earn enough Collection tokens (needing total of 60 to earn the Unique commander for Pan-America tech tree line). Short seven tokens. Earned enough coal to obtain the Tier VIII US cruiser Tulsa. 

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8 September 2024

World of Warships

Continued grinding for the Festive tokens. New goal: Earn as much as possible and then spend it on Supercontainers. Thought about converting the Festive lot over to the Aquatic token in order for a very very slim chance (0.02%) of obtaining either the new battleship Victoria or either the Anhalt or Karl Johan XIV. Decided the cost was not worth the effort. I had over a 1000 Festive tokens accumulated and spent them on Supercontainers instead and got a decent enough return for the spend. Much better than the one Aquatic "attempt" which cost 500 Festive tokens and yielded just a few blue Economic Bonuses. WG really want you to spend money even though they promise you lots of "freebies" which in the end turn out to be worthless or else you have to read the fine print to extract the best deal for oneself. 

Just one more Collector's token required to finish the jigsaw and obtain the reward - the Pan-American Unique 10-pt commander Joaquim Marqes Lisboa. This has been one use for Festive tokens. No rush though for now as I only need a couple more duplicates and these are guaranteed in the Daily Rewards drop. Got over one hundred and seventy port ships left to go with converting to Festive tokens. For me, I get to do them in batches of six because I have over 500 ships: just earn the 1000 base XP each time and you get your six lots of Festive tokens. Of course, they decrease in worth the lower the tier, so that Tier VII are worth 50 per ship, Tier VI earns you 35 per ship and Tier V just 25. A Supercontainer costs 125 Festive tokens; you are limited to 180 all up. Bound to get a free ship in that lot somehow playing the odds.

Outlay money-wise? Zilch so far. 

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