Concession-gate

Just what is it with some gamers? To some our hobby is a social thing, a chance to meet and swap ideas with like minded individuals. To others, it is a chance for sniping and talking under your breath. To an outsider, it must seem hilarious! But to the illuminati , the stakes are far too high for grudges not to be held and the atmosphere not to stink of last night’s fondue. I thought it was hilarious that Polish security guards had to be called to ETC Warhammer competition a few years ago. How I laughed when one of our own was involved what has been termed, “Concession-gate”

Note: this is not to be confused with dice-gate, List -gate, Commandpoint-gate and lift-gate😗. Three out of four also involving the same individual.

Third game of the Clevedon Clubs competition was the always genial Clarkey. Indonesian elephants and swordsmen were a tough opponent for Swiss pikes. The table was heavily covered with terrain in the centre. Mr Clarke put his allies on the coast and looked to be planning to attack on my left.

Now on previous occasions I have a tendency to be rash. If I attacked his left. Mark’s rough terrain troops could flank me. I decided on facing off the allies and centre, whilst looking for a weakness on his right.

Skirmishing continued for about an hour. The hand gunners proved to be a fantastic asset in the dual. Even naphtha throwers couldn’t deter the mountain heroes. Mark withdrew his skirmish screen.

The action in the centre was brief. I didn’t want to face medium spear in the rough terrain. Mark didn’t want to leave the jungle and face pikemen in the open.

Hint: a relatively new concept , in my wargaming at least, is that you do not always have to attack! Sometimes the defence is so strong that it would be foolhardy to advance. Clarkey doubted my negativity and we tried out the respective theories at the end of the game- Swiss pikes can’t cope with rainforest! 

Two draws and a victory put me in a good position at the end of the competition. My old friend Chris was being briefed by the refugee from Flames of War, Colin as I arrived at the table- what a treat awaited me! I knew Chris would be bringing a Free Company list. I knew that it was the product of much humbrol paint and plastercene.

Artists impression of Chris at work

And then it started. First, a refusal to move his troops to accommodate my waterway. Then an allegation of deliberately bending his pikes! Six calls to Mr Unwin for rules adjudication all went in my favour. Next an allegation that Unwin was being bribed, Big Don is called in to adjudicate for another three rulings.

Chris’ Knights skirted the forest but were met by pikes. The dismounted mercenaries came forward to be flanked by my right corps. The free company is an expensive choice and my target of levies and crossbow filler disappeared. The back of his side of the table was covered with troops, he conceded…….we packed up…….Don noticed that Chris wasn’t broken when we submitted the list- Chris claimed a draw, how I laughed!

Note to self- get the more “creative” player to write down his decision. 

It had been an excellent weekend. The standard of painting was a joy. My plan for the Swiss is to increase the number of halberdiers. Maybe a whole command of the Alp climbing Rambos. My thanks to all involved in the weekend. Fifth place out of twelve!😜