Wargame Night 12-12

 In December, Bob, Tim, Ross and myself got together for 2012's final game night tournament. I decided to pull out Shogun since Ross had never seen nor played the game. As far as the tournament was concerned, Bob was 2 points behind Tim who was in first place. Bob needed to basically reduce Tim to fourth place in Shogun and seize first place on top of that not only to win the game but the tournament as well.

I played black, Bob played blue, Tim played red and Ross was yellow, er, played yellow.


I personally wanted to stay away from Tim and let Bob go at him for the tournament cup therefore, I set up my initial armies in and around the small island of kyushu in the pink zone (please don't read too much into that). Tim pretty much set up in the far north and hunkered down for a battle royale. Ross, like the proverbial loose canon he is, set up in the central part of Japan in the most inhospitable area on the gameboard in terms of survival. Bob also chose the central and southern areas to consolidate his holdings.

As the game got going, it become clear that Bob was going to try hold every territory he had and not let one go to further his war aims. I decided therefore, to attack Bob in the southern area of Japan to force his hand upon Tim up north. I nearly drove Bob out of southern Japan except for one lone outpost of Kai. Naturally, the Herg beefed up this lone outpost to the hilt!

Needless to say, Bob held on to that outpost for the duration of the game much to my Japanese chagrin. However, in spite of Bob's intransigence, I was still able to consolidate my holdings in the entire pink zone and was the sole shogunate for that area. In addition, I was able to construct enough buildings to monopolize the region and earn extra points for the only Castle, Kabuki Theatre and Shinto Temple in that region. By the first year, I had a solid lead ahead of everyone else.

As the second and final year got going, Bob needed or some one needed to reduce Tim to fourth place but the dirty deed had yet to be done. Basically, as the Tim held up in the north it fell upon either Ross or Bob to destroy Tim's ability to consolidate his area before he would gather his points in the last season of the year. Both Bob and Ross did in fact battle Tim for central Japan but alas, by the fourth season in the second year, it was just too late. Tim held out with ease against a numerically superior but disunited enemy in the persons of Bob and Ross.

The final outcome of the game had myself in first place, Tim in second place, Bob in third and Ross in fourth. We decided that whoever should come in last would have to leave gamenight in honor by enduring the only way a true Shogun can endure such humiliation: by performing Hari Kari. Thus, Ross knelt down and drew his samurai sword for the coup de grace. I as the victorious Shogun made sure I had the final say.

And so, the final act of the final night of Kriegspiel Nacht 2012 was befitting with Ross' head rolling down the hallway and Tim taking the now famous and infamous silver trophy and claiming the title of Kriegspiel Champion of 2012.

The final tournament score was:

Tim:     32 points
Bob:     35 points
Bruce:  50 points
Ross:    59 points
Wayne: 75 points
Eric:    105 points

I have to say that Tim played exceptionally well regardless of the type of game played. Bob also played extremely well coming back from way behind to almost take the cup. I had a rather rough year as I kept on getting 3rd or 4th place almost every month. Ross, being the rookie, suffered for his lack of experience, however, I have a sneaky suspicion that 2013 is going to be more competitive for him. Wayne actually did very well and could have clinched it this year had he not moved away to Tennessee. As for Eric, well hopefully, 2013 will be a more productive year and I would just love to see him take the Trophy for 2013 just to prove to everyone that indeed he can live up to his German origins and be the Hun he was always meant to be!

Now, with the advent of the New Year, the Kriegspiel Tournament begins anew with all scores reset to zero. Will Tim hold onto his well earned trophy or will another Champion arise to seize his prized possession?

Only time will tell.