Campaign...

Background…

Word has leaked out that a new imperial ship yard is being constructed in the outer rim region, to bring the pirate and crime lords, as well as the rebels to heel. Little is known about the where and when’s of this happening…

First Mission...

"Well look what we’ve found… " A small cargo ship with a TIE fighter escort is spotted by two other factions….

The imperials have to get from one side of the board to the other...The Cargo ship can move forward either 2 straight, or 1 bank…

The 2 factions (either 2 S&V or S&V and rebel) have to "capture" the cargo ship...

and get off their side of the board...

To capture the cargo ship, it must receive 3 hits…. whoever lands the 3^rd hit, takes control of the freighter…

As soon as one side "captures" the cargo ship... the other side can attack them...

:)

Imperials quite low powered (75 points) ... the other factions 100 points...

Set squadrons...
Did we decide we were doing this...

• 100 points • Just Pilot / Ships – No add-ons.
  
  



• (When you play a mission you pick from the list and add what cards you want from the points available for that mission...)



• Initially only one named pilot • Squadrons for each mission can only be picked from these pilots • Exceptions if specific missions call for it…



• The same named pilots cannot be used by different factions (i.e. only one Boba Fett) • First come first served in getting a named pilot (In letting me know – I am final judge!) • As each mission completed – extra “squadron points” allocated so you can increase your pilot roster



• After first mission additional named pilots can be added • If a named pilot is killed in a mission… they’re dead and cannot be brought back (Will see how this goes based on how many missions we manage…)

And the squadrons are of course....

• Adam - Rebel "Disco Squadron"



• Mike S&V - "The Glossop Faction"



• Dave - S&V "Ringer Squad"



• Ben - Rebel "Asteroid Squad"



• Phil - Imperial "Vulture Squadron"

Just who's Side are you On?

+++INCOMING MESSAGE+++

News reached us of a visiting dignitary...Darth Vader himself. On his way though he was accosted by a constant stream of, well, all different ships.

As each ship was destroyed another appeared, and one meddlesome bounty hunter in particular appeared to put the Dark Lord under, well, a bit of stress.

Their time will come...

+++END OF MESSAGE+++

Well this was a bit different and rather enjoyable! Based on a couple of different sets of rules out there on the t'internet. With us having a good few people coming (Mike, Dave, Adam and Myself) we all created a couple of 35 point ships each,

This meant no big ships, and quite heavily armed small ships.... all different factions, with one person containing one ship at a time. When it was destroyed... you came back on the board from the edge with a different ship (or the same one if you really wanted).
I think in the "proper" rules you're meant to score or keep track of who is damaging who or what ... but we didn't bother...don't think we'd last in a tournament!
And how did it go?
Well I missed the story telling bit of it...but it was really good fun.
Just having one ship each made for a really quick game - i.e. no thinking for ages about moves or interactions between ships... no one super strong ship or squadron, as ships would gradually get worn down, and new fully powered ships would keep entering the fray...

Will we do it again? Hell yeah!

One issue I had with Mike's first ship, was it's ability to give out Stress - no questions asked... Which he took great pleasure in doing to Darth Vader.
If you didn't spot the error in that statement let me spell it out...
DARTH VADER GETTING STRESSED... IT'S DARTH VADER! YOU CANNOT STRESS OUT THE DARK LORD OF THE SITH!!!!!
As Mike was pointed out, presumably his bounty hunter was giving Vader the finger whilst flashing pictures of a volcano onto his display...
Okay, that could be a bit stressful!

There's a New Kid in Town

+++ INCOMING MESSAGE +++

Message to Central Command - Urgent - There appears to be a new group of vagabonds and villains recently arrived in the sector - reinforcements needed urgently.

Vulture squadron was out on a routine mission - Minding it's own business even - when they were set upon by a much larger force of  ships. It is unclear at present if this was a group of rebel scum sympathisers or just a new band of lawless pirates.

The poor defenceless TIE fighters and Interceptors were all destroyed. We do not believe it was the previous groups we have encountered (The flying and shooting accuracy was too good).

Please send new TIE's ... may be even those TIE Phantoms I've heard such good things about... Oh, and a Decimator...

+++ END OF MESSAGE +++

Think I've managed to distort the truth and offend everyone there... Welcome David De Fouw!

So, a new player, and seemingly a new problem for Vulture Squadron. Myself and Adam have worked with David and he has (allegedly) been playing X-wing for a few weeks now so is pretty new to it.

Adam introduced him to our little group and all I can say is... ringer!

In the first game of the night I played a squadron of 3 TIE fighters and 2 TIE Interceptors against David who played a Scum & Villainy squad of an IG -2000, a M3-A Interceptor and the Moldy Crow. A carefully set up team with a stack of upgrades (novice player?)

What can I say, I was ripped to pieces! All ships destroyed without nothing more than a couple of Shields gone on Davids ships.

I was a little rusty, and managed to fly out of formation unintentionally(Shock Horror!), but did manage to get it back together - which I think may have been one of my problems... I was a bit too concerned with fancy formation flying, rather than landing shots on the opposition.

David flew well, but the squad was well thought out with the Moldy crow giving out focus tokens like they were going out of fashion, and an accuracy corrector consistently landing two hits against the TIES (3 hits and the Balsa wood ships are history!)

As well as the accuracy adapter Davids ships had a nasty ION turret and some other combination of cards that meant he kept Ionising me (so knew exactly where I'd be flying) whilst landing 2 damage (What's that all about?!?)

Sour grapes? You betcha! 

As I always tell my son if he loses "What did you learn?" Well apart from making sure I'm on Davids side, I learnt a couple of things

1. Only worry about formations if you're landing a lot of hits - if not - stop it!
2. Get better use of cards and upgrades - as you know I'm not a big fan of a stack of cards on a ship - I just like to fly the ships and shoot. I do think there are getting to be a few too many cards, causing too many things to happen without the throwing of dice (Accuracy Corrector...!). But I guess I cannot beat them - so I need to start using them!
3. The IG-2000 is an awesome ship... I knew this a bit from Mike flying him previously, but even more so now, I cannot see a down side to it. A fair bit of hull and shields, high primary weapon, high agility, a full action bar, no stress, and some funky special moves... and that's before you get to pilot abilities. And not that expensive (compared to the Falcon, or even a Decimator - which both have the agility of a boulder)

Sour grapes? probably... I think the Decimator and a couple of Phantoms may have to join the Vultures!

On the plus side, I (hope) that I've learnt something!

Second game of the night Mike and Adam playing Rebels vs Rebels - and a mix of old ships and the new force awakens X-wings...

Whilst I have my whinging head on, away from tournaments, I really don't like playing the same factions against each other (I suppose I could let Scum & Villainy square up...) Also, I don't like mixing the Force Awakens ships (and card abilities) with the original trilogy ships...

Adam ripped Mike to pieces, using a similar Moldy Crow and Wedge set up whilst Mike flew an AXE squadron (An A-wing, X-wing and an E-wing - Get it!). I guess Mike will be back to his trusty Scum and Villainy next time round...

So, what have I learnt overall, for all my sour grapes and whinging and whining?

1. All squadrons must spell something
2. What a great game -
3. When do we play again?

(Now then, time to rebuild Vulture Squadron...)

It looked bigger on the Desk...

++ INCOMING MESSAGE ++

Word has reached us of a high level of Pirate activity in the sector. This must be dealt with immediately. These Scum and Villainy are undoubtedly rebel sympathizers and must be crushed as soon as possible to spare their message spreading any further.

A newly arrived raider corvette will be sent out to find and destroy these by way of training. The crew (especially the gunners) are a little wet between the ears, and would benefit from some live action against these lowly pirates.

++ FOLLOW UP ++

The Raider has returned, the Pirates were more heavily armed than initially thought. They have dealt with the incursion - with just a single ship fleeing the scene - but I fear the pirate issue may be larger than predicted. I think further gunnery training is required... 

++END OF MESSAGE++

Well, the first game in what seems like ages, and after much catching up, only time for a short one (plus the lure of a shiny new X-Box to "Test"). In attendance were Mike, Ben and myself, with Adam a bit under the weather, and Simon watching Star Wars again ( or something ; ) )
 As implied above, the night was mainly a "tester" night for my new toy, the quite awesome looking Imperial Raider" which I was lucky enough to get for Christmas!
Now, with my penchant for small agile ships (Did I mention I love TIE fighters?) to jump to a massive ship without a single Lambda Class practice along the way was... a little trying.
That Said, with 150+ points on each side on the table, Mike seemed happy enough with 2 big S&V ships, plus a couple of small ships.
The main main gag  (!) of the night was around how the Imperial Raider, as lovely as it does look, definitely "looked bigger on the desk"!
With over 300 points of ship on the board, I was a bit concerned that a standard 3' by 3' would not be big enough... so we stretched it to 4' by 3'... and in the end managed to play in about 2' by 2'!!!
So what happened?

• I crept forward in the the raider, building up Energy reserves... 
• Mike Raced across the board, Boosting  for all he was worth to get up close to the Raider
• Mike peppered the Raider with attacks, stripping the fore of shields
• I replaced all the Shields :) 
• Mike stripped more shields... 
• I replaced shields
• I was throwing up to 14 attack dice with little lasting effect... 
• Mike stripped more shields
• I replaced Shields... 
• I failed to hit Mike ... 
• I flew into Mike's ships and destroyed them ...
• :)
• Slave -1 some how escaped... : (

So, more practice needed; confirmation that the raider is a really nice looking ship; next game - Ben vs Adam!!!!

Twas the night before Christmas...

++INCOMING MESSAGE++

Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the base
Not a creature was stirring, not even a Luggabeast.
The blasters were hung by the exhaust port with care,
In hopes that Darth Vader soon would be there.

The troopers were nestled all snug in their beds,
While visions of sugar-plums were force placed in their heads.
And the gunner in his helmet and I in my cap,
Had just settled our brains for a long winter’s nap.

When out on the lawn there arose such a clatter,
I sprang from my bunk to see what was the matter.
Away to the window I flew like a flash,
Tore open the shutters and threw up the sash.

Rebel Scum! Attacking the base!

++END OF MESSAGE++

Quiet Times in the Outer rim...

+++ INCOMING MESSAGE +++

There has been little activity in Vulture squadron's sector of the outer rim. The initial threat from the pirate and bounty hunter gangs seem to have abated, whilst rebel activity has all but gone since we intercepted the blockade runner.

News came in of a brief incursion by a rebel affiliated freighter into the sector covered by commander Hindle, but I believe these were easily dealt with...

+++END OF MESSAGE+++

Well, it's been a while! We have had a couple of brief games, but I've been a little tardy in updating. Besides, I've not flown as the Vultures so...

Last Friday Mike came over, and as detailed above, he flew a 100 point imperial squadron(A Firespray and Lambda Class Shuttle) against a rebel, Outrider, The Moldy Crow and an X-wing. A strange set up, with three big ships, plus a support ship (i.e. the Hawk)

Add to this we managed to set up directly opposite each other, and used about a third of the board...

Long story short, The X-wing wandered off on it's own somewhere, whilst The imperial ships dismantled the two rebel ships (Curse those Mangler cannons!)

Mike took Ben's mantle and managed to find the majority of the asteroids, although he got away with little damage.

The X-wing then decide to return to the fight and pretty much single handed took out  the Shuttle, before the Firespray finished him.

A good game, although I think I need to get the Vultures flying again!

Also well worth a mention, the playing mat I got from Mike and Adam for my birthday was excellent again - I only managed to knock ships a little bit...

Those Pesky Rebels are Back...

+++ INCOMING MESSAGE +++
When I asked for reinforcements I wasn't expecting that pesky Blockade Runner to re-appear!

(INSERT BLURB FROM MISSION...)

Fortunately Captain Jonas and the Decimator you sent came in most useful. Sadly the brave Captain died doing his duty for the empire, but the Decimator supporting TIE fighters and Interceptors made short work of the rebels. Assisted by the blockade runner, presumably spooked by the mighty empire managing to destroy part of their support ships.
When will these rebels learn?
The Decimator returned to Corruscant once the trouble had been dealt with.
Later, a Vulture squadron patrol happened across a couple of reckless Bounty Hunters and the rebel "hero" Han Solo.
Whether the Scum were after the bounty on Solo's head they didn't appear to be friends. The vulture ships interceded and whilst managing to assist in the destruction of the Bounty Hunters Ship, Solo evaded us, along with the bounty hunter who fled in some kind of escape pod.

I fear our troubles may not quite be over. Could that Decimator come back to our sector on a more permanent basis...

+++ END OF MESSAGE +++

An extra long session (Afternoon start on a Saturday) with a Pizza feast in the middle. Two good games played - the first was the second Mission from the Tantive campaign, and the 2nd our first "3-way" game of rebels/ Imperials and Scum & Villainy all on the table at the same time...
So the first game was the follow on from the game played back in June when the imperials managed to take out the "Blockade Runner". In the narrative of the campaign the some Rebels had helped fix up the big ship and were now trying to escort it off the board.
The imperial ships, led by Captain Jonas in a heavily armed TIE Bomber, and a Decimator, along with a couple of TIE Interceptors and a TIE Fighter.
Mike fielded Biggs in an X-wing, along with a Y-wing and a Z-95.
With the play area being slightly smaller than the one recommended in the mission we skewed the start criteria...we felt evenly, although once Adam has re-arranged his flat and got the permanent 6 foot by 3 foot playing area sorted out, we could always play the mission again.
The Imperial forces were split with Captain Jonus and all the ordnance and the pair of Interceptors on one side, and the Decimator and all the Hull points and the single TIE on the other. The rebels again were split with the X Wing on one side, and the Y-wing and Headhunter on the other. Unsurprisingly the Imperials went hell for leather toward the Tantive...
Equally unsurprisingly all the extended range turbo lasers of the big rebel ship targeted Captain Jonus who was taken out in the first round of combat along with his bombs, missiles and torpedoes.
I think there is some proverb here about all the Empires eggs in a single Imperial basket?
Fortunately for the imperials, although they had no more eggs - they did have another basket (so to speak) in the form of the VT-49 Decinator.
As much as I want to say the loss of all the ordnance was akin to "You can't make an omelette without breaking a few eggs...", I'm thinking I should probably stop with the egg analogies.
So whilst Mike seemed stuck in three minds between -

1. Just going hell for leather to try and escape of the board
2. Keep energising his guns to shoot at me, or
3. Keep replenishing his shields fore and aft, 

The Imperials just got out of his forward firing arc and peppered the ship. The Headhunter and the Y-wing tried to take on the Decimator, which proved its worth once again by just ignoring them and seemingly seeing their shots bounce off (or at very least absorbing all they could throw at it). Biggs in his X-wing seemed a bit wasted on his own (as far as his special ability to draw the fire of the enemy) - until that is he "drew the fire" of the Tantive who banked into him destroying his X-wing.
I believe Biggs is recovering, and cursing his luck, in the moustache ward of Wythenshawe hospital awaiting the next mission where he is used as cannon fodder.
A second victory in the campaign for the imperials, as mentioned at the top of this piece, maybe worth another play on a full 6 by 3 board when we get chance...

Next up was the highlight of the day, and a Dominoes Pizza delivery. For those stat monsters amongst you, it was two large pizzas (1 Peperoni, and 1 Vegetarian with Chicken and Cumberland Sausage) along with Garlic dough balls and chicken nugget things.
Onto the second game - a three way battle, Imperial vs Rebel vs Scum & Villainy, with (you've guessed) Mike as Scum, Adam as Rebel and Myself as Imperials (a pure Vulture Squadron no less)
Mike fielded his two new toys - The hounds Tooth (with added Pup) and a Kihraxz ship; Adam had
Han Solo in the Falcon (With Luke Skywalker and C3P0 crew), along with 3 z-95 Head hunters. The Vultures were a Pair of TIE interceptors and 3 TIE Fighters.
The game started with us all as far away as possible - and the first round or so involved us all steering clear of each other. By about the third round Mikes Scum & Villainy Ships took a slightly (aggressive) turn, and the Rebels seemed to be closing in on the poor imperials (!).
Some damage was taken as the Imperials tried to run away. As much as I attempted to buy off Mike and his band of mercenaries, I took a couple of critical hits on an interceptor (although he was able to keep in the air... just)

This flying brought Adam and Mikes ships nose to nose, and they couldn't really help but attack each other. After intense fighting, a couple of the Headhunters were destroyed (Bossk on the Hounds Tooth has a pretty vicious ability of taking peoples agility away, and the mangler cannon then tearing them up... )
After taking a good brunt of the attack Mikes Kihraxz was destroyed (Another nice ship - both manoeuvrable and packing a punch) - along with a Headhunter of Adams and another TIE fighter. After yet more attacks the Hounds tooth finally succumbed - with it's dead mans switch helping damage a couple of Adams Headhunters.
Destroying the Hounds tooth was all just a ploy to check out another cool ability of this ship with the deployment of a Headhunter as a kind of escape pod - a nice touch!
Left on the board was the Falcon and a couple of TIE's (including the one still carrying two crits - not sure how he survived!) and the "Escape Pod" Head hunter.
Discretion, along with our beds calling, we called it a draw and packed up for the night!
The three way battle worked better than I thought it would, although rather than just a "attack everyone" I think it needs a bit more of a scenario setting with each side having different criteria to win...
Although Mike's new ships were destroyed in the last game they both performed well (including the Hounds Tooth's 180 degree firing arc for secondary weapons, Han at the controls of the Falcon showed again why he should never let Lando steal it off him, and the Imperial Decimator remains unbeaten...
Next time I propose... more Pizza!