THE BALLAD OF TEFLON BLAIR (WHAT A COWBOY! GAME 5)

 After a short break, due to real life, I decided it was time to crack on with my solo What a Cowboy! campaign.

When we last left them, the Digbeth Gang were struggling, having lost all four games against Grizzly Johnson's boys. Desperate situations call for desperate measures, and in a forlorn attempt to recapture some influence, the Digbeth Gang have kidnapped Mayor Teflon Blair. The gang have holed out in the old timber mill and the scene is set for a rescue attempt by the Johnson Gang.

The Old Timber Mill

With the death of Doc Butterworth, in the last game, the gang needed to recruit another member. The dice decreed that Kimberley Clark, a Buffalo Hunter (shootist level), would join them.

Comparing the Force Morale of the two gangs, the Digbeth Gang were way behind, thus qualifying for a roll on the game balancing table. Hence, the Unknown Gunfighter, a Legendary Bounty Hunter, would join them for this game. (Let's not pretend - it's the Man With No Name, isn't it? We'll just call him Joe.)

The Digbeth Kid, Scarface P Knutt, Kimberley Clark and 'Joe'

Half the gang were allowed to deploy in the centre of the table, so Scarface and Kimberley took guard positions, over the hostage Mayor Blair.

Scarface takes post behind the saw table.

Kimberley Clark holds the mayor captive in the site office,
whilst taking up a firing position at the window.

Jebediah Springsteen boldly moves out of the tree cover and heads straight for the mill.

Whilst Grizzzly Johnson struggles through the undergrowth with his thick furs.

Joe takes up a position behind the cart, whilst, true to form, the Kid fails to appear. 

Grizzly initiates a gunfight and pins Scarface behind the saw table.

In the distance, Armitage Shanks skirts the woodland attempting a flanking move.

Springsteen sprints for the cover of some barrels, where he is out
 of sight of Kimberley Clark at the window of the site office.

Kimberley moves to a side window, only to have Springsteen fire his rifle through
the front window (in a dangerous disregard for the safety of the Mayor, it must be said).

Meanwhile, Shanks has put in a stellar performance,
driving off Joe wounded, only to be shot dead by the Digbeth Kid

It's a bit late in the campaign but it seems the Kid has finally found his mojo,
after killing Shanks, he sprints to the cover of the steam donkey and takes a pot at Grizzly.

Unfortunately, it's too late for the Digbeth Gang, as Springsteen puts Clark out of action .

Using the dice changing ability of a Legend to the full,
Springsteen exits the table with the Mayor, for a win.

Yet another loss for the West's worst outlaws. It's not looking hopeful going into the grand finale. Post game, Clark recovered from his wounds and the Kid finally progressed to Gunfighter status, but the gang have nothing in the coffers.

On the other hand, Johnson's gang have amassed $215, but are down a gang member. In the hope of getting a decent replacement for Shanks, they invested $50 of the gang's stash to ensure a good outcome. As it happens they rolled high anyway, so didn't need the cash injection. John Bovey, a Gunslinger joins the gang; claims he's a Cowboy but he's wanted dead or alive!

So we're all set for the final showdown - High Noon in Paradise City. Can't wait!

BURN, BABY, BURN (WHAT A COWBOY! GAME 4)

Having recovered from wounds received in their last encounter, the Digbeth gang are still in action. Grizzly Johnson has tracked them down to another of the town's outlying areas, where the gang are known to be re-equipping. (The game should have been 'the School House', but as I didn't have a suitable building, I changed it to storehouse.) The scenario was the 'Scorched Earth' scenario, whereby the attacker attempts to burn down a nominated building. Hearing that the Digbeth Kid is receiving provisions from Arkwright's Trading Post, Grizzly's gang mean to burn the store to the ground and send a message to anyone aiding the Kid.

With the Digbeth Kid and Doc Butterfield both being armed with rifles it was always going to be difficult approaching the Trading Post. Between them, Doc and the Kid covered all the approaches, leaving Scarface Knutt to guard the store.

Doc Butterworth pins down Jebidiah Springsteen in the cactus patch.
Seemingly oblivious to the innocent Rancher in the line of fire.

Grizzly Johnson stealthily approaches the store from behind the 
funeral parlour. The game is given away somewhat by the frightened
carpenter who flees down the street.

The Kid seizes the opportunity to bushwhack Grizzly and pumps
several bullets towards the helpless trapper's back......and misses .

Meanwhile Armitage Shanks uses a Desperado card to sprint across
the open space towards the Moustacherie. 

And with a perfect run of Action Dice Shanks makes it to the rear of the barber shop and
let's loose at Doc Butterworth......who dodges behind the horse trough.

Doc spins around and returns fire and it is now Shanks that is forced to seek cover.

Unfortunately, he hasn't noticed Scarface who now has a perfect shot and fills Shanks
full of lead. Shanks flees behind the Moustacherie, but down to a single remaining
Action Dice he's, for all intents and purposes, out of the game.

Back at the funeral parlour, a close range gun fight is
playing out and Grizzly is getting the worst of it.

However, all is about to change with an epic series of actions from Jebidiah Springsteen.
From his position behind the coffins Springsteen takes out Doc Butterworth, sprints around
the corner and wounds the Kid as well. 

It's also the turn end, so the Kid must take a 'Ride or Die' test - which he fails. Grizzly's boys have failed to burn down Arkwright's store but, nevertheless, it's their fourth win in a row.

In the post game events, it is discovered that Doc Butterworth has died from his wounds. Hoss Blocker has finally been avenged!

Grizzly Johnson has progressed to Gunslinger  and Jebidiah Springsteen has made it all the way to Legend.

With only 2 games left, it's not looking good for the Kid.

SOUND OF THE SUBURBS (WHAT A COWBOY! GAME THREE)

 After the shootout at the Old Spanish Mission, the Digbeth Kid has been pursued to the suburbs of Lardville, but, once again, Grizzly Johnson has tracked him down.

This area of Lardville is still under construction and the Kid had vain hopes of hiding amongst the building workers.

Once again, it was to be the 'Vendetta' scenario, with Grizzly Johnson and Doc Butterworth being the targets of cold vengeance.

The suburbs under construction

Realising they were being pursued, the Digbeth gang took up positions amongst the buildings.

Rolling a veritable cornucopia of '1s', Doc Butterworth sprints up to the corner
of the general store and adopts a good fire position, in the cover of the building.

With the Kid's gang all deployed and ready (a bad run of cards that) Grizzly's boys cautiously enter the suburbs.

Armitage Shanks carefully approaches the building site.

The Digbeth Kid gets Grizzly Johnson in his sights

Scarface Knutt gets the drop on Armitage Shanks................

.........but is forced to Dodge, into cover, in the ensuing gun fight

Jebidiah Springsteen, late for the show (where are those '1s' when you need them?),
skirts the rear of the general store, completely unnoticed by the Digbeth gang.

The Kid takes pot shots at Grizzly, who seeks cover amongst the chickens.
What is it with this boy and poultry? I think he's some sort of chicken botherer.

Springsteen outflanks Doc Butterworth............

.........and guns him down mercilessly.

Scarface plays a Desperado card to escape but is pursued by Grizzly and Shanks.

Armitage Shanks guns down Scarface.

With all his gang out of action, the Digbeth Kid 'Rides for the Hills'.

Another great game, and another win for the Grizzly Johnson gang. All the gang have increased in reputation and skills but Jebidiah Springsteen has rocketed to the level of gunslinger.

Half way through the campaign and its not looking  good for the Kid. I suspect that he will need to hire some Henchmen for the next encounter.

THE OLD SPANISH MISSION (WHAT A COWBOY! GAME TWO)

 After their failed attempt at Bushwhacking, the Digbeth gang have fled to the Old Spanish Mission, south of Lardville.

However, Grizzly's gang are hot on their heels, having used their tracking skills to pursue them. This time their out for vengeance, seeking to avenge the death of Hoss Blocker.

This game it was to be the Vendetta scenario. Each side picked an opposing gang member to be the subject of the vendetta. For Grizzly Johnson's gang, the choice was obvious; Doc Butterworth, the killer of Hoss. For his part, the Digbeth picked the opposing gang leader, Grizzly Johnson, as their target.

The Old Spanish Mission

As they were down a gang member, Grizzly recruited a Lardville Townsman, on their journey south. Sanitary engineer Armitage Shanks joined the gang as a Greenhorn.

Approaching the mission, there was no sign of the Digbeth gang, so Grizzly's boys began to search the area. Grizzly headed straight for the church, Jebidiah went right and Shanks took the extreme left.

Jebidiah takes cover behind a wagon, whereas Grizzly tries to steal some chickens!

The Digbeth gang were soon alerted; with Jim P Knutt scouting ahead, whilst Doc Butterworth was distracted by the funeral proceedings. Th Kid was no where to be seen (having failed to roll any Move dice).

Doc Butterworth gate-crashes the funeral

Knutt spots Grizzly Johnson, in the open.

But Doc Butterworth gets the first shot in, although the
wily Mountain Man throws himself to the ground and avoids damage.

With Johnson down, Knutt moves to get the jump on Springsteen.
This Gun for Hire is too quick though and drops Knutt.

Whilst Knutt cowers, Springsteen sneaks up in his rear..........
and guns him down mercilessly. 

With Knutt out of the game, Springsteen hunts down Doc Butterworth.

Meanwhile, the Kid has spent most of the game pinned down
in the cactus patch, by the new boy, Armitage Shanks

The turn ends and the Digbeth gang must take a Ride or Die test. They fail and ride off into the sunset.......swearing vengeance.

The scene just as the Digbeth gang break and Ride for the Hills.

After the second game, the Digbeth gang have lost twice and Grizzly's boys taken control of the Mission.

Most characters have gained new skills; except Knutt who has a serious wound and is now known as Scarface. The Kid has underperformed in both games, whilst Doc Butterworth has got over his jumpy trait and advanced to Shootist. With more Reputation Points than the Kid, Doc may well be looking to take over the gang!

As for Grizzly's gang, Jebidiah Springsteen is heading for Gunslinger status. New boy Armitage Shanks performed well and  moved straight to Shootist. He also revealed that he is Ambidextrous; needless to say the gang have paid for a second pistol for him.

Another great game and nice to see how the campaign progresses and creates its own narrative.

SHOOT OUT AT CANYON WEST (WHAT A COWBOY!)

A solo test game of 'What a Cowboy!' For ease of play I used the Lardville map, from the rulebook.

I decided on gangs of three - a Shootist and a Greenhorn each, dicing for the quality of the third gang member.

First off was the Digbeth kid (a Gun for Hire), Jim P Knutt (Greenhorn, Townsman) and Doc Butterworth (Greenhorn, Townsman). I paid for the Kid to have a Winchester but opted not to spend anything on the Greenhorns.

The Digbeth Kid, Jim P Knutt and Doc Butterworth.

For the opposing gang I rolled a Trapper (Shootist), a Gun for Hire (Shootist) and a Cowhand (Greenhorn).

I dubbed these Grizzly Johnson, Jebediah Springsteen (This gun's for hire, Even if we're just dancin' in the dark), and Hoss Blocker.

I paid for a Winchester for Springsteen and Furs for Grizzly - felt obliged as he's a Trapper.

Grizzly Johnson, Jebediah Springsteen and Hoss Blocker.

I rolled for the scenario and got 'High Noon'. A straight forward fight then - good for a first game, I guess. Dicing for location I came up with 'the Desert'. Lucky I brought those furs then!!!

Canyon West - the scene for a spot of bushwhacking.

The Digbeth gang were to be the attackers. Hence, I figured the Kid fancied a crack at bushwhacking and recruited a couple of ne'er-do-wells from the town to help out. Obviously, they're after Grizzly's cargo of beaver pelts - beaver in the desert, who knew?

The Digbeth gang take up position on the canyon sides, Doc Butterworth taking the right.

The Kid takes the left, covering the canyon with his Winchester. He appears
to still have a label from a previous game - obviously an alias!

Hoss Blocker turned out to be the man of the match, pinning two of the Digbeth gang from 

his position among the cacti. Jim Knutt was actually down to 1 Action Dice and never recovered all game.

Grizzly and Springsteen hold the far end of the canyon.

Grizzly outflanks the Kid's position and empties his gun in repeated shots.
Numerous potential hits countered by successful Dodges. Boy that kid's slippery.

After his stupendous performance, unfortunately, Hoss is shot dead by Doc Butterworth.

Although, the death of Hoss evened the fight somewhat, the Kid's gang were still in a tricky position. Luckily, the turn end arrived and the gang were able to concede defeat and 'Ride for the Hills'

What a great game, and it plays well solo. It might well be my favourite cowboy game, and that's against some stiff opposition. Can't wait to take this down the club!