Conspiracy! Solo Play Campaign Part 6
Introduction
The campaign which tests out my Solo Play rules for the Strontium Dog Miniatures Game reaches its climax with a huge showdown of heroes and villains! I follow my now traditional method of narrative sections being written in italics, while all other information is written in standard text. GFBF is a Go For Broke! Failure meaning that an attempt to return a Star Chip to the bag has failed.
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| Two Stix by Carlos Ezquerra Copyright: Rebellion 2000AD Ltd |
Scenario Background
Some hours after their battle, the Gronk has worked miracles and brought his friends back to a state approaching normality. Buell struggles to comprehend how well Wulf and Blubberlips have responded; they were close to dying from blood loss, yet now they are back on their feet and making jokes in his home. Suddenly, a series of explosions rock the streets around his home, and the whole band are jolted to their feet.
"Rockets," Buell yells incredulously. "They dare to unleash artillery on our town?"
Red looks out of a window but she cannot see anything as the air is filled with dust. The roar of a shuttle engine is unmistakable however. The howl of the thrusters begins to dissipate as the shuttle lands and its engine begins to power down. Shouts from locals against the shuttles' occupants reveal that, thanks to the recent actions of the Strontium Dogs, the townsfolk have discovered that they have both courage and hope - and are challenging the occupants of the shuttle!
"Rockets," Buell yells incredulously. "They dare to unleash artillery on our town?"
Red looks out of a window but she cannot see anything as the air is filled with dust. The roar of a shuttle engine is unmistakable however. The howl of the thrusters begins to dissipate as the shuttle lands and its engine begins to power down. Shouts from locals against the shuttles' occupants reveal that, thanks to the recent actions of the Strontium Dogs, the townsfolk have discovered that they have both courage and hope - and are challenging the occupants of the shuttle!
"No," Red whispers, sensing the consequences.
Gunshots fill the air and, within moments, the shouts are silenced.
"Alpha," a gravelly voice roars. "Will kill more. Town will burn. Show yourself!"
The dust begins to clear and Johnny joins Red's side to peer out of the window. They see that a shuttle has landed on a ridge overlooking to the town. Several buildings are aflame. Stood outside the shuttle are Kansyr, Max Bubba, Billy Joe, and six other figures in duster coats. Before them are the scattered bodies of the townsfolk that confronted them.
"Stix," Johnny grunts, a sick feeling forming in his stomach. "They're the ones who're behind this 'organisation'. They've got the goons - the very scum they should be hunting - running a criminal cartel for them!"
"Then we gi'e 'em the severe Malky," Middenface says with determination.
"If you mean it's time we put the Stix and their sick scheme out of business," Red nods, "I'd agree."
"Looks like they want a showdown," Johnny says, grabbing his two blasters. "I'd hate to disappoint them."
Forces
Player BandJohnny Alpha (hero mode) 19 Notoriety
Wulf Sternhammer 15 Notoriety
Middenface McNulty 13 Notoriety
Durham Red 13 Notoriety
Maeve the Many-Armed 7 Notoriety
Blubberlips 5 Notoriety
Kid Knee 4 Notoriety
The Gronk 3 Notoriety
Total: 79 Notoriety
Enemy Band
Stix (leader) 11 Notoriety*
Stix x 5 50 Notoriety
Max Bubba 18 Notoriety
Kansyr 11 Notoriety
Billy Joe 16 Notoriety
Total: 109 Notoriety
*Using the Schemer home-brew rule as set out on my Stix post here.
Game Notes
Job: Takedown
Encounter: Showdown
Collateral: 100,000 each - spent on Armoury/Chicanery Cards
Special Rules: The Stix are ruthless killers. This is a fight to the death. The surviving band will win the campaign.
The Encounter
Overview of the battlefield. The shuttle has landed on a hill, the Stix gang are filing their way down into the centre of town.
Johnny and his friends make their way from Buell's home towards the enemy band. Buell himself rushes off to ensure no more townsfolk come anywhere near the showdown. Enough innocent folk have died here already.
Johnny and his friends make their way from Buell's home towards the enemy band. Buell himself rushes off to ensure no more townsfolk come anywhere near the showdown. Enough innocent folk have died here already.
On the opposite corner of the board, Johnny and his band spread out, readying themselves for the final battle.
"Have I got it right Stix?" Johnny asks.
"What's that," their leader replies.
"You're behind this 'organisation'?"
"Yes."
"Have I got it right Stix?" Johnny asks.
"What's that," their leader replies.
"You're behind this 'organisation'?"
"Yes."
The view from Johnny's band's perspective.
"And instead of claiming bounties on outlaw scum, you realised they could make more money for you terrorising decent folks?"
"Yes."
"And instead of claiming bounties on outlaw scum, you realised they could make more money for you terrorising decent folks?"
"Yes."
The view from the Stix gang's perspective.
"And you came here now because word had got back that Wulf and I were smashing our way through your criminal enterprise here on Planet Alzir."
"Yes. Knew you'd ruin everything."
"And you came here now because word had got back that Wulf and I were smashing our way through your criminal enterprise here on Planet Alzir."
"Yes. Knew you'd ruin everything."
Confirmation of Johnny's band.
"Did you put the bounty on Middenface's head?"
"Yes. Needed bait. Wanted you."
"What for?"
"You killed kin. Honour demands it. Now this interference. Costly. You pay. In blood."
"If you want Johnny, you'll have to go through us too," Red interrupts.
"Aye Stix," Middenface says, rolling his sleeves up. "We're aw up fir a stooshie! It's heidcases like youse that gi'e muties a bad name!"
Confirmation of Johnny's band (continued).
"Ja! Stix break vith Der Happy Stick!"
Johnny's Armoury Cards (4 + 2 additional cards bought with Collateral).
"Did you put the bounty on Middenface's head?"
"Yes. Needed bait. Wanted you."
"What for?"
"You killed kin. Honour demands it. Now this interference. Costly. You pay. In blood."
"If you want Johnny, you'll have to go through us too," Red interrupts.
"Aye Stix," Middenface says, rolling his sleeves up. "We're aw up fir a stooshie! It's heidcases like youse that gi'e muties a bad name!"
Confirmation of Johnny's band (continued).
"Ja! Stix break vith Der Happy Stick!"
Johnny's Armoury Cards (4 + 2 additional cards bought with Collateral).
The Chicanery Cards at the band's disposal.
There are 6 Stix plus Max Bubba, Billy Joe and Kansyr up against Johnny's team!
"You're outnumbered. All will die."
"You're outnumbered. All will die."
Johnny and Stix face off.
"Maybe. But we're taking you to hell with us."
"Maybe. But we're taking you to hell with us."
A Stix is first to activate - and first to draw! But he is out of range so his activation is wasted!
"Take them," another Stix hisses, grabbing for his gun!
"Take them," another Stix hisses, grabbing for his gun!
Some of his fellow band members are caught on the hoof and Pinned - but he returns the Star Chip to the bag!
13. As are much of the Alpha band!
-but so too are most of Johnny's band! The Gronk has a heart attack on the spot!
Max Bubba activates.
"Gotta get to the tower! Nowhere for Alpha to hide from my blazooka!
Max Bubba makes a run for the tower - but GFBF!
But Bubba is delayed by a security panel locking the tower!
Maeve activates.
But has to Shake It Off! before moving.
Maeve moves forward to outflank the Stix gang.
Maeve moves forward to outflank the Stix gang.
Stix fires an Aimed Shot.
"Die Alpha," the leader Stix says, pulling the trigger.
But Johnny Evades!
"You first, Johnny replies, returning fire as Stix's shot whizzes past his ear.
"You first, Johnny replies, returning fire as Stix's shot whizzes past his ear.
Bullet time activates and both trade shot after shot but fail to harm the other!
Both gunfighters exchange volleys in a blaze of blaster fire but neither find their mark!
Both gunfighters exchange volleys in a blaze of blaster fire but neither find their mark!
Kid Knees activates and passes a Cool test to remove the Pinned marker.
"Can't believe I'm putting my knee on the line for these guys but what the sneck?" Kid Knee laughs!
"Can't believe I'm putting my knee on the line for these guys but what the sneck?" Kid Knee laughs!
He Sprints to a nearby shack.
"Good idea Maeve," Kid says. "We'll catch 'em in a crossfire!"
"Good idea Maeve," Kid says. "We'll catch 'em in a crossfire!"
Stix activates again and once again trades fire with Johnny!
Stix and Johnny's fingers are a blur as they pump their triggers!
But again, neither is able to inflict any damage. GFBF!
Stix only succeeds in riddling the crate between them with hot blaster fire!
Johnny Moves to cover but his Snap Shot misses!
Johnny finds more solid cover and fires again upon the Stix but misses!
Another Stix activates.
"Outflank Alpha," one Stix says, striding forward.
And makes his way around the buildings, hoping to outflank Alpha! GFBF!
The Stix hopes that the smoke from the burning buildings will help conceal his approach.
Another Stix activates and opts for a more direct route to engage Alpha but has no line of sight! GFBF!
Another takes a more direct route towards Alpha.
Blubberlips activates.
"Gotta help Johnny," Blubberlips exclaims.
"Gotta help Johnny," Blubberlips exclaims.
And makes two Moves to get into position in one of the houses.
He rushes into a home and kicks out the window, angling himself into position.
He rushes into a home and kicks out the window, angling himself into position.
Kansyr activates and has to use Shake it Off! He returns the Star Chip to the bag...
Kansyr growls and reaches out with his mind for a victim...
Kansyr growls and reaches out with his mind for a victim...
And reactivates! This time using his Mind Warp to try to turn Durham Red to his will...
He senses Durham Red and tries to steal control of her mind!
He senses Durham Red and tries to steal control of her mind!
But he fails! He does return his Star Chip to the bag though. The Gronk is forced to activate but cannot move due to suffering from fright as the guns started blazing!
But Red is well prepared for Kansyr's mind games and easily repels him!
Durham Red activates and passes her Cool test.
Red gives the Gronk a gentle shake and he stirs.
"Hey there, don't give up on us yet," she smiles. "We'll need your help."
She revives the Gronk, rushes into cover and returns the Star Chip to the bag.
She rushes forward...
She rushes forward...
She activates again and opens fire at Stix!
...and fires on Stix!
...and fires on Stix!
...but a Chicanery Card saves him! She returns her Star Chip to the bag though!
She hits him! But he barely reacts - just looks at the wound like it was a bee-sting!
Johnny activates and again looses two Snap Shots - another Chicanery Card saves Stix from the first...
Johnny backs Red up and tags him twice!
...but the second wounds him!
The Stix's eyes widen as he is wounded by the crossfire!
She hits him! But he barely reacts - just looks at the wound like it was a bee-sting!
Johnny activates and again looses two Snap Shots - another Chicanery Card saves Stix from the first...
Johnny backs Red up and tags him twice!
...but the second wounds him!
The Stix's eyes widen as he is wounded by the crossfire!
Red makes two snap shots.
Red follows up Johnny's attack with more of her own!
More Chicanery!
...but the second hit stuns him!
But the Stix only looks stunned by further hits!
"The big lug doesn't know when to die," Red thinks.
But the Stix only looks stunned by further hits!
"The big lug doesn't know when to die," Red thinks.
Kansyr attempts to take control of Red again...
Kansyr senses her frustration and strikes at her mind again!
...and fails again! GFBF!
Another Stix activates.
Yet another Stix moves forward.
He passes his brother and gets into position behind some crates. GFBF!
Striding through the smoke and flame of the burning homes, he joins his brother as they close in on Alpha.
Striding through the smoke and flame of the burning homes, he joins his brother as they close in on Alpha.
Safely behind cover, Johnny ignores them and fires upon their leader!
Johnny senses that two Stix are almost upon him - but he ise so close to taking their leader out of the equation! He fires again!
Johnny senses that two Stix are almost upon him - but he ise so close to taking their leader out of the equation! He fires again!
Another Chicanery Card saves the day!
Johnny lands another hit from his blaster...
Johnny lands another hit from his blaster...
But he is wounded again!
...and another, wounding the Stix again!
...and another, wounding the Stix again!
Johnny activates again!
Knowing he has their leader on the ropes, Johnny tries to finish the job!
Another Chicanery Card is burned and the Stix, somehow, soaks up Johnny's last shot!
But once again, this Stix seems impervious to blaster shots!
Johnny's luck finally runs out with a GFBF!
Johnny ejects an empty cartridge and slams in a fresh one as enemies close in around him!
Middenface activates but is forced to Shake It Off! before moving.
"Johnny's arse is oot the windae, Big Yin! It's up tae us tae help him!"
He gets into position and returns his Star Chip to the bag.
He rushes forward, spotting the Stix brothers on Johnny's flank.
Another Stix activates.
A Stix draws his gun and advances...
A Stix draws his gun and advances...
He advances behind cover and fires at Red.
...his blaster flashes as he moves into position behind cover...
...his blaster flashes as he moves into position behind cover...
She Evades the attack! The Stix suffers a GFBF!
...but Red anticipates the attack and ducks down behind cover!
...but Red anticipates the attack and ducks down behind cover!
Middenface activates.
Middenface knows that the Stix are expert gunslingers so makes a break for more cover!
Middenface knows that the Stix are expert gunslingers so makes a break for more cover!
Middenface is out of range of the two Stix. He closes in and shoots - but misses!
He makes it into cover and looses a snap shot! His shot fails to find its target though!
The final Stix activates...
The last Stix moves forward...
57. He has to Shake it Off! before moving into cover. The Star Chip is returned to the bag...
...and joins his brothers in their face-off against Alpha and Red.
He makes it into cover and looses a snap shot! His shot fails to find its target though!
The final Stix activates...
The last Stix moves forward...
57. He has to Shake it Off! before moving into cover. The Star Chip is returned to the bag...
...and joins his brothers in their face-off against Alpha and Red.
Wulf joins the fray!
Concerned that Middenface is getting himself into trouble, Wulf sprints forward!
Concerned that Middenface is getting himself into trouble, Wulf sprints forward!
A Chicanery Card helps him as he Sprints forward!
Lungs almost fit to burst, Wulf runs at full pelt!
Lungs almost fit to burst, Wulf runs at full pelt!
He rushes past Middenface to another house - but there is danger all around!
Sure he saw another Stix skirting around this house, Wulf moves to investigate...
Sure he saw another Stix skirting around this house, Wulf moves to investigate...
He activates again and rushes to attack!
Flames explode from the home as Wulf rushes onward!
Flames explode from the home as Wulf rushes onward!
Wulf Moves and then Fights the Stix.
The Stix is caught off-guard by Wulf's speed and stunned by the attack!
The Stix is caught off-guard by Wulf's speed and stunned by the attack!
...before activating and Fighting again!
Wulf swings der Happy Stick!
Wulf swings der Happy Stick!
This time he inflicts a wound!
He inflicts one wound!
He inflicts one wound!
And then a second!
And then another!
Billy Joe activates.
Billy Joe hears the commotion...
But fails to get close enough to join the battle! GFBF!
But their sense of urgency goes against the two muties - who are trapped in the one body - as they are slightly out of stride with each other, failing to reach Sternhammer!
Middenface fires an Aimed Shot...
"Oi, you," Middenface shouts. "Here's yer lumps!"
...inflciting 2 words on a Stix!
The Stix cries out as McNulty's blaster tears a large chunk of flesh from the his shoulder!
Stix activates and fires twice at Red!
Once of the Stix behind the crates targets Red again...
And then another!
Billy Joe activates.
Billy Joe hears the commotion...
But fails to get close enough to join the battle! GFBF!
But their sense of urgency goes against the two muties - who are trapped in the one body - as they are slightly out of stride with each other, failing to reach Sternhammer!
Middenface fires an Aimed Shot...
"Oi, you," Middenface shouts. "Here's yer lumps!"
...inflciting 2 words on a Stix!
The Stix cries out as McNulty's blaster tears a large chunk of flesh from the his shoulder!
Stix activates and fires twice at Red!
Once of the Stix behind the crates targets Red again...
Two Evades!
...but she dodges both shots!
...but she dodges both shots!
GFBF!
The Stix curses Red's seemingly supernatural speed!
The Stix curses Red's seemingly supernatural speed!
Concerned that Wulf could quickly run into trouble, Middenface charges but underestimates the distance his enemies are from him! He is totally exposed! As this is the last chip out of the bag, no attempt is made to return the Star Chip.
"Aw naw," Middenface gasps as he makes a stumbling charge towards the tow Stix!
"Aw naw," Middenface gasps as he makes a stumbling charge towards the tow Stix!
Overview. End of Turn 1.
Turn 2. Stix has the drop on Middenface! He fails his Cool test and fluffs his shot! Let off for Middenface but the Star Chip is returned...
The Stix laughs and fires at Middenface - but inexplicably misses!
Blubberlips fires an Aimed Shot
Blubberlips takes his time before taking a potshot at the Stix leader...
...and incapacitates him!
...and the Stix staggers back and collapses! Blubberlips laughs and blows a huge raspberry at the defeated leader!
Stix re-activates and makes two Snap Shots at Middenface, first inflicting three wounds!
Stix shoots at Middenface again - and again!
...and incapacitating him!
And takes the Tartan Terror down!
The Gronk realises his friends are in danger and Sprints...
"Oh dearses! It sounds like Mr McNulty needses my help!"
...but he is so small, he doesn't get far!
Unfortunately the Gronk has short legs and cannot get anywhere near Middenface!
A badly wounded Stix activates and attempts to Fight Wulf.
Still reeling from the effects of Der Happy Stick, the Stix tries to fight back!
But doesn't even stun Wulf!
He has heightened strength but he is so badly wounded that even that can't harm his attacker!
Kid Knee enters a shack and fires at more Stix brothers!
"In here Maeve," Kid Knee says as he storms inside the shack.
His snap shot misses!
He takes a potshot at the Stix as he moves into position but his shot goes astray. The Stix don't even blink and stand completely impassive!
Billy Joe springs into action. He whips Wulf once, then twice - but only inflicts a single stun!
Note: the Solo Play rules indicate Billy Joe would charge. I up the A.I. by deciding that 2 Fight attacks would be more punishing than a Single Charge. Always feel empowered to change an action if you think it will benefit the enemy model; the flowcharts work well overall but they work better if you can adapt them to the situation. If you are happy with the flowchart action though, you are not obliged to improve the situation for the enemy.
Billy Joe activates and lashes at Wulf, but does nothing more than stun him!
He is able to reactivate and attack afresh.
He launches into a spinning attack, allowing both and Billy and Joe alternate lashes upon Wulf!
And manage to wound Wulf! Star Chip goes back to the bag again!
"Verdampt coward! Come and fight me like a man!" Wulf yells as the las-whips cut him.
Again!
Billy Joe may be a coward but he is crafty too! He can see from the condition that the Stix is in not to engage Sternhammer at close quarters - and so continues lashing Wulf with his las-whips from a safe distance!
And again!
"Arrrghhh," Wulf cries! The constant lashing is taking its toll, and Wulf is on the brink!
Maeve activates and joins Kid Knee in the shack.
Maeve follows Kid Knee into the home and joins him in firing upon Stix!
She brings her multiple blasters to bear on a Stix and inflicts a wound!
She hits - and wounds one of them!
Billy Joe activates again and he lashes and breaks Wulf who passes out in pain. GFBF!
Joe's eyes glitter with malice as he sees Wulf staggers in pain. He lashes out and delivers the coup de grace - with a cry, Wulf crashes to the sand!
Johnny activates and uses his Weird Eyes ability to fire his variable blaster through intervening blocking cover but only inflicts a stun! GFBF!
Johnny uses his alpha rays and the variable setting on his Westinghouse to fire through solid cover - but only stuns a Stix!
Kansyr reaches out with his mind...
Sufficiently dissuaded from trying to get into Durham Red's head, Kansyr searches for another victim...
...and takes control of Maeve! She turns her guns on Kid Knee!
...and finds one in Maeve! Gleefully, he instructs her to fire upon Kid Knee!
She takes a Snap Shot and inflicts a wound!
She shoots him, inflicting a flesh wound on his leg, less than an inch above his head!
"Arrrghhh," he howls. "What the sneck? You could have killed me Maeve!"
"It's not me," she cries. "It's Kansyr!"
Kid rushes to grapple with Maeve but doesn't have enough limbs to restrain her!
Kansyr returns the Star Chip.
Kansyr laughs from the hilltop at the distress and confusion he has caused.
Durham Red passes her Cool test and makes two Snap Shots!
"We're being outflanked," Red warns. "Gotta take down these Stix!"
Another Stix is incapacitated!
Her shots find their mark - scratch another Stix!
She returns her Star Chip!
Note: The Pinned marker had not been removed when she passed her Cool test, but I realised the error and removed it before this had any effect.
"You Stix've got this coming!"
The last Stix standing by the crates activates and fire an Aimed Shot at Red...
"Die," the Stix responds, squeezing off an aimed volley at Red.
But she Evades and returns fire with her Gunfighter ability!
Red is too quick for Stix! She dodges and returns fire!
Stix is saved by cover but suffers a GFBF!
But she only shoots up cover!
Red activates and fires two Snap Shots but fails to wound the remaining Stix! She does return the Star Chip to the bag.
She follows up with more shots but still fails to wound the remaining Stix!
A Stix activates but has to use Shake It Off! to remove the Pinned marker.
Another Stix activates and moves forward to close in on Alpha.
He closes in on Johnny but the suffers a GFBF!
Alpha is almost in touching distance!
Red fires another two Snap Shots.
"I've had enough of this," Red says through gritted teeth and fires again at the Stix!
The first volley inflicts two more wounds...and the second removes him from the fight!
This time she finally defeats him!
She sends the Star Chip back to the bag! Her attention turns to Johnny and the Stix bearing down on him! Reactivating, she fires two Snap Shots.
"Johnny, watch your back," she shouts, firing her blasters.
Her first shot misses while the second finds its mark, but the Chicanery Card nullifies the hit against Stix!
But she only manages to damage the Stix's duster coat!
GFBF!
"You gotta get outta there Johnny!"
Kansyr activates again...
"Come here you weak-minded fool," Kansyr thinks as he targets Maeve again!
...and once again Maeve shoots Kid Knee!
"Die," Maeve shouts involuntarily as Kid struggles with her!
He is fortunate to escape with only a stun!
His exertions limit her to only stunning him - it could have worse!
Kansyr suffers a GFBF.
"Still they try to resist the inevitable," Kansyr thinks. "Imbeciles!"
Stix activates but has to use two Shake it Off! actions to clear Pinned and Stunned markers.
Badly wounded, the Stix opts to take a breather for a few moments.
It seems sensible not to attempt to return the Star Chip as he has 2 wounds.
He needs more time to recover!
Max Bubba Sprints inside the tower...
Max overrides the lock and gains access to the tower.
And gets into position with his blazooka. GFBF!
He rushes up the spiral staircase and finally gets into position with a clear view of the town!
Overview of the battlefield at the end of Turn 2.
The view from Johnny's side of the board.
Kansyr's view of the town.
Turn 3. Billy Joe runs forward.
Billy Joe pushes forward in search of more S/D Agents.
And sends his Star Chip back to the bag.
A grin spreads across his face as he spots Alpha himself!
Maeve activates and removes herself from the shack.
Terrified of what she may do next, Maeve opts to run away from Kid Knee!
She fires at Max Bubba.
Having exited the house, she spots Max Bubba in the tower!
He uses a Chicanery Card to nullify the wounds suffered.
Somehow he seems unperturbed by her blaster blast!
Billy activates.
"Joe lashed that bearded norm to death Alpha," Billy says. "Now I get the pleasure of doing the same to you!"
Billy Fights and lashes at Johnny!
As they storm forward, Billy lashes out with the las-whip!
But Johnny evades the attack, and retreats!
Johnny ducks and rolls out of the way!
Joe Fights again...
"I'll show you how it's done," Joe sneers, and lashes out at Johnny again!
...and Johnny Evades again! Joe sends the Star Chip back to the bag.
Once again Johnny dives clear of the deadly las-whips!
Johnny activates and has to use Shake it Off to clear a Pinned marker.
Johnny assesses the situation as Billy Joe bears down on him!
He moves inside the shack and returns the Star Chip.
He rushes inside and takes cover!
Blubberlips activates and opts to Overwatch, waiting for Billy Joe to pass by.
"Come on you ugly snecker," Blubberlips grins. He has the drop on Billy Joe if he tries to enter the small home.
Kid Knee clears a stun and moves...
Though badly wounded, Kid realises that he has to get close to Alpha to help.
...headed to help Johnny and Red out.
His wound slows him however! He isn't in much of a position to help anyone!
Max Bubba activates in the tower.
With a malevolent grin, Max raises his blazooka!
Passing his Cool test, he targets the building where Johnny and Blubberlips are taking cover.
Bubba spots Blubberlips waiting at the window to shoot Billy Joe!
Bullseye! It blows the side off the building and injures Blubberlips, breaking his Overwatch! GBBF!
Whoompfff! Bubba blows the side of the building apart and Blubberlips cries out!
The Gronk Sprints inside the shack.
"Oh dearses, I's coming Mr Blubberlips," the Gronk cries, running inside the burning building!
Stix activates...
Stix slowly raises his gun and fires at Johnny inside the burning building!
And Intimidates both Blubberlips and Johnny! His Aimed Shot fails to penetrate Johnny's cover. He returns his Star Chip.
Wounded from the blazooka attack and with the building aflame around him, Blubberlips starts to panic! Even Johnny is beginning to despair at their current predicament!
Johnny activates and passes his Cool test to clear the Pinned Marker. He then fires two Snap Shots at Stix!
"Is there any end to you creeps?" Johnny grimaces, loosing more volleys from his Westinghouse.
A Chicanery Card nullifies the effects of the first shot.
...but the second inflicts two injury markers! Johnny returns the Star Chip!
Johnny's shot wounds Stix but he is not out of the fight.
"And none of you know when to go down," Johnny grunts.
Billy Joe activates.
"We've got 'em now, Billy," Joe laughs.
Billy Joe rushes forward. Entering the shack, he lashes Blubberlips against the burning window! He returns the Star Chip...
"Eat lash Stronty," Joe shouts and cracks his las-whip at Blubberlips!
...and reactivates, lashing Blubberlips again and incapacitating him. As he turns to lash Johnny, the Gronk distracts him and he flails wildly. The Star Chip is returned...
The S/D Agent wails as he is lashed against the burning window and crumples to the ground!
...and Billy Joe reactivates! He whips the Gronk first, causing an instant heart attack for the timid creature. His second attack inflicts two wounds on Johnny!
Billy and Joe launch more spinning attacks which send the Gronk back into cardiac arrest - and cuts up Johnny!
The Stix laughs and fires at Middenface - but inexplicably misses!
Blubberlips fires an Aimed Shot
Blubberlips takes his time before taking a potshot at the Stix leader...
...and incapacitates him!
...and the Stix staggers back and collapses! Blubberlips laughs and blows a huge raspberry at the defeated leader!
Stix re-activates and makes two Snap Shots at Middenface, first inflicting three wounds!
Stix shoots at Middenface again - and again!
...and incapacitating him!
And takes the Tartan Terror down!
The Gronk realises his friends are in danger and Sprints...
"Oh dearses! It sounds like Mr McNulty needses my help!"
...but he is so small, he doesn't get far!
Unfortunately the Gronk has short legs and cannot get anywhere near Middenface!
A badly wounded Stix activates and attempts to Fight Wulf.
Still reeling from the effects of Der Happy Stick, the Stix tries to fight back!
But doesn't even stun Wulf!
He has heightened strength but he is so badly wounded that even that can't harm his attacker!
Kid Knee enters a shack and fires at more Stix brothers!
"In here Maeve," Kid Knee says as he storms inside the shack.
His snap shot misses!
He takes a potshot at the Stix as he moves into position but his shot goes astray. The Stix don't even blink and stand completely impassive!
Billy Joe springs into action. He whips Wulf once, then twice - but only inflicts a single stun!
Note: the Solo Play rules indicate Billy Joe would charge. I up the A.I. by deciding that 2 Fight attacks would be more punishing than a Single Charge. Always feel empowered to change an action if you think it will benefit the enemy model; the flowcharts work well overall but they work better if you can adapt them to the situation. If you are happy with the flowchart action though, you are not obliged to improve the situation for the enemy.
Billy Joe activates and lashes at Wulf, but does nothing more than stun him!
He is able to reactivate and attack afresh.
He launches into a spinning attack, allowing both and Billy and Joe alternate lashes upon Wulf!
And manage to wound Wulf! Star Chip goes back to the bag again!
"Verdampt coward! Come and fight me like a man!" Wulf yells as the las-whips cut him.
Again!
Billy Joe may be a coward but he is crafty too! He can see from the condition that the Stix is in not to engage Sternhammer at close quarters - and so continues lashing Wulf with his las-whips from a safe distance!
And again!
"Arrrghhh," Wulf cries! The constant lashing is taking its toll, and Wulf is on the brink!
Maeve activates and joins Kid Knee in the shack.
Maeve follows Kid Knee into the home and joins him in firing upon Stix!
She brings her multiple blasters to bear on a Stix and inflicts a wound!
She hits - and wounds one of them!
Billy Joe activates again and he lashes and breaks Wulf who passes out in pain. GFBF!
Joe's eyes glitter with malice as he sees Wulf staggers in pain. He lashes out and delivers the coup de grace - with a cry, Wulf crashes to the sand!
Johnny activates and uses his Weird Eyes ability to fire his variable blaster through intervening blocking cover but only inflicts a stun! GFBF!
Johnny uses his alpha rays and the variable setting on his Westinghouse to fire through solid cover - but only stuns a Stix!
Sufficiently dissuaded from trying to get into Durham Red's head, Kansyr searches for another victim...
...and takes control of Maeve! She turns her guns on Kid Knee!
...and finds one in Maeve! Gleefully, he instructs her to fire upon Kid Knee!
She takes a Snap Shot and inflicts a wound!
She shoots him, inflicting a flesh wound on his leg, less than an inch above his head!
"Arrrghhh," he howls. "What the sneck? You could have killed me Maeve!"
"It's not me," she cries. "It's Kansyr!"
Kid rushes to grapple with Maeve but doesn't have enough limbs to restrain her!
Kansyr returns the Star Chip.
Kansyr laughs from the hilltop at the distress and confusion he has caused.
Durham Red passes her Cool test and makes two Snap Shots!
"We're being outflanked," Red warns. "Gotta take down these Stix!"
Another Stix is incapacitated!
Her shots find their mark - scratch another Stix!
She returns her Star Chip!
Note: The Pinned marker had not been removed when she passed her Cool test, but I realised the error and removed it before this had any effect.
"You Stix've got this coming!"
The last Stix standing by the crates activates and fire an Aimed Shot at Red...
"Die," the Stix responds, squeezing off an aimed volley at Red.
But she Evades and returns fire with her Gunfighter ability!
Red is too quick for Stix! She dodges and returns fire!
Stix is saved by cover but suffers a GFBF!
But she only shoots up cover!
Red activates and fires two Snap Shots but fails to wound the remaining Stix! She does return the Star Chip to the bag.
She follows up with more shots but still fails to wound the remaining Stix!
A Stix activates but has to use Shake It Off! to remove the Pinned marker.
Another Stix activates and moves forward to close in on Alpha.
He closes in on Johnny but the suffers a GFBF!
Alpha is almost in touching distance!
Red fires another two Snap Shots.
"I've had enough of this," Red says through gritted teeth and fires again at the Stix!
The first volley inflicts two more wounds...and the second removes him from the fight!
This time she finally defeats him!
She sends the Star Chip back to the bag! Her attention turns to Johnny and the Stix bearing down on him! Reactivating, she fires two Snap Shots.
"Johnny, watch your back," she shouts, firing her blasters.
Her first shot misses while the second finds its mark, but the Chicanery Card nullifies the hit against Stix!
But she only manages to damage the Stix's duster coat!
GFBF!
"You gotta get outta there Johnny!"
Kansyr activates again...
"Come here you weak-minded fool," Kansyr thinks as he targets Maeve again!
...and once again Maeve shoots Kid Knee!
"Die," Maeve shouts involuntarily as Kid struggles with her!
He is fortunate to escape with only a stun!
His exertions limit her to only stunning him - it could have worse!
Kansyr suffers a GFBF.
"Still they try to resist the inevitable," Kansyr thinks. "Imbeciles!"
Stix activates but has to use two Shake it Off! actions to clear Pinned and Stunned markers.
Badly wounded, the Stix opts to take a breather for a few moments.
It seems sensible not to attempt to return the Star Chip as he has 2 wounds.
He needs more time to recover!
Max Bubba Sprints inside the tower...
Max overrides the lock and gains access to the tower.
And gets into position with his blazooka. GFBF!
He rushes up the spiral staircase and finally gets into position with a clear view of the town!
Overview of the battlefield at the end of Turn 2.
The view from Johnny's side of the board.
Kansyr's view of the town.
Turn 3. Billy Joe runs forward.
Billy Joe pushes forward in search of more S/D Agents.
And sends his Star Chip back to the bag.
A grin spreads across his face as he spots Alpha himself!
Maeve activates and removes herself from the shack.
Terrified of what she may do next, Maeve opts to run away from Kid Knee!
She fires at Max Bubba.
Having exited the house, she spots Max Bubba in the tower!
He uses a Chicanery Card to nullify the wounds suffered.
Somehow he seems unperturbed by her blaster blast!
Billy activates.
"Joe lashed that bearded norm to death Alpha," Billy says. "Now I get the pleasure of doing the same to you!"
Billy Fights and lashes at Johnny!
As they storm forward, Billy lashes out with the las-whip!
But Johnny evades the attack, and retreats!
Johnny ducks and rolls out of the way!
Joe Fights again...
"I'll show you how it's done," Joe sneers, and lashes out at Johnny again!
...and Johnny Evades again! Joe sends the Star Chip back to the bag.
Once again Johnny dives clear of the deadly las-whips!
Johnny activates and has to use Shake it Off to clear a Pinned marker.
Johnny assesses the situation as Billy Joe bears down on him!
He moves inside the shack and returns the Star Chip.
He rushes inside and takes cover!
Blubberlips activates and opts to Overwatch, waiting for Billy Joe to pass by.
"Come on you ugly snecker," Blubberlips grins. He has the drop on Billy Joe if he tries to enter the small home.
Kid Knee clears a stun and moves...
Though badly wounded, Kid realises that he has to get close to Alpha to help.
...headed to help Johnny and Red out.
His wound slows him however! He isn't in much of a position to help anyone!
Max Bubba activates in the tower.
With a malevolent grin, Max raises his blazooka!
Passing his Cool test, he targets the building where Johnny and Blubberlips are taking cover.
Bubba spots Blubberlips waiting at the window to shoot Billy Joe!
Bullseye! It blows the side off the building and injures Blubberlips, breaking his Overwatch! GBBF!
Whoompfff! Bubba blows the side of the building apart and Blubberlips cries out!
The Gronk Sprints inside the shack.
"Oh dearses, I's coming Mr Blubberlips," the Gronk cries, running inside the burning building!
Stix activates...
Stix slowly raises his gun and fires at Johnny inside the burning building!
And Intimidates both Blubberlips and Johnny! His Aimed Shot fails to penetrate Johnny's cover. He returns his Star Chip.
Wounded from the blazooka attack and with the building aflame around him, Blubberlips starts to panic! Even Johnny is beginning to despair at their current predicament!
Johnny activates and passes his Cool test to clear the Pinned Marker. He then fires two Snap Shots at Stix!
"Is there any end to you creeps?" Johnny grimaces, loosing more volleys from his Westinghouse.
A Chicanery Card nullifies the effects of the first shot.
...but the second inflicts two injury markers! Johnny returns the Star Chip!
Johnny's shot wounds Stix but he is not out of the fight.
"And none of you know when to go down," Johnny grunts.
Billy Joe activates.
"We've got 'em now, Billy," Joe laughs.
Billy Joe rushes forward. Entering the shack, he lashes Blubberlips against the burning window! He returns the Star Chip...
"Eat lash Stronty," Joe shouts and cracks his las-whip at Blubberlips!
...and reactivates, lashing Blubberlips again and incapacitating him. As he turns to lash Johnny, the Gronk distracts him and he flails wildly. The Star Chip is returned...
The S/D Agent wails as he is lashed against the burning window and crumples to the ground!
...and Billy Joe reactivates! He whips the Gronk first, causing an instant heart attack for the timid creature. His second attack inflicts two wounds on Johnny!
Billy and Joe launch more spinning attacks which send the Gronk back into cardiac arrest - and cuts up Johnny!
Johnny spins around and rushes Billy Joe!
Rage overwhelms Johnny and he rushes Billy Joe!
He hits the outlaw with Electronux!
"Eat this," Johnny grimaces, an Electronux glowing in his hands.
But is thwarted by the enemy band's final Chicanery Card!
Billy Joe is too fast and somehow, almost inexplicably, blocks the Electronux strike with his las-whips!
An expert Brawler, Billy Joe counter attacks and inflicts another wound! Exhausted, Johnny suffers a GFBF!
And lashes back at Alpha!
Billy Joe activates and lashes Johnny twice, inflicting another wound! He returns the Star Chip again!
Johnny reels from the attack and Billy Joe presses his advantage, lashing him time and again!
And lashes out again! This time Johnny cannot escape and, he too falls under Billy Joe's las-whips!
Johnny has nowhere to go to escape the never-ending barrage of attacks. Eventually is lashed to the floor and lies still!
Billy bursts out of the shack and lashes at Durham Red but she Evades!
Billy Joe then bursts out from the house to attack Durham Red, but she leaps out of the way!
...and manœuvres herself towards the shack as she rolls to safety! Finally, a GFBF for Billy Joe!
She has to get inside the burning building to have any chance of saving her friends!
Kansyr activates but as he fails his Cool test, he is unable to make any attack!
Kansyr growls in triumph as he sees the S/D Agents in utter disarray. They are lost!
Stix activates and fires an Aimed Shot at Durham Red.
Stix opens fire at Durham Red!
She Evades and returns fire. The shot misses and Stix returns the Star Chip to the bag.
Red trades fire with Stix but neither find their mark!
Durham Red activates and plays a Medpac Armoury card as she rushes inside the burning house!
Red pulls a medpac from a her belt and charges into the burning building.
There she revives a furious Johnny Alpha! She returns her Star Chip to the bag...
Johnny howls as the medpac quickly goes to work and the gaping tears in his flesh are miraculously woven together.
Stix activates.
He is reduced to using two Shake It Off! actions clearing Pinned and Stun Markers. No attempt is made to return the Star Chip as he is wounded.
Johnny activates.
Red takes a step back as she senses Johnny's rage.
"THEY WILL ALL PAY," he roars.
Johnny rushes out of the shack...
"A-Alpha!" Billy and Joe cry at once.
...and Fights Billy Joe - twice! The first attack stuns Billy Joe but the second defeats him! Johnny returns the Star Chip...
Johnny kicks Billy Joe in the stomach before cracking his skull with the butt of his Westinghouse!
A Stix activates and makes two Move actions...
Badly wounded, a Stix moves out from cover.
Closing in on Alpha. He returns the Star Chip...
...and manœuvres himself into the best position to finish Alpha!
...and, reactivating, opts to Overwatch for Johnny making a move.
He trains his guns on the corner of the house, waiting for Alpha to show his face!
Johnny activates. He could use his Weird Eyes to shoot Stix through the wall.
Thanks to the powerful alpha rays his eyes omit, Johnny knows that Stix is waiting for him.
He leaps forward and, as he Evades Stix's overwatch, returns fire...
But that isn't his style! Unlike the scum he hunts, he fights with honour! He dives out and Stix fires, missing him by fractions. Johnny makes no mistake with his shot...
...and takes his attacker down! Johnny closes in on another Stix. He returns the Star Chip again!
Stix is shot through the head! Before his body hits the ground, Johnny is already closing in on another of his brothers!
A casual Snap Shot puts another Stix down!
A heart-shot silences another Stix as Johnny continues on his charge!
He pushes forward again - and returns the Star Chip again!
Only one Stix is still standing - though already wounded!
Reactivating, he moves on.
Johnny closes in on the last Stix, locking eyes with his fellow S/D Agent.
And shoots him down!
Johnny's Westinghouse blaster roars, blowing a huge hole through Stix's torso!
"Sneck," the Stix gasps as he clutches at the gaping wound and crashes to the sand.
Red is last to activate. She revives the Gronk but makes no attempt to return the Star Chip.
Durham Red revives the Gronk and drags Blubberlips from the flames as the Gronk's feet. The furry alien will be able to save him. There are several other Dogs needing aid, she hopes none have died...
End of Turn 3.
Johnny's band came very close to losing that turn, but the battle has been completely turned on its head!
Recognising that their masters, the Stix, have been defeated, Kansyr and Max Bubba decide that escape is the best option now.
Johnny realises Wulf is still alive so, rather than pursuing Kansyr and Bubba, stays with his friend until the Gronk can heal him. The battle is over and 'the organisation' beaten - but it was so very nearly the opposite outcome! Johnny feels no sense of triumph - only total physical and mental exhaustion.
Kansyr and Bubba escape in the shuttle!
Remaining Armoury and Chicanery Cards.
Aftermath
Despite suffering serious injuries, all of Johnny's heroic band of Strontium Dogs survive the final confrontation - thanks to the Gronk. After a few days' rest, Buell visits them as they prepare to leave Planet Alzir behind.
"By eliminating all of those Stixes, 'the organisation' is defeated," Buell explains. "With their bribes no longer coming in, our cops are no longer under their sway - but I've a huge job to do to clean up our act. The people of the town will demand it. My hope is that some face prison time but it'll be a long, hard road to get to that point."
"What about Bubba and Kansyr?" Johnny asks Buell. "Did you find out where they were headed?"
"Sorry, our sensors could only monitor their shuttle until they jumped system."
"What about those Steelkreeg robots we asked you to look into?"
"Yeah, it's weird that one. Steelkreeg was said to be a one of a kind but that's not true-"
"Ja," Wulf exclaims. "Ve know old cucumber! Ve fought them!"
"-but we've no information on the source of these new Steelkreeg robots."
"-but we've no information on the source of these new Steelkreeg robots."
"So someone out there is manufacturing more of them," Johnny says. "Those things are lethal killing machines. The galaxy could be thrown into chaos if they were to be mass-produced."
"So the question is 'who' is building them," Red interjects.
"Ach, that's a question fir another day," Middenface shrugs. "Ah jist want tae get back tae the Dughoose fir a wee dram!"
"Well you started something here," Buell smiles. "You muties are all right by me."
Buell seems somewhat confused at the S/D Agents response as they ignore him and make their way on to the shuttle. Wulf is last to go but gives Buell a disapproving look. For the briefest of moments he seems to consider swinging Der Happy Stick in anger, but he too files on to the ship.
Inside, everyone straps themselves in to their chairs. In such cramped conditions, it will be a long journey.
"Everyone set?" Johnny asks rhetorically. "Like Middenface said, let's get back to the Doghouse for a well-earned rest!"
The shuttle blasts off, and within minutes makes the jump to hyperspace. The Conspiracy is over.
Closing Reflections
I deliberately left the biggest battle until last and fortunately it provided to be a suitable climax to a great campaign! With several bullet time incidents, endless exciting combats and the balance of power shifting numerous times, this was a real nail-biter.
Things started out pretty well in Turn One with Johnny's band dealing out most of the injuries. Middenface was in an exposed position but other than that, I was reasonably happy. A few timely Star Chips drawn would enable Middenface and Wulf to run amok but Turn Two did not go to plan! Both of my close combat specialists quickly fell and Johnny Alpha was outflanked! Turn Three almost resulted in outright defeat when Billy Joe went on a crazed rampage and countless activations which saw him incapacitate Blubberlips, the Gronk and Johnny. It was only Red being able to use the medpac to resurrect Johnny that saved the day - that and another crazy run of Star Chips, this time for Johnny! I could have continued for another turn to see if Johnny and co could also bring Bubba and Kansyr to justice but it felt like it was the right time to bring the game to an end. The S/D Agents had suffered a lot so I was satisfied that they'd allow Bubba and Kansyr to make their cowardly exit without challenge. The main thing was that the Stixes were eliminated - no easy feat! Top performers were:
Things started out pretty well in Turn One with Johnny's band dealing out most of the injuries. Middenface was in an exposed position but other than that, I was reasonably happy. A few timely Star Chips drawn would enable Middenface and Wulf to run amok but Turn Two did not go to plan! Both of my close combat specialists quickly fell and Johnny Alpha was outflanked! Turn Three almost resulted in outright defeat when Billy Joe went on a crazed rampage and countless activations which saw him incapacitate Blubberlips, the Gronk and Johnny. It was only Red being able to use the medpac to resurrect Johnny that saved the day - that and another crazy run of Star Chips, this time for Johnny! I could have continued for another turn to see if Johnny and co could also bring Bubba and Kansyr to justice but it felt like it was the right time to bring the game to an end. The S/D Agents had suffered a lot so I was satisfied that they'd allow Bubba and Kansyr to make their cowardly exit without challenge. The main thing was that the Stixes were eliminated - no easy feat! Top performers were:
Billy Joe - who was brutal in how he took apart Wulf in particular.
Johnny Alpha - after Red resurrected him and he went on a rampage claiming Billy Joe and three Stix all in one turn.
Durham Red - she was able deal damage consistently when activated, was able to Evade and retaliate with her Gunfighter ability - plus she saved the entire mission from failure by administering the medpac on Johnny!
Billy Joe and Johnny were fortunate to have just so many Star Chips returned, so I would have to say that Durham Red was the best performer overall. I've always taken Middenface over Durham Red because of my attachment to Middenface as a character but I think Durham Red will be getting selected a lot more in the future!
Looking back over the campaign overall, all of the games were great fun which is testament to Andy Chambers and Gav Thorpe's excellent system! If there's anyone still thinking about buying the game, I can highly recommend it! The rules are very flavourful to the source material and the Chicanery Cards in particular create fun, unpredictable and memorable moments when playing scenarios. The miniatures are stunning and I only regret is that my painting skills don't do them justice. If you're inspired, you can buy the game and add-on miniatures packs at the Warlord Games online store here.
And if there's any players who've never read the source material, you're missing out! Check out the graphic novels available now from the 2000AD store here!
I'm somewhat relieved that - a few minor tweaks aside - my Solo Play rules performed well. I hope anyone who is struggling to find an opponent gives them a go! As always, feedback welcomed!
