G.I. Joe Battle Report: Raid on a COBRA Outpost

[Katsuhiko JiNNai]

During my visit to the Lucca Comics & Games 2017, I had the opportunity to try a demonstration skirmish of the "Hostile Ground" skirmish game by Lorenzo Sartori (founder of Dadi & Piombo magazine and author of various wargames including Impetus). The game simulates a clash between a small elite team (8-10 figures) who have to face a dozen insurgents. The elite team is deployed at a single point of entry, while opponents will appear during the game from 6 to 12 entry points. The goal is to "free" the adversary entry points (which will be removed from the game) and force the insurgents to fail their morale test. There is also the possibility of choosing as a goal the liberation of a hostage.

The rules and type of background in a "Delta Force" style have tickled my curiosity, pushing me to consider to use my painted miniatures inspired by the "G.I. Joe A Real American Hero" series. The G.I. Joes would be the elite team while the COBRAs would be the insurgents.

Then I prepared the gaming table, imagining a remote outpost of the COBRA in the African jungles:












10 COBRA entry points have been identified. The G.I. Joe deploy from their point of entry.



1 TURN

Lyrics:

Yo Joe!

He'll fight for freedom wherever there's trouble,
G.I. Joe is there!

G.I. Joe
[A real American hero]
G.I. Joe is there!

It's G.I. Joe against COBRA and Destro,
fighting to save the day!

He never gives up, he's always there
Fighting for freedom over land and air!

G.I. Joe
[A real American hero]
G.I. Joe is there!

G.I. Joe is the codename for America's daring, highly trained, special mission force!
It's purpose, to defend human freedom against COBRA, a ruthless terrorist organization  determined to rule the world!

He never gives up, he'll stay 'till the fights one
G.I. Joe will dare!

G.I. Joe
[A real American hero]
G.I. Joe!

The G.I. Joe team moves toward the COBRA outpost.
Sergeant Duke: "Come on Joes! Let's get this snake's snare! Yo Joe!"

Three COBRA soldiers enter their entry point, hiding behind a hut.
COBRA Soldier: "The Joes are lurking right in our trap!"


2 TURN

The G.I. Joe advances and takes position.  
Sergeant Duke: "Grunt take that position, I don't want some boss to take advantage of it. Zap, stand ready with your bazooka, the others follow me ..."

The COBRA soldiers move with caution, concealed by the vegetation.
COBRA Soldier: "Move silently, the Joes are coming closer..."


3 TURN

The Joes continue to advance, an entry point of the opponents is "freed". However during the fire one of the Joe's fallen down.
Sergeant Duke: "Contact! 3 Reptiles between the vegetation and 2 behind a curtain! Shoot! ... oh No! Soldier on the ground!"
Joe's soldier: "Sergeant! They caught me!"
"Sergeant Duke: "Quiet boy! It's just a scratch, you'll get it back!"

Two new COBRA soldiers make their entry, in the clash one of them is shot down.
COBRA Soldier: "COBRAAAAAAAaaaaaahhh-Arghh !!! They hit me!"


4 TURN

Four more COBRA soldiers appear from their entrance, concealed by the satellite antenna.
COBRA female soldier: "The Joes will pay dearly for their arrogance!"

The fight continues, the Joes seems unstoppable. Two entry points are "freed".  
Sergeant Duke "Yo Joe! Yoooo Joe!"

COBRAs move in cover.
COBRA Soldiers: "COBRAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHH !!"

A COBRA soldier is out of combat.

Another COBRA soldier is down under the shots of the joes.
Scarlet: "I'm sorry boy, you will not be back anymore!"




5 TURN

The G.I. Joes are taking the lead. Their concentrated fire kills two other COBRA soldiers.
Sergeant Duke: "Come on, Joes! The COBRAs are surrendering, don't stop now! YOOOO JOE !!




6 TURN

The Joes intensify the attack.
Sergeant Duke: "One last effort! Zap, open fire on the position of those four vipers on the hill!"
Zap: "Consider it already done Duke!"


The four COBRA soldiers on the hill are defeated. The COBRAs fail the moral test and the team of G.I. Joe is the winner.
Zap: "I caught them, guys!"
Sergeant Duke "Good job Zap! The other COBRA retreats, we have defeated them!"

Once again, the Joe s defeated the COBRA threat, but new adventures await them.
Scarlet: "This snakes hideout has been cleaned, and others will soon be!"
Snake Eyes "..." (nodding and thumb up) 👍


Sergeant Duke: "Today was an easy win. But the COBRAs will come back and we will be ready to welcome them!

[Redmao]

That was awesome. Great to see your Joes in action.

[Idle Doodler]

Sergeant Duke: "Come on, Joes! The COBRAs are surrendering, don't stop now! YOOOO JOE !!

Woah, that's dark! Feeds nicely into my only brush with GI Joe:



Great report - a nicely vibrant set-up for what looked like a fun game!

[Codsticker]

Great looking stuff!