| FlyXwire | 20 Sep 2025 5:02 p.m. PST |
Until….
…..the boys stopped playing well together. (1/144th scale Operation Crusader style game) |
robert piepenbrink  | 20 Sep 2025 6:40 p.m. PST |
Nicely done! Is there a subtle hex grid I'm not seeing, or just the basing? |
| FlyXwire | 21 Sep 2025 3:38 a.m. PST |
Thank you Robert! There's no hex grid on the mat, but there is a hex 'system' that functions with the basing. The bases enable grouping elements together (combining sections, troops, platoons) into activation formations – like "maneuver groups", and these can be combined-arms teams too. As attrition is scored, this unit cohesion degrades by formations breaking up into smaller groups – each requiring separate activation cost (this limits activation opportunities which must come out a finite command pool in each turn). Battle attrition flows into command friction (w/o add-on rule mechanisms). |
| Fitzovich | 21 Sep 2025 4:12 a.m. PST |
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| FlyXwire | 21 Sep 2025 12:06 p.m. PST |
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 Dal Gavan | 21 Sep 2025 12:50 p.m. PST |
Nice work, FlyX. Another knife fight, by the look of it. |
| FlyXwire | 21 Sep 2025 4:40 p.m. PST |
Dal Gavan, it sure was – and appreciate your comments too! |
| Captain Pete | 22 Sep 2025 7:56 a.m. PST |
That is a great looking layout, FlyXwire! It looks like a bunch of tanks got knocked out. I do like the brewed-up markers. |
| FlyXwire | 22 Sep 2025 5:16 p.m. PST |
Thanks Pete! (I ran out of those good smoke plumes, and had to break out the old cotton versions) :))) |
| machinehead | 22 Sep 2025 7:19 p.m. PST |
Looks like someone got their ass handed to them. :D |
 Yellow Admiral | 23 Sep 2025 9:55 a.m. PST |
You make great looking games, FlyXwire. I can't decide whether you inspire me or depress me.  I would love my games to look this nice, but they always fall short of this quality. And they take 10 times as long to set up. <sigh> Is there a blog or Discord server or Photobucket or something where you keep these photos and AARs? TMP is not the easiest place to search for them. - Ix |
| FlyXwire | 23 Sep 2025 10:28 a.m. PST |
Ed, it was indeed Mutual Assured Destruction! :))) YA, that's one of the nicest things I think I've ever read in my regards, and wish I had something to return to you in kind, but there's just TMP here for doing my spamming on games. There are a few pages of WIP projects over on our Big Muddy Group site – but these not as much on whole games, but prep for some of them - link Btw, I never want to depress, but maybe send out good vibes (and some useable ideas) for raising our gaming flag ever higher. Here's some of my latest WIP for a HYW game I'm playtesting this weekend, using an excellent, fast-play set of Medieval rules called Trial By Battle, by Mark Lord (available as a download on Wargames Vault) -
Oh yeah, the WIP……well see all those little shields above? The ones on the bases are attached for 'battle effect', but the ones behind the stands are to be used to mark unit hits. We can make markers like this by printing out appropriate images with an inkjet printer onto ShrinkyDinks plastic sheet, and when they're cut out with scissors and put in the oven for a few minutes, they contract to half-size, but thicken up to at least 3-4 times……it's a way to make your own, custom game markers right in your own home office (and the kitchen too – just beware the Misses might not like the plastic cooking smell either)…..just the price of progress. ;) If you need game markers, and can make your own, then we can do them with "pananche", as the French might say. |
| Dal Gavan | 23 Sep 2025 6:20 p.m. PST |
Very nice work on those HYW chaps, FlyX, and I'm impressed by the game markers, mate. I hadn't heard of ink-jet printable, shrinking plastic paper. Very innovative and I have a feeling I'll be pinching your idea. |
| FlyXwire | 24 Sep 2025 4:54 a.m. PST |
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| Yellow Admiral | 24 Sep 2025 4:40 p.m. PST |
The shrinky-dink shields are a great idea. I may use that. Toaster ovens are cheap and small. It wouldn't be much of a hardship to put one in the garage (or a paint booth if you have one) to isolate the smell of curing polymers. I almost did this when my Fimo craters stank up the house while baking in the oven, but I never needed to make any more. |
| FlyXwire | 25 Sep 2025 4:03 a.m. PST |
YA, this is turning into more of a sandbox thread than we might have expected. (sounds like a stink indicator might be the sign of making progress) :))) |
paints 
