Yesterday, there was a presentation of the ships, and today I have a report from our first game using the Gods of War: Togo rules. Initially, I designed the scenario myself and decided to avoid using any special rules. This was done to help us better familiarize ourselves with the game mechanics. I apologize for the limited number of photos this time; the game was so engaging that I forgot to take more!
UMPIRING: Bartek Żynda
1. Forces.
2. The Game.
The Spanish squadron aimed to break through the American blockade in our game. The U.S. Navy ships were anchored in a small strait, waiting for their move. According to Campbell's plan, the Spanish ships did not advance in a traditional line but instead spread out like the fingers of a hand. Campbell commanded the Pelayo, Alasdair led the Infanta Maria Teresa, Tim commanded the Reina Regente, and Andy Velasco and I took charge of the Isla de Luzon.
On the American side, Jamie commanded the USS Atlanta, Peter led the USS Cincinnati, and Michael was at the helm of the USS Indiana. The Americans began making mistakes almost immediately. They approached the Spanish ships too slowly and failed to open fire at an adequate range, allowing the Spanish to seize the initiative and fire first. The USS Atlanta was the first to suffer heavy damage, quickly becoming the target of all Spanish ships. It had no chance and was rapidly sent to the bottom of the strait.
Next, the USS Cincinnati found itself caught in the crossfire. This time, Alasdair executed a successful torpedo attack, also sinking the American ship. Now it was time to target the USS Indiana. The Spanish vessels concentrated their fire on the American battleship, igniting numerous fires. The crew struggled to extinguish the flames, but the damage resulted in leaks that could not be contained. Eventually, the ship capsized and sank.
At that moment, an American torpedo boat flotilla appeared on the battlefield, but they turned back, retreating from the scene. In another notable incident, Pelayo, in a frenzy of destruction, blocked the path of the Isla de Luzon. Despite colliding with the larger ship at full momentum, the captain managed to manoeuvre and sustain only minor damage.
A few words about the rules themselves: everyone liked them. Players initially had some difficulty switching from order A to order B, but they mastered this transition quickly. The game turned out to be very fast-paced, and even with a large number of players, it proceeded smoothly. However, what garnered the greatest admiration were the ship models. The declarations indicated that several new fleets would be created. I plan to invest in more ships from this period so that I can enjoy a more diverse gaming experience. In our next game, we will try to play dedicated scenarios and incorporate special rules. I believe that the next battle of these flotillas will be even more thrilling.
3. Links.
SESWC:
FLICKR:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/asienieboje/albums/72177720323821796
