February Digest #1

World of Warships

Returned to commander upskill grind since completing the Early Access European battleship specific missions. Enjoying playing Satsuma with my now-20 pt skilled captain because most Co-Op games involved just me and the BOTS. Slow grind for sure but I'm in no rush.

Realised I wasn't going to get the Enigheten with the tokens already earned for free without spending cash for the shortfall (needed at least 400 more). So I spent what I had to grab a new special commander related to these ships (10 pt) and the rest on credits (can never have enough). 

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Continuing to slow-grind my Seasoned commander (Suzuki) on Satsuma. I should switch to a lower tiered ship but I like playing by myself in a supership-only Co-Op game because I like the "peace and quiet" plus I get to know the characteristics of the other superships, especially the cruisers. 

Found Satsuma to be on par with Hannover and Ushakov in terms of potency. Definitely stronger than Devastation. Not played Patrie often enough to compare. But if Patrie is an upgrade on both Jean Bart and Republique then it's definitely a rival. Sensing it already from the few encounters with it. Played Maine when it was first introduced but can't remember much of its performance then so can't compare. Maybe I am confusing it with the Rhode Island? After a while they all tend to blend into the same which says more about my attentiveness and lack of skill. I could excuse myself by claiming I'm a casual player but that's not true.

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The Surcouf Salvage event kicked off today. Instantly exchanged coal for M. Colonna. Unsure about grabbing Narai simply because it's a knockoff of the infamous Tiger '59, considered the worst ship in the game. Besides, I also have the Tiger '59. But it's a quantity, and right now I collect quantities. 

Played Colonna for the remainder of the grind after initial game in Satsuma. Nice enough ship. Like the exhaust smoke which comes in handy when being focus-fired: it lasts for over a minute. HP and AP are decent enough but nothing to write home about. 

Wasn't able to improve on my 11th position in the Lunar Trials so earned only 300 tokens which tallies me up to 950. It is what it is.

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English Civil War

Tonight I resumed painting my Royalist list after a lengthy break. Started with 4 figures. Got bolder and added another 12 figures of Horse (with lobster helmets). My limit for the night. Definitely got me motivated to continue even though I wasn't able to finish the painting task.

So I will continue to finish the entire Royal horse list over the next few days if I can. This should include the remaining Horse as well as all the baggage and artillery trains and commanders and a few "floaters" - extra figures. Once done, all that remains will be the final detailing (basing, flocking, flags, etc.). Then I will parade the entire lot for posterity. Lol. 

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Reviving this old project means having to recall what the Royalist Horse list comprised. Memory failed me so I did a bit of rummaging around and found the information from an earlier blog post. I should have enough but they will be outnumbered by the Roundheads who have a similar number of units but larger numbers. 

Reviewing the available rulesets, I'm staying with VWQ because it's the only one I'm familiar with. Was planning to run a campaign using TWWAE but it only deals with the period from the start to the Battle of Edgehill while my models are later period (1645). I could still run it using an adaptation but deciding not to do so. 

FK&P intrigues me. But it uses a card and grid system which I'm not familiar with. Eventually I will explore it in greater detail.

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Vietnam War campaign

Need to finish this off because I'm organising a darts tournament after Easter. And therefore I need the garage space for the event. Prize are two glorious bottles of whiskey, aged through neglect. Full and unopened. Lol. 

First game will be the river patrol scenario designed and presented here months ago. Table all set up and forces prepped. Full batrep to follow. 

Next scenario is based on a true story (so I hear). An SAS recon team from NZ (4 guys) encountered a VC company and were able to extricate themselves to their extraction point some distance away without casualty while retreating over hill and dale in the j. Encounter took over forty minutes. The rules will require some modifying to accommodate the narrative. Not sure how the results will pan out however. Have to wait-and-see.

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