The Federation Strikes Back! - An initial game of Stargrave

 

Today saw the first game of Stargrave by the Black Wolf gamers.  Strongly based on Frostgrave, Stargrave is a recently released set of Sci-Fi skirmish rules by Joseph McCullough where crews of 10 models battle each other for loot (both physical and data).  As Tony had been dragged away to the northern love nest by his wife and Rob was not allowed out to play, the game was between Sci-Fi advocate Chris and Simon.  This may surprise regular readers as Simon is not a massive fan of Sci-Fi or Frostgrave.  Would this be a New Dawn for Simon, or would it be Game Over Man! Game Over, only time would tell.

Two crews had been assembled by Chris, who played the 'Camden Nutty Boys'.  Led by a Rogue (Mike Barson) with Veteran (Lee Thompson) is support, the crew included a Hacker, Chisler, Code Breaker and Case Cracker to secure the loot with two Troopers and a Gunner in support.  A Duck Recruit waddled along as well.   Figures were mainly those made by North Star Miniatures for Stargrave with a couple of Wargames Atlantic's Grognards and Einherjar thrown in.

Simon led a Federation force comprising Commander Travis supported by Sergeant Tyson,both carrying decks to help them secure data loot, two Mutoids (Case Crackers) with picks for use on physical loot, five troopers and a political advisor called Sevelan as a Runner.  Figures are from 'The Beast in the Broch'.

The encounter started slowly with both side moving onto the table and establishing them selves in good firing positions.  When it broke out the firing seemed somewhat half-hearted and ineffective.  Federation high command remarked on the high number of 20's being rolled by his opponent.  The dice were swapped, but the 20's kept coming.

The Federation Commander surveys the battlefield and his opponents dice

Travis led a squad down the left flank while his first mate led a similar force down the right.  The Nutty Boys separated out a little too much leaving their Leader on his own firing became more effective but the Federations tight formations allowed them to inflict significant damage on their opponent with  several figures being stunned and wounded in short order.  This did not prevent them from securing a physical loot on their extreme left flank and starting to move it off table.  Trying to secure the second physical loot the Nutty Boys second in command was caught in a cross fire between his opposite number and two federation troopers.  Things did not go well for him, being first wounded and then put out of action - first blood to the Federation.

Trying to redeem the situation the Nutty Boys Commander rushed into the forefront battle and managed to secure a data loot on the roof of a building on their left.  Meanwhile the Squat Gunner laid down a withering fire on Travis Squad although not achieving much in terms of damage inflicted.  The fire fight in this area bogged down with little advance being made.  Finally a Mutoid was ordered to try and secure the data loot, locking sadly at her useless picks she rushed to obey.

Mutoid wishing there was more cover whilst in the middle of a firefight.

With a data and physical loot secured and casualties mounting the Nutty boys started to disengage.  The Federation pressed forward securing a physical and data loot of their own.  The Chisler and the Hacker both tried to stem the advance and were taken out of action for their pains.  Travis tried to chase down the Nutty Boys Code Breaker and fulfill his ambition of shooting a woman in the back, but was foiled when she turned to face him.  Despite being wounded she made it off the table.  The exposed Mutoid was eventually shot down as the Nutty Boys withdrew but the Squat Gunner was also lost.

The scores on the doors were that both sides secured one data loot and one physical loot with the final data loot being left unsecured on the battlefield.  Federation attempts to secure it post battle failed.

Losses were less even with 5 of the Nutty Boys being taken out of action whilst only one Federation Mutoid was lost.  A clear tactical victory for the boys in black.

But what did Simon think of the game?  'Not as bad as I thought it would be' came the reply.  He even suggested a second game may be a possibility.  As in a lot of Science Fiction no matter how bad the situation looks, there is always hope for the future!

Chris