Random Stuff

The random events table really adds to the fun of any Arc of Fire game.  Although it’s listed as optional, I never play without it.

There are a number of the random events that work best if you’ve prepared some appropriate models in advance.  Here are some things you might consider building.  Note that the descriptions in the rules are more detailed.  I'm paraphrasing here.

Air Recon Arrives - an opportunity to build a recon aircraft for your faction.  

Civilians on the Battlefield - a group of eight civilians tries to cross the battlefield.

Combat Engineering Skills - can place a 1”x3” minefield (or three of them if you’re an engineer unit). Might be worth knocking up some hasty minefield markers.

Dead Farm Animals - place some dead livestock as cover.

Sniper! - you can have a sniper if you’ve bothered to model one.

Molotov Cocktails - 1d6 of them, to be distributed one per figure - any thoughts on how to show this?

Providential Scrounging - team finds an LMG.  This is a good opportunity to produce an extra LMG-equipped figure for your unit (of course this doesn’t need to be an LMG usually used by your side - fancy a Russian with a Minimi?).

Motorcycle scout - in the rules you get a motorcycle and sidecar combo but I think for the 1990s we could stretch to two guys in a 4x4, but only if you’ve provided a suitable model.

Crazed Dog - speaks (barks?) for itself.

Dig In! - the unit can dig foxholes. I don’t suppose we could provide dug in versions of every unit? Thought not.

Heroic Medic - this one can be really useful.  It’s a good idea to have a medic figure handy for your unit.

Hobbycraft 'Skyfall' Helicopter

Just popped into Hobbycraft and found these in the sale section. Two of these for £15.00 (Bargain), they were £20.99 each!

I can picture them hovering over Tcherbevan now!

Opera House

I found this in the shed from ages ago. Another project started and never finished. Had an idea that with a few alterations and additions it could be turned into the home of the Andreivian State Opera. Another building to grace the waterfront.

Ministry of Culture

Just put together a sign for the Andreivian Ministry of Culture

Hope to get started on finishing off the two buildings this week and I will post wip.

Embassy or Hotel

Hi All,

Many thanks to Richard C for the invitation to join this blog.

I have been into the deepest darkest depths of the shed and found some 20mm buildings I had started work on a couple of years ago but never got round to finishing for various reasons. With the 2014 Crisis Point game being a 20mm game I thought that they may be useful if I finish them off. I was thinking maybe an Embassy, Hotel, Government Building or Television/Radio station. Any suggestions greatly appreciated. All pictured with one of the VAB's I picked up from Ian S at Crisis Point 2.

Battle for the Capital?

I’m keen to play some more Arc of Fire and I’m seriously considering a return to Andreivia for next Spring’s Crisis Point big game in Dungworth.  If there’s sufficient interest, I’m tempted to try and set up a very big, single table game based on fighting in Tcherbevan after the Russians’ seizure of the airport.

The table could be broken down into zones - the airport, the river, the town centre and the hills beyond.  

The Factions:

The Russians - start in control of the airfield (mostly).  Initial aim to take control of the bridge(s) over the Krupnehr.

The Andreivian Government - start in control of scattered portions of the city. Want to retain control of the river bridge(s) and to drive the rebel factions out of the city.

The Andreivian Armenians - start in the Armenian Quarter.  Want to retain control of their Quarter and in particular of the English Church, where various foreign nationals are sheltering.  Will not co-operate with the Turks under any circumstances.  We could consider adding some hills north of the airport that are at least partly in Andreivian Armenian hands.  

The Andreivian Turks - start in the Turkish quarter, also control a village in the hills south of the city.  Want to retain control of their areas.  Want to bring supplies into their quarter from the hills. Will not co-operate with the Armenians under any circumstances.

NATO - enter on the southern road.  Tasked with keeping the warring factions apart and establishing a monitoring and liaison team in contact with the Andreivian Government.  Would also like to rescue the foreigners trapped in the English Church.  Are there other foreigners elsewhere in the city too?

Others - the possibilities are endless.  TV crews wanting shots of the action?  Are they neutral or Andreivian State Broadcasting stooges?  NGOs with truckloads of aid supplies?  Refugees trying to flee the city?  Local gangsters?

One potential problem is the Crisis Point lot (you know you’re all megalomaniacs) turning up with huge, powerful forces.  I don’t particularly want to see American M1s dashing into the city and destroying everything that stands in their way. Perhaps we need to consider some pretty strict rules of engagement for the foreign intervention forces?  Based on the experience of Crisis Point 2, I think strict controls on force sizes are called for.

Previous Andreivia games have been played at conventions and have been designed to allow spectators to slot in and out of the game, trying out AoF for a short period without having to commit to a whole day’s play.  This is less necessary at Dungworth but I would like to have a better go at persuading some of the locals to drop in for a while.

Previous Crisis Point games have divided players into two fixed teams (NATO and Warpac).  This game potentially has six teams (Armenians, Russians, Government, Turks and NATO).  Should we go with fixed teams or allow players to swap between teams as the game develops and forces get activated?  

6mm Air Support

In an effort to build up some momentum for a 6mm scale Andreivia game I've started painting some toys.    This is a Su-15 interceptor in Andreivian markings.

And this is a MiG-21.  both on the workbench I'm afraid.  Prettier photos to come later when I've got a few more models produced.