Pirates on Zoom

 This week's game was to be Blood and Plunder; a game I've been wanting to demo at the club but due to current circumstances it would have to be Zoom.

This time everyone was able to connect and see the visuals but one player couldn't get the audio to work so we used WhatsApp for the audio. Not ideal but it works; it's also the closest we've got to the full Zoom experience - hopefully we'll crack this next time.

Cyprus Slim couldn't make it this week so we were without the live blogging. However, I did take some snaps during the game, whilst simultaneously juggling the webcam, so we did have some sort of record.

The game was the raid scenario from the main rulebook, with the Spanish port town of Puerto Santiago de Chachmollia, being raided by the Brethren of the Coast.

The Brethren were led by, the Frenchman, Happy Dan Le Pew. Don Lardo himself commanded the Spanish.

Santiago de Cachmollia; deployment zones / objectives

THE FORCES

Experienced Spanish Militia Commander (Don Lardo)

Three units of 6 Inexperienced Milicianos

8 Trained Lanceros

5 Trained Marineros

4 Trained Milicianos Indios

Untried French Buccaneer  Commander (Happy Dan Le Pew)

7 Trained Flibustiers

4 Trained Boucaniers

Two units of 5 English Freebooters

5 English Sea Dogs

DEPLOYMENT

The Spanish deployed a unit of Milicianos under the arches of the custom house, virtually on top of one of the objectives, and were to stay there all game. A Miliciano unit, the Lanceros and Marineros were deployed in the alley between the custom house and church, with Don Lardo attached to the Lanceros. The final Miliciano unit took up position behind the church wall, whilst the Indios used their 'Lay in Wait' option to begin prone behind the big house.

For the Brethren, Happy Dan took command of the Flibustiers, deploying most of his forces in the tree line on the left. The sole exception was a lone unit of Freebooters, deployed in the trees, on the far right, near the big house.

Turn One. 

Freebooters get off the first shot against the Marineros, as they attempt to steal the roast chicken outside the tavern.

Indios use bow shot to put fatigue on the Freebooters.

Lanceros sprint across market square in support of Marineros, as the Brethren close in.

Sea Dogs threaten the objective.

Shaken by bow shot the Freebooters are wiped out by a charge of the Lanceros.

Flibustiers threatened by a pincer movement. Marineros in front of the tavern, Lanceros behind.

Good shooting from the Boucaniers (Marksmen with Ball and Shot) clear away the Marineros. Or it could have been the chicken - in this heat, really?

With the Marineros out of action, Don Lardo gambled on a charge with the Lanceros, hoping to take out Happy Dan and the Flibustiers. In fairness, it was getting late and, if it had been at the club, this was one of those pub o' clock moves. In game terms though, it was bad timing. The Flibustiers still had loaded muskets and were able to pour in defensive fire as the Lanceros charged in. Only two Lanceros made into contact, along with Don Lardo. What's more the Flibustiers ahd not been activated yet and were able to reply in their turn, using their brace of pistols to finish off the stricken Spaniards.

Don Lardo bites the dust.

With only two moves to go (Blood and Plunder games are usually 6 turns duration), the Spanish were still in with a chance but it was late and with their commander dead, I gave the game to the Buccaneers.