PDX Dust League November 2012 Update!

At long last we have an update! I have been busy with school and getting other things in order, but we have been busy playing games for the PDX DUST League, and I am still working on some more articles to post in December. I just received Operation Hades and look forward to many of the new units arriving for each faction! Stay tuned for more and Good Gaming!!

Apologies for the lack of pictures and the quick write-ups. I am having some issues with online photo storage and just don't have the time to put as much into each write-up as I have in the past. I will definitely still be doing Battle Reports from time to time, and promise to stay on top of things so that I can deliver the quality with which you are accustomed.

Also, John Sisk took the victory at the tournament today that was held in Olympia Washington at Olympic Cards and Comics! Nicholas Gyore took 2nd place, securing the top two spots for PDX DUST! We congratulate both of you and thank you for Representing PDX well!

First Aid

 Play-test

Date of Play: 11-04-2012

Justin v. Nicholas

The full rules can be found in the previous play-test, but basically there are 7 objectives placed within the objective, and the first player to return an objective to of their rubble tiles wins the scenario. It costs one action to pick up or drop an objective. Players gain 20 points of reinforcements starting in Turn 8.

• Attacker:
  Justin - Allies: 350 pointsBazooka Joe - OZZ-177 - Rhino - The Chef - The Priest - BBQ Squad - Crack Shots - Grim Reapers - Grim Reapers - Hell Boys  Recon Boys - Recon Boys - The Gunners - The Gunners - The Hammers - Wildfire
• Defender:
  Nicholas - Axis: 347 points
  Angela - Grenadier X - Lara - Markus - Sigrid - Stefan - Totenmeister - Axis Gorillas - Axis Zombies - Axis Zombies - Heavy Recon Grenadiers - Sniper Grenadiers - Sniper Grenadiers - Sniper Grenadiers -Flamm-Luther  

The Grim Reapers fell to Totenmeister and her Zombies in Turn 2. Turn 3 brought the end of Priest and his BBQ Rangers at the hand of Lara and her Heavy Recon Grenadiers, and the Wildfire finally fell to the attacks of Angela with her Sniper Grenadiers. Turn 4 brought the end of the game. Joe and his Crack Shots  attempted to finish off Totenmeister and her Zombies, but instead fell to the undead in close combat. The Undead unit then followed up with finishing off the Recon Boys. The Gunner Rangers were able to get some revenge on the Axis by eliminating Totenmeister and her Zombies, but then fell to the Flamm-Luther. The Axis had 4 objectives in each objective space, where the Allies only had 2 objective spaces filled, and the Axis took the victory.

• Objective Points
• Justin - Allies: 2 
• Nicholas - Axis: 4 
• Victor: Nicholas - Axis

Ambush

The full rules can be found in the previous play-test. The Attacker will score points for eliminating enemy units. The Defender will score points for each unit that escapes the Ambush. The player with the most points wins, and the Attacker wins in the case of a tie.

Play-test 1

Date of Play: 11-04-2012

Justin v. John

• Attacker:
  Justin - Allies: 175 points
  Johnny One-Eye - The Chef - Hell Boys - Recon Boys - The Gunners - The Gunners - Wildfire - Wildfire
• Defender:
  John - SSU: 246 points
  Turn 1: Grand'ma - Natasha - Natasha
  Turn 2: Natasha
  Turn 3: Fakyeli - Yakov - Derzhavin
  Turn 4: Trediakovsky - Ohotniki - Ohotniki

The Fakyeli were chosen as the SSU's Objective Unit (worth double points if killed/escaped). Chef and the Hell Boys destroyed a Natasha in Turn 2, but the other 2 SSU Natasha's were able to wreak more havoc on the Allied forces by eliminated Johnny and both units of Gunner Rangers. In Turn 3 Grand'ma eliminated the Allied Hell Boys. The Allied Wildfire's were the focus of attention in Turn 4. The Trediakovsky and a unit of Ohotniki were eliminated by the Allied Light Assault Walker, however the 2nd unit of Ohotniki and a Natasha eliminated both Wildfires before the end of the turn. Turn 6 brought the end of the Recon Boys at the hands of a Natasha, while Grand'ma finished off Chef, the Allies last unit, with Reactive Fire. From here the SSU were able to escape unhindered and managed to get both Natasha's, Grand'ma, the Ohotniki, Fakyeli, Derzhavin, and Red Yana.

• Victory Points:
• Justin - Allies: 61 points
• John - SSU: 178 points
• Victor: John - SSU

The next 2 play-tests had a few changes. First, the Attacker's Deployment Zone has been modified to reflect a bottle-neck more typical in Ambush Scenarios. Second, The Attacker has different army restrictions, as follows:

• Option 1:
• Armor 1 & 2 Infantry units
• Maximum of 2 Heroes
• 1 Armor 4 Vehicle
• 1 Armor 1, 2, or 3 Vehicle
• Option 2:
• Armor 1 & 2 Infantry units
• Maximum of 2 Heroes
• 1 Armor 1, 2, 3, or 4 Vehicle
• 1 Armor 3 Infantry unit
• No Aircraft

Play-test 2
Date of Play: 11-25-2012
Justin v. John

• Attacker:
  Justin - Allies: 176 points
  Johnny One-Eye - The Chef - Hell Boys - Recon Boys - The Gunners - Blackhawk - Cobra
• Defender:
  John - SSU: 246 points
  Turn 1: Grand'ma - Natasha - Natasha
  Turn 2: Fakyeli - Red Yana
  Turn 3: Chinese Volunteers - Fonvizin
  Turn 4: Nina - Ohotniki - Red Thunder

Red Yana was chosen as the SSU's Objective Unit (worth double points if killed/escaped). Turn 1 saw some fortune for the Allied Ambush; A Natasha was eliminated by combined fire from Chef with his Hell Boys and Johnny with his Gunner Rangers, Grand'ma took 3 damage from the Cobra, and the other Natasha took 2 damage from the Blackhawk. The Blackhawk immediately fell in Turn 2 when the SSU won the initiative and activated their surviving Natasha. Grand'ma, along with Red Yana and the Fakyeli eliminated Chef and his Hell Boys. The Cobra took some revenge for the Allies when it finished off the Natasha it had previously wounded. Red Yana and her Fakyeli were eliminated in Turn 3 from Sustained Fire from Johnny and his Gunner Rangers to secure the kill on the SSU Objective Unit, while the Fonvizin fell when the Recon Boys attacked the Ohotniki. All was not lost for the SSU since Grand'ma was able to Assault Move into position against the Cobra and successfully eliminate it with her Sulfur Jet. Turn 6 saw Grand'ma escape the Ambush, but the Chinese Volunteers feel to Johnny and his Gunner Rangers. The Red Thunder unit escaped in Turn 7. The Ohotniki were eliminated by Johnny and his Gunners, and the Nina escaped (with only 1 hit remaining after an earlier hit from the bazooka) to finish off Turn 8 and end the scenario.

• Victory Points:
• Justin - Allies: 175 points
• John - SSU: 92 points
• Victor: Justin - Allies

Play-test 3
Date of Play: 11-25-2012
Justin v. Nicholas

• Attacker:
  Justin - Allies: 176 points
  Johnny One-Eye - Rhino - BBQ Squad - Recon Boys - The Gunners - The Hammers - Cobra
• Defender:
  Nicholas - Axis: 249 points
  Turn 1: Sturmkönig - Sniper Grenadiers
  Turn 2: Markus - Axis Gorillas
  Turn 3: Recon Grenadiers - Angela - Sniper Grenadiers
  Turn 4: Grenadier X - Axis Zombies

The Axis Zombies that were paired with Grenadier X were chosen as the Axis Objective Unit (worth double points if killed/escaped). The Allies focused their fire on the Sturmkönig in the first Turn. The Gunners, Rhino with The Hammers, and the Cobra took 6 hits off the Axis Heavy Walker. Turn 2 saw the Allies finish off the Heavy Walker when the Gunners hit with their M9 Bazooka during a Sustained Attack. The Recon Boys were also able to take out a unit of Sniper Grenadiers in Turn 4. Otherwise, the Axis dominated this scenario. The Axis won the Turn 2 initiative and successfully eliminated the Allied Cobra, while Markus Charged in with his Axis Gorillas against Johnny and his BBQ Squad. The Allied squad was successful with their attempt at Reactive Fire, but were eliminated during Close Combat after they failed to do much damage. The Gunner Rangers fell in Turn 4 to fire from a unit of Sniper Grenadiers. Turn 5 brought the end of 2 units at the hands of Markus and his Axis Gorillas; First Rhino and his Hammers jumped in and failed to do much damage, but were completely eliminated in the retaliation strike, then Markus Charged in on the Recon Boys to eliminate the helpless, and final, Allied unit. Grenadier X and his Axis Zombies escaped in Turn 6 securing the Axis Objective Unit and the double points. By Turn 8 Markus with his Axis Gorillas, Recon Grenadiers, and Angela with her Sniper Grenadiers all escaped the Ambush.

• Victory Points:
• Justin - Allies: 97 points
• Nicholas - Axis: 183 points
• Victor: Nicholas - Axis

 

The next two scenarios are play-tests for Nicholas' custom Campaign. I'll stick to the quick version of the scenario until we progress it further. There are 2 Sturmkönigs that need to be eliminated. Your force must land, secure the beach, then rush ahead and take those guns. This is a 3 part scenario with the Beach Landing, the Advance, then the Final attack against the Axis Heavy units. The Attacking force has 300 points to build an army and use through all three scenarios. At the end of each scenario the Attacker notes the state of his army; All wounds, partial units, spent ammunition, etc... which will be carried over into the next scenario, but all Skills will reset for each scenario. Beach Head Part 2 is the Advance and forces a continuing the attack in the city. In both of the play-tests the Attacker must eliminate all enemy units and move at least 1 unit off of the opposite end of the map before the end of Turn 12. We have not had a chance to play-test the final scenario as of yet, but will update as soon as we do!

The first play-test saw just the main force rush through. The Axis units were deployed in advance.

The second play-test saw a unit of Tank Busters reinforce the Allied forces (reinforcements from the now secured beach). Axis units could deploy into buildings, and any outside space adjacent to an exit, while the Hans deploys off the Defender's map edge.

The third play-test was a thrown together SSU force matching close to the points of the Allied forces in the previous tests.

Beach Head

Play-test 1

Date of Play: 11-09-2012

Justin v. Nicholas

• Attacker:
  Justin - Allies: 298 points
  Pounder - Rattler-Amp - Wildfire - The Chef - Hell Boys - Boss Squad - OZZ-177 - Tank Busters - Rhino - Grim Reapers
• Defender:
  Nicholas - Axis: 146 points
  Lothar - Lothar - Beobachters - Beobacthers - Recon Grenadiers - Recon Grenadiers - Recon Grenadiers - Recon Grenadiers

Turn 1 brought the immediate end to the Rattler by Indirect Fire, but the Allies were able to eliminate one unit of Beobacthers with their Pounder. In Turn 3 an injured OZZ and his Grim Reapers attacked a unit of Recon Grenadiers, but the Allied unit fell when the combat came down to Close Combat. Rhino and his Grim Reapers fell to more Recon Grenadiers in Turn 4. Turn 5 saw more points for the Allies when Chef and his Hell Boys took out a unit of Recon Grenadiers, but the Allies lost their Wildfire to a unit of Recon Grenadiers and the Pounder to Indirect Fire. The Allies lost the initiative for Turn 6, and with it Chef and his Hell Boys, though a Revived Rattler was able to eliminate the other unit of Beobacthers. Turn 7 brought the end of the Allied units when the Lothar's eliminated both the Rattler and Boss Squad.

• Victory Points:
• Justin - Allies: 26 points
• Nicholas - Axis: 334 points
• Victor: Nicholas - Axis

Play-test 2

Date of Play: 11-09-2012

John v. Nicholas

• Attacker:
  John - Allies: 298 points
  Steel Rain - Pounder - Grim Reapers - Tank Busters - Rhino - The Hammers - Boss Squad - The Chef - Hell Boys - Recon Boys - 13 Foxtrot
• Defender:
  Nicholas - Axis: 146 points
  Lothar - Lothar - Beobachters - Beobacthers - Recon Grenadiers - Recon Grenadiers - Recon Grenadiers - Recon Grenadiers

The Allies saw much victory in Turn 2. The Steel Rain was able to eliminate a unit of Beobacthers, the Pounder took another unit of Beobachters, and then the Reactivated Pounder destroyed a Lothar that stepped out of cover. The Recon Grenadiers eliminated the Grim Reapers in Turn 3. In Turn 4 Chef and his Hell Boys eliminated a unit of Recon Grenadiers, then the Allies lost Rhino, The Hammers, and The Tank Busters to Recon Grenadiers and the Pounder fell to the other Lothar. The Pounder was Revived by the Boss Squad and eliminated the Lothar in it's first shot at the beginning of Turn 5! Then Chef and the Hell Boys and a unit of Recon Grenadiers eliminated each other in close combat. Turn 8 saw 13 Foxtrot fall to Recon Grenadiers, which were then immediately eliminated by the Pounder, finishing off the last of the Axis forces. The Steel Rain was able to be the first unit to move off the map at the end of Turn 12, securing victory for the Allies.

• Victory Points:
• John- Allies: 146 points
• Nicholas - Axis: 205 points
• Victor: John - Allies

Play-test 3

Date of Play: 11-09-2012

Justin v. Nicholas

• Attacker:
  Justin - Allies: 300 points
  Rattler - Steel Rain - Pounder - Action Jackson - Red Devils - OZZ-177 - Grim Reapers - Johnny One-Eye - BBQ Rangers - Boss Squad
• Defender:
  Nicholas - Axis: 146 points
  Lothar - Lothar - Beobachters - Beobacthers - Recon Grenadiers - Recon Grenadiers - Recon Grenadiers - Recon Grenadiers

The Rattler was eliminated by Indirect Fire in Turn 1. The Steel Rain were able to eliminate both units of Beobacthers in Turn 1 and 2. Turn 3 brought the end of the Pounder at the hands of a Lothar, and Action Jackson and his Red Devils were able to take a unit of Recon Grenadiers. Action Jackson and his Red Devils followed up in Turn 4 by eliminating another unit of Recon Grenadiers, but then fell to combined fire from another Recon Grenadier unit and a Lothar. OZZ and his Grim Reapers were able to take a unit of Recon Grenadiers before the end of the turn. Turn 6 saw the Axis gain the upper hand when the final unit of Recon Grenadiers took out OZZ and his Grim Reapers and a Lothar took out the Allied Steel Rain. In Turn 7 the Recon Grenadiers finished off Johnny and his BBQ Rangers, and Turn 8 saw the end of the game when the Lothar finished off the Allied Boss Squad.

• Victory Points:
• Justin - Allies: 58 points
• Nicholas - Axis: 300 points
• Victor: Nicholas - Axis

Play-test 4
Date of Play: 11-25-2012
Justin v. Nicholas

• Attacker:
  Justin - Allies: 300 points
  OZZ-177 - Rhino - Corps Officers - Crack Shots - Crack Shots - Grim Reapers - Grim Reapers - Boss Squad - Mickey - Steel Rain - Rattler
• Defender:
  Nicholas - Axis: 146 points
  Lothar - Lothar - Beobachters - Beobacthers - Recon Grenadiers - Recon Grenadiers - Recon Grenadiers - Recon Grenadiers

The Rattler was destroyed in Turn 1 by Indirect Fire. Turn 3 brought the end of the Steel Rain via Indirect Fire, and Rhino and his Grim Reapers eliminated a unit of Recon Grenadiers. Turn 4 brought the end of 2 more units of Recon Grenadiers at the hands of Rhino and OZZ with their respective units of Grim Reapers, though the Allied Mickey had been wearing down the Axis units with constant fire. Turn 5 brought the end of the Mickey when an Axis Lothar stepped out and took a shot, however the Corps Officers Stim Packed OZZ and his Grim Reapers, who then jumped up to the edge of the map and positioned themselves between the Axis Artillery units, well within the minimum range allocated to Artillery units. Rhino and the Grim Reapers took out the last unit of Recon Grenadiers in Turn 6. In Turn 7 a Lothar was eliminated by OZZ and his Grim Reapers, while Rhino and his Grim Reapers took out a unit of  Beobacthers. In Turn 8 Rhino and his Grim Reapers finished off the last unit of Beobacthers. In Turn 9 OZZ and his Grim Reapers took a shot at the Lothar, the final Axis unit, and destroyed it with a successful hit with OZZ's Flamethrower. They then moved off the map to secure the victory for the Allies.

• Victory Points:
• Justin - Allies: 146 points
• Nicholas - Axis: 107 points
• Victor: Justin - Allies

Beach Head Part 2

Play-test 1
Date of Play: 11-30-2012
Justin v. Nicholas

• Attacker:
  Justin - Allies: 261 points
  OZZ-177 - Rhino - Corps Officers - Crack Shots - Crack Shots - Grim Reapers - Grim Reapers - Boss Squad - Steel Rain
  OZZ and Rhino only have 2 hit points.
  Boss Squad is missing Heavy Weapons and Medic miniatures
• Defender:
  Nicholas - Axis: 137 points
  Kommandotrupp - Hans - Recon Grenadiers - Sniper Grenadiers - Sniper Grenadiers - Sniper Grenadiers - Laser Grenadiers

Turn 1 saw many units exchange fire and take damage, but nothing was fully eliminated. The Steel Rain fell in Turn 2 to the Laser Grenadiers after the Axis won initiative, but the Crack Shots were able to finish off the Axis unit. Turn 3 saw the Kommandotrupp successfully revived the Laser Grenadiers who wreaked havoc by eliminating the Crack Shots and Rhino with his Grim Reapers, however the newly revived Laser Grenadiers fell again to fire from the Allied units which culminated in the kill going to the 2nd unit of Crack Shots. The Recon Grenadiers also fell to a Stim Packed Rhino and Grim Reapers. In Turn 4 OZZ was able to destroy the Hans with a successful hit from his Flamethrower. The 3 units of Axis Sniper Grenadiers were able to finish off the injured OZZ, Grim Reapers, and Boss Squad. The Allied Crack Shots eliminated a unit of Sniper Grenadiers in Turn 6, but also lost the Corps Officers to another unit of Sniper Grenadiers. Turn 7 brought the end of the Allied assault when a unit of Sniper Grenadiers finished off the Crack Shots.

• Victory Points:
• Justin - Allies: 104 points
• Nicholas - Axis: 231 points
• Victor: Nicholas - Axis

Play-test 2
Date of Play: 11-30-2012
Justin v. Nicholas

• Attacker:
  Justin - Allies: 291 points
  OZZ-177 - Rhino - Corps Officers - Crack Shots - Crack Shots - Grim Reapers - Grim Reapers - Boss Squad - Tank Busters - Steel Rain
  OZZ and Rhino only have 2 hit points.
  Boss Squad is missing Heavy Weapons and Medic miniatures
• Defender:
  Nicholas - Axis: 137 points
  Kommandotrupp - Hans - Recon Grenadiers - Sniper Grenadiers - Sniper Grenadiers - Sniper Grenadiers - Laser Grenadiers

Turn 1 brought the end of a unit of Sniper Grenadiers at the hands of Rhino and his Grim Reapers. Turn 2 brought the end of the Steel Rain at the hands of the Laser Grenadiers and a couple of lucky rolls. OZZ survived an attack from the Recon Grenadiers, but lost his unit of Grim Reapers. The Corps Officers were able to heal 2 Grim Reapers back to OZZ in the next 2 Turns. In Turn 3 The Allies lost a unit of Crack Shots to the Laser Grenadiers, but the Allies were able to retaliate when the Tank Busters eliminated the Hans, the Crack Shots eliminated the last of the Recon Grenadiers, Rhino and his Grim Reapers eliminated the Recon Grenadiers, and a reactivated OZZ and Grim Reapers eliminated a unit of Sniper Grenadiers with 2 hits, both of which made it through Hard Cover! Turn 4 saw OZZ and his Grim Reapers fall, for good, this time around at the hands of a Revived Recon Grenadiers unit. Those Recon Grenadiers immediately fell again when Rhino and his Grim Reapers took a shot after the Allies won the initiative in Turn 5. Turn 6 saw a Revived Hans fall to the Tank Busters, again. The Allies were able to successfully Revive the Steel Rain before the end of the Turn. The final unit of Sniper Grenadiers were eliminated in Turn 7 by Rhino and his Grim Reapers. The Allies won the initiative in Turn 8 and were able to Sustain an Attack against the Kommandotrupp who were safe inside the large structure, and Rhino decided this would be the perfect opportunity to use his Berserk Skill. The combined Sustained Berserk Attack brought a total of 13 hits against the Axis Command Squad, out of a total of 15 dice! Hard Cover only blocked 4 of the hits, allowing 9 to get through and finish off the Axis in this Scenario. Instead of moving off the board in Turn 8 the Allies decided to Heal up their Crack Shots and bring the Spotter back, while Reloading the Steel Rain to ensure it would have it's full compliment for the next scenario. In the end the Allies had the Boss Squad, in the same shape it was at the beginning, Rhino with only 2 Health Points remaining and his full unit of Grim Reapers, The Corps Officers with only the Medic and Mechanic, a full unit of Crack Shots, 1 Tank Buster, and a fully stocked and healthy Steel Rain.

• Victory Points:
• Justin - Allies: 177 points
• Nicholas - Axis: 60 points
• Victor: Justin - Allies

Play-test 3
Date of Play: 11-30-2012
Justin v. Nicholas

• Attacker:
  Justin - SSU: 258 points
  Koshka - Red Yana - Winter Child - Derzhavin - Fonvizin - Fakyeli - Nabludatyel - Grand'ma - Natasha - Nikita
  OZZ and Rhino only have 2 hit points.
  Boss Squad is missing Heavy Weapons and Medic miniatures
• Defender:
  Nicholas - Axis: 137 points
  Kommandotrupp - Hans - Recon Grenadiers - Sniper Grenadiers - Sniper Grenadiers - Sniper Grenadiers - Laser Grenadiers

This battle was 100% SSU, partially because the Army was designed that way, but also because of the awesome might of Winter Child and the SSU's abilities to ignore cover. Turn 1 saw the Natasha and Nikita both eliminate units of Sniper Grenadiers, while Winter Child took a shot at some Laser Grenadiers in the front tower. Winter Child had 20 dice to roll against the unit, hitting with 9 dice, and the Laser Grenadiers failed 7 of their Hard Cover Saves. In Turn 3 The Hans fell to Winter Child after he scored 7 hits on the Axis Light Walker. The Kommandotrupp revived the Laser Grenadiers, only to have them immediately fall to the Natasha, which used it's All in One skill to score 11 hits on the Axis Lasers. The final unit of Sniper Grenadiers fell to fire from Grand'ma. However, the Axis were able to successfully revive it's Hans Light Panzer Walker. Turn 5 brought the last of the action. The Kommandotrupp fell to fire from Red Yana with the Derzhavin and Fakyeli when they mustered their Fighting Spirit with the Sulfur Thrower, Auto Grenade Launcher, and single U.G.L. and scored 6 cover free hits. The Recon Grenadiers moved in on Winter Child to see if Close Combat would hurt the SSU Superhuman, but instead fell in the wake of his Retaliation. The new Hans then fell to fire from Natasha, to finish off the Axis units. The SSU were able to move off the table in Turn 7.

• Victory Points:
• Justin - SSU: 188 points
• Nicholas - Axis: 0 points
• Victor: Justin - SSU