Six by Six Challenge - The Games Part 1

So what will my selections be for the Challenge?  Picking up on the list I made at the end of my last posting these will be as follows:

Game 1 - Squad Leader

This is the original (albeit 4th Edition) version of the classic Avalon Hill boardgame of tactical World War II battle.  I have had it and the follow up gamettes (Cross of Iron and Crescendo of Doom) for many years but have hardly played it.  In fact the gamettes are basically unpunched.  It has a strong miniatures background (I am pretty sure there are versions of the rules available for miniatures gaming without hexes) and loads of scenarios.  I think I did not like the way the rules built up over several games, which is probably a great way to learn what is probably a fairly complicated game but if you are impatient like me (or at least my younger self) it is something of a drag.  If I play the six games and like it the game can stay, if not, well its fate may be settled on eBay.

Game 2 - Ancient and Medieval Wargaming

Neil Thomas has built up an excellent set of wargaming books over the last 10 years or so covering many of the mainstream periods.  All are characterised by their short, streamlined rules supported by text that explains the rationale behind the rules as well as a practical approach to wargaming on a tight budget of time, cost and space.  They are not everyone's cup of tea but the three or four games I have played with them they "feel" good.  I wanted to add a theme for these games.  Also sitting on my shelf is Don Featherstone's Wargaming: Ancient and Medieval.   I think I will pick 6 battles which are all described in Featherstone's inimitable style and see if I can test the AMW rules in an historical setting.

Game 3 - Memoir 44

Memoir 44 is a crossover game in that it uses miniatures as playing pieces on a board with over sized hexes.  It is set during the D-Day landings and comes with a whole series of scenarios depicting various aspects of the landings and their aftermath.  I think it is fair to say it is at the abstract end of wargame simulations, but from the number of expansions that have been released over the years it must be a good game that's worth a good go.

So that is my first three choices to get me started.  The next three are a little trickier and will be the subject of a further post.  But as a tease I am thinking about:

• DBA v3 - it's been staring at me for ages but I am not sure my rules lawyering skills are up to it (and I play solo!)
• One Hour Wargaming (OHW) - More Neil Thomas which does exactly what it says on the tin
• DBR - I have a whole raft of ECW and TYW 15mm figures just itching for a fight
• Rogue Stars - Sci Fi rules just released by Osprey, it's on order I'm just awaiting delivery.  It could revitalise my son's WH40K figures
• A Song of Blades and Heroes - I have been really impressed by how well these rules go together but it could be these or,
• Dragon Rampant - I'm also just waiting for these to check them out
• Wooden Ships & Iron Men - another classic Avalon Hill boardgame, this time naval warfare in the late 18th ad early 19th centuries
• Four Against Darkness - a solo dungeon crawl from Ganesha Games

I'm spoilt for choice!