TAG Wargames 24 Hour Scenario 2004

02/09/2004
By Jamie Innes

 It was several months in the making, was nearly cancelled, but the 24 hour scenario finally went ahead on August 28/29 2004. Approximately 50 scenario players turned out for the event, lesser than earlier predictions of 80 or more, however gameplay was far from hindered with a solid 25 players per team.

The Field

The event took place at TAG Wargames, 10 minutes out of Palmerston North. The field is a large bush field ideal for a large scenario. It has smaller sub-fields, which include the castle, and the western village. There is also a large lake in the upper half of the field, and several canals of water, necessitating footbridges.

The field was extremely muddy. Several days of rain prior to the event had transformed the grass into ankle deep MUD. Players got by with combat boots providing they were robust and waterproof, however many opted for gumboots, which was the safer option for the player who valued warm, dry feet. Luckily, come saturday, the weather was ideal for paintball, sunshine, light clouds and mild temperatures. Come nightime the temperature remained mild making for interesting night-ops.

Located right next to the field is a lodge, complete with 4-man cabin accomodation, cafe and bar, and full backpacker/guest facilities. Several ballers utilised this quality accomodation, making the stay enjoyable, comfortable and convenient.

The Rules & Structure

Teams wore a red or silver armband. Red were rebels, silvers were Allies. There were no tanks, demolitions, or engineers, but there were medics and generals. The medics were also combatants, and had 60 seconds to reach a downed player. Head shots couldn't be healed, and marker hits didn't count. Some medics played without a marker if they were out of paint, or wanted to be lightweight.

Specific scenarios were planned, but most of the event was run by the field-op by ear. It was quickly apparent where the strong points and weakpoints on the field were once players were underway. This field experience will be invaluable for future scenario setup should TAG Wargames host another 24 hour in the summer, which was widely whispered.

On day 1, the event started at 11:00am, games were stopped for a late lunch and tea break, and continued till 12:30am when the night games ceased. Everyone was given the option of playing through, but most wanted to stop and get cleaned up, fed and watered, and get some sleep. Games were back on on day 2 at 9am, and finished at 12:00pm

DAY 1.

Game 1.
Objective was to hold the ammo cannister for the game duration. The red team started with, and held the ammo cannister for the full 3 hours. A hay-base had been constructed on the hill, near the pine forest treeline. This proved extremely easy to hold for the reds, and extremely difficult for the silvers to attack. The reds were to discover this for themselves when the scenario was to be reversed later in game 3.

Game 2.
Objective was to capture an ammo box between the village and hay-base, and get it into the opponent's base... center flag style. The red team, having a stronger base... approached the box slower, allowing the silvers to capture it. Half of the silvers remained stationed near where the box was, and eliminated many of the attacking reds. Meanwhile, the other half fought thier way into the pines atop the hill, capturing the hay-base, and ending the game by default since the reds couldn't reinsert. This game was over in about 20 minutes.

Game 3.
The teams swapped bases, and the objective was for the silvers to hold the hay-base while the reds (stationed at the western village) attacked. The reds tried every available avenue to attack, flanking around the lake, fighting for the castle strongpoint, and attacking through the pines, all attacks failed. Midway through the game, 3 of the silver team flanked and embedded themselves behind the red's base. This was accomplished due to a period of diminished attacking from the reds. This squad's plan was to attack and/or be concealed in the thick bush around the western village, and attempt to strike the general or other targets of opportunity for points. It nearly worked, however the reds fought back directly, and sent a squad around the rear which suceeded in eliminating the 3 silver team members.

Game 4.
First night game. Objective was for the silvers to hold the castle, and the reds to attack and capture it. Silvers sucessfully held the castle, reds made sporadic attacks from all available directions. Most attacks were made from 2 of the 3 main avenues of attack. The silver team had a large powerful hunting spotlight which proved a severe hindrance to the attacking reds. After 90 minutes, the game changed over...

Game 5. Second night game. Objective was for the reds to hold the western village, and for the silvers to attack and capture it. The silvers also concentrated thier main attacking force in 2 of the 3 main avenues of attack. Mostly for the swampy part of the field at the bottom of the hill. The silvers attacked consistently but were unable to capture the base. In retrospect... attacking this village at night would have been better accomplished had the silvers more extensively utilised the thick bush that aurrounds the western village. The end of the game was called at 12:30, afterwhich everybody retured for the night.

DAY 2

(For day 2, several silver members defected to red to even up the numbers, including all 4 south islanders, as many reds had gone home.)

Game 1.
Objective was capture the orange road cone, and get it into the other team base... center flag style. Red team started at castle, Silver at western village. Red's runner quickly captured the cone and held it for the duration. Mid-game, 3 of the reds sucessfully flanked around the rear of the western village, and strategised thier unseen attack near some large felled logs. 1 remained at the logs as a relay point for further troop backup, while the cone-runner and 1 more made a concealed advance into the silver's base with the cone, ending the game.

Game 2.
Objective was for the silver team to defend the haybale base, Red team started at the western village and attacked. Red team attacked, and after many many shots and a long stalemate, eventually mustered a sucessful attack into the woods (up the hill), capturing the base, and bringing an end to the games around 12:00pm.

Summary

The initial dissapointment of seeing 50 players rather than the expected 80, and the muddy condition of the field, was completely overshadowed by the numerous positve factors to this weekend experience.

•  The lodge provided good quality food at a cheap price and cheap accomodation.
•  The game was blessed with sunny weather and mild temperatures for both days.
•  The field-op (Rob Blitz), referees and other organisers did an excellent job of administrating and contributing to the game.
•  The overall costs for paint, fees, accomodation and food were all very good.
•  TAG Wargames offered prizes of paintballs and equipment after the games had concluded.

  

•  The players all dressed the part, and all played with a lot of heart and determination in the face of some tough scenarios, making for a thoroughly enjoyable weekend.
•  The generals did well in undertaking such a tough job that involved minimal shooting and a lot of strategising and troop placement.

I for one am certainly looking forward to the next scenario, whenever it shall be, and I urge paintballers in the north and the south to both consider attending further 24 hours if this is your type of game. You won't regret it.


Photos courtesy of Gian Strabo