Imperial Entanglements

Happy Hallowe’en from S.M.H.I.T. headquarters here in ancient, storied Ancaster!

There’s been lots of S.M.H.I.T. happening now that the War-nasium is up and running, including several games of Gamma World and Strange Aeons. We’ve also recently had a chance to play through the complete Tantive IV campaign for Star Wars: X-Wing.

That's a lot of ships!

 

The campaign involves the story of a Corellian corvette that is wanted by the Empire for suspicion of aiding the Rebellion. There are six possible missions, of which four are played in sequence depending on which force won the previous mission. Scott and I teamed up as the Empire and attempted to bring Connor and his rebel ships to heel.

Scott and Connor.

 

Or, at least, that was the plan.

Scott opens fire while Connor plots his next ram.

It turns out that in a game where the average ship model is an inch long, a huge 12”-long model that needs two large bases just to hold it up is pretty damned tough!

A wing of TIE fighters closing in.

 

In spite of the fact that we won one of the missions, Connor managed to win the campaign through a combination of cunning and Imperial incompetence. The Corellian corvette, due to its massive size, can literally ram smaller ships right out of existence, while suffering only slight damage itself. Connor took excellent advantage of this rule, and used his corvette much like a snow-plow, ramming ship after ship that got too close.

TIE bombers engaged by defending Z-95 Headhunters.

Add to this the fact that Scott and I seemed incapable of flying our fighters without constantly bumping them in to each other, and it’s no secret why the rebels ultimately won. We collided so many times we began calling the collisions Imperial Entanglements, just ‘cause.

One of many 'Imperial Entanglements'.

 

The X-Wing system is great fun, and scales up surprisingly well. Our final battle saw the huge corvette and seventeen fighters careening around the table amidst asteroids and exploding space-mines.

The corvette escapes to safety, winning the campaign.

 

 I’m very pleased with this game, even if my collection resembles this cute cartoon…

Thanks again for stopping by!

-Andrew

Table Talk

   Hello again from the new headquarters for S.M.H.I.T., high atop the towering Ancaster mountain!

 

   This last week I had a chance to break out my paintbrushes, after a long move-induced painting drought. It felt good to wield the brush again.

 

   My first project at the new home was to paint up a gaming board and scenery for some upcoming games. I wanted something fancier than the traditional green matt, so I purchased two sets of Ex Illis gaming tables.

 

   For those of you who don't know, Ex Illis was a short-lived fantasy miniature game produced by Canadian company Bastion. The game had excellent plastic figures, a fully modelled sectional board, and used computer software to drive the rules. It was a clever and ambitious game.

 

   I particularly liked the modular playing surface they made. This gaming board is composed of twenty 9" by 9" interlocking tiles. Each tile is uniquely detailed with ruins, campfires, discarded banners and shields and plenty of other battlefield wreckage. The tiles lock snugly together with plastic clips. In fact the clips even come with rubber 'feet' to keep the surface from sliding around during play.

A painted Ex Illis gaming tile.

   All in all a very impressive set.

   I bought two.

   As you can see the two sets nicely cover the new table I bought for the War-nasium. I painted all these at the same time so as to avoid any variation in colour scheme. I wanted to minimize the possibility that the tiles would look like a patchwork quilt when all clipped together.

   I think it worked well. The patchwork effect is a trade-off for having smaller tiles than, say 2' by 2', but the smaller tiles are much more versatile. It especially works when you add additional scenery items like hills or craters.

   So there we are! I'm excited about this new table, and I'll be playing my first game on it this week -- the twisted Lovecraftian horror that is Strange Aeons!

 

Thanks again for stopping by!

-Andrew

Craftsmart Brown

Craftsmart Tan

My Dad's Model Collection - Part III

   "Testing... Testing..." *taps microphone* "Is this thing on?!"

 

   The Sinclair Memorial Home for Incurable Tyrants (and Kings) has once again opened its doors! We've been gone for a few months, but we are now back, coming to you live and direct from beautiful and history-filled Ancaster Ontario.

 

   This move has been an exciting one, as my new place has a fully finished basement, which is being converted into a gaming hall, called the War-nasium. I've already got three events booked for the War-nasium this month, and my new gaming table is being delivered this Thursday. The future is bright!

 

   To kick things off here's part III of my Dad's model collection. The Black Watch Highlanders.

  

 

 

    These striking figures are plastic Airfix 54mm Waterloo British Highlanders. My Dad painted this diorama as a gift for my Grandfather, years and years and years ago.

   My Grandfather treasured this piece, and kept it proudly displayed in his office for decades. It has always been one of my favourites, as well. You can really see my Dad's attention to detail and the careful love he put into these soldiers. Gluing and mounting those paper crossbelts and straps must have driven my Dad nuts!

  

   Thank you again for visiting my little corner of the web. It feels great to be back, and there's plenty more to come... including my tribute to the Great War!

 

See you soon!

-Andrew