Berenice looks very stern, a chip off the old Snapcase marble block for sure. I don't recognise the figure, is it one of the Desperate Dames from Bob Murch?
Very well. I suppose we'll just have to wait for more news of this incident.It’s ready to go but I have to concentrate on today’s epic with Mad Lord Snapcase
Drumming fingers on desk, patiently... :D
She looks like Crooked Dice to me?Yes -that’s correct
yep, along with the Doug McClure...He may be Doug McClure to you but to me, he is undoubtedly Tristram Pitt-Bulstrode :D
Bernice definitely looks to be the stern but dependable type. Looking forward to the further adventures of this resourceful group after the dog has had his walk.My posting time got taken up playing in today’s game of Last of the Summer Wine with Mad Lord Snapcase. So I’m aiming for tomorrow (after the dog walk, of course. Incidentally, she’s very upset at being misgendered ;) ).
Oops. Sorry girl.She graciously accepts your apology
Loving the start of this adventure.Thanks - just about to finish the report.
I'm assuming this is solo play?Yes, that’s correct.
Thanks Doug, great report.Yes - we got a bit sneakier in yesterday’s Last of the Summer Wine which Mad Lord Snapcase will be reporting on soon. There’s also a few tweaks we’ve made which we hope will improve the game a touch.
Just seen Sunjester had similar troubles in his Wild West RV game; looks like sneaky might be the way to play, similar to County Road Z.
An excellent report, I feel your pain. Unfortunately sneaky only works if you can keep out of sight of all the zombies.Thanks. Sneak works if one character gets behind a barrier then attracts all the zombies towards him or her, in other words, acting as a decoy. The zombies can’t touch the character and the rest of the crew sneak round the objectives. Of course, there will be zombies guarding each objective but the vast majority will be milling about helplessly in front of the decoy character. However, I think this tactic spoils the game so my tables in any future game won’t have impregnable areas for a decoy to hide behind. I like solo games to be challenging.
The spawnings seem a bit heavy at four each turn. If they were coming from the board edge it would be different as it would appear they were attracted there by some means. But, two survived. Onwards and upwards!My next game is scenario 2 from the rules. It has two spawning points so the Zeds come thick and fast. It’s going to be a test for my survivors, especially the new members of the team.
Apologies for the tardy commenting Sir, I didn't realise the post was up until today :o!Thanks - I’m glad you liked it. It feels very special to be part of a "mandatory reading task" :) Talking of which, I see your AAR is posted so I need too pop over and take a look so I’ll see you next on your topic ;)
First of all, lovely painted miniatures, scenery that really looks the part and wonderful storytelling and pictures. A very enjoyable read to come home to after a day at work :). But what a disastrous result! Half the starting team gone in the first game! :o
It does indeed seem very harsh with so many zombies spawning every turn, although I haven't read the rules so this is just an opinion.
Now that I've rectified my "mandatory reading task", I am very much looking forward to find out how it goes for Wingco Waggers and Will the Poacher in the next episode.
Regards,
Legionnaire.
A most excellent game report, full of tension and even humour. ;DThank you - high praise from the master of the solo game AAR. You spotted humour did you? I’ll have to make sure that doesn’t happen again - a shocking oversight.
Wing Commander Vagabong Vagabond Waggers had a lucky escape, lets hope this run of luck continues.
Cracking story, well told and I'm looking forward to the next one. As soon as you like. ;)
I second the above comments. A very entertaining AAR and much like our first co-op game, a learning experience. Great story, looking forward to the next episode. Will there be sheep in the next one?I’m fairly sure that there won’t be any sheep in the next one although they’ll be searching Grandpa Joe Grundy’s old shack so there’s a possibility of zombie ferrets….!
Well, well, well. Yer right. That didn't go as planned. Sounds like your surviving survivors will need to find some more crew-members...Well Chumleigh was in a different campaign, the two-hander I’m playing with Mad Lord Snapcase, so this team have no responsibility for his er, bad luck. The sheep, however………
But I fear you are going to have more that zombies to worry about. First in one game, Chulmleigh the dog gets whacked, and now those sheep. I'm sure PETA will be filing some kind of grievance... :o
I go away for a couple weeks and the whole world is playing Zombie RV! :D lolThanks Mike and great news that you didn’t get eaten by sharks👍😀
Great report!! And yes, the game can be deadly. That's why I added in "experience points" and new skills to give the survivors a chance to benefit from their previous encounters. Good luck to the remaining two, and hope they recruit some talent (and better luck)!
Mike Demana
Just back from holiday and catching up. Brilliant report. Love the set-up and it's 'good' to see someone else have just as much bad luck in Zombie RV as I do! lolIt’s tough out there in zombie land isn’t it? Thanks for the kind words. I just finished a solo Cabin in the Woods. Wow, I’m exhausted :o We played it with different characters last week as a two-handler (myself and Mad Lord Snapcase). This game was a lot more testing. I’ll do a report soon.
Great story! I like how you brought in replacements. :)Thanks, Mike. I just wish the Wingco would stop picking arguments with his own side - makes life very difficult.
I also love the look of the shack in the woods. Can't wait to see what happens as they investigate... :o
Mike Demana
Great Stuff !!Thank you - I hope you enjoy the game/story
Quite the set-up. I'm sure everything will be fine. I mean, what could possibly go wrong...?... :DWith Wing Commander Vagabond having one of his "difficult" days, just about anything. And he’s got the shotgun :o
I can see why Wing Co Vagabond is unhappy with that fool Will Grundy, lets hope he's not led them into a nest of zombies with his head strong decision to visit some out of the way cabin in the woods rather than the delights of Ambrudge.Thanks. If it goes how I’d like it, they’ll calmly explore granddad’s happy place, discover lots of weapons and supplies, not see the hint of a zombie and find granddad Joe on his hammock round the back, surrounded by empty flagons of homemade cider and being ministered to by Peggy Archer dressed as an air hostess.
Great opening to the next adventure in Borsetshire.
:D
I'm now back from my holiday, had an amazing time with Only Childe at Malta :).Welcome back, glad you both had a good holiday and thanks for your kind words.
I thoroughly enjoyed reading your set-up for the next installment in this riveting saga, sir. I especially enjoyed how you fitted the new replacements into the picture with a very clear idea of who they are, we'll done indeed young man :).
Let's hope with the aid of the equestrian expert and the clergyman, that things will go much better this time around.
Regards,
Legionnaire.
Bad rolling to have so many Fast Zombies...! :oThere were a lot of Fast Zeds and they certainly keep you alert as a player. It was sad for Granny - I hope she died realising that her diversion had helped the survivors ;)
Poor Granny...survived so long hiding in the outhouse only to have a human startle her out and to her demise. :'(
Looking forward to the next installment!!
Mike Demana
Looks like a fast getaway will be required. Perhaps through a window on the opposite side of the shack? Wingco will need a bit of luck.I have to agree with all that….!
Brilliant Doug! I can't wait for the next thrilling installment. :DThank - I really appreciate your interest :)
Taking a short break in my own zombie game today, reading this escapade. The Wing-commander Vaggers is certainly taking one for the team. Biting down and fighting back when it matters most! I too was wondering what Will and Shula were up to all by themselves in the woods lol, the Reverend Tinker is about to let loose some Divine Intervention I hope with that 12-gauge :D.It’s difficult finding time to update this what with dog-walking then catching up on your game ;) Thanks for reading and commenting.
Looking forwards to see what happens next.
Regards,
Legionnaire.
Brilliant report so far. Good news that Rev. Tinker found a shotgun, very handy.Thanks, old sport. I think the Reverend conceals a deal of old-fashioned British spunk beneath his rotund fram ;) ;) ;)
Great report so far! That is quite the swarm around the shack...! :o I think Wingco needs to follow his friends out the window and slink off while he still can (especially since he'll be slinking slowly...Thanks Mike - we’re almost there ;). The swarm round the shack is only about 50% of the zombies in play but the rest are milling round the Spawn Points with no l-o-s and out of hearing range. Having two Swarm Points made this scenario look especially difficult but actually, because they’re in the corners, it’s possible to keep them inactive if the characters are careful of their noise generation and make good use of cover.
Good luck to the group in the wrap-up!
Mike Demana
Ooh the tension! The excitement! Very close calls for the team and the dreaded "dry click" :o.Thanks - I’m glad you’re staying the course…!
Excellent report so far and I can't wait to see how it all goes. As always, wonderful pictures, minis and terrain that really looks the part.
Regards,
Legionnaire.
Excellent story do far but it's not looking good for most of the hero's, let's hope they can pull one out of the hat and make it to the safety of the Range Rover. At least I hope it's safety. :oWhat could offer more safety than a Range Rover?
Foly Huck! First I read Legionnaire's accounts of the fight where they find Billy-Ray, and now this. To paraphrase Chief Engineer Montgomery Scott (you'll have to imagine the Scottish accent), I canna take much o' this, Captain... ;):D Loving the accent, Jim - you’re a natural.
But, I will. I too am waiting to see how Vagabond fares, and whether or not the Good Reverend and his new=found shotgun come to his rescue, like an Avenging Angel...
Whew! I thought several of the crew were as good as dead. I've found that, once wounded and knocked down, it is usually a death knell for a character. Props to Shula for surviving that situation...! :oI think it was because she was knockedcdow by the last attack on her so she got to retaliate before being attacked again. The bonus action roll made all the difference
In my campaign, I am not rolling on the "in between games" chart. I guess the cutting off a leg thing turned me off and I declined to create a new outcome for that spot on the chart. lol Still, with my road trip framework, there's plenty of things the characters will be able to do between games, I feel.
I also am not doing the forfeiting supplies for a re-roll, either. I guess I figure that by giving them experience points and allowing them to purchase new skills or improve existing ones, I'm not handicapping the players too much by denying them that. Plus, supplies are the whole point of my road trip campaign. That's the great thing about Zombie RV. It is simple enough you can add, modify, or remove rules and the game still works well.I don’t think "Supplies" is a good name for that feature. I don’t think of it as anything to do with supplies as one would normally understand the word. My intention is to keep the feature but rename it and introduce rules for actual supplies later
Great game, Doug! Kept me on the edge of my seat rooting for the reverend, Vaggers, and company. :)Thanks, Mike - much appreciated.
I've still not read the rules or any of the additions various people have contributed but it does seem that they give a tense game and this is leading to some very entertaining game reports.Thanks, Vaggers. Will driving off would have been a nice alternaending….!
I'd stopped wargaming for years until I came across Vampifans blog which was originally all about zombie fighting. His games were always tense and in my opinion zombies make a perfect enemy in a solo game. Their range of options is limited and there's no worries about morale or morals, just how they arrive on the table.
Well done Dougers for an entertaining storyline, I half expected to see Will drive off in the Range Rover and leave the rest behind, so it was somewhat of a relief to see her didn't.
Cheers
A splendid game and board.They had the good and the bad when it came to their luck.
The team were lucky to survive I think.
I think we deserve advertisements when you pause the dramatic action.
Fantastic ending to this action packed episode.Thanks. Next scenario is on the table ready to go.
A thoroughly enjoyable read sir, before heading off to work :). Just the thing to kick-start my day lol.Thanks Legionnaire, I’ve a feeling Zombie RV has a higher number of Zeds in a game than County Road; do you agree?
Talking about getting away by the skin of their teeth! :o Well done team for making it out to live and fight another day in these zombie infested isles.
I am with you on the grammatical details Doug. When I write my AAR's, I type as I go along, sometimes having to correct typos and inconsistencies afterwards. But it's all part of the creative process :). Being foreign, I do try to stick to proper British English lol.
Regards,
Legionnaire.
Absolutely brilliant report Doug, of a very intense game.Thanks Sunjester. Looking forward to more of your unique take on the game👍
I'll be returning to Zombie Stagecoach next week, incorporating some of Mike's suggestions, as well as a couple of my own. Then I am planning a 3-player game for next month, with me as GM (allowing for a few extra surprises for the players!).
Superb conclusion to an epic scenario! Glad to see all of your team surviving and gaining a shotgun. I seem to remember when we played this scenario as a co-op game, you had a propensity for rolling '1's!It’s a speciality of mine :) Although in this game we had a few sixes at opportune moments, there were plenty of the dreaded oncers when it came to firing.
Cracking finish to that game! ZombieRV does a fantastic job of steadily ramping up the tension—just when you think you're in control, things take a turn for the worse.nozza - interesting comments. I agree that there needs to be something about Supplies being necessary to keep the gang going - not just food but clothes, ammunition, petrol etc. Mike (Demana) has a detailed section about supplies and feeding etc in his unofficial supplement. I’m sure he’d send you a copy if you pm him. I like the ability to re-roll a die, so long as it’s limited in availability. I just don’t think it should be called Supplies - I find that misleading. I just don’t know what to call it instead. Maybe Persuasion? I’ll have to canvass Snapcase and Vaggers and see what they think.
One of the things I’m really enjoying about all these ZombieRV write-ups is seeing just how much players are getting invested in their characters. Everyone has their own unique spin on the same scenarios, which makes for some really engaging stories. It’s fascinating to see how different playstyles emerge based on the same core mechanics.
When it comes to survival strategies, I’ve found that staying on high ground and keeping out of line of sight are key to avoiding zombie spawn points. A little bit of patience and clever positioning can go a long way in keeping the horde at bay.
In our games, we do use the ‘in-between games’ chart, but I’ve tweaked it slightly - I renamed the Starving entry to Spoiled Food while keeping the same penalty. It just felt a little more thematically fitting. I also keep coming back to an idea I saw in another game (though I can’t recall which one) about requiring Supplies (from the loot table) to feed the gang. Something like 1 Supply feeding 2 characters. If a character goes too long without food, they start suffering penalties and could even abandon the gang altogether. Still working out the details, but I think it could add an extra layer of resource management and tough decision-making to the campaign. Let me know if anyone has tried something similar!
In our games, we do use the ‘in-between games’ chart, but I’ve tweaked it slightly - I renamed the Starving entry to Spoiled Food while keeping the same penalty. It just felt a little more thematically fitting. I also keep coming back to an idea I saw in another game (though I can’t recall which one) about requiring Supplies (from the loot table) to feed the gang. Something like 1 Supply feeding 2 characters. If a character goes too long without food, they start suffering penalties and could even abandon the gang altogether. Still working out the details, but I think it could add an extra layer of resource management and tough decision-making to the campaign. Let me know if anyone has tried something similar!
That is the mechanism used in Ganesha Games' "Mutants and Death Ray Guns!.
Mike (Demana) has a detailed section about supplies and feeding etc in his unofficial supplement. I’m sure he’d send you a copy if you pm him.
Great AAR.Thank you :)
This is outstanding reporting Doug, really knocking narrative wargaming out of the park.Thanks a lot - I’m glad you’re enjoying it. Speaking of which……
Excellent stuff sir! Looking forward to their further adventures.
What a bombshell sir! :o I KNEW there was more than meets the eye with Vagger's, but I had no idea about his REAL work! He obfuscated that well ;).Thanks, Legionnaire. The game is currently in progress but I’m having to take a turn every-so-often when I get time.
A sterling, riveting start of the next episode! I am off to work so hope to have some exciting catching up to do later on this evening.
Lovely pictures and I like that fond you've got, really brings that hilltop to life sir :)!
Regards,
Legionnaire.
Love it -- the more storyline and character development, the better! Which reminds that mine has been sorely lacking in my games... :DMike, I think this is particularly true for solo games. Without an investment in the characters, a solo can get a bitsuperficial. I find myself much more likely to break off an encounter if things are looking bad rather than continuing to the bitter end.
Mike Demana
Excellent stuff sir! Looking forward to their further adventures.Thanks Sunjester - the game’s afoot…..!
Well, well, well. The plot thickens. I fervently hope our Gang of Four make it to Loxley-Barrett, and what they find there is of some value. Godspeed to them...Well, having a man of the cloth with them should help…! The gang of 4careceven now in the thick of their latest encounter.
A sneaky lunch time read! lol Riveting tale and vivid actions as usual sir! Don't mess with cricket bat wielding Viking heritage people lol!Thank you?! I?ve torn myself away from reading your campaign posts and will now apply myself to getting on with this.
Been looking forward to the next installment and pleased to see it's underway.
Regards,
Legionnaire.
Disaster! :o The Wing Commander was the glue holding the group together! Who could fill that role? Without his knowledge, will the remainder fall victim to hordes thirsting for their blood (and brains)??I was disappointed that The Reverend Tinker missed the spawners point with his Molotov cocktail but I think that?s quite a good tactic to think about in other scenarios.
The Bunker is a tough scenario. By the time we had searched all four of the buildings, we took one look at the crowd right by the central and final objective and said, "Nah...we'll keep the key and come back another day...!" lol
Mike Demana
Cor that's a bit tough, poor old wingco!Sad but there has to be jeopardy to make it interesting. The Wingco face his 28mm life in the cause of good gaming :)
Those zombie B*ST*RDS!!! :'( :'( They have no idea what a great man they have just slain. To them, he's just another brain ;).Legionnaire, I hope you?ve recovered from this dreadful news by now - I realise it must have been a shock. Read on to discover the fate of the rest of the Team.
This is the kind of news that is so shocking that one needs to go for a lie down!
What a disaster! But alas, that's the harsh reality of that unforgiving apocalypse word (and those fickle dice lol). I hope the rest will make it out safely and this loss can only galvanise them, carrying on in the spirit of Vaggers, because that's what he had wanted them to do ;).
Regards,
Legionnaire.
RIP the Wingco, a legend in his own lunchtime! A sad loss, in the words of Battery Sergeant Major Tudor Bryn 'Shut Up' Williams, "Oh dear, 'ow sad, never mind".As always, you encapsulate the horror and poignancy of the situation in a few well chosen words.
A very cunning plan that, to land a Molotov on the spawn point. Well done all and carry on rewardless.
Brilliant report, me old stick insect.
I shall have to retire to a darkened room for the rest of the day.
Well, shit. That was sub-optimal..... :o
We all await news of further developments...
I am now fully restored and able to continue my reading after the shock of the wing commander's demise!Thank you young man :) Now is the time for other members of the team to put their best foot forward, step up to the plate, face the slings and arrows of outrageous fortune and do or die whatever the cost.
That really gave the team something to fight for! What a glorious team effort and yes sir, rules, as far as I'm concerned are mere guidelines ;).
The reverend showed some surprising hidden skills beneath the humble godly servant facade and I'm very happy Will and Shula did their bit and came through with something close to "profit " after this harrowing experience.
Great stuff as always sir and look forward to see who they pick up on the way. Who can fill the Wingco's Wellingtons lol.
Thanks for sharing and lovely to see your team taking on little personalities.
Regards,
Legionnaire.
Spirited stuff. They must pour a libation, perhaps some whiskey?, to honour the deceased.You?re looking over my shoulder ;)
Fortified with some Redbreast, I salute the Wingco. May he RIP. The zombies will get even the best in the end.Never say die - the fight goes on.
It is most disconcerting to read reports of one's death, especially when one is actually in a motorhome in the wilds of Westmorland at the time if reading.I think you had more to fear from freezing to death than a zombie attack but at least your feet would have been warm.
As you know, sometime fiction foretell fact and so I was expecting to be attacked by zombie hordes last night. Mrs V got a little ansy when I erected barricades and other defences around the van.. Taking stock of our weapons the best we can manage are 2 sharp kitchen knives and a wooden mallet.
I fear we will not survive the onslaught when it comes o_o
Great game report Doug, a joy to read even though Vaggers didn't make it, he died fighting.
Cheers
Borsetshire is a very violent place. Even more-so than Midsummer!A zombie apocalypse can make the most tranquil of places a little rough. Normally the most excitement is if the bus to Borchester is a few minutes late.
But I love it just the same.
I'm shocked, nay staggered. Never has my flabber been so gasted!Possibly it was your fault Sunjester? If you insist on going out in the middle of a life and death struggle, you are toying with character?s lives?!
I go out for just one day and return to the shock news of the Wingco's demise!
I shall have to retire to a darkened room for the rest of the day.
I myself had to do that, pondering man's inherent mortality and the harrowing experience of having to put that once so vibrant and alive gentleman Wingco Vaggers, once more in the ground being a fetid abomination :o.Let?s not go too mad - he was often a sullen, bad-tempered old bore :)
Well, shit. That was sub-optimal..... :oDevelopments are developing as we speak?.!
And for the record (and I hate to point this out), Wing Commander Vagabond died twice. Not once, but twice, dammit...
What will become of the 3 surviving survivors now? Will one of them step to the fore to lead on, or will another stalwart hero come onto the scene to steward them to deeds about which books, poems, and songs are written? Do you even know the answer to that question yet???
We all await news of further developments...
Well, I'm glad that the Wingco was put to rest, for the second time. There would have been some small vestige of the Wingco's brain (when he became zombified) shouting and screaming at the horror that was to befall him. Well done on finding the Wingco's shotgun, a treasured memory of a valiant man.Thank you old horse. I should point out that a small vestige of The Wingco?s brain would be a very small thing indeed.
Shula and the Rev. seem to have become very proficient slayers.
An excellent AAR, thanks me old pineapple.
Lovely storytelling as usual.Thanks- I?m glad you like it. I?m really enjoying the simplicity of the rules combined with the opportunity to develop a story.
Three cheers for Brian! The survivors go through more lineup changes than some bands but they prevail in the face of adversity lol.
Excellent build-up as usual sir and very tasteful photographs. Looking forward to see how it goes this time. Is Brian a size 16 footwear or is he merely wearing flip flops lol.
Regards,
Legionnaire.
Have I missed something in my long sleep-deprivation induced stupor?
Is 'RV' a ruleset I am not familiar with, or what? Pardon my confusion, at first I thought the game would feature the Winnebago from TWD, but ... o_o
Zombie RV is a free set and the link for the download can be found somewhere in Mike Demana?s topic on this board. In fact, I?ll save you time - here it is:
https://www.wargamevault.com/product/481744/Zombie-RV (https://www.wargamevault.com/product/481744/Zombie-RV)
It was introduced here by Mike.
Doug
I'm confused by the name of the dog... if it's Walter Gabriel's dog, why would Nelson (whoever that may be) be naming it Horatio... have I missed something?Damn - I?m going to have to fire my extensive and highly paid team of proof readers.
Walter's nickname is Nelson on account of the one eye and one arm? lol
Walter's nickname is Nelson on account of the one eye and one arm? lol
Another lovely update on this enthralling saga of Borchester life. What a pleasure to hear the name Walter Gabriel again, a real character! Watch out for that Nelson though, remember the Borchester mail-van robbery?Thank you old sausage.
Nelson is now roaming Dubai as a Fast Zombie so Borsetshire can discount that threat at least.
Ad always, a thrilling tale to enjoy at my tea break at work! I like that the good reverend Tinker is wielding a "heavy crucifix " lol.Thank you, now put down that cup of char and get back to work…! :
Exciting and visually pleasing start of the next episode of this prime time drama ;)!
Well done indeed sir!
Regards,
Legionnaire.
I'm enjoying this. Let me go and get some popcorn for the next bit.:D I hope you’ve still got some popcorn left because here we go again.
The team is working together like a well-oiled machine! Go Horatio!! He definitely deserves a Scooby snack for his work today... :DI think after a few games, tactics tend to optimise. It maybe time to tweak the rules.
Mike Demana
The possibility of death keeps the game alive. A ripping yarn for when new members join the community. " Do you remember when....?Yes, without that jeopardy, the game is nothing.
Glad to see that you had a successful outcome to your mission. What I'm liking about all these write-ups is how the same set of rules and scenarios are being played in different ways by the LAF community.I think that speaks well of the rules and, incidentally, the LAF community.
Great conclusion! For once someone rescued wasn't a zombie...! Congrats to the whole crew. What ideas did you have for upping the danger level? I found randomizing at least some of the zombies arrival can throw a kink in the group's plans...Mike, so far the tweaks I’ve introduced have helped the survivors, for example knocked back zombies are knocked down as well, survivors only reduced to 1 action after losing half their wound allowance, being able to spend XP on extra re-rolls and on increasing the chances of an extra action.
Mike Demana
Well done Sir! Another cracking adventure, I am eagerly awaiting the next story!Cheers :) I’m thinking of going for a home-grown scenario next time - the group needs more suitable wheels and maybe a base. This would take it away from the original Zombie RV premise but I think the rules can handle that.
Definitely seemed a tense affair. The vortex of almost endless undead mud wrestlers made it a close action. Congrats on the successful rescue.Ahh - undead mud wrestlers. Coming soon on Channel 5 :) Thanks for your interest…!
Congratulations to the team on two first ever's, no losses and an actual living survivor! :oThanks. Yes it was nice to get the gang through unscathed although Schula in particular lived quite dangerously. I’m bending the rules now to allow a Team of five but they’ll need something more roomy to live in…!
As far as Zombie RV goes, practically unheard of! lol
A great thrilling tale as ever, sir and I hope to finally get the next mission in my own CRZ game in today!
Regards,
Legionnaire.