Lead Adventure Forum
Miniatures Adventure => The Conflicts that came in from the Cold => Topic started by: flatpack on June 01, 2025, 09:24:27 AM
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Yesterday we played our first game using the Wars of Insurgency rules.
I’d read a report by the author (Mike A Demana), of a game he’d put on at a show.
I thought”we can do that” !
It would get all parties involved, and I could get my many 20mm modern figures to the table.
Here we go -
Campoalto Chaos
(https://i.postimg.cc/GmhYpNPG/IMG-0558.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/JGvt6p2z)
A quiet morning on the streets of Johnstown, capital of the small, but strategic, state of CAMPOALTO (former Italian colony)
El presidente, the self styled ‘Pompey the Great’, is traveling in his armoured limo (I said ‘Great’, not ‘well liked’) to the airport, as he will fly off to take part in a meeting of middle eastern leaders.
(https://i.postimg.cc/Y08965FV/IMG-0555.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/dZkwvS4m)
Various groups however, lurk along the route -
We have the Westbury Independent Nationalists (W.I.N) (played by Westbury)
Their plan is to keep the president alive, so that he can grant them independence.
We have the “Night watchmen” (played by Dave Brookes)
This is an army faction that is open revolt.
The president MUST die, as a junta of high ranking it officers are ready to ‘restore order’
Regicide Today (RT) - (played by Digits)
An American armed Spanish force.
They do not want the President killed, as that might bring back the royal family.
They do not need him to attend the middle eastern conference.
UK Peace keeping force (Played by James)
Due to a S.N.A.F.U they have been sent in as peace keepers, but the quarter master wouldn’t realease the blue helmets.
They MUST keep the present alive, and only fire, when fired open.
Tonkin First brigade - TFB (played by Sam)
This is a team of professional mercenaries hiding behind the independent movement.
They want to kidnap the president and get him away from the capital, so that he can ‘agree’ to sign over mineral rights over to the people paying them…the Americans.
Finally we had the Sky Blue Army- (SBA) (played by me - Flatpack)
My factions aim was to rid the country of foreign influence.
So, that’s the scene set….what could possibly go wrong ?…
Factions started to enter the town from every direction.
(https://i.postimg.cc/Kv9zMShT/IMG-0588.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/bst875JY)
SBA from the south
(https://i.postimg.cc/wjy6R1VK/IMG-0596.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/zyNm9X6p)
Mercs from the north.
(https://i.postimg.cc/DyzfFj4w/IMG-0594.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/jCGY4hhp)
RT also from the North, and they come into contact with the presidents cavalcade first.
The presidential vehicles start taking hits (no the president isn’t really on the roof) lol
(https://i.postimg.cc/BZpZr96z/IMG-0595.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/yWJzRG0h)
At this stage the RT force and Mercs both converged on the convoy at the same time.
They do not president must have been hiding in the footwell of his limo at this stage.
(https://i.postimg.cc/Qtssz0rs/IMG-0600.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/qtm9hcRZ)
Chaos reigns.
(https://i.postimg.cc/g0yb38L7/IMG-0604.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/FfK64fZb)
The lead vehicle and presidential limo slip through, and keep heading for the airport.
(https://i.postimg.cc/W4cPDXzr/IMG-0606.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/3k1qVjgJ)
The lead vehicle finally gives out - taken out by gunfire form the RT force.
(https://i.postimg.cc/fWqn7wkM/IMG-0612.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/YjFsMB1P)
The presidential limo breaks right, and races through the market, whilst British peace keepers try to wave it down. That doesn’t work, as the limo mows them down.
(https://i.postimg.cc/8z8YwsGg/IMG-0619.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/ykPn81WL)
In the south of the city, three different forces arrive, trying to track down the president.
(https://i.postimg.cc/VLTwwYcK/IMG-0605.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/xcKhyV8m)
The night watchmen intercept British peace keepers in their armoured landrover.
These are soon shot up.
(https://i.postimg.cc/2SZD8Pkr/IMG-0607.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/Mnq493fF)
WIN forces arrive en mass.
They block the road ahead of the convoys planned route.
(https://i.postimg.cc/pr46wLn8/IMG-0617.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/D4Q6sF6y)
SBA forces support WIN forces, hoping to route out foreign forces.
WIN forces clash with the night watchmen…confusion reigns yet again.
(https://i.postimg.cc/8k09Jtn5/IMG-0618.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/QVc0vkDG)
So….with in fighting happening in the south of the city, between WIN and the night watchmen, what’s happening in the north ?
Has the President got away ?
YES HE HAS.
Even though RT forces flooded the area along with the Mercs.
(https://i.postimg.cc/q745VYgm/IMG-0621.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/219wn0Qv)
The presidential vehicles start has escaped via a side road, and may or may not make it to the airport.
(https://i.postimg.cc/zf7PJjgq/IMG-0622.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/p99BCKCS)
A really fun game, with lots of shouting lol
Nice to see everyone round the table having FUN. lol
I’d play the rules again, but this time I’d remember to print off the QRS so that we all had one, thus making the umpires life a little easier (cheers for umpiring Pete)
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My friend Pedro invited me to take a break with heem on “Miguel’s Magical Meestery Tour” to the beautiful country of Campoalto, saying we’ have ze fun and maybe meet some senioritas.
After two days on ze steenkin bus, we eez dropped outside ze town of Johnstown and we eez met by an American gringo called Hertz van Rental ( his real name apparently!) who swore he was our cousin! Heem loco!
He gave us a sad story how hees American friends would have loved to come and “keek ass” but due to something called “Congressional Oversight” (which I took to mean they were perhaps in need of ze new glasses) they were unable to get ze visas! Anyway, before you could say “Diego’s your uncle” we had somehow agreed to break wiz our holiday and undertake a small job in return for many dollars!
“I have ze best guns money can buy” he says. “I also have ze worlds best shoulder launched anti tank weapon and ze premium grenades!”
“All I ask is you don’t keel ze presidente, as zees would be bad, but heem not to get on ze plane! Also, be aware zer are ze UN soldiers in town….best to not tangle….”
Anyways, we didn’t see ze UN troops, but we deed meet ze Engleesh hooligans with zer “dos cervezas por favor” and “ grassy arse”!
We decided they must be up to no good, and we set about zer destruction just about ze same time El Presidente and his cavalcade appreared! “Quick Pedro!” I said….”Use ze American missile launcher on ze limousine to slow it down?”
Pedro is good shot…….but American launcher is bad sheet! It might be good anti tank weapon….but eez no good against presidential cars! Pedro fired many shots and I tried to help him by throwing ze premium grenades…but they eez no good either….bad American tat…..I buy Chinese next time!
Eventually we managed to park American provided Humvees in road to force ze cars to detour. Ze presidentes driver eez loco, and heem set off through the back streets where ze Engleesh tried to hitch a leeft or something, but ze driver just drove into them….many, many times!
When all ze Engleesh eez dead, some back stabbing mercenaries shot some of our men from behind. I ordered our Humvees to use ze heavy guns to hose zem, but before we could fully repay their kindness, El presidente disappears in a cloud of ze dust, away from ze airport, but out of everyones reach.
Ees fun, but it’s Tapas time and Pedro and I must go home and leave zis loco place…..we have ze holiday in Benidorm next time….
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Looks like an entertaining game. What are the WoI rules like - how do they compare to something like Force on Force? I have a load of 20mm moderns but FoF rulebook is just too much hard work.
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Captain Billington-Smythe here. British contingent, acting as the UN Peackeeping Force. Bit of a cock-up RE the QM, didn't issue the bally Blue Berets in time!
Still, not to worry, job to do, orders to follow. Look after the President till he gets on the plane, deter any foreign Johnnies who might try to stir up trouble. Piece of cake, what? Home in time for tea and crumpets. Here are a few views of the town, all looks peaceful so far!
(https://i.postimg.cc/3RvRwjp5/IMG-20250531-095824.jpg)
(https://i.postimg.cc/MHwWKCqV/IMG-20250531-095831.jpg)
(https://i.postimg.cc/fRPD0tMw/IMG-20250531-095915.jpg)
(https://i.postimg.cc/655XjL3W/IMG-20250531-100001.jpg)
(https://i.postimg.cc/ZRcQp26r/IMG-20250531-100038.jpg)
The President's Calvacade sets off.
(https://i.postimg.cc/MT7S49VT/IMG-20250531-095953.jpg)
Almost immediately unidentified armed factions emerge in the town from all directions converging along the President's route to the airport.
(https://i.postimg.cc/bvRgBbdP/IMG-20250531-104230.jpg)
on rooftops....
(https://i.postimg.cc/J4qbmmM3/IMG-20250531-104241.jpg)
and in the streets...
(https://i.postimg.cc/XY1dG8Zp/IMG-20250531-112545.jpg)
some of these factions more heavily armed than us Peacekeepers!
The Cavalcade runs into trouble at once! There seems to be two factions attacking the cavalcade.
(https://i.postimg.cc/6q41g3Dh/IMG-20250531-113921.jpg)
Two US (?) heavy Hummers batter their way into the cavalcade but initially the President's limo and another vehicle carry on. The armoured Limo has taken at least one RPG hit without even slowing down !
My UN troops are nowhere the action yet, but I am suddenly fired on from a rooftop and lose 3 men! Still, at least that means I am allowed to shoot back!
On the road the lead escort Toyota takes a direct hit and blocks the road!
(https://i.postimg.cc/dDMSYFFc/IMG-20250531-120116.jpg)
To be continued...
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The Limo driver turns off and drives through the market in a bid to escape. The armoured limo seems indestructible, it has taken multiple HE blasts and MG bullets already!
(https://i.postimg.cc/nLz8THc3/IMG-20250531-120600.jpg)
By good fortune the limo is right in the middle of my main force. I throw a protective cordon around the car and gesticulate to the driver to stop...
(https://i.postimg.cc/bvF7BKZp/IMG-20250531-121339.jpg)
But dash it all ! The blighter refuses to stop. At the same time the heavy hummers arrive and start machine gunning the British troops. It is a massacre.
(https://i.postimg.cc/nrqNMr0h/IMG-20250531-125432.jpg)
Perhaps even more spooked by the gunfire behind him, the Limo drives at full speed through the market and refuses to stop for a second British section. This time he runs right over them and three are killed.
Meanwhile further down the main road the UN British landrover detachment notice furtive movement in the buildings opposite and go over to issue a stern warning, not being allowed to shoot first of course...
(https://i.postimg.cc/5NFZk7JM/IMG-20250531-113913.jpg)
...they are swiftly blown and shot to bits by the army rebel faction.
(https://i.postimg.cc/j5pGsP61/IMG-20250531-123705.jpg)
The Limo still won't stop despite the polite pleas of the British. Caught between two rival factions the remaining UN British soldiers are all killed.
(https://i.postimg.cc/GprtpTKH/IMG-20250531-130516.jpg)
(https://i.postimg.cc/W3xhTWHP/IMG-20250531-131541.jpg)
The President's driver bulldozes his way through the backstreets running down all comers, possible friend or foe alike, and the President escapes...
(https://i.postimg.cc/8kr7tG7k/IMG-20250531-135606.jpg)
...while various factions are still fighting around the main road just for the hell of it.
(https://i.postimg.cc/02wyd0Hz/IMG-20250531-131230.jpg)
It was a great game. I don't think I have ever played a game where ALL my troops died.
Thanks for Flatpack for the game and the food and beer and especially for has.been's patience in being umpire.
Very good result for a set of rules none of has played before.
.
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Also no apologies for so many photos of the lovely market place!
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First off, I offer my apologies to all the players:-
1) The lack of QRSs was my fault, Bob (aka Flatpack) had sent me a copy, but I forgot to do more copies or even bring the one he sent. :-[
2) I should not have shouted so much, so loudly & so often. ;D
3) I didn't read the rules often enough. Rookie Umpire mistake, 'Yup that all seems nice & simple' (Until play starts.)
4) I should have given more thought to players' briefings' several had difficult tasks.
Flatpack was to attack the foreigners, but started the other side of town.
Westbury had to defend a President who never looked like getting within a mile of him.
Donkeymilkman & Digits both wanted (for different reasons) to stop the cavalcade, but had no effective means of doing so.
Dave who had to frequently read his briefing notes to see if he was shooting the right people.
While poor Vodkafan' was truly given Mission Impossible.
Would I play the rules again? Yes. Would any of the lads let me umpire it...not so sure. 8)
Thanks go to all for making a game out of the chaos & (hopefully) having a good time.
As always many thanks to Flatpack (aka Bob) for being a very genial host & the lovely grub. JC would have been proud mate. :)
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Don’t be too hard on yourself Pete! The chaos added a degree of fun to be sure.
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I agree with Digits Peter no apologies needed. I think everyone enjoyed. The game flowed quite smoothly once we started to realise how the rules worked.
The single figure at-a-time shooting mechanic was offset by the very simple kill mechanic. No wounds, if you got hit and lost your saving throw you are dead.
And it handled 7 players easy. Good rules.
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Quite a surreal experience to be invited to play a game for which I had the rules but not know that so I didn't bring my rules!
I doubt it would have made any difference though in the first half hour of everyone trying to make themselves heard more than the last guy to speak lol lol
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As the W.I.N. faction down at the southern end of the road I did think to myself "how am I going to make sure the President stays alive when he is way up the road?"
Basic plan was therefore to head towards the President and shoot at anybody shooting him or me. Kind of worked, he was still alive at game end :)
All was quite for a while.....
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And then it got a bit chaotic.....
Note how my well behaved faction waited patiently at the traffic barrier :D
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And then it got more chaotic as my faction got into an extended firefight with the 'Night Watchmen' and the Spanish killers as we finally managed to form a protective cordon for the President, who didn't even stop to say thank you! :o lol
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I still don't understand what James was doing trying to flag down the presidents speeding car, twice! but it was as funny as #### Thank you James and well done on losing every figure in your faction, impressive lol lol
As to the rules, they played absolutely fine once we had all calmed down a bit and actually listed to what the umpire was shouting - sorry saying ;) I'd play them again.
Many thanks to Bob for organising and feeding us and to Pete for umpiring.
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Wow! So many incredible photos - your city looks amazing. :-* I'm glad everyone had fun and enjoyed the rules. That's the point, I guess, of any rules set: provide a good time.
One of the ways I speed up shooting (and saving) is to have sets of different colored dice. So, a player using Regulars (2 attack dice for small arms) may have a half dozen different pairs of colors -- two red, two blue, two white, etc. Throw them all at once and pair them up. The blue ones may have no hits, the red ones two hits, and so on. And that is what the target has to save with. And then I do the same thing on the saves. Not absolutely essential, of course. Just one of those things an OCD lol game master does to speed things along just a wee bit faster.
In response to Chairborne's query, Wars of Insurgency is meant to be an easy-to-learn set where each player controls 2-5 squads of 3-12 figures (or one or more vehicles). Movement is by squad, though shooting is technically figures firing individually.
Great job on running the game to a bunch of first-time players! Feel free to ask any rules or scenario questions. Love it!!
Mike Demana
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What an impressive game!
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What an impressive game!
Many thanks
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Thanks for the positive feedback from the players and the umpire.
Good ideas from the rules writer, Mike.
It was fun to get so many figures to the table, and to have an enjoyable game.
The real thought that will stay with me, from this game, is wondering why Dave’s faction was firing on Ian’s faction ?
I asked Dave, what it said on his mission statement ?
You should have seen his little face when he thought he was firing on the wrong enemy. lol
Of course, I was just winding him up…oh how we all laughed lol lol lol
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There were more than a few side splitting incidents to be honest……🤣
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I agree Digits.
It was a laughter fest, and tbh maybe that’s what we need with fellow gamers dropping like flies ?
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Well, well, well. That was, shall we say, interesting. And even entertaining.
It sounds like it was just one big chaotic Charlie Foxtrot'ed SNAFU. Typical day in Campalto, eh? Like the old saying goes: Anyone who isn't confused doesn't really understand the situation... 8)
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Well, well, well. That was, shall we say, interesting. And even entertaining.
It sounds like it was just one big chaotic Charlie Foxtrot'ed SNAFU. Typical day in Campalto, eh? Like the old saying goes: Anyone who isn't confused doesn't really understand the situation... 8)
You are right Capt.
“I wasn’t really sure what’s goin* on !”
But FUN all the same.
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What an amazing table, and it sounds like the game was an absolute hoot too!
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There were more than a few side splitting incidents to be honest……🤣
That's the fun in those free-for-all type scenarios. Factions you didn't necessarily intend to fight each other tick each other off, and pretty soon, the bullets are flying...! Capn Jim has played my Wars of Insurgency games at conventions more than once. I remember one time he sweet talked or threateneed all five other factions to not fire on his forces. You should have seen it, a master BS'er at work. It was almost like he used to be a city manager or something... :D lol
Mike Demana
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That's the fun in those free-for-all type scenarios. Factions you didn't necessarily intend to fight each other tick each other off, and pretty soon, the bullets are flying...! Capn Jim has played my Wars of Insurgency games at conventions more than once. I remember one time he sweet talked or threateneed all five other factions to not fire on his forces. You should have seen it, a master BS'er at work. It was almost like he used to be a city manager or something... :D lol
Mike Demana
Yeah, I'm still not sure how I pulled that off. Even with 26 years as a Village Manager, tact and diplomacy are generally not my salient attributes...:o
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That's the fun in those free-for-all type scenarios. Factions you didn't necessarily intend to fight each other tick each other off, and pretty soon, the bullets are flying...! Capn Jim has played my Wars of Insurgency games at conventions more than once. I remember one time he sweet talked or threateneed all five other factions to not fire on his forces. You should have seen it, a master BS'er at work. It was almost like he used to be a city manager or something... :D lol
Mike Demana
Yeah, I'm still not sure how I pulled that off. Even with 26 years as a Village Manager, tact and diplomacy are generally not my salient attributes...:o
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WTF? I have no idea how that happened, but sorry for the double post....
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Awesome looking .lots of detail work.. I love the rules.
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What an absurdly cool looking game. And players had fun?
Shocking, I say. Absolutely shocking.
Well done.
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The posts that has.been (Bob?) was referring to are that times I ran "To Kill a President" at various conventions. If you enjoyed his and his gamers' reports (I did :-*), feel free to read my accounts of two of my games on my blog.
(https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_Mi7W79DNGKN1Wxr8Zn1S0Qtz6as5IN2eaM7QAFPWZWZyTMhuSwVceFL9arMvgfPd4_FsiTHGwXc6ye1Z6tH9uCHYRFkK7U60vB5OO7PG_Os19bMvlGXcC6mnYz5jembIwOsATnhfpIxk-VXGcCItU2Sk8SwUd5A2Q9I8ZM87hGBjumpSCSnQeU-q/w640-h470/Historicon2022%20Mercs%20Exfil%20Helo.jpg)
Historicon 2022:
https://leadlegionaries.blogspot.com/2022/07/kammebalangos-capital-rocked-by.html
(https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBdQn9Lfm3kOhARdtGF_JBVK3EsusLoVTIXs798aAkOjheIxG4T2BulPMm-vqWhJSPnIZBcWZrcaH2dFt97QuKkt4Z84exhPa2gn4VmMfStONTTiu4rKO62_xBoRuNBQZd0Ax4QICPK8Qb6ofRyY5oHpLo90ONWxbJVDXNAJ6xxaNujob4Al0PmT8x/w612-h640/DayCon2022%2005Arrival%20Mercs.jpg)
DayCon 2022:
https://leadlegionaries.blogspot.com/2022/07/president-of-kammebalangos-nightmare.html
Thanks again for your kind words about the Wars of Insurgency rules and my ideas. You've got my brain whirring and thinking of a new scenario to run... :D
Mike Demana
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What an absurdly cool looking game. And players had fun?
Shocking, I say. Absolutely shocking.
Well done.
Cheers Dentatus.
I was really fun.
Maybe we can chuck in a helicopter gunship next time, just like Mike’s convention game ?
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Please…not an American one! 😉
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Please…not an American one! 😉
What could possibly go wrong ? lol
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What could possibly go wrong ? lol
It ain't the helicopters you gotta worry about, It's the A-10s. Their pilots could use some IFF training from time to time....and I'm an American...
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F-16s with Air National Guard pilots can be a hazard, too. Just ask some of the Canadians who were on the receiving end in Afghanistan… the survivors, I mean.
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Well it makes a change - in the Gulf, the US tanks were rather too fond of blowing up their own armoured cavalry screen. It's possibly a sign that the training is just starting to kick in and they're recognising their own vehicles now, just not those of their allies...