Best of Show: Trevor’s fun mini games at the War Room…
Trevor’s home-brewed games from past wargames shows amused and entertained a group of us at Rob’s War Room on Sunday 26 January.
Rob, Jonathan, Trevor’s friend Giles and I played Ham Busters, the Battle of Hoth, and Crystal Chaos. The first game had won a Best of Show prize at Salute in 2004.
Game 1: Ham Busters
Our first game was a 45 minute tongue in cheek take on Dam Busters. Trevor had set up a glass-topped viewing panel with hexes and holes through which ‘bombs’ (coins) were to be dropped via the ‘Bomb bay pig’…
Giles, Jonathan and I were flying pigs (fighters and bombers) moving on the glass according to a simple system. We were tasked with destroying a Lego dam, while Rob was the Germans, with flying sheep and Flak batteries trying to prevent us.
Under time pressure, we managed to launch bombs (coins) and strike the dam three times, while Rob’s flying sheep aircraft prowled and he fired balls of flak (soft scraps of material) at us.
Overall, the game proved to be as bizarre as it was fun! Plenty of pig-related hammy laughs… some of the jokes being positively certifiable!
Game 2: Star Wars – Battle of Hoth
While watching Empire Strikes Back on the War Room screen, Jonathan (rebels) and I (imperials) refought the ice and snow battle of Hoth.
I was tasked with destroying the shield generator to allow an imperial starship to strike the rebel base.
I had four larger walkers and two smaller ones, as well as stormtroopers aboard.
Facing me was a series of defensive gun towers, rebel positions, and underground tunnels leading back to the base.
The game was card driven, simple and great fun.
I lost two ponderous walkers to Jonathan’s nimble snow speeders firing harpoons at their legs.
A third succumbed near the power grid…
Despite a late charge at the shield generator, and much execution of rebels squashed in trenches, my fourth walker was blown up by rebel infantry!
Cue Lord Vader voice bemoaning rebel treachery…
Game 3: Crystal Crush
On a bespoke Lego board, Giles, Jonathan, Rob and I were four druids seeking each other’s crystals in an enchanted maze of hedges…
The said hedges were movable, and magic spell casting was everywhere…
After a good start, Jonathan looked to be winning the game…
But Rob and I disrupted his plans and amusingly stole his crystals.
Jonners came back strongly but I eventually triumphed by acquiring one of Rob’s and one of Jonathan’s crystals!
An absorbing and fun game, allegedly based on… Wizz War, but actually better?
Giles and Trevor also played ‘Anno Domino’, a domino based medieval duelling game, which looked great fun…
Before finishing up for the day, Rob and Giles tried the Hoth game. I believe Rob won by taking down at least three walkers late on… contrary to his expectations.
All in all a masterclass in creative wargame bespokery from Trevor…. The time (and pigs) flew by as we played. My favourite was Star Wars but the other two were great also. Thanks to Trevor for putting on this spread… It was nice to meet Giles, and thanks to Rob for lunch. Every now and then it’s good to try something totally different. This we certainly did. The games were as enjoyable and playable as they were simple: a philosophy that works for me. I think it is fair to say that Trevor ranks alongside our club president Phil as the most ingenious wargamer in our midst!
