Huzzah Con 2015 Tank Aces!

Huzzah Con 2015 Tank Aces!

Well Drew has been on me about finally contributing to the blog and I did say that I would write numerous times, and then never did.  But finally this Tank Aces event game me the kick in the pants to get this done!  For those not familiar with Tank Aces it is a fast paced and brutal game with only tank teams allowed it is bloody and if the dice are hot, very quick!  The rules can be found in Blood, Guts and Glory.

When picking my list, for this Mid war tank boxing match, I used what I had already painted and or ready to be painted.  My list was:

Tank Company, from Eastern Front, page 32
500pts
Mittlere Panzer Platoon (p.34) - Command Panzer III G/H/J (early), 2x Panzer III G/H/J (early) (270 pts)
- Upgrade to Panzer IV G (late) or H (75 pts)
- Upgrade to Panzer IV G (late) or H (75 pts)
- Upgrade to Panzer IV G (late) or H (75 pts)
495 Points
700pts
Mittlere Panzerkompanie HQ (p.33) - CinC Panzer III G/H/J (early), 2iC Panzer III G/H/J (early) (180 pts)
- Upgrade to Panzer IV F2 or G (55 pts)
- Upgrade to Panzer III N (20 pts)
Compulsory Mittlere Panzer Platoon (p.34) - Command Panzer III G/H/J (early), 2x Panzer III G/H/J (early) (270 pts)
- Upgrade to Panzer IV F2 or G (55 pts)
- Upgrade to Panzer IV F2 or G (55 pts)
- Upgrade to Panzer IV F2 or G (55 pts)
690 Points
900pts
Compulsory Mittlere Panzer Platoon (p.34) - Command Panzer III G/H/J (early), 2x Panzer III G/H/J (early) (270 pts)
- Upgrade to Panzer IV G (late) or H (75 pts)
- Upgrade to Panzer IV F2 or G (55 pts)
- Upgrade to Panzer IV F2 or G (55 pts)
Compulsory Mittlere Panzer Platoon (p.34) - Command Panzer III G/H/J (early), 2x Panzer III G/H/J (early) (270 pts)
- Upgrade to Panzer IV F2 or G (55 pts)
- Upgrade to Panzer IV F2 or G (55 pts)
- Upgrade to Panzer IV F2 or G (55 pts)
890 Points

So you can see I was going for the best Anti tank guns and if possible the best frontal armour.  But enough of the chit chat let’s get to the games!

Game 1

The first game was against some familiar looking tanks yes it was an Axis vs Axis duel.  My opponent had 5 x Panzer IV F1s, I out gunned them and had better armour but he almost outnumbered me two to one!  I deployed safe and tried to use my range advantage to the best of my abilities. 

The first turn there was no shooting just moving into position and my gathering the tactical advantage objectives.  I only had one tactical edge card and it was could be used to re roll a fire power test.  My opponent had three cards what oh what could he have!

Turn 2 He moved aggresvily using some cover and forcing me to move if I wantedto shoot. I open fire to no effect needing 5s and only having 2 shots missed both.  But I made all my storm trooper roles and tucked neatly back into cover. 

Turn 3, His return volley was equally as effective but he failed some critical storm trooper rolls and was left in the open.  In response, blood was drawn; I took some long range shots with my tank ace and his wingmen, destroying his right most tank.  One down 4 to go! 

Turn 4 His return volley again was off the mark and the one hit he managed was easily deflected by me thick front armour.  I elected to close the gap in order to hit on 4s making a bold move into the center.  This is where the card came into play!  I hit he made me re roll it I missed, my next tank fires I hit and I pass my fire power check, but wait he forces a reroll of the FP check! and... I fail so just a bailed out tank! 

Turn 5 His tank crew felt pretty safe with their protected ammo and had no issues staying in the fight!  Again his return was very unlucky and he did not hit once!  This was the deciding turn for me, I flew past him to take advantage of his thin side and rear armour.  I managed to kill just one more tank not the best result but it could have been much worse. 

Turn 6  Now the rat race was on, he swept behind and also tried to use the weaker flank armour to his advantage, but lucky for me he only succeeded in bailing out one of my tanks! My tank remounts and is ready for payback, but first I had to get my ace back in the game I had played pretty cautious with him as you get an extra point if he survives but now we were even three on three time to get him going.  I again outflank his tanks and kill one.  My ace ends up covering the middle of the table from his marauding tank that tried an initial flanking maneuver.

Turn 7 We roll to see if the game carries on (need a 4+) dice comes up 5!  He finally kills one my tanks, a big loss for me!  My two remaining tanks get revenge for their lost brother!  Now just one more to go and we sweep the table! 

Turn 8 The game ends on a dice roll of 3 needed a 5+

The games was a 6 pointer for me with points for: Playing the game, My tank ace surviving, destroying more tanks than my opponent (2 points) and for having more tanks on the table at the end of the game (2 points)  To be honest the game was lost by the dice of my opposition he was rolling stone cold and when that happens no amount of skill can save you.  I wished him better luck in his next games and prepared for the next match!