Cold Wars 2015 PEL is Up!

Compared to previous years, there was a bit of a delay getting it out, but the Preliminary Event List for Cold Wars 2015 is finally available here.

As a player this time around, I do have the option to look at playing other games, rather than the old standards.  Of course, this doesn't mean you find me anywhere else but the gnome tables, but it's a benefit I don't usually afford myself.

One minor point, before I list the "Games ViscountEric wants to see/play in."    A tiny vocal minority on TMP always harps on the non-historical percentage of games offered at each con and how it should just be eliminated.  I simply implore the reading audience to see just how many non-historical games are listed under a historical monicker (Ancients/Medieval/WW2/etc) and how many games using non-historical figures are recreating an actual battle. 

Apples and oranges, my friend.  In the end, we're all fruits!

T-343 - Siege Swein Forkbeard's Castle

Thurs. 7:00 PM, 4 hrs, 6 players GM: Doug Fisher

Medieval 15mm, Rules: Siege Sweinforkbeard's Castle

An old favorite making a return. Enjoy throwing rocks or insults?   Or possibly the castles famous hot oil bath. Siege or defend the castle whichever you do it is a guaranteed good time. The most fun you will have at Cold Wars!!! Children must be accompanied by an adult.

T-243 - Battle of Qurna ("The Garden of Eden")

Thurs. 7:00 PM, 4 hrs, 7 players  GM: Daniel Erdman and Band of Gamers

Sponsor: Test of Battle, Prize: Gift Certificate WWI 20mm, Rules: Command Decision 4

December 1914 – 50 miles north of Basra, the Turkish 38^th Division took a stand at the confluence of the Tigris and Euphrates. The 6th (Poona) Indian Division was tasked with capturing Qurna, the “Garden of Eden” in local tradition. Both armies found it to be more like hell than paradise. (Maybe the forbidden fruit was dates, not apples.)

Knowledge of Command Decision useful but not required; children welcome with a supervising adult

I don't know the itinerary of my group this year, but these two games make taking a half-day and driving down Thursday an option.

 

 

F-295 - Battle of Yalu River

Fri. 9:00 AM, 2 hrs, 8 players  GM: Brian DeWitt and NOVAG

19th Century 1:2400, Rules: Age of Dreadnoughts

Naval Battle which occurred on September 17, 1894 and was the largest naval engagement of the First Sino-Japanese War. The Japanese fleet was attempting to disrupt the landing of Chinese troops. The Chinese fleet attacked in an unconventional line-abreast formation. Rules are simple and will be taught.

F-107 - NCAAF: Hawaii vs Boston College

Fri. 10:00 AM, 4 hrs, 12 players

GM: Joe Swartz and NOWS

Prize: Yes Ancients 28mm, Rules: JOEHACK

The Warriors are going against the battle hardened veterans guided by their Eagles, where secure flanks or rear can't be taken granted as the Romans legions once again take on those less civilized. Minors welcome with playing adult, rules taught.

The NOWS seem to like playing with history, or perhaps they just like to play.  It took a reading or two of this to release it's NOT College Football.  Or at least I think it's not College Football.

 

F-330 - A Taste of DBA 3

Fri. 10:00 AM, 2 hrs, 20 players

GM: Bob Beattie

Ancients DBA, Rules: De Bellis Antiquitatis

DBA 3 is Phil Barker's official new version of his classic ancient/medieval game. While building on the basic ideas of the earlier versions, this one has many new concepts and procedures that make it an almost new game. Get an overview of the new rules, play a sample game, ask questions, come and laugh at me for playing DBA 3 ☺

This a demonstration of DBA 3. This event is held in the tournament area of the Lampeter room

My first convention minis game was DBA.  Might be fun to try out the new set and lose every game I play.

F-114 - Zulus vs the Civil War - Theme Game

Fri. 10:00 AM, 4 hrs, 8 players

GM: David Kasper and NOWS

American Civil War 28mm, Rules: LAWS of War

The Zulus, tired of being slaves, decide to attack all foreigners They capture a large fleet of slave vessels and land in South Carolina with a large impi. Slaves and black soldiers swell their ranks. The Confederacy and Union cease all hostilities and unite to repel the onslaught. Sherman and Johnston send in their troops to stop Mpande and the Zulus.

W....   T.....  F.....   This is why I don't mind Battletech and Gnomes at a Historical Convention.

F-143 - Battletech – Grinder 1

Fri. 10:00 AM, 3 hrs, 8 players GM: Dave Yingling

Sponsor: Iron Wind Metals, Prize: Certificate Future 1/285th, Rules: Total Warfare

The Grinder is a free for all Battletech Demo game where new (or returning) players will be taught using the Introductory Rules. You start out with a Light Mech and as you die, you advance up to the next weight class. The winner of this round will get a spot in the Grinder Championship Saturday evening.

All materials, miniatures and dice will be provided. Beginner Friendly & Rules Taught 

Speak of the Devil...  Getting the B'Tech Intro Boxed Set for Christmas has changed my perception of these events.  So long as there's airflow in the room, I may try to jump in a session or two.

F-285 - Plug Uglies vs. Rip Raps: The Baltimore Election Riot of 1856

Fri. 2:00 PM, 4 hrs, 6 players  GM: David Cook

19th Century 28mm, Rules: Home Rules

It's Election Day, November 1856, Elsewhere it is a contest between Democrat and the Republican, but Baltimore supports a third party, the Know-Nothings. Command street gangs and fire companies - the Plug Uglies, Rip Raps, Tigers, and more - to get out the vote and control the ballot boxes. Stones, knives, guns, even artillery are all fair game in this unique moment of American history. 

Let's have a Riot!

F-115 - Zulus vs the Civil War, part 2 - Theme Game

Fri. 4:00 PM, 6 hrs, 8 players

GM: David Kasper and NOWS

American Civil War 28mm, Rules: LAWS of War

The Zulus beat Sherman and Johnston and head into Virginia where Lee and Grant wait for them. The Zulus with help of the freed and armed black slaves attempt to overwhelm the standing opposing forces.

WTF 2 -  Horns of the Electric Buffalo

 

 

F-319 - Aerosan Racing

Fri. 3:00 PM, 2 hrs, 12 players

GM: Jon Lundberg

Sponsor: Brigade Games Inter-War 28mm, Rules: Home

Take either a Finnish or Russian Aerosan and Win! Your opponents and the natural/supernatural world are out to stop you. 

Quick, fun, and with Penguins!

F-257 - The Hoard

Fri. 4:00 PM, 4 hrs, 8 players 

GM: Michael Moran and ODGWLL

Sponsor: ODGWLLC Fantasy 30mm, Rules: Mein Zombie

Come play and learn Mein Zombie!! Great game for all gamers 12years old and up!! Join a band of survivors as they face a hoard of Zombies. However not all these zombies are your standard zombie. Our heroic band must survive against the hoard and a handful of special zombies with unique abilities. Can you survive the roaming hoards of zombies?

F-148 - Battletech: Poker Run

Fri. 5:00 PM, 5 hrs, 8 players

GM: Scott Davis Sponsor: Iron Wind Metals,

Prize: Certificate Future 1/285th, Rules: Total Warfare

Poker Run is Battletech meets Poker with a bit of a twist. Each player will select a Mech and depending on the BV2, it will determine their G/P Skill. Players can earn and lose cards based on events each turn. Whoever has the best hand at the end of the game will win. All materials, miniatures and dice will be provided. Intermediate to experienced players and no Players under 15 years old.

 

F-137 - Liewenberg, Part 1: Assaulting the South Height! (German South-West Africa, 1904)

Fri. 7:00 PM, 4 hrs, 6 player

GM: Roy Jones  Sponsor: Recreational Conflict

Colonial 25mm, Rules: Sword and the Flame (Modified)

Sailors of the Landungskorps SMS “Habicht” find their advance along the Swakop River Valley blocked by concealed Hereros in elevated, boulder fighting positions. A Herero-occupied hill south of the river dominates the entire battlefield and must be neutralized. The Battle of Liewenberg starts with a struggle for the South Height! From the scenario book "The Herero War". More at www.hererowars.com

F-324 - Martians in the deserts of Texas...

Fri. 7:00 PM, 2 hrs, 4 players GM: Chris Jacques

SciFi 15mm, Rules: All Quiet on the Martian Front

The year is 1914 and an armored convoy of the northern "Yankee Division" has been reassigned to the desert of Texas for reconnaissance duty. As the British Defiant scout cars crest one of the taller dunes, they burst into flame...Take control of the Martian Invasion Force or fight for your life with the Yankee Division andrescue the British crew of the scout cars. All is not quiet in Texas…

Persons under the age of 14 must be accompanied by an adult; This is an introductory game and rules will be taught.

F-274 - Gnomen mit Panzern

Fri. 8:00 PM, 3 hrs, 7 players

GM: Joe Richards  Fantasy 25mm, Rules: Homemade

Austrian, Franzosich, Schottisch, Englander, Deutsch, und Schweiss gnomen desperately seek treasures while fighting those other dastardly gnomes. Will your gnomes outmaneuver opposing gnomes and win big? Or, will your panzer become a burning hulk? Join us for a fast paced action as gnomes seek fun and treasure.

A non-Stanton Gnome Wars game (let's be honest, Homemade Rules, but 90% chance we're using Gnome Wars figs.)?   The only thing that is sad is that the game is in direct competition with...

F-314 - Gnome Wars: ....just not the slowest.

Fri. 8:00 PM, 3 hrs, 30 players

GM: Steven Stanton and Stout Gnomes

Prize: GNOMES!  Fantasy 28mm, Rules: Gnome Wars

A farm house, a roadside in, and a few hundred of your closest undead friends coming for a late-night feeding. Last time a few survivors made it across the bridge, but blew it up, leaving the rest to face the zombies and cultists. To get away, you don't have to be the fastest…..

Anyone bringing five (5) painted Gnomes at War figures from Brigade Games does not have to preregister. No one under 14 without a playing adult.

...the Stout Gnomes production.  And it's an event I have yet to play in.

S-306 - Holiday in Zululand

Sat. 10:00 AM, 4 hrs, 6 players

GM: Ed Watts and Monday Night Adventurers

Colonial 15mm, Rules: The Sword and the Flame

A British column pushes inland with the intention of securing the cattle herd and kraal of the king to break the resistance of the Zulu empire. The Zulu players will map out a plan of welcome for their Imperial invaders. The British have more firepower but the Zulus have...well, more Zulus. Introductory rules are family/kids old enough to read charts friendly.

"Old enough to read charts-friendly"   These are the game I want to scope out for when Maja is old enough to come to the conventions.

 

S-185 - Snowmaggedon

Sat. 10:00 AM, 2 hrs, 8 players GM: Jim Reynolds and WNPG

Prize: Dice  Modern 28mm, Rules: Snowball wars

Frosty and his friends have been living in a winter wonderland, but Jack Frost is back. Frosty and friends must battle Jack Frost and his evil snowmen in an epic snowball fight. Kids game

S-286 - Bone Wars! or Fossil Rustlers of the High Plains

Sat. 1:00 PM, 4 hrs, 8 players  GM: David Cook

Prize: "The Bone Feud" novel by Wynne McLaughlin Western 28mm, Rules: TBD

It's the 1880's and there is a new land rush on to dig up the finest petrified leviathans of antediluvian times. That is to say dinosaurs, young man! Each player takes command of an Eastern professor and a crew of cowboys in a cutthroat race to discover unknown fossils and ship their treasures back east. Just beware the competition - and the Indians, bears, outlaws, and everything!  Adults present with child welcome.

Another great concept game that may not be completely historically accurate at all times. 

S-316 - Gnome Wars: The Battle of West Point - April 16th, 1865 - Theme Game

Sat. 2:00 PM, 4 hrs, 8 players GM: Jim Stanton and Stout Gnomes

Prize: GNOMES!  American Civil War 28mm, Rules: Gnome Wars

Easter Sunday, seven days after the end of the Civil War, news of the surrender had not reached the Confederate or Union soldiers at West Point, GA. The Union forces want to cross the Chattahoochee River near Fort Tyler, an earthwork fort atop a hill in West Point, whose primary purpose is to provide a point to defend the vital railway bridge. A small group of Confederates intend to make a stand.

Anyone bringing a painted 320 point Gnomes at War unit from  Brigade Games does not have to register. Rules taught. No one under 14 without a playing adult.

And I have a great venue for the first public appearance of the California Imperial Guard.

S-317 - Gnome Wars: The Battle of West Point - April 16th, 1865 - Theme Game

Sat. 2:00 PM, 4 hrs, 6 players GM: Jim Stanton and Stout Gnomes

Prize: GNOMES! American Civil War 28mm, Rules: Gnome Wars

Easter Sunday, seven days after the end of the Civil War, news of the surrender had not reached the Confederate or Union soldiers at West Point, GA. The Union forces want to cross the Chattahoochee River near Fort Tyler, an earthwork fort atop a hill in West Point, whose primary purpose is to provide a point to defend the vital railway bridge. A small group of Confederates intend to make a stand.

This is a set piece game - no extra units. Rules taught. No one under 14 without a playing adult

Wha-wha-whaaaaaat!   A parallel game for six players.  Not sure if this is meant for the people who want to play Gnome Wars without the 30 person chaos, or for complete newbies so they don't get overwhelmed.  Or both.. and more.

S-200 - Plastic Pirates aPpearat Party
Sat. 3:00 PM, 3 hrs, 8 players

GM: Geoff Graff and HAWKs Pike and Shot 40mm, Rules: Lego Pirates

Captain Ogel and his men are celebrating their recent voyage of acquisition at the local tavern when other pirates decide they want a share of the treasure. Pirates don’t share! A Pirate tavern brawl with whatever weapons are at hand. Come help us introduce your kid to the fun of miniature gaming! Older gamers welcome with a participating kid.

S-138 - Liewenberg, Part 2: Hitting the Main Line! (German South-West Africa, 1904)

Sat. 7:00 PM, 4 hrs, 6 players  GM: Roy Jones
Sponsor: Recreational Conflict Colonial 25mm, Rules: Sword and the Flame (Modified)
German sailors took a beating in their first assault at Liewenberg. But now the sailors have more men, high morale...and a Revolver cannon! Herero riflemen, however, still hold the high ground. And they fight concealed behind nearly impregnable rock. Somebody - German or Herero - is definitely going to get hurt at Liewenberg. From the scenario book "The Herero War". More at: www.hererowars.com. 

S-315 - Gnome Wars: The Joust

Sat. 8:00 PM, 2 hrs, 30 players
GM: Steven Stanton and Stout Gnomes    Prize: GNOMES!
Fantasy 28mm, Rules: Gnome Wars Gnome Jousting Tournament.
Rules Taught - quick, easy, FUN! PRIZES!!
No one under 14 without a playing adult. 
Guess I'm staying late this year!   Crazylegs must make an appearance!

S-355 - Midnight Massacre – Last Call - Theme Game

Sat. 11:59:00 PM, 4 hrs, 25 players GM: Scott Landis and Rogues
American Civil War 15mm, Rules: Fire and Fury Brigade Naval: BAPS Ironclads

The late night classic is back for one last time! For over 20 years we have left you hung over for the long drive home and more than a few friends that had to be tucked in for the night. This Last Call for the Social Event at the Con will feature all of the "Madness" you have come to expect from the Rogues including the Georgia Courage Rule, 2 AM sing off, and taunting and abuse from the GM's. Come to enjoy the fun and camaraderie of one of the longest running HMGS events as we retire her for one last time. Pre-reg gets you an Elite Command, as always, 2 drink Minimum. Lots of table space

And THIS makes me ponder staying Saturday night.  The very last Midnight Massacre?  Forever?   Might need to send entire brigades of men to their futile deaths one last time.