Time for another VAS scenario using the later version of Victory at Sea from Warlord games. I had run the Battle of the River Plate scenario a number of times using the old Mongoose version of the rules with good effect. It is a nice small scenario, giving players plenty to do, without getting overwhelmed. It also allows players to use most of the surface ship rules.
I set up the table following the scenario instructions. I once again had to ersatz the actual ship models, as I have not got round to painting the named vessels. However, with my new cards, I did at least have all the correct ship stats!
The game was based on the Graf Spee (the Sheer in my case…) moving off the table for the win. The British would have to try to stop that from happening. If the absence of that, it would be down to damage points.
The British start barely within maximum range of their guns, with the Graf Spee facing the wrong direction. So, if things work out, the scenario should be a gun fight, with the British hoping to slow down their prey with gunnery, while the Spee tries to use her heaver longer range guns to do the same, so they loose range.
The game started with the German ship turning around as quickly as she could and heading for Uruguay! The British continued their chase, firing all the way. Once the board edge was lined up, the scenario devolved into a gun duel, with both sides getting in their hits. The damage started to add up on the British light cruisers, but the Spee was not without damage.
Luck would favor the Germans though. The British just could not manage the critical damage, while the German did, as she was close to getting off the table. Just to add insult to injury, the Spee made a turn to fully engage the British cruisers to finalize the point. The Spee then turned off to head out of the area (moved off the table), after causing critical damage to two of the British ships. Maybe there would be no need to dock at Montevideo after all?
Another small quick scenario that was done in about an hour. The changes to damage levels have really changed the dynamics of the game for the better. In the eatery rules, ships were sank way too easily. While fun on the tabletop, not very realistic. This is not not the case now, it is more about crippling your opponent and getting the points for the scenario win. Gunnery is clean and critical hit management is what it comes down to. They are a bit complicated to track (I am going to have to make some counters) without play aids. However, once you get the mechanic down, it is very straight forward.
- Manteuffel