Lancaster, PA Convention (WBC) this coming August 1st to 6th

[SgtFury]

Is anyone planning on attending the World Boardgaming Championships coming up this August 1st to the 6th, 2006 in Lancaster, Pennsylvania who might be interested in meeting for some Axis and Allies Miniatures gaming? There are no official AAM games scheduled for this convention (as far as I know) but that wouldn't stop folks from meeting in the open gaming areas and playing a few rounds of AAM.

I've attended this convention before and there is always plenty of room to set up a pick up game. I'm planning on being there on Wednesday August 2nd and possibly Thursday August 3rd. If you are interested in meeting please post here and PM me (SgtFury) for more details.

I have no idea if anyone is interested or if anyone even plans on attending. So I have no clue as to how many players could show up. I am willing to stage a larger multiplayer event if I get enough responses and everyone agrees on a predetermined scenario. Perhaps we could do a large D-Day type scenario, Battle of the Bulge or an Eastern front throw down (early or late eastern front).

I have a very large collection of figures, so I can easily supply figures for up to a six player game with perhaps 600 to 700 points a side. It would just depend on the scenario and theater of war selected. I am willing to play just about any theater of operations. (Western, Eastern, Med., North Africa, Pacific, etc.)

The only limitations are the day (Wednesday preferred, but Thursday possible) and location (open gaming area at the WBC).

Anyone interested?

[OtterSC]

hmm... where in Lancaster. i am just north of there.

[Y2UAsk]

Interesting HBC would be in Lancaster PA. I come out there every spring for Cold Wars. Is this HBC's first time in Lancaster?

Steve

[Patton4014]

No

They moved it from Baltimore last year or the year before.

I think they got tired of dealing with the hotel. The service was bad when it was Avaloncon and only got worse under the WBC. I have not been able to attend the at the Lancaster site, but I have heard it is a better deal than the Hunt Valley lodge.

[SgtFury]

Here is a link to the WBC's web site with all the info you need about where and when the convention will be occurring

http://www.boardgamers.org/

The WBC use to be in Hunt Valley, MD until two years ago. They moved the location to Lancaster because the hotel was going to charge a higher fee for the next year. They complained that they (the hotel) were not making enough money from the food concessions they had during the convention. The reason for that was: 1. Over priced food 2. It wasn't that great 3. Players would sneak in food and drink from outside and 4. Players would leave the hotel and go to nearby resturants.

The hotel forbid you from bringing in food and drink from outside. It was a rule that was generally unenforceable.

[SgtFury]

Interesting HBC would be in Lancaster PA. I come out there every spring for Cold Wars. Is this HBC's first time in Lancaster?

Steve

I believe this is their second year in Lancaster. I like the new location because it is closer to my home. (1 hour drive time) :)

[SgtFury]

Yeah I can defintiely play Wednesday Night. I have a few armies to play and I can bring some of my firends.

Great! If you can, please post how many of your friends will be coming. This way we can have a running tally of how many players can be expected to show up.

As we get closer to that date (Wednesday, August 2nd) I will private message my cell phone number to everyone attending . I plan on arriving at the convention site early and find a free table in the open gaming area for our use. Then when you arrive, call me and I will direct you to my location.

Do you have a preference for type of scenario to play? Would you like to do one large mega game with up to six players? Or would you rather break down into several two person games with small scenarios?

As I have previously mentioned, I am willing to referee a large game. I have a very large collection of AAM figures which would allow me to supply figures for both sides. Basicly, I have at least 2 of every rare, 6 of every uncommon and 10 of every common figure from all four sets.

If we can come to some sort of agreement on what to play ahead of time I can have a better idea of how much of my collection I should bring. If we have enough attendees and agree on one large game, I can prepare the scenario ahead of time. This would help minimize set up time on the day of the game.

[Hiro]

There will be at least 3 right now

[SgtFury]

Here are some ideas for a large mega game that could handle up to six players.


1. D-Day invasion - 8 to 12 maps with 4 map beach area and 4 to 8 maps behind the beach. Allied side has British / American invasion forces, paratroopers dropping behind the beaches to secure key bridges & road networks and Allied aircraft interdicting German reinforcements. Axis side has German beach defenders, some local on map garrison / reinforcements and off map mobile armor force that could attempt to reinforce the beach defenders. Each side would receive 200 points per player per side.

2. Battle of the Bulge - 10 to 12 maps arranged 2 by 5 or 2 by 6. In other words, a long narrow front. The German players would start at one end with two or three large armored forces and would have to secure one long road to the other end of the map. Each row of maps would have a road running its length. On some maps the two roads would connect at a town like a St. Vith or Bastogne. The American force would be divided between an initial front line, rear area forces spread out along the length of the map and a strong reinforcement force (armor and perhaps air) that would arrive 2/3 or 3/4 of the way into the scenario. Each side would receive 200 points per player per side.

3. Pacific Island invasion - 8 maps depicting the islands of Roi - Namur in the Marshall islands atoll. Two or three American players would invade the (connected) islands using Higgins Boats, Amtracks and amphibious tanks. (I have multiple figures of each type) Two or three Japanese players would try to repel the Yanks using infantry, armor, aircraft and obstacles. A classic slugfest. For more details on this possible scenario go to this link for Operation Flintlock - The invasion of Roi-Namur. Ignore the posted set up. This was designed before set four came out. I now include the newer figures such as Higgins Boats, Amtracks, Heroes, etc. Each side would select their own mix of figures for the scenario. Each player would get 200 points to choose.

http://boards.avalonhill.com/showthread.php?t=11383

4. Eastern Front Smackdown - Not based on any particular battle, just a very large scenario involving 9 to 12 maps with German and Russian forces. (Minors could be included if desired.) Three or five objectives are placed out in the center. Each side starts at the map edges with 600 or 900 points of units (300 or 200 per player) with either 1941-43 units or 1943 - 45 units.

5. Western Front Smackdown - Same as above, but Allied side has American / British forces verses Germans. Nine to twelve maps, 200 to 300 points per player per side.

6. North Africa Smackdown - Same as number 4, but Allied side has American / British forces / Free French verses Germans / Italians. Nine to twelve desert maps (I have them), 200 to 300 points per player per side. This would probably be something like a 1943 Tunisia type Campaign Battle.

7. Operation Market Garden - 8 to 10 maps with 200 points per player per side. Allied side would have British and American Paras seizing bridges with a three group coming onto the board with an armored force trying to punch through to the last bridge. The German side would start off with scattered forces on the board and a strong armored reinforcement coming on to stop the paras and Allied armor.

8. What mega game ideas do you have?

[SgtFury]

There will be at least 3 right now

Ok, so including yourself and me that would bring us up to 5 total so far. If I referee a large game we would have a four player scenario. So if anyone else wants to join in, please do! I am willing to do up to a six player refereed game or we can break down into smaller two player games.