On the 15th of every month, I hope to give you an update on what has been happening in my gaming life. The highs, lows, and everything in between. We are in the middle of colder temps, which allows for me to spend more time at the table. I hope you find Movement Phase entertaining. Please subscribe if you want to stay in the loop. Cardboard Commander is a work in progress. Let me know what you like or don't like about the website or blog. We can only get better with your feedback. So, enough with the banter on to the recap.
The weather is frightful outside so I have some time to recap the past 30 days, I have been able to play a few games over the past 30 days, and have enjoyed being immersed in pushing the cardboard around the map. Something is calming about it. I like digging into the rules and trying to learn new systems. Call me crazy, but I love it. One of the best Acquisitions of the past 30 days has to be my new portable, collapsable wargame table. It has allowed me to set up larger games and when I do not have a game on the table, can break it down easily for storage. I posted a post about the new table you can read it here: https://www.cardboardcommander.com/post/portable-perfection-dive-into-gaming-bliss-with-the-premier-mobile-game-table
Another thing that I added to my wargaming table was a dice tower that my friend made on his 3D printer. I found the plans online and he hooked me up. It is a nice little tower and I look forward to using it for years to come. I added a felt bottom for the entire tower and for the dice tray. It is so nice and looks amazing sitting on the table. Thanks, Brad B. for making it happen! You da man!
Speaking of the table, The first game to christen the table was Monty's Gamble from Multi-man Publishing. I had never played the game and I wanted to get it onto the table. The game is fast-paced and was very easy to adapt to solo play. The map itself is a beauty so it looked great on the table. We won't talk about what could be the ugliest box cover ever to grace a wargame. It was fun and I would love to play it FTF with an opponent.
Currently on the table, is Normandy 44. I am playing a game on VASSAL so I decided to keep the map on the table making the moves that are done online, but it allows me to look at the map and get a different perspective. I have a quick question, do any of you do that? Set up a game that you are playing online, just to have it set up on the table or am I the only one? I am having a good time playing this game. This is a game that I vowed to get on the table this year and BAM.. there it is. I can't believe that I let it sit on my shelf for so long without breaking it out. You can read that post at the following link: https://www.cardboardcommander.com/post/game-on-unveiling-my-top-5-must-play-games-for-2024
Before getting the new Table, I had breakout Normandy on the table. I played a few turns of this old-time favorite but took it down when I got the new table. I have probably 25+ Breakout Normandy games under my belt and it never seems to disappoint.
I think that Normandy will be on the table for a while or until I get a couple of games played. Stay tuned.
Like most of us, I get most of my play done on VASSAL or VASL. I have a few games happening at the moment. I have a couple of ASKSK1 scenarios happening at the moment. Retaking Vierville and War of the Rats are in play and I am having a blast. I also have an ASLSK2 game going as I am playing Over Open Sights. I play with Thomas here locally and he got me to dive the 2nd SK. Adding guns to the mix. I forgot how much fun those scenarios can be. I enjoy playing Starter Kit and as I have stated before, I have no desire to dive back into full-blown ASL. The Starter Kits will be good for me.
I am also playing a couple of Mark Simonitch titles. Salerno 43 and Normandy 44 are both on my virtual table. I love these games and I can't wait to add a few more of them to my collection. I enjoy playing these via VASSAL, as I can take my time, and look up rules when needed and I do not feel any pressure to keep up like in an FTF game. I find this works great when you are trying to learn a new game system.
I am hoping to get Fighting Formations going as well. I have read all of the rules, joined the discord, and have even had some online learning sessions, so I think I am ready to play a game without being too slow. This was another game that I had on my 2024 playlist so I am excited! I am hoping that Fight Formations will be a game I play a ton in the future. I love the order matrix and the difference in game mechanics, but it still has a comfortable Combat Commander feel to it. I have to say that the Late Chad Jensen was a genius!
You all know that I love some Combat Commander and I have been able to play 3-4 games over the past 30 days. I played my ladder game earlier this month for the January Ladder game. You can read all about that here: https://www.cardboardcommander.com/post/death-by-night-action-crossing-paths-in-the-dark
I continue to get more comfortable with the mechanics since my 12-month absence. I have truly enjoyed getting back into this masterpiece of a game. If you are looking to play a CC game, just reach out. Let's play!
I have been busy looking around the interweb searching for games that I just have to have. I have pre-ordered the following from GMT Games. Holland 44 has been one I have wanted for a while and after playing Salerno 43 and Normandy 44 I am excited to get Holland 44 on my shelf and table. Next up is No Retreat - Russian Front. All of my friends say I have to have it. I have No Retreat - North Africa and if it is that good I will be happy. The last GMT Game I ordered was the expansion for Combat Commander Pacific: Island hopping. I know it will be good and had to pick that up as soon as it hit the P500 list. With that being said, the game I am very excited to get is Manilla from Revolution Games. I love playing Stalingrad - Advance to the Volga and I am hoping Manila will be just as good. I can't wait to get it on the table.
I found some old ASL annuals in my closet and decided to trade them into Noble Knight games for some store credit. I have a good little nest egg so I am trying to figure out what to add to my collection. I want a game that I will play and enjoy in the upcoming months. I feel I will get the Fighting Formation expansion next, but still have enough credit for a couple of more games. I have had my eye on Imperial Tide after Grant & Alexander did a review on The Players Aid. I enjoy WWI games (Paths of Glory is one of my all-time favorite games) and this one looks to be very good. I also looking at The Lamps are Going Out by Compass Games. Have any of you played this? Which one would you choose? Let me know.
I think that is it for this recap. Thank you all for stopping by. Pass this blog along to your friends if you have had a good experience with it. If not, no worries. Enjoy your week and stay warm out there. Don't forget to join our little community. https://www.cardboardcommander.com/
Links associated with this blog post. Wargame Table: https://amzn.to/3vnnN5h GMT Games: https://www.gmtgames.com/ Multi-man Publishing: https://mmpgamers.com/# Revolution Games: https://www.revolutiongames.us/ The Players Aid: https://theplayersaid.com/
Cardboard Commander: https://www.cardboardcommander.com/
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