Ghosts of the Jungle: “Mission 1 - Reconnaissance”

[Whiterook]

This one is going to be a bit slow, as I’m learning as I play. SAS Sgt. ‘Al’ Allen is green, Trooper ‘Buns’ Baker is red, Trooper ‘Clarkey’ Clarke is yellow, and Trooper ‘Dix’ Dixon is blue. Rolling for SAS placement involves rolling 1-die, 1-5 corresponding to bottom row tiles left to right, and 6 being Player's Choice of placement. Al and Buns ended up together, which is a boon for Buns, as he gets an extra die being with the Sarge! …Dix is next to them, and for Clarkey I rolled for Player Choice, so I put him on the far right flank for movement spread purposes. This scenario starts with 3 Viet Cong, in which 1-die rolled for each and placed on corresponding numbered tile…being 1, 3, and 6.



Turn 1

SAS

Clarkey stays put, as all rolled was shoot, and he’s got nothing. Dix only got a move and hide so, he jumped in the jungle! Buns got a great roll and was able to move shift right, move up one, shoot the VC, and hide in the jungle! His shot however, resulted in a VC activating in Tile 3. Sgt. Allen move shifts right and up one with Buns. He’s hidden from the other VC for now, thank goodness! But he does activate a VC in Tile 5 since he is in the open.



VC

Starting with the BC farthest down the map, that’s Tile 3. One VC moves down one tile but can’t use its shoot action. The other VC in that tile retreats back one tile and forfeits it’s shoot action. The VC in Tile 5 moves up one and forfeits it’s shoot action. And the VC on Tile 6 rolled two shoots and has nothing.

End Turn Events

A VC Sniper was rolled! Eek! I had Player Choice of any unbidden SAS to target, which would have been either Sgt. Allen or Trooper Clarkey… it seems an unfair advantage for me to choose Clarkey over Allen, as Allen is a more important piece, so I am homeruling a dice roll…1-3 Clarkey, 4-6 Allen. Rolled a 1 so it was Clarkey, who suffers a Condition loss to 2.

TURN SITREP…



Made it through a turn! That’s some pretty cool action! Whereas I managed to push the VC crack from the front lines, a couple more activated to make that one VC elimination (as well as not getting g all my guys hidden) costly. It’s late so I’ll pick up again another day.

[Whiterook]

Turn 2

SAS

Dix got nothing this turn. Clarkey moved up one tile into the clear but couldn’t hide so a VC appeared in 5. Baker moved up one and threw a grenade taking out a VC and a VC activated in 5. Baker moved up one and hid.

VC

VC somehow all congregate in the same general area, and unfortunately Baker was hit and suffers -1 to condition.

End Turn Event

Nothing

SITREP

[Whiterook]

Turn 3

SAS

Dix moves up one but is out of LOS, but a VC activates in Tile 2, in Buns’ general area! Clarkey jumps in the Jungle. Sgt. Allen tends to Buns, who is back to full strength, but holds fire. Buns jumps in the building next to the Sarge.

VC

The VC closest to Clarkey shifts right towards the other VC. One VC in front of the Sarge and Buns moves up one but can’t shoot; another moves up one and shifts left; the other shifts right. The VC below Tile 5 has one retreat and one move up.

End Turn Event

Nothing

SITREP



Overall, not a bad round, with only one VC reinforcement, Buns getting first aid, and three of the four hidden. The Sarge and Buns are in danger close, though… a grenade would be nice, but then again the VC could hunt!

[Whiterook]

I just realized I activated two VC that shouldn’t have I think… Sarge on Turn 1 and Clarkey on Turn 2… they moved to a jungle tile but not hidden in the jungle, which I took to be in the open, which I guess technically they were — but, those were still Jungle tiles, not Open tiles. Oops.

[Whiterook]

Turn 4

SAS

Clarkey jumps back out of the Jungle and moves up a tile (now unhidden again). Dix moves right, heading to the wounded Clarkey's position. Sarge throws a grenade, taking out a VC (remains hidden); VC reinforcement activates in Tile 2, next to Clarkey (oh dear!). Buns gets nothing and stays hidden.

VC

The VC closest to Clarkey rolls a Hunt, but here are no Hidden SAS on any tiles near him so he uses the two 1's and moves right past Clarkey's Jungle position, but next to Dix, who is now in danger if he's heard!!! A VC above the rocks shifts right, in LOS of Sarge and Buns, but they are thankfully Hiddens so can't be shot at. Phew! The other VC that was abandoned by his chum rolled a Hunt, which he has nothing, and those dice were also doubles, which he has no target. Next VC jumped ahead one and retreated back on... must have been spooked! Next VC couldn't move and the last in the rear moved one to the left.

End Turn Event

Nothing

SITREP



Note that I was starting to have a bit of a problem keeping track of the VC I was handling... because I'd roll, do the do, and then write online in this AAR; the last bit being what was a bit tough on the memory! I didn't want to miss any VC, so I dug out some different colored Tens counters from the RISK pieces and used them to mark the activated...



This turn also solidified corrections in my play with activating too many VC...that would have made for a disastrous game!

[Whiterook]

Turn 5

SAS

Buns hobbles back down one and tosses a grenade, taking out the VC endangering him and Dix; VC activates in Tile 4. Dix moves into the Jungle with Clarkey...hopefully he rolls a Tend soon! Buns tosses a grenade and takes out a VC ahead of him; VA activates in Tile 4. Sarge stays quiet.

VC

The VC at center shifts left towards Dix and Clarkey. VC moves down to the left flank of Sarge and Buns, but doesn't see them hiding in the huts. VC shifts left on the Jungle Track road. VC to rear move up and right, onto the Track. The two VC way in the rear on Reinforcement Tile 4 move frward one and two.

End Turn Event

Nothing

SITREP

[Whiterook]

Turn 6

SAS

Dix didn't roll a tend and has no targets so he stays put, while Clarkey hides in the Jungle cover. Buns throws a grenade at the VC to his left as he's in danger close; VC activates in Tile 6. Sarge stays quiet.

VC

The VC at right moves forward and retreats, spooked. VC moves down on closer to Dix and Clarkey. VC on Track, left flank moves up one and right; next on Track has no shot; and final one on Track same. VC in rear moves right and down.

End Turn Event

Nothing

SITREP

[Whiterook]

Turn 7

SAS

Dix again, can't tend to Clarkey, so he remains quiet while Clarkey stays hidden, too. Buns and Sarge stay quiet ...with that open clearing ahead of them, they can see the VC along the Road and don't want to reveal their position ...patience is your friends in the Bush!

VC

The VC close to Dix and Clarkey tries to Hunt, and when that fails, finds he has no target and no love. A VC moves up adjacent to Dix and pops him in the shoulder! ...-1 to Condition to Dix now, so they'll need to help tend to each other, and whee Dix has no cover he can jump in...with VC bearing down, this is going to get dicey. Meanwhile, the VC that was next to the other one shifts left, hearing the gunfire and sniffing blood. The VC at center moves right and down, and another VC moves next to him. Last VC wants to fire but has no target.

End Turn Event

Nothing (...WOW... this is a recurring trend!)

SITREP

[Whiterook]

Turn 8

SAS

Dix again, can't tend to Clarkey, but this is getting too sticky with the VC almost surrounding them and both he and Clarkey wounded, so he tosses a grenade and takes out the VC to the front; VC activates in Tile 3 on the Road. Clarkey stays hidden. Buns and Sarge stay quiet ...Buns had a chance t run forward and shoot the VC to their front, but whereas it was a viable option, he chose to stick it out hidden with Sarge.

VC

The VC close to Dix and Clarkey moves right past them, getting lost with their possible position. A VC in front of Dix and Clarkey shifts to the right and down one, following his companion... good news for the SAS boys, perhaps. A VC moves in front of Buns and Sarge, but can't see them for a line of fire. His pal moves alongside the boys. The VC on the road shifts left on the Road. he VC in the rear moves up to the Road.

End Turn Event

VC Reinforcement: VC pops out of the Jungle into Tile 2.

SITREP

[Whiterook]

Turn 9

SAS

Dix rolls doubles! ...he tends to Clarkey, who is now again full-strength. Clarkey rolls doubles! ...he tends to Dix, who is now also back up to again full-strength! After so many non-doubles, this came at an opportune time with the VC almost surrounding them. Baker tosses a grenade ath the VC in front for a KIA, and Sarge stays quiet... no VC activate.

VC

The VC close to Dix and Clarkey's rear moves away into the Jungle; and the VC to their front moves down and nails Dix!!! ...ouch! The VC next to Buns and the Sarge Hunts and nails Buns... a lucky shot into the hut; Buns now has a -1 to his Condition and becomes Unhidden. The VC that was in Tile 2 smells blood in the wind and shifts two over to the tile in front on Sarge and Buns. Next VC doesn't move, listening to the shot that rang out in the Jungle to his forward right. The last VC rolled a Hunt, but no love, as well as not target to shoot at.

End Turn Event

VC Reinforcement to Tile 3.

SITREP

[Whiterook]

Turn 10

SAS

Clarkey can't tend yet, so he tosses a grenade taking out the VC to their left; a VC activates on the road in Tile 3. Dix takes the opportunity of moving forward two, even though he's injured. He'll hope for Clarkey to catch up and help him later, but they need to get moving. It's a risky gambit but, they've all been bogged down for what feels like forever in the Jungle. Sarge is able to tend to Buns, who is now back to full strength. Buns tosses grenades at the VC to the front and left, giving them some breathing room; VC activate in Tile; two VC activate in Tile 2, right next to Dix (ooops!).

VC

The VC that close to Dix and Clarkey's rear earlier and moved away into the Jungle moves back one space, second guessing his situational awareness. VC next to Sarge Hunts and pops Sarge, who now is -1 Cndition and becomes Unhidden. VC in front stays put. VC that activated in Tile 2 shifts right; his pal joins him. VC on Road to VC left flank shifts right; next one moves left; and the last one moves down in from of Sarge and Buns.

End Turn Event

No Event.

SITREP

[Whiterook]

Turn 11

SAS

Clarkey hides in the deepness of the Jungle, hoping Dix can catch up for support. Dix does indeed catch up into the same area, but is Unhidden at present, so he's trying to be as stealthy as possible and blend into the bush. Baker Hides in a hut while throwing a grenade at the two VC ahead of him and kill each (a grenade kills every enemy in a tile so, they are deadly on groups in this game); and a grenade to the left taking out that VC...a calculated risk at activating two VC, which happens in Tiles 1 (their own hex! and 3 on the Road. Sarge, with the shit scared out of him, shoots the VC that landed next to them; activating a VC in Tile 5. So, just about the same number of VC the turn started out with, which is discouraging, but the effect is he VC pushed back to and past the Road, so they have some breathing room at the moment... which probably won't last long with the VC on the move as always...

VC

The VC at map bottom stays put. The two VC above the rocks are also held up in place. The VC behind them moves up one to join his comrades. The three on the road, same area has one hold, one moves up and right, and the last moves up and left into the tile with the three VC, making that a damned crowded area and a hell of a juicy grenade target if any of the SAS in the area can pull it off! (All would be wiped out with one grenade!) Last VC moves onto the Road.

End Turn Event

Redeployment... furthers VC from SAS are the two currently on the Road, which are equidistant to Sarge and Buns, so I'll pick the farthest from Clarkey and Dix..

SITREP

[Whiterook]

Turn 12

SAS

Clarkey tends to Dix, but is unable to Hide; Dix holds. Buns tends the Sarge (so all SAS are full strength again) and holds Hidden in the hut; and Sarge takes off like a jackrabbit (a very quiet rabbit!) and manages t sneak by the tow VC on the road and into the jungle, though Unhidden.


VC

The VC at map bottom stays put. The four VC above the rocks: one shifts left right into Dix and Clarkey's tile... Shhhhhhhhhhhhhh!!!!!); One moves right but has no target as Buns is hidden; The other joins his buddy in front of Buns (Buns is a bit perturbed); the last moves left closer to Clarkey and Dix.VC moves to the left of Buns (...dude can't catch a beak!). One VC on the Road holds and the other shifts left.

End Turn Event

Reinforcement... VC lands on Bun's tile!!!! Fuck me! Poor Buns is earning his pay today!

SITREP

[Whiterook]

Turn 13

SAS

Clarkey Shoots the VC in his area and Hides; VC enters Tile 5. Dix stays put. is in a tough spot...he shoots the VC in his area and tosses a grenade on the two in front; the shot actiavtes a VS in Tile 1...Yup, Bun's area! Ugh!!! Sarge hides.


VC

The VC at map bottom shifts right. The VC with Buns started to move forward, but doubled back. VC next to Buns stays put. VC near Clarkey and Dix moves forward. VC on road moves in front of he Hidden Clarkey and Dix. The other VC on the road falls back alongside Sarge, while his buddy Hunts Sarge critically wounding Sarge! Oh no!

End Turn Event

VC truck speeds along road, but no shots fired.

SITREP

[Whiterook]

Turn 14

SAS

Dix tosses a grenade taking out the VC ahead; VC activates in Bun's area *where else!). Clarkey moves to top row. Buns Moves one into the open... he's desperate, and shoots a VC at the old position; VC activates in Tile 1...Yikes! Sarge shoots both VC to his left; VC activates in Tiles 3 and 6 (latter right in front of him. Sheesh!


VC

The VC at map bottom moves right. The three in Bun's old position: one stays put, one moves at Buns and shoots him in the butt (-1 ondition), and the last moves right. The VC with that one and nails Buns... he's down to his last health Condition, too. Last VC moves next to Sarge.

End Turn Event

Sniper kills poor Buns... just wasn't his today!

Game over.

SITREP



WOW, Mike wasn't kidding when he said this game is hard to win! It was a good game to get the feel for it, and I still need a few games under my belt to have a better idea on how to attack strategy on this game. I'm thinking that I needed to be more stealth and less Rambo! The VC just kept coming, and that was due to all the grenades and rifle shots. I did manage to get my troopers up-board half-way or better, with Clarkey reaching top row; and Sarge close, but hurt real bad, with minimal chance of anyone getting to him soon to tend to his wounds.

I really like this game! The dice can be fickle, but pretty accurate as to what would have probably happened to the guys. I look forward to the next game!