3 50 point skirmish

[Colonel_Coo]

Okay, latest thoughts after forcing myself to play.

First off: In a serious build, the AVRE is just AWESOME. Coupled with double-time infantry, this machine is a killer. Supported by a Bofors, it's even more deadly. We played three 50 pointers last night. 2 maps long sided to each other, 2 hex set-up with a center objective.

My first build was again ALL-UK. AVRE, Ins Hero, Bofors, SMLE, Ghurka.

My opponent brought an ME109 (I don't know why), SS H'Furher, a MG 42 team, SS PG's. Turn one the rush is against my Bofors, I spawn a Hero, Kill the ME-109. Turn two is pushing the Bofors into better attack fields, slow walking the AVRE and bring up two support dweebs. By turn 5 the killing fields are full of dead germans, 1 dead Ghurka and a SELF-INFLICTED damage on the AVRE.

No big surprise. With serious builds, the game was lopsided. I decide to try out the Canadians. It went okay right up until he killed 3 Canucks at medium range in one turn with me failing every cover roll. Big lesson here is that without SERIOUS medium range dice, the Enhanced Medium Range is useless. Without a supression like the BAR or the Bren, you're in dead poop against a horder of SS. Also small maps = no easy medium 6 range shots.

The last build I played against a now monster of a German build (SS HF, SS PG's, german hero, 1 Hetzer) I played POLAND. Yes, POLAND. I took 4 Polish tanks, 1 Cavalry, 2 of each standard infantry.

This is what I've learned about Poland. Their Cavalry ROCK! By hiding out of sight while going second, you can rush any one unit and CANNOT be stopped. While you can be disrutped, their determined charge makes it much less effective because you won't get stopped. If done properly, you'll never get shot at while disrupted AND you're peg the defending soldier in place. (you've got H2H which ignores cover).

Second thing I learned. Boy if you think the Japanese have it tough killing a tank, try the Poles. Their tanks have doubleshot, but have a 2 rating in AT value. Dang! That is some bad-science. The flipping Vickers has 3/3/2. A German tank with rear 3 defense can simply ignore the enemy tanks and just go after the various infantry with CA6. Now I will say this. Those little tanks with a 2 defense are CHEAP! EIGHT POINTS for a doubleshot mobile machine gun. Sure they die easy, but at 8 points you should be able to field a LOT of these buggers. Each of mine killed a 5/5 unit that chose to close assualt. Of course his tank never missed killing one on each shot he could see. In the end he had his tank left. His tank killed my last tank. My tank killed his last SS PG, his last SS PG killed my last determined infantry which came up with a CA6 with 1 success ---- all on turn 5.

So the Poles offer the Allies some real ANTI-INFANTRY that can keep up with the big guns. For our play group, it doesn't matter as Poland STANDS ALONE. I will like them more when they get the single turret version of the same tank and get a CHANCE to whack the rear armor of German tanks.

[Predator666]

Or if they can get a good AT gun that has a chance at taking out lighter vehicles at range.

The AVRE is a great piece against infantry. If your opponent would have seen that coming then they might have chosen something besides the Me-109.