pátek 19. června 2026

Blkout - nelitostný hardscifi skrimish

 BLKOUT je hrou která se dostává do podvědomí stejně jako INXcountry. A podobně jako INX i BLKOUT získal Evropského distributora - CCG Winkel.




Ale co je vlastně Blkout?

Na první pohled by se mohlo zdát že se jedná pouze o reskin INX do slušivého kabátku ale v podstatě oba herní systémy šli vlastní evoluční cestou a samotný gameplay a gunplay je jiný. díky tomu jak je hra smrtící se zde chyby neodpouštějí - ke slovu nedojde pouze na kulomety a pušky, ale také i na těžké zbraně, různé drony, EW suity až po vozidla a MIDASy neboli Dustery (obdoba Titanů z Titanfallu). To vše na kompaktních bojištích (hra se standartně hraje na stolech 2x2 až 4x4). Běžně je vaše jednotka rozdělena do tří týmu a každý tým je reprezentovan kartou kde naleznete vše potřebné od skillu, combat loadu, skillu, zbraní atp. Tým muže být skupina operátorů nebo třeba menší mech. 

Na kartičce jednotky (viz. obrázek vpravo) trojúhelníčky umožnují vzít nespecialistům na danou aktivaci specializovanou zbraň z armory tzv. combat load (o tom později) následují staty - skill (cílové číslo na zásah nebo pro různé jiné akce například EW útok) 

další piktogram ukazuje pohyb v palcích a poslední je obrana vyobrazená zde jako 1/6 což znamená že na obranu má k dispozici jednu kostku na 6+ pokud by během jednoho útoku dostal více zásahů než má k dispozici kostek je model automaticky vyřazen. Číslo ukazuje počet gruntu v jednotce a poslední je základní zbraň kterou jsou vyzbrojeni všichni členi daného týmu.

Na druhé straně karty pak naleznete uplně nahoře specialní schopnosti daného týmu - vyobrazený tým Boone VAT Element je vybaven Boost Jumpy který jim umožnuje přeskakovat překažky až do výšky 4 palců mohou tedy vyskakovat na budovy což vám dáva značnou taktickou výhodu. následuje vyčet specialistů v jednotce a jejich vybavení. Tento tým má tedy 3 členy: Obyčejného VAT s karabinou, jednoho data specialistu a jednoho specialistu s kompaktním kulometem.

Další kartou kterou ke hře potřebujete jsou tzv. Force Cards kde naleznete Battledrilly, specialní pravidla frakce a armory ze které si budete pomocí Combat loadu zapůjčovat zbraně.

Battledrills jsou specialní schopnosti které mužete aktivovat po dobu aktivace pomocí control pointu což je obdoba command pointu z jiných her. Na začatku hry máte k dispozici 3 (kromě aktivace Battledrillů je můžete použit na aktivací dvou týmu po sobě nebo přidaní 1 kostky do hodu o inciativu. Některé scenáře vám umožní za CP napřiklad zvětšit deploy). 

Force rule je specialní pravidlo frakce které máte vždycky k dispozici. 



Armory je vybavení které může použít grunt pokud má zaplatí combat load - to vám umožní s adaptovat napřípadne situace které během boje nastanou.



Hra samotná

Samotná hra pak funguje na principu střídavé aktivace kdy se střídáte s protivníkem v aktivaci týmu. Existují i způsoby jak aktivovat dva týmy za sebou. Aktivace je rozdělena na dvě časti - reposition tedy přesun a samotné akce. A jaké akce máte k dispozici? můžete se znovu přesunout, vystřelit nebo použít specializované vybavení které má voják k dispozici například granáty, EW zbraně atp., poslední možností je že zvolite ready kdy model si akci "šetří" a během kola může provést nějakou z reakcí (overwatch, return fire nebo juke což mu vlastně umožní se chovat jak kdyby byl v krytu.

Velmi zajímavá je mechanika Lean out simulující model vykukující s poza rohu. vykouknout vás stojí půlku pohybu a znamenáte že dáte lean out marker do base kontaktu s modelem nyní při střelbě můžete měřít LOS od tohoto žetonu. Nepřítel na vás může střílet ale pokud vidí pouze marker tak se počítate jako by jste byli v krytu.



Reakce ale mužete využit i pokud jednotka ještě nebyla aktivovaná ale samozřejmě pak už nemá k dispozici svou akci během aktivace. Jak už jsem zminil reakce jsou tři:

Overwatch vám umožní vystřelit na nepřatelský model pokud se pohnul více jak půlkou pohybu ve vašem LOS.

Return fire umožnuje jedním model odpovědět střelbou na střílející nepřátelský model - zde se porovná počet úspěchů kdo jich měl více vystřelil první.

a poslední je již popsaný Juke.





Střelba probíhá velice jednoduše protože celá hra je založena na testu 2D10 a modifikuje se počet kostek v zavisloti na obtížnosti - pokud je cíl v krytu hazí se 1d10 pokud není tak se hazí 3D10. Hazíte proti svému statu střelby. Obránce pak hazí počtem kostek které má k dispozici (většina pěchoty má 1 kostku ale drony a walkery mývají kostek více) pokud má útočník více úspěchu než obránce způsobí tolik poškození a většina jednotek má pouze jeden hitpoint.

Blast zbraně fungují trochu jinak v line of sight a dosahu zbraně umístíte 25mm žeton a pak složíte skill check tj. 2D10 a počet úspěchu je počet poškození které utrpí jednotky v dosahu blastu - proti každému bodu hazíte jednou kostkou a cílové číslo je váš defense stat.

samozřejmě zbraně mají různá specialní pravidla napřiklad cyclic umožnující střílet dvakrát (ale pouze během akce nikoliv reakce) CQB umožnující rerolly při střelbě na krátkou vzdalenost, EMP poškozující pouze AI jednotky atp.

Samotným frakcím se budeme věnovat v některém z dalších članků

Shrnutí

Jako hlavní pozitivum u BLKOUTu vnímám jednoduchost pravidel, co je ovšem pozitivum je to že hra není shallow, a odmněnuje pozicování a taktiku, na druhou stranu chyby trestá a trestá je tvrdě. Frakce jsou rozmanité a každá se hraje jinak. Hra má i PDF supplementy které rozširují lore, přináší karty jednotek. Zakladní pravidla a karty core frakcí (UN, Harlow, Manticore, TF Boone) lze zdarma stahnout přímo na stránkach https://www.blkoutgame.com/ takže mužete vyzkoušet a nebudete kupovat zajíce v pytli 












 

 





 






úterý 22. října 2024

Operation Amber Watch - Asymmetric warfare battle report

 For quite a long time i wanted to tried Spectre operations and Spectre Operations 2nd edition and even i owned miniatures and rules i never quite conviced anybody to play it. That changed this year when we started playing INX and SO3. But i still wanted to try old Spectre ops or its newest incarnation. All that being said i read the rulebook and prepeared scenario. By that time we decided to play AW i had on mine painting desk two sets of model - more russian PMCs and Ground Branch Operators as i lacked US tier one element.






So we decide to run mission where Ground branch will be escorting VIP and in movie style they must leave before they i swarmed by enemies. So lets jump into briefing and then to the game itself

Briefing:
Abkhaz-Georgian border 2024
Your team has been sent to Abkhazia to pick up Russian scientist Minkovski Lavrentiy Fyodorovich one of the leading members working on the Manticore project. During the extraction, however, there was a clash with pro-Russian forces, and during the pursuit the escape vehicle was disabled. 
The US Army QRF is approaching the border but due to the nature of the situation they cannot cross the border. Your mission is to get Fyodorovich to the Georgian side of the border. ISTAR shows that your position is approached by Abkhazian troops but also by Russian Federation forces, there are no heavy armoured units in the area yet speed will be the key, as soon as they discover your position they will direct all available CSTO units there. 
The Reaper drone moves into position to provide support against any light armour that may appear on the battlefield.



The Game
The Team infilitrated area and escorted scientist through old trainyard avoiding Abkhazian patrols in area until some patrols bunch out around the border crossing. In that moment Fay give order „light´em up“ Grizzly answared light´em up!. The Saw and Carabines started barking and Abkhazian troops started falling down, however it wasnt enough and alarm was raised up.



In that moment GAZ Tigr and foot team of FSB troops entered the battle space. Team now locked up between Border guards and FSB in GAZ on flank decide to push through. Caught in open the fay was struck by deadly AK-fire. While Grizzly was hit by MMG fire from TIGR. 


Now to surviving members start to performing withdrawl using bounding overwatch tactic. The GAZ TIGR now must flank around the buildings and was hit by missle from Predator drone, the vehicle survived the blast but crashed into building and then exploded in burst of flames. Two Abkhazian squads entered the area and sporadicaly fired into SAC operatives but they managed safely withdraw with scientist from area.



Overview:
We played for the first time so some rules were played wrong but that is always, but overall we had great time, the game was quick and intense, the rules are solid. Now normally i am not fan of IGOYGO systems but here it work perfectly, you have chance the prepare to the enemy even by move deploying smoke screens etc. The game itself looks on paper were heavy but when you actually play it you realize how easy the basic system is which is fantastic.

On other hand we will be playing the Spectre Operations 3 game soon so will we be trying to compare those both system and then i will wrote article about it.

Here are some more photos from game














sobota 28. září 2024

INXcountry narrative game - Clash in Adjakistan

-This is Hunter 2-1 for Crossroads, we are moving towards objective ETA 1 mike.

-This is Crossroads be advised substential enemy forces moving towards Kiritlar, expect contact with enemy in few minutes. ISTAR shows enemy mechanised unit also moving into area. CAP unit Raptor 2 moving onto station and will be availible in few mikes.


After very long time we played some INX we consider it good and solid system, and while its not as detailed as Spectre Operations or Asymmetric Warfare the games are fast and brutal. The scenario was pretty simple seize ground - 4 objectives on table 12" from center. When both Russians and US hold objective random was is removed - who controls more objectives win. We also have special rules after this happens both player rolls D3 after how many turns their support arrive. The Russian had Alpha Group Squad in BTR while Americans had F18 on station. We simulated airstrike by giving it two missle launchers, firing on normal or hard grip and needing to mark target by smoke otherwise random unit on table will be selected.


But now to the forces: US forces fielded 3 Ranger assault teams and Support element with AT4. 
Russian forces controlled by me forced 2 Wagner Wannabe teams, Alpha Group Team and Alpha Group specialists with RPG.



Both forces advanced to center of table in hoping to secure the village with both players making use of cover so two turns without single gunshot.

Automatic fire pierced air along with loud shouts from nearby woods Тревога! Американская пехота! Огонь! Огонь!. Pvt Mays was knocked down by enemy fire while bullets were drumming on the wreckage of the vehicle from which the squad was taking cover. Meanwhile, Sgt Peterson rose from cover and barked the order - RETURN FIRE!


US forces now secured both objectives on their side of table but first Wagner team established firing position in small wood targeting Ranger team taking cover behind vehicle and struck down one ranger and pinning down the team. After some maneovering both sides now holding objectives the one on the Russians was removed chaning score from 2:2 to 2:1 in benefit of US.



Russian had no chance but to push towards US Rangers in order to win. Second Wagner team deployed smoke in order to cover their advance in center of board. The other wagner squad was still firing on Ranger team behind the wreckage and killing another US Ranger.


Alpha group squad tried to push through buildings on left trying to flushout Dugin Rangers and met with counterattacking Ranger squad where brutal CQB ensued . The Americans althought with heavy losses managed to almost wipeout Alpha Group unit.


The US Air support arrived on station and BTR was still turn away but we run out of real time and called it a day as US victory.





INX is great system for ultramodern skrimish, it is easy, have very good flow, and its enjoyable ofcourse if you want to add support you must come up with your own house rules but still you can beat the price - its free. Unfortunatly you cant get this rules from Enemy spotted studios shop but it is availible with all addons on their discord.



 




pondělí 8. dubna 2024

Warcradle Augusta Industrial Set review

Since i decided to reboot my Ultramoderns colection, i knew i needed some new terrain as my terrain colection consisted of few MDF Arabic mudhouses from GCLegacy files and GF9 walls. I was looking for something different and found out that Warcradle studios namely their Scenics "division" make good, cheap and prepainted terrain for their Wild West Exodus game and few others. There are few of their range that can fit into ultramoderns i give it a try. 

 


I ordered Augusta Industrial Set which is kinda Industrial you can use it for various settings i could image akin buildings in Africa, Europe, Asia and of course in America, so pretty versatile set and for the price? The set costs 110 british pounds and for that price 6 (7 if you in account train platform) buildings, lots of tracks, 4 railroad wagons, some fences and random scatter (boxes, carts, bins) so kinda big load.

So what you got in pack - big Warehouse with dimensions 17x27,5x17,5 cm big building you got some interior and you can easily fit vehicle, tank or IFV inside. You have three entry points - two big doors on ground level and one in 1st floor.You also have destructed version of same building unfortunatly i dont have that one finished.



 

Second one is Factory with dimensions 18,5x14,5x12,5 a two floor building again with stairs so you can occupy some high ground and two doors to enter the building again you have two version of building - whole and destroyed. two entry points on ground floor.






Next is so called  Abandoned Station consisting of some tracks two wagons but also one building on platform and roofed platform. some platform itself have 21x13cm and trainyard building have dimensions 17,5x7,5x8,5cm with two doors. two cabin wagon have dimensions 25x5,5x9,5 cm and cargo wagon have dimension 25x5,5x6 cm 







 

Last building is water towe r which i planning to give to my friend so it isnt assembled, so i didnt included it here either.


 

So now the kit itself is very high quality, while it contain many pieces in the end its i would say it isnt hard to assemble this stuff, few pieces are little fiddly but overall sturdy kits. What is great about the buildings are that all door can be made openable so got for breaching situations. While i use them on my 6x4 table if you are playing INX, Spectre or something that is played on smaller say 3x3 table you have full table set up in no time. If you take in a account the price this set is amazing for the price tag.



 

Also i have plans for getting other stuff - namely Normandy Farm, Buckhorn Ranch, Dunsmouth Shops, Market and scatter but also Retribution barracks. The stuff is good and fit ultramoderns very well so if you looking for cheap and good looking terrain which you complete in few hours look no futher



Spectre Operations V3 first game clash between Russians and US in Adjikistan

 


About two weeks ago we firstly tried Spectre Operations V3 no fancy stuff just good old fashioned shoot out between US Tier 2 Special forces task force consisting of two full kited fireteams (2xRifle, Rifle with UGL, LMG) Suported by one LMG Team, and Marksman team. They were facing Russian forces - One 4 man tier one SSO team with LMG, Two-man Support SSO Tier one team with RPG and Rifles and finally two enlisted 4-man elements each with rifles, UGL and assault SAW. The scenario was direct engagement but to keep simple we dont use any escalations or unaware stuff, just two patrols/ recon units bouncing into each other.


 

I set up table - small village somewhere in Ajikistan and we rolled off who will be attacker, the dices decided that US will be attacker. The Us Deployed in almost line, with one team on left flank, i did line too waiting for opportunity to counter attack in right moment.


 

US force fire team starting advancing toward the road in the centre of table but was cought underfire by my SSO fireteam quicklly and pinned them. rest of their forces advanced. i tried to attack with one of enlisted teams to break enemy left but was repulsed. In few next turns i started to tighten grip around the pinned fireteam while also trying to breakthrough on left an encircle the troops in village. In last turn i manage that - i wipe out the flanking team, and LMG support team, and encircled second fireteam now taking refuge in the building, while i took some casualties it was as serious - Americans were mauled pretty badly - so the game was victory for Russians.



About Spectre V3, its whole different game from previous incarnations i bought the book because I have all previous incarnations (and even bought Asymetrical Warfare) althought i never played any previous editions. They always seemed too bulky and rules heavy to convice anyone to play with me. But I ordered SO3 anyway mainly to support Spectre Miniatures because ordering physical miniatures is with delivery and VAT and so on kinda pricey.

But to be honest i was suprised by SO3 the rules are quick and also kinda easy but offer even if you good tactical play even if you play meeting action without any extra rules like escalations (support you can request), vehicles or stealth. Its momentum your units generate and you use for actions and reactions. Should you press attack and use all your momentum? you then can face counter attack if enemy had enough momentum but you spend your momentum and you cannot react now. Your unit is cover and you are facing overwhelming firepower do you stay in cover and risk to be pinned down or do you withdraw somewhere else?


 Thanks to system actions and reactions the give is full action and both players are involved all the time.In future i will certainly make complex review of the rules with all the fancy stuff but for now there is some first thoughts in previous article. I understand the rulebook isnt cheap and there are lot of other options from mentioned Asymetric Warfare, INX, NextWar or even some older systems like Skrimish Sangin, Force on Force or perhaps Contact Front.

 

But If you are looking for something on borderline with being easy to grasp and kinda what seems to be realistic portrail of modern warfare Spectre V3 could be system for you