Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to all my readers. 

I must apologise for the lack of blog posts towards the the end of the year.  I am still around and kicking. The last couple of months have been pretty busy here. 

My good lady was ill throughout November which has lead to all the usual Seasonal Prep falling into December. As she is a bit of a Christmas Fairy she likes to be involved in the decorating, shopping, wrapping, card writing etc.  

We usually like to have it all boxed off by Early December. Add working longer hours to pull back lost work time and there seemed little time to do anything else. I have even missed the postal dates for all my international cards. Sorry guys if you are reading this. 

Not to worry I hope to get some blog updates in during the holidays. I have the Stonies gang to show you which I got finished in November. Not to mention a Snotling mini sent to me by my mate Jay (cheers mate, I will buy you some beers and drink them for you! ;-) ).  

I also picked up a cheap Dinky Space 1999 Eagle which suits my 15mm stuff nicely and I recently got the Hammers Slammers 15mm set from Ainsty Castings - which looks great. Expect some 15mm SF madness next year! 

So....Have a Very Merry Christmas and a Wonderful Healthy & Prosperous 2015. 

Cheers

Danny aka mattblackgod 

The Jaguars.

The Jaguars are another new gang to the region. They where drinking and raising mayhem in Boxfort's bars. Bossman rounded them up and had a "word" with their leader. Bossman realized that the gang was a biker gang before the end. They would be more mechanically savvy than the average survivor. 

Bossman pointed them to an old car factory on the opposite side of the city ruins. There is also the remains of an airport. The Jaguars would be paid to take up residence there. Boxfort would pay them for metal, parts and vehicles that the gang would produce. 

There is only one problem. The area is infested with ferals. The Bikers had been wandering for years and jumped at the chance to finally have a home and possibly a place to build machines. If successful Boxfort would get much needed parts and materials. Bossman also plans to the gang to protect Scouseland's southern edge, although both groups don't realize this yet. 

Crossing the city ruins is dangerous so the Boxfort ferry will carry the Jaguars up river to there new home. 

The figs are Kallistra, EM4 and Copplestone. 

The Scabs

The Scabs are a Scavenger band from out beyond the eastern edge of the ruins of Manchester. They decided to run their hard earned loot to Boxfort which would set them up for the long dark winter. However it wouldnt be easy. The ruins of Manchester are run by gangs who constantly war with each other and the wastes between the two cities are  filled with wild animals. The roads through the Liverpool ruins are plagued by Ferals. 

After avoiding trouble on the trip the Scabs ran into trouble only a couple of miles from Boxfort when the Psych Ward loonies who tried to rob them (see the recent Batrep). However the Psych Ward learned the very hard lesson of not running screaming towards men armed with shotguns, which proves that the Psych Ward mob may actually be the original inmates of the Asylum. 

The Scabs traded and moved a few miles inland. They moved into a part ruined factory about four miles from Boxfort. 

The Scabs are dug from my Post Apoc scavengers collection. The figs are L to R - Kallistra, EM4, Hetzerdog (OOP), EM4, Hetzerdog (OOP), EM4, EM4, Copplestone & Hetzerdog (OOP). 

Boxfort Specials & Meks

Here are the latest two gangs for Boxfort. 

A quick catch up. Boxfort is a Enclave in my Modern Post Apoc setting (After The End) based in the ruins of Liverpool of what was the UK. 

First up:The Specials. 

The Specials are Bossman's version of a Special Forces unit. Before the end they where all members of various Elite military units. They get sent to remove those who get in the Boxfort's way or in the Bossman's vision of rebuilding the world. 

The Specials are Empress SAS and a couple of converted Empress Downed Pilots. 

The Boxfort Meks. 

The Meks are the guys who keep Boxfort running. They see to the Enclave's mechanical, electrical and engineering needs. Like all Boxfort gangs the Meks also step up for defense of the Enclave. 

The figs L to R - EM4 (converted Biker), Copplestone, Copplestone, Hetzerdog (OOP), Hetzerdog (OOP) and EM4. 

The Meks where dug out of the figure collection. 

The Rusties.

The Rusties have a new member....

This figure is a Empress UK Downed pilot. I added the hair and beard from putty to give that Post Apoc look. 

Here is the rest of the Rusties gang. Figs L to R - EM4, Empress, EM4, EM4, Foundry. 

I had to do a little collection raiding to make this gang up. There  will be more figures to add in the future. 

They are happy watching the river mouth for Boxfort and get paid handsomely. Canned goods, automatic weapons and ammo are the new currencies in this terrible new world.  

The Raised Shack finished.

I have finally finished my entry into the Building Up competition which is being run by a member of the Chicago Skirmish Wargamers over on the Post Apoc Wargames Forum. 

The deadline is the end of November. I didn't think I would finish it in time as real life has thrown a few spanners in the works which has taken priority. 

Any way on with the pictures of the finished competition entry. 

A recent addition is the ladder. I realized that the folks living here would need a way to get into the shack. This was made from a couple of lollipop sticks with matchsticks and scraps from the bits box.

You cannot see it because of the idiot standing in front of the sign but the resident has named their humble abode "The Luv Shak". 

The residents don't like mutants either. 

The roof is removable but I haven't gone for a fully detailed interior. It takes quite a bit of time and that has been a bit limited. 

The roof is scraps of corrugated card. A bit of a Cola sign has been cobbled into the roof structure. I painted it to look worn and corroded. It was only later when I looked at it I realized it says "Cok". It kind of fits with the Luv Shak motif I suppose. 

And there is it is. This project has been fun and allowed me to try a few new ideas and techniques. 

Update on the Raised Shack terrain

Just a quick update on the raised shack.

The roof has been knocked together and I am about to undercoat it, when the weather holds.Pictures to follow.

I have slapped the paint on but there is a few minor details that need seeing to. I may add graffiti too.

After painting the model I noticed that there was a couple of things missing. First what every house needs...a  smoke stack. A paper lolly pop stick was bent to 90 degrees. A drinking straw was added to one end along with a few details. My scalpel was brutally stabbed into the wall to make a hole for the stack.

Another thing I noticed is there is no way for the guys into home sweet home. So I have knocked together a ladder. It needs some detail and attaching. 

Keep watching folks! 

New Additions to the Liverpool Wastelands.

I have finally managed to get some hobby stuff done. These guys are the Empress Modern British Downed Air Crew figures. They fitted the bill as they are wearing the latest kit and there is a SA80 in there, much needed for a modern British Post Apoc setting such as my own After the End setting. I added hoods and hair to make them look more like PA survivors. 

First up is a member of the feared Boxfort Specials. Rumor has it that some of these guys were members of various special forces units before the end. Today the carry out dangerous and often secret missions for Boxfort's Bossman. 

This is my first attempts at the modern UK camouflage pattern. Comments and Criticism greatly appreciated. 

Long hair was added from greenstuff putty. 

Next up another character from the Scouseland Enclave. 

A putty hood was added to this figure to keep in with the Stalkers from Scouseland. 

I have another set of these figures which have had similar conversions which will be gracing my table soon. In addition is a Empress SAS set which have a mix of military and civilian clothes which would make a great Post Apoc Security team. 

Old Rivalries - Batrep

Setting:- After the end.

Location:- The ruins of Liverpool city. 

In the ruins of Northern Liverpool there is a parkland that lies between two rival gangs. Each holds a small portion of the park which they use for growing crops and drugs. The rest of the park land is a no mans land. 

After many gibes and minor scuffles the Toffees challenge the Kopheads to a fight. The winners get the prize. The Parklands. The Kopheads choose the location some ruins away from both of their bases.   

Objectives: This is a straight up scrap. Winner takes all and get the bragging rights. 

Rules: Warlord 2085/Skank

The battlefield. 

The Toffees deploy. 

The Kopheads deploy. 

The gang is much larger then the Toffees Crew. They deploy a second gang. The Kopheads are determined to win this fight. 

The Toffees advance through the ruins. The guy on the far fight has a assault rifle. Toffee hopes this will give the gang an advantage as the Kopheads are mainly armed with pistols and shotguns. He is expecting the other gang to pull some sort of dirty trick. 

One bunch of Kopheads move along a flank hoping to get an advantage of their bitter enemies.

 The other mob move along the other side of the road. 

The Toffees keep moving forward getting ready to engage the Kopheads.

The guy with the assault rifle  remains in position getting ready to give some covering fire to his comrades. 

The Kophead mob on the left side of the street move alongside a ruin hoping to flank the Toffees. 

The mob on the right hand side are split as the rubble and wrecks hinder some of the mob's movement. 

The assault rifle fires on full auto (Burns the Clip rule in Skank) hitting two of the Kopheads. The survivor of the mob panics. 

Toffee opens fire with his shotgun as a Kophead appears in a doorway. The ganger is thrown back from the blast. 

The Kopheads and Toffees charge forwards. Melee breaks out all around. The Toffee ganger switches out the magazine in his assault rifle nervously eyeing the three gangers crossing the road towards him. 

The panicking Kophead runs away. 

Street fighting! 

The Toffees move around the ruin. Toffee engages a Kophead. An Kophead with a SMG moves to get a clear field of fire on the other Toffees. 

Toffee finishes his ganger. The Kophead fires his SMG hitting one Toffee. The other Toffee finishes him with a well aimed pistol shot. 

The Kophead's leader "Stinky Bob" knocks his Toffee down and the is comrade is also successful in his combat. 

The gangers close on the guy with the assault rifle. Meanwhile two Toffees engage Stinky Bob. A luck shot wounds the Kophead leader. 

Toffee gets into hand to hand with a Kophead whilst his comrade moves into the open looking for a target. 

The Toffee yanks the cocking handle on the assault rifle. The weapon spits death at two Kopheads felling them. The remaining Kophead fires his crossbow the bolt bouncing harmlessly off the ruins. 

Stinky Bob is on the rampage knocking two Toffees over. Toffee quickly dispatches another Kophead.

Toffee rushes forward at Stinky Bob and the two grapple. Meanwhile the ganger with assault rifle realising his weapon was empty rushes forward to attack the Kophead before he can reload his crossbow. 

Toffee defeats Stinky Bob. 

Both the Toffee and the Kophead fall to the ground in mortal combat each wounding each other. 

Victory to the Toffees. They get the parklands and can grow more provisions. 

Aftermath:- 

Three of the Toffee's Crew are okay after the fight, one is seriously wounded and one is lightly wounded. There has been only one death from this encounter. 

The Kopheads had one guy flee, there is three with serious wounds and four okay for the next fight. The gang suffered four deaths. 

The Toffees need some extra bodies in the gang. The Skank rules show how deadly automatic weapons are. It pays to remember how they can turn a game around. 

The Ambush

I finally got a game in. Time for a report (picture heavy).

Setting: After the End
Location: Somewhere North East of the Liverpool ruins, approx 5 miles from Boxfort.

Scavs Objective: To protect the loot or get it off the table.
Psych Ward Objective: To capture the loot.

Rules: Warlord 2085/Skank

The Table

A band of Scavengers push a cart of loot towards Boxfort. They are hoping the salvaged scrap metal and diesel fuel will fetch a good trade and help keep them warm through the coming winter months. 

Somewhere further on some figures hide from view in the ruins.

Local Raider gang - Psyche Ward are waiting for the Scavs.

They are spread out hoping to hit the Scavs from all sides. 

The Scavs slowly push their cart onwards. They have been pushing it for three days and can't wait to arrive at Boxfort.

Excited by the prospect of a kill some of the Psych Ward advance closer to the Scavs.

Unaware the Scavs keep moving on. 

As the Scavs reach the kill zone Psych Ward move in for the kill. 

The Scav Scout on the wreckage screams "AMBUSH!!" as she spots the two approaching loonies. The Scav leader "Grey Ed" spots the Psych Leader "Ja Ja" creeping around an old caravan. Grey Ed cracks off a shot missing the masked pychopath. 

As the Scavs look about the Psych Ward gang close the trap. 

Grey Ed doesn't spot another loony sneaking around the caravan. 

Ja Ja fires back hitting Grey Ed. As a hero level character he takes a wound. 

Pysch Ward storms forwards engaging the Scavengers in close combat. 

A Scav drops a nutter with his homemade shotgun. At least that's one less automatic weapon pointed at them. 

The gang leaders grapple but Ja Ja wins. Grey Ed falls to the ground bleeding. 

The nutters on the wreckage beat the Scav. 

Old Pitwit beats the screaming girl with a home made mace whilst his comrades grapple with the other nutters.

The fighting continues. The scav with the shot gun faces two charging nutters. He tries to reload is weapon. Ja Ja charges Pitwit. 

Pitwit wounds Ja Ja but he shrugs it off dispatching the Scavenger. 

Just as things start to look grim for the Scavs, two of them finish off their assailants. 

 Screaming and squawking (there is also someone barking too) the remaining Psych Ward members engage the remaining Scavs. 

Two of the Scavs trigger their shotguns. At close range the nutters don't stand a chance. 

The other Scav gets a wound on Ja Ja. 

Ja Ja dispatches the Scav. 

Ja Ja advances but the two Scavs are not scared of the masked loon. They attack him with a gusto. 

The Scavs beat Ja Ja. Victory to the Scavs. 

Aftermath: 
I am using some homebrew rules for this. 

The Scavs had no deaths. Out of the wounded 2 are okay, one lightly wounded and one seriously wounded.

The Psych Ward have 3 dead, 2 are okay and one with a light wound. Ja Ja has a serious wound. The gang limp back to base hoping they don't bump into a Boxfort patrol. It their present condition they will be sitting ducks. 

This is the first time in a long time I have used the Skank rules and I forgot what fun they are to play (they are free too!). I wanted a quick game and was not in the mood to spend some time knocking up stat lists. Skank doesn't use them so its great for quick games.