What a Cowboy - For a Few Poker Chips More

This was a variation of John Savage’s, “For a few poker chips more” ’King of the Hill’ style scenario, published in WSS#125. Set-up was as for John’s scenario, but alongside the central target building, was a wagon. This wagon contained the ‘gold’. At the end of each turn, the character closest to the wagon, with LOS to the wagon, would earn $10. Players would also earn $ for other characters taken out of the game ($10 for a Greenhorn, $20 for a Shootist, $40 for a Gunslinger, doubled if taken out by a lower grade character).

The Stars of our show were,

·        Gripp Tightly, Greenhorn – Chris

·        Cliff Hanger, Gunslinger – Simon

·        Will Cody, Shootist – Greg

·        Kit Bash, Shootist – Tony

·        Ben Wade, Shootist – Phil

The game opened with Will making a dash for the stables, to the North of the village square, where he could take-up a commanding position on the roof, using his trusty Winchester and Marksman skill.

Gripp tried to slide down main street, from the East, only to get shot by Will, from his vantage point on the stable roof. Gripp ducked back into cover, nursing a bullet hole in his arm. Next Ben made a dash from the South East, skidding into the central building, only narrowly being missed by rounds from Will’s rifle. This now left Ben cashing-in $10 a turn, for being closest to the wagon.

While all this was going on, Cliff slipped into the back door of the stable. He toyed with a Trick Shot, into Will, up on the roof above him, but instead shouted up to Will, to make a deal. If they joined forces to get rid of Ben, they would split the loot. This left Ben dodging bullets from both Will’s rifle and Cliff’s Peacemaker. Things were getting hot for Ben!

Meanwhile, Kit had worked his way up from the South West, along the South side of the Church, to overlook the stable. A couple of shots from Kit caused Cliff to duck back into the stable arches. This opening allowed Ben to sprint across to the wagon, partly negating the range advantage of Will’s rifle.

After a furious exchange of fire, Kit sprinted from the church, skidding-in alongside Ben at the wagon. Kit’s ability to dodge bullets was fast becoming legendary!! While dodging bullets, Kit also manged to wing Cliff, causing him to duck back into the stable. This was the only opening Ben needed, he leapt the trail of the wagon and sprinted for the stable, sliding into the stable archway, gunning Cliff down, as he was recovering his wits!

This just left Will on the roof. While Will was still taking pot shots at the crazily dodging Kit, Ben slipped up the stairs of the stable and loosed off a couple of point-blank range shots at Will. Drat, missed, Ben cursed and dropped back down the stairs.

Will was clearly unnerved by this, but peered out again, to locate Kit at the wagon, but was puzzled to see another figure (Bronco Billy, Cliff’s alter ego!), now blazing away at the jinking Kit. Hah, thought Will, at least I can get rid of one of these varmints! However, as Will took careful aim at the jinking Kit, Ben leapt up the stairs again, to blast a couple of close range shots at Will. One winged Will and he jumped back, to avoid the second. Disaster!! The edge of the roof was the only cover. Will jumped over the edge of the roof, but landed badly, putting him out of the fight.

We called it a day there. Ben had earned nearly $150 and held the high ground! Ben was happy to share the loot with Kit and poor Gripp could only look on, nursing his wounded arm.

Excellent set of rules Mr Savage, now where is "What a Cartel"!?!