"Pay attention Sir Harry, the Hun is here, here and here." - LadyBaby
Finished up a practice game of the old MB Games/Citadel miniatures game Battlemasters with the Kinchlets (with feline auxiliary). They successfully defended the tower from the baddies. We’re playing a Dads v Kids game on Saturday with their cousins and I'm looking forward to it.
“Imma gonna punch that goblin inna snoot” - Bear
I had planned on giving the kids special characters, but they asked if they could have “gifts” like the Pevensie children in The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe.
One quick rewrite later and we are sorted. The mechanical affect was exactly the same, but the kids enjoyed being able to pick one over the other. The LadyBaby picked a diamond bottle filled with a healing elixir distilled from flowers grown in the mountains of the Sun (she has always loved Lucy in the Narnia stories) while Bear plumped for a sword and shield like Peter.
The mechanic effect was that Bear added a die to a units dice when attacking while the LadyBaby could heal a point of damage from a unit each time the Mighty Cannon card was turned.
“We should get him, he’s a meanie” - LadyBaby
Thus the band of Chaos Warriors were doomed.
The LadyBaby used her diamond bottle of healing potion successfully. Bears magic sword was less successful - he spent the game with the artillery - but he’ll remember for next time.
The LadyBaby showing Colonel Sir Harry Flashman VC the next card.
The card mechanic where turn order and unit activation is randomised definitely keeps the kids engaged. The LadyBaby in particular enjoyed turning over the next card to find out what would happen next.
The LadyBaby took charge of the cavalry at an early juncture. She approves of knights it seems.
Slowly tipping one die at a time into the Dice Tower is apparently the secret to Bear's success.
The game ended with a resounding Kinchlet victory as they managed to hold off the hordes of Chaos for long enough that a relief force arrived and the tower was saved!
Thoroughly enjoyable game. What interested me most about this one was that the Kinchlets took more ownership of what was going on. They talked between themselves to try to formulate a plan and considered different options. The simple mechanics made it possible for them to grasp all of them and not just engage with the rules, but also with what they were actually trying to do.
It was wonderful to watch.
This is great 👍 well done to the kinchlets!
ReplyDeleteIt was lovely. Looking forward to the next one.
DeleteThis looks more fun than anything I have seen coming out at the moment! fantastic!
ReplyDeleteThank you.
DeleteWhat a wonderful blog post to read! That BATTLEMASTER playing surface looks great and an ideal way to introduce the Kinchlets to the joys of gaming together. It’s the sort of experience that will stay long in their memories and may well encourage them to use their imaginations in all sorts of ways.
ReplyDeleteAll the best,
Bob
Thank you Bob. I'm thinking of adapting it to do something on the Battle of Clontarf given that we're nearby.
DeleteLooks like terrific fun for all concerned.
ReplyDeleteAlan Tradgardland
And it was.
DeleteBrilliant, great that the wee ones had such a good time, really good stuff.
ReplyDeleteWe had a ball. There was much hooting when the Ogre went down.
DeleteExcellent! Good to hear about them thinking and discussing options and everyone having fun! And Flashman getting in on the act, too.
ReplyDeleteHis advice was key to their victory.
DeleteDelightful! This is what memories are made of. Bill.
ReplyDeleteI hope so. Along with memories of classic Irish father lines such as "Don't mind the rain, it's character building."
DeleteThat looks like loads of fun. The kids look like they are just the right age for it too, lovely.
ReplyDeleteI was surprised how much I enjoyed it. I'm not convinced I've raised budding wargamers, but the kids definitely enjoyed hanging out and pushing some toy soldiers around with Dad.
DeleteGreat report. I'm not familiar with Battlemasters but it does seems to suit kids and cats of all ages!
ReplyDeleteIt's a game aimed at kids that MB Games released along with Games Workshop in the early 90s. Very much aimed at their demographic.
DeleteDelightful in every detail. Gaming with the kids is such a rewarding experience. Congrats!
ReplyDeleteThank you Sir.
DeleteLooks like good fun!
ReplyDeleteExcellent work from the Kinchlets! I'm trying to entice my nine year old into the hobby and it would be lovely if Battlemasters was still around - they certainly crammed a lot in the box, dread to think what it would cost these days!
ReplyDelete